Sitting at my desk well past midnight (Central Time), I join what feels like the entire global population in attempting to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order. The chaotic rollout has turned what should be an exciting moment into a digital battleground.
Pre-orders officially began at 9pm PT across Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. In theory. The reality? A technical nightmare playing out differently at each retailer. Our team at IGN and countless fans online are experiencing everything from minor hiccups to complete purchase failures.
Retailer-Specific Challenges
Walmart implemented a digital queue system that left some customers staring at indefinite "stay in line" messages while others faced cryptic error screens during checkout. Some determined shoppers did push through to confirmation, but these victories proved rare.
Target initially appeared more promising without a queue system, but success stories quickly turned sour. Many buyers received order confirmations only to have their purchases canceled moments later. Others watched helplessly as the Switch 2 vanished from their carts mid-checkout.
The Nintendo Switch 2 sold out instantly at Target. This is unreal bro. I refreshed on the second it turned 12 am. Actually unreal
Best Buy delayed their pre-order launch entirely, showing "Coming Soon" for thirty minutes before slowly processing orders. Even now, while some orders complete successfully, others languish in digital purgatory or face payment verification issues.
Growing Frustration Among Fans
The situation highlights growing discontent with Nintendo's hardware launch strategy. After an already confusing pricing announcement and unclear information about game formats, this pre-order fiasco compounds existing frustration.
There remains hope for additional pre-order opportunities:
- GameStop opens in-store and online orders at 11am ET today
- Select Nintendo account holders may receive direct invitation emails in May
- Further retailer restocks could occur before launch
Yet these options provide little comfort to dedicated fans who've spent hours battling overloaded systems tonight. The experience underscores the modern reality of high-demand console launches - where persistence and luck prove just as important as enthusiasm.
For those still trying, our pre-order guide offers updated strategies as the situation develops. But one thing's certain: Nintendo's next-generation console has already made its impact felt, even before reaching store shelves.
