Nintendo Switch 2 Initial Preorders Mishandled by GameStop
Oops! That Didn't Go as Planned
Man, talk about a rough one!
By now, many of us are probably shaking off the cobwebs from a restless night trying to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 from popular retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. GameStop was our final hope for grabbing one on launch day. Preorders were scheduled to go live at 11 a.m. ET on April 24, 2025 - or so we thought. You guessed it; things didn't exactly go smoothly.
The GameStop site and app experienced a swift and massive influx of requests as the preorder time approached, leading to Cloudflare error 502 for bad gateway. At one point, the site even showed a grayed-out box listing the handheld as "Not Available." But there was a catch: for a brief moment, I managed to access a red box with a "Not Available" sticker. Clicking on it, I was able to place an order, although I haven't received a confirmation email yet. As for my credit card, it hasn't been charged either. Others have reported similar difficulties. GameStop later informed customers to expect a confirmation email soon.
Unfortunately, I haven't heard back from GameStop regarding any updates on this issue. However, it's clear that the Switch 2 is currently sold out online from most major retailers.
Interestingly, for a while, the GameStop app displayed an error reading "Activity Paused" and included the following note: "We are having problems processing this request from the network you are currently on." Fortunately, the app is back online as of Thursday afternoon. When it was operational, the app failed to load the listings for both the $450 console-only model and the $500 Mario Kart World bundle, which offered a $30 savings compared to buying the game separately.
In an update posted on X, GameStop stated that "Nintendo Switch 2 preorders have sold out online. We will continue to squash bot and duplicate orders to reopen inventory."
There's still a chance to secure a Switch 2 on launch day, and that's through in-store preorders. Brace yourself for some waiting, though, because users are reporting massive lines at GameStop locations across the U.S. Some stores have relatively slim supplies, while others may have upwards of 50 units or more available. A few consumers shared stories of getting in line early in the morning and getting a receipt for a console. However, it's probably best not to jump in your car just yet. It's always a good idea to give the store a call first to see if they have any stock.
In Japan, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa had to issue an apology after preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 exceeded the number of available launch units through Nintendo's My Nintendo Store. Nintendo promised to send out emails to customers ordering directly through the company on May 8, 2025. The company cautions on its website: "Due to the very 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 now, the Switch 2 is listed as sold out at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. It might be wise to put your gaming dreams on hold and wait until the console launches on June 5, 2025. This will not only give you a chance to read (or write!) reviews (wink, wink), but it will also allow you to determine whether adding another device to your life is genuinely necessary.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to gather information on this developing story.
- In the midst of the chaos surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, some tech enthusiasts managed to secure preorders through the GameStop app, despite encountering Cloudflare error 502 and other issues.
- As the future of tech unveils, gadget fans are looking toward the release of new gadgets, such as the Nintendo Switch 2, hoping for a smoother and more successful launch than the one that recently transpired.
- Despite the rough launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, technology enthusiasts can still await the arrival of the new console on June 5, 2025, allowing time for technology reviews, reflecting upon the necessity of adding another device to their lives.
