As I sit down to write this at 11:30pm CT, well past my bedtime on a work night, I'm joining millions of others across the globe in a frantic 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 turned into a chaotic mess, leaving many, including a significant portion of the IGN staff, in a mix of frustration and occasional triumph as we try to secure our consoles.
At Walmart, eager buyers were immediately placed into a digital queue, which moved forward for some, leading to successful purchases. However, many others are stuck on a "stay in line" screen with no clear indication of wait times or success rates. Those who manage to reach the checkout are encountering baffling error messages, further complicating the process.
Target initially appeared more promising, lacking the queue system of Walmart. Yet, the process quickly deteriorated as error screens popped up during the purchase, and even those who reached a confirmation screen later received cancellation emails, forcing them to start over. Some reported their Switch 2 being removed from their shopping carts mid-process.
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, with the website displaying "Coming Soon" for half an hour before finally allowing users into a queue. Some are now receiving purchase confirmations, while others face similar errors and restarts. Additionally, some buyers are dealing with fraud alerts from their banks, further complicating their attempts to secure a console.
2 minutes....
byu/trashpandacoot1 inSwitch
.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }By the time I finished writing this, Target and Walmart had sold out, and while more people are getting through at Best Buy, many, including myself, are still stuck in long queues. Others have received cancellation or delay notices without new delivery dates or the option to reorder.
Target cancelled my order 10 minutes after placing
byu/syde1020 inSwitch
.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }In the coming hours, more successes are expected, and there's another chance to pre-order at GameStop at 11:00am ET today, both in-store and online. Additionally, some lucky Nintendo account holders may receive an email in May, inviting them to pre-order directly from Nintendo, though demand in Japan has reportedly far exceeded supply projections.
Bots are the worst
byu/CANfilms inSwitch
.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }While it might be easy to dismiss the chaos if you're not a die-hard Nintendo fan, the situation is particularly frustrating for those who have been following the confusing and exasperating rollout of the Nintendo Switch 2. From the initial reveal, which left many reeling due to high prices for the system and accessories, to the pause and restart of pre-orders due to U.S. tariffs, and the lack of clarity on pricing and content for both physical and digital software, the process has been far from smooth. This uncertainty, combined with fears of future price hikes and supply issues, has left many fans anxious about securing a console at launch.
For those still trying to pre-order and eager to play Mario Kart World at launch, this is the reality we face. Here's how to navigate the pre-order process amidst the ongoing challenges.
