"Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders Chaotic Launch"

As I begin writing this piece, it's 11:30pm CT (well past my bedtime on a work night), and I'm joining the throngs of eager fans across the globe trying to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders were supposed to go live at 9pm PT/12am ET at three major retailers: Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. However, the rollout has been anything but smooth, resulting in a chaotic experience for many, including a large portion of the IGN staff and countless others sharing their frustrations and occasional victories on social media.

At Walmart, potential buyers were quickly funneled into a digital queue to purchase their systems. While some managed to progress and eventually secure a Switch 2 in their carts, many others remain stuck on a "stay in line" screen with no clear indication of when or if they'll get through. Those who do reach the purchasing stage have encountered unexpected error messages, adding to the confusion and delay.

Target, on the other hand, did not implement a queue system, which initially suggested a smoother process. However, reports quickly emerged of frequent error screens during the purchase process. Some customers believed they had successfully pre-ordered the Switch 2, only to receive cancellation emails shortly after, forcing them to restart the process. Others found the Switch 2 mysteriously disappearing from their carts mid-transaction.

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 process was delayed, with the website displaying "Coming Soon" for half an hour before finally allowing customers into a digital queue. While some are now receiving confirmation emails, others are still grappling with errors and restarts. Additionally, some customers have reported fraud alerts and financial issues, further complicating their attempts to secure a system.

As I write this, both Target and Walmart have officially sold out, and while more people are successfully navigating Best Buy's queue, others, including myself, remain stuck for over an hour. Some have received emails stating their orders were canceled or delayed without a new delivery date or the option to reorder.

Target cancelled my order 10 minutes after placing byu/syde1020 inSwitch

In the coming hours, we can expect more successes, and there remains an opportunity to pre-order at GameStop at 11:00am ET today, both in-store and online, as well as at other retailers in the future. Additionally, some Nintendo account holders may receive an invitation to pre-order directly from Nintendo in May, though there's no guarantee of receiving such an email. Nintendo has already indicated that demand in Japan has far exceeded projected supply.

Bots are the worst byu/CANfilms inSwitch

For those not deeply invested in Nintendo's ecosystem, it's easy to dismiss this chaos. However, for dedicated Nintendo fans, this comes on the heels of a confusing and frustrating reveal and rollout process. The initial excitement over the Nintendo Switch 2 was quickly overshadowed by the high costs of the system and accessories, which remained unchanged despite a pause in pre-orders due to U.S. tariffs. Moreover, Nintendo's unclear plans for software pricing, formats, and content have left many questions unanswered, adding to the frustration of not knowing if they can secure a system near launch, especially with concerns about future price hikes and supply issues.

For those still determined to play Mario Kart World at launch, navigating this pre-order frenzy is the current reality. Here's how to get that pre-order if you're still trying.