Nintendo Switch 2 Initial Day Pre-Orders Mishandled by GameStop
Revised Article:
Cripes, this sucker just ain't easy to grab!
After a restless night for many (or maybe it was just a nightmare?!), folks were on the hunt for the Nintendo Switch 2 at retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, with GameStop being the final hope for some to nab one for launch day. Preorders were set to drop at 11 a.m. ET on April 24, 2025, but boy, did things go sideways! GameStop's site and app crashed hard as soon as the time hit, leaving fans drooling over a Cloudflare error 502 for bad gateway. Currently, if the GameStop listing for Switch 2 manages to load at all, it shows a grayed-out box listing the handheld as "Not Available."
Now, I gotta confess, I personally witnessed the hilarity of the site showing a red box with a "Not Available" sticker on it at one point. Clicking on it, I found myself on a page where I could buy the console! I got an order number, but still haven't received a confirmation email. My account doesn't show the order, and my credit card hasn't been touched either. Other buyers seem to have had similar experiences. GameStop later clarified that those who didn't get a confirmation email should be getting one shortly. Fingers crossed! If you're keeping your fingers crossed, check your account or email inbox to see if you got lucky.
I reached out to GameStop to get the latest, but didn't get a response right away. At this point, it's safe to say the Switch 2 is sold out online from most major retailers, at least until more stock rolls in.
For a hot minute, the GameStop app flashed an "Activity Paused" error with a note saying, "We are having problems processing this request from the network you are currently on." As of Thursday afternoon, the app's back online. Initially, the app failed to load the listings for both the $450 console-only model and the $500 Mario Kart World bundle that knocks $30 off the game when bought separately.
In an update posted on X, GameStop announced, "Nintendo Switch 2 preorders have sold out online. We'll keep squashing bot and duplicate orders to reopen inventory."
There's still hope for securing a Switch 2 on launch day, and that's through good old-fashioned, brick-and-mortar shopping! Yes, you'll need to brave the crowds...and wait. Good luck though, because users are reporting long lines at GameStop stores across the U.S. Some stores have varying levels of stock, while others may have upwards of 50 units or more in stock. Some consumers even reported getting in line early in the morning and walking out with a receipt for a console. But let's not tempt fate––call the store first before you waste your time!
The Switch 2 is set to be one of the biggest gaming launches in years. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa had to issue an apology after preorders for the Switch 2 in Japan exceeded the number of available launch units through Nintendo's My Nintendo Store. Nintendo has promised to send out emails to users ordering directly through the company on May 8. However, the company advises on its website, "Due to the extremely high demand, we will be working diligently to fulfill orders as product becomes available, but delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed. Your invitation email may arrive after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch."
As of the time of writing, the Switch 2 is listed as sold out at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. Maybe it's time to take a breather and wait to get a console after the launch on June 5. That'll also give you time to check out the reviews and decide if you truly need a new device in your life.
This story's definitely still developing, so we'll keep you updated as we get more info.
- Consumers hoping to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day were left disappointed when GameStop's site and app crashed, causing a Cloudflare error 502 for bad gateway.
- Gizmodo reports that some consumers managed to place preorders on GameStop's site, but didn't receive a confirmation email, and their accounts or credit cards didn't show any activity.
- Tech enthusiasts might still have hope for securing a Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day by visiting a physical GameStop store, where users have reported long lines and up to 50 units or more in stock.
- In an update posted on their platform, GameStop announced that Nintendo Switch 2 preorders have sold out online and vowed to keep squashing bot and duplicate orders to reopen inventory.
- The current state of the tech market indicates that the Nintendo Switch 2, set to be one of the biggest gaming launches in years, is sold out at major retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, and consumers may want to consider waiting for a console after the launch on June 5.
