Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders: A Chaotic Launch

As I sit down to write this piece at 11:30pm CT, long past my usual bedtime on a work night, I'm joining millions of others, and perhaps even inhabitants of other planets, in the frantic scramble to pre-order the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders were set to go live at 9pm PT/12am ET across three major retailers: Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. However, the rollout has been nothing short of chaotic, leaving many, including a significant portion of the IGN staff, with mixed results ranging from frustration to occasional success. Social media platforms are buzzing with reports of similar struggles.

At Walmart, eager buyers were quickly funneled into a digital queue. While some managed to navigate through and secure their systems, others remain stuck on a "stay in line" screen with no clear indication of wait times or success rates. Those who reached the purchase stage encountered baffling error messages, as seen in the image below:

Target initially seemed more promising without a queue system, but soon, reports flooded in about error screens disrupting the purchase process. Some customers believed they had successfully pre-ordered, only to receive cancellation emails shortly after, forcing them to restart the process. Others found the Switch 2 mysteriously removed from their 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 starting to process orders. Some customers are now receiving purchase confirmations, while others face the same errors and restarts. Additionally, some have encountered fraud alerts and other financial issues, further complicating their attempts to secure a system.

As I write, Target and Walmart have reportedly sold out, while Best Buy continues to process orders, albeit slowly. Some customers have received cancellation or delay notices without new delivery dates or reordering options.

In the coming hours, more success stories are expected, and there will be another chance to pre-order at GameStop starting at 11:00am ET, both in-store and online. Additionally, select Nintendo account holders might receive an invitation to pre-order directly from Nintendo in May, though this is not guaranteed, especially given the high demand in Japan that has already exceeded supply projections.

While those less invested in Nintendo might dismiss the chaos, it's incredibly frustrating for dedicated fans, especially following a reveal and rollout process that has been confusing and frustrating. The initial excitement of the Nintendo Switch 2's announcement was quickly overshadowed by concerns about pricing for the system and its accessories, which remained unchanged despite a pause in pre-orders due to U.S. tariffs. Moreover, Nintendo's communication about physical and digital software pricing, formats, and content has been unclear, leaving many fans in the dark about the true cost and nature of their purchases. With potential future price hikes and supply issues looming, the uncertainty about securing a system at launch is understandably distressing.

For those determined to play Mario Kart World at launch, navigating this pre-order frenzy is the current reality. Here's how to maximize your chances of securing a pre-order if you're still in the race.