Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders Chaotic Launch

As I sit at my desk at 11:30pm CT, well past my bedtime on a work night, I'm joining millions around the globe in the frenzied attempt to pre-order the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. 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, struggling to secure their consoles amidst a sea of technical difficulties and mixed results.

At Walmart, eager buyers were quickly funneled into a digital queue system designed to manage the high demand. While some managed to progress through the queue and successfully add the Switch 2 to their carts, others remain stuck on a "stay in line" screen, with no clear indication of wait times or success rates. Those who do reach the purchase stage are encountering unexpected error messages, adding to the frustration.

Target initially appeared to offer a smoother experience without a queue system, but the situation quickly deteriorated. Buyers reported encountering error screens at various stages of the purchase process. Some believed they had successfully ordered, only to receive cancellation emails shortly afterward. Others found the Switch 2 mysteriously disappearing from their carts mid-transaction, forcing them to start over.

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-order launch was delayed, with the site displaying a "Coming Soon" message for half an hour before slowly admitting customers into a queue. While some are now receiving purchase confirmations, others are still grappling with errors and restarts. Additionally, some buyers are facing fraud alerts from their banks, further complicating the process.

2 minutes.... from r/Switch

In the time it took to write this, both Target and Walmart have officially sold out of the Nintendo Switch 2, while Best Buy continues to process orders amidst ongoing queue issues. Some customers have received cancellation or delay emails, leaving them without a clear path forward.

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

As the situation evolves, more successful pre-orders are expected in the coming hours. For those who missed out, GameStop will open pre-orders at 11:00am ET today, both in-store and online. Additionally, some Nintendo account holders may receive an invitation to pre-order directly from Nintendo in May, although this is not guaranteed, and demand in Japan has reportedly exceeded supply projections.

Bots are the worst from r/Switch

While those less invested in Nintendo's ecosystem might dismiss the chaos, for dedicated fans, the frustration is palpable. The rollout of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been marked by confusion and exasperation, from the initial reveal to pricing announcements and pre-order delays due to tariffs. The lack of clarity on pricing for physical and digital software, as well as concerns about future price hikes and supply, only adds to the tension surrounding the launch.

For those eager to play Mario Kart World at launch, navigating this pre-order landscape is the current reality. Here's how to secure your pre-order if you're still in the game.