Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders: A Chaotic Launch

As I sit down to write this piece at my desk at 11:30pm CT, well past my bedtime on a work night, I find myself in the same boat as countless others across the globe and perhaps even beyond, all frantically attempting to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2. The pre-order window opened at 9pm PT/12am ET across three major retailers: Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. However, what was supposed to be a smooth process has turned into a chaotic ordeal for many, including myself and a significant portion of the IGN staff. Social media is abuzz with reports of various issues, leading to frustration, disappointment, and the occasional success story.

At Walmart, eager buyers were quickly funneled into a digital queue to purchase their systems. While some managed to progress and secure a Switch 2 in their cart, others remain stuck on a "stay in line" screen, left in the dark about their wait time or chances of success. Those who eventually reached the purchase stage encountered perplexing error messages or other inexplicable issues:

Target, on the other hand, did not implement a queue system, initially suggesting a smoother experience. However, reports soon surfaced of numerous error screens during the buying process. Some customers thought they had successfully pre-ordered the Switch 2, only to receive cancellation emails shortly afterward, forcing them to restart their attempts. Others found the Switch 2 mysteriously disappearing from their carts mid-purchase.

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 faced its own set of challenges, with pre-orders delayed by half an hour and a "Coming Soon" message lingering on the website. When the pre-orders finally began, customers were slowly placed into a digital queue. While some are now receiving purchase confirmations, many are encountering errors and having to restart the process. Additionally, some customers have reported fraud alerts from their banks or other financial hiccups that further complicate the pre-order process.

2 minutes.... from r/Switch

By the time I finished writing this, both Target and Walmart had sold out of their stock, and while more people are successfully navigating the Best Buy queue, I, along with others, remain stuck for over an hour. Some have received emails indicating their orders were canceled or delayed, with no new delivery information or chance to reorder.

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

In the coming hours, we may see more successes, and there's still an opportunity to pre-order at GameStop tomorrow at 11:00am ET, both in-store and online, or at other retailers in the future. Additionally, some Nintendo account holders might receive an email in May, inviting them to pre-order directly from Nintendo, though this is not guaranteed. Nintendo has noted that demand in Japan far exceeds their projected supply.

Bots are the worst from r/Switch

For those not deeply invested in the Nintendo ecosystem, it's easy to dismiss this chaos. However, for dedicated Nintendo fans, this follows a series of confusing and frustrating developments. The initial reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 was exciting, but the pricing of the system and its accessories, coupled with a temporary pause on pre-orders due to U.S. tariffs, has left many feeling overwhelmed. Nintendo's unclear plans for physical and digital software pricing, formats, and content have only added to the confusion. With the looming threat of future price increases and supply issues, it's no surprise that fans are anxious about securing a system near launch.

Yet, if playing Mario Kart World at launch is your goal, this is the current reality. For those still trying, here's how to navigate the pre-order process: