As I sit down to write this at 11:30pm CT, well past my usual bedtime on a work night, I find myself, along with countless others across the globe and possibly beyond, frantically attempting to pre-order the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2.
Pre-orders were set to go live at 9pm PT/12am ET across three major retailers: Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. However, the launch has been anything but smooth. The IGN team and I have been navigating through this chaotic process with mixed results, while social media is buzzing with reports of widespread issues, leading to frustration, disappointment, and occasional success stories.
At Walmart, eager buyers were immediately placed in a digital queue. While some managed to progress and secure their consoles, many others remain stuck on a "stay in line" screen without any indication of wait times or success rates. Those who made it through to the purchase stage encountered baffling error messages, as seen in the image below:
Target, on the other hand, did not implement a queue system, which initially seemed to favor buyers. However, the joy was short-lived as error screens popped up throughout the purchase process. Some customers believed they had successfully ordered a Switch 2, only to receive cancellation emails shortly after, forcing them to restart the entire ordeal. Others reported the console being removed from their carts mid-process.
The Nintendo Switch 2 sold out instantly at Target. This is unreal bro. I refreshed on the second it turned 12 am. Actually unreal pic.twitter.com/LAQ4lC03qw
— Kenj (@Kenjdx) April 24, 2025
Best Buy's pre-order process was delayed, with the site displaying "Coming Soon" for half an hour before gradually allowing customers into a queue. Some are now receiving purchase confirmations, while others are still facing the same errors and restarts. Additionally, several customers reported fraud alerts from their banks, further complicating the process and potentially denying them a chance to secure a system.
2 minutes....
byu/trashpandacoot1 inSwitch
.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }As I write this, both Target and Walmart have officially sold out. Best Buy continues to see some success stories, but many, including myself, remain stuck in a seemingly endless queue. Some have received emails indicating their orders were canceled or delayed, with no new delivery dates or options to reorder.
Target cancelled my order 10 minutes after placing
byu/syde1020 inSwitch
.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }In the coming hours, we may see more successes, and there will be another chance to pre-order at GameStop tomorrow at 11:00am ET, both in-store and online. Additionally, some Nintendo account holders might receive an invitation in May to pre-order directly from Nintendo. However, demand in Japan has reportedly exceeded expectations, hinting at potential supply issues.
Bots are the worst
byu/CANfilms inSwitch
.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }For those not deeply invested in Nintendo or willing to wait, the chaos might seem trivial. But for dedicated fans, this follows a series of confusing and frustrating developments. The initial reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 was exciting, yet the high prices of the system, accessories, and games left many reeling. Pre-orders were paused due to U.S. tariffs, only to resume without any change in the system's price, just the accessories. Nintendo's plans for physical and digital software, including pricing and formats, have been unclear, leaving many questions unanswered about costs and what exactly consumers are buying. The uncertainty around securing a console near launch, coupled with fears of future price increases and supply shortages, adds to the frustration.
If you're determined to play Mario Kart World at launch, this is the reality you must navigate. Here's how to attempt a pre-order for those still in the race.
