Nintendo Switch 2 Early Preorders Mishandled by GameStop
Revamped Rant:
Ooof, not the best day for gamers, mate!
After a tumultuous (and possibly traumatic) night, many of us woke up with empty pockets and no Nintendo Switch 2 in sight, despite trying various retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. GameStop was the final glimmer of hope for launch day pre-orders at 11 a.m. ET on April 24. But, boy, did GameStop disappoint, with their site and app crashing harder than a novice gamer attempting the Dark Souls boss rush.
Immediately after preorders went live, GameStop's site got smacked with an avalanche of requests, leaving users - including several of ours at Gizmodo - with a Cloudflare error 502: "Bad Gateway." If the GameStop listing for Switch 2 does load, it simply shows a grayscale box labeling the handheld as "Not Available."
Now, I can't speak for everyone, but I can vouch that at one point I managed to glimpse a red box with a "Not Available" sticker. But, oh man, click that button and you'd be presented with a page where you could buy the console. I received an order number, but, honestly, my wallet is feeling a little bit lighter while my credit card remains untouched, and my GameStop account still shows an empty cart. Spoiler: I'm not the only one dealing with such issues. GameStop later informed customers that those who didn't receive a confirmation email would be receiving one shortly. Since then, I've gotten confirmation that my order actually went through. So, ladies and gentlemen, if your lucky stars were shining, have a peek at your account or email inbox to see if you've secured yourself a green light.
I reached out to GameStop to get some insight on the said cluster bomb, but, to be honest, I'm still waiting for a response. At this point, it seems the Switch 2 is out of reach online from most major retailers, at least until more stock rolls in.
Now, if you still have your shamrock shades on and believe in the luck of the Irish, you might find solace in in-store preorders. Yes, that means going to a physical store... and standing in line. But remember, not all stores are created equal when it comes to stock levels. There have been reports of stores having anywhere from just a handful of units to an impressive 50 or more. And don't forget the sunscreen if you decide to line up early in the morning!
The Switch 2 is shaping up to be one of the most significant gaming launches in years. In fact, even Nintendo had to dodge some harsh criticism after preorders got snapped up quicker than popcorn in a microwave through Nintendo's My Nintendo Store in Japan. Nintendo has promised to send emails to customers ordering directly through the company on May 8. However, they've been frank about the issues: "Due to the incredible demand, we will be working tirelessly to fulfill orders as products become available, but delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed."
Currently, the Switch 2 is listed as sold out at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. So, hey, why not take a breather, grab a cold one, and wait for the launch on June 5. That will also give you time to read our (ahem, I mean... other reputable sources') reviews and decide whether you really need a new device in your life.
Disclaimer: This is a developing story, and we'll keep you updated as we dig up more info.
- Despite the ongoing struggles with online pre-orders, technology enthusiasts at Gizmodo still eagerly await the arrival of the long-anticipated tech gadget, the Switch 2.
- The technology market is abuzz with excitement for the future, as the upcoming release of the Switch 2 promises to revolutionize handheld gaming, shaping up to be one of the most significant launches in years.
- In the midst of the chaos and disappointment surrounding the unavailability of the Switch 2 at major retailers, some enterprising individuals may choose to seek out in-store pre-orders, venturing into physical stores for a chance to secure the latest gadget in tech.
