Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders: A Chaotic Launch

As I begin writing this piece at 11:30pm CT (well past my bedtime on a work night), I'm joining countless others across the globe in a frenzied attempt to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2. The pre-orders were supposed to go live at 9pm PT/12am ET across three major retailers: Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. However, the rollout has been anything but smooth, leaving many, including a significant portion of the IGN staff, grappling with varying degrees of success and a sea of challenges echoed on social media.

At Walmart, eager buyers were thrust into a digital queue almost immediately, with some eventually securing their consoles while others remain stuck on a "stay in line" screen, unsure of their fate. Those who made it through have encountered baffling error messages, further complicating the process.

Target, on the other hand, initially seemed more promising without a queue system. However, reports quickly surfaced of error screens disrupting the purchase process. Some customers believed they had successfully ordered, only to receive cancellation emails shortly after, or found the console mysteriously removed from their carts mid-transaction, forcing them to start anew.

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-orders were delayed, displaying "Coming Soon" for half an hour before finally initiating a slow-moving digital queue. While some have received purchase confirmations, others face the same errors and restarts. Additionally, some customers reported issues with fraud alerts and other financial hiccups, further hindering their attempts to secure a system.

2 minutes.... from r/Switch

As I've been writing, Target and Walmart have reportedly sold out, while Best Buy continues to process orders, albeit with many still waiting in line. Some have received cancellation or delay notifications, adding to the frustration.

Target cancelled my order 10 minutes after placing from r/Switch

In the coming hours, more success stories may emerge, and there's 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 to pre-order directly from Nintendo in May, though this is not guaranteed due to high demand in Japan exceeding supply projections.

Bots are the worst from r/Switch

While those not deeply invested in Nintendo might find the chaos amusing, it's a source of significant frustration for fans, especially following a confusing rollout. The initial reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 was exciting, but the high prices of the system, accessories, and games, coupled with a pause in pre-orders due to U.S. tariffs, have left many reeling. Nintendo's unclear plans for software pricing, formats, and content have only added to the confusion and dissatisfaction, leaving fans uncertain about securing a system at launch amidst potential future price increases and supply issues.

For those eager to play Mario Kart World at launch, this is the current reality. Here's how to navigate the pre-order process if you're still trying: