Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Mishandled on Launch Day by GameStop
Looks like we all got hosed, huh?
My evening (or early morning, for the true fans) trying to bag a Nintendo Switch 2 was as disappointing as watching Dad's latest stand-up routine. Outlets like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target were giving it their best shot, but it wasn't enough to quench our thirst for this elusive handheld gaming beast. GameStop was our last hope, and it let us down in a major way.
Preorders were supposed to kick off at 11 a.m. ET on April 24, but as soon as the clock struck 11, the GameStop site and app crashed like a troublemaking teenager. Hordes of eager gamers, including a handful of us here at Gizmodo, were met with a Cloudflare error 502 for bad gateway – talk about a buzzkill. If the GameStop listing for Switch 2 loaded at all, it was grayed out and listed as "Not Available."
But I can vouch that for a brief moment, I managed to score one. After repeatedly refreshing the GameStop page, I stumbled upon a red box marked "Not Available." Clicking on it led me to a page where I could actually buy the console. I received an order number, but I'm still waiting on a confirmation email – neither my account nor my credit card has been charged. It seems I'm not the only one with this issue. GameStop later informed customers that they should be receiving their confirmation emails shortly – fingers crossed!
I hit up GameStop to get the scoop on what went wrong, but they haven't gotten back to me yet. In both the digital and physical sense, it seems the Switch 2 is sold out from most major retailers – at least until more stock rolls in.
On the bright side, there's still a glimmer of hope: in-store preorders. Yes, that means standing in line at a brick-and-mortar retail store... and braving the desperate masses. Reports of long lines at GameStop stores across the U.S. are coming in, with some locations boasting upwards of 50 units. Some lucky customers managed to snag a receipt first thing in the morning. But before you hop in your car, give the store a call first to ensure they have stock and to confirm their hours – we don't need any unnecessary road trips.
The Switch 2 is expected to be one of the biggest gaming launches in years, and it's already creating headaches for gamers and retailers alike. In Japan, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa had to issue an apology after preorders oversold the number of available launch units through Nintendo's My Nintendo Store. It's looking like we'll need to be patient and wait for the console to hit the market on June 5 – at least that gives us some extra time to read reviews (you know, like the ones we'll be writing!) and decide if we really need a new device in our lives.
This story is still developing, so stay tuned for updates. Here's hoping we get some good news soon!
[Enrichment Data]:
The GameStop preorder process for the Nintendo Switch 2 on April 24, 2025, was marked by technical difficulties due to high demand for the console. Similar challenges were faced at other major retailers like Target, Best Buy, and Walmart. The GameStop preorder went live at 11 a.m. EST but quickly sold out, causing initial technical difficulties. The high demand combined with limited stock availability led to rapid sellouts and further strained the preorder infrastructure. Additionally, there were reports of controversial sales practices at certain GameStop locations, with some stores pressuring customers to buy expensive Switch 2 bundles with accessories rather than standalone consoles.
- Despite the initial Technical difficulties and high demand, some tech enthusiasts, like the team at Gizmodo, kept hope alive for securing a Nintendo Switch 2 preorder.
- The future of tech gadgets, such as the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, often creates a whirlwind of excitement for technology enthusiasts, as was evident during the preorder process on April 24, 2025.
- On the day of the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 preorders, various tech outlets, including Gizmodo, reported on the struggles of acquiring this coveted device, echoing the challenges faced by technology beat writers in future generations.
