Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Messed Up on Launch Day by GameStop
GameStop's Messed-Up Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders: A Disaster Story
The Nightmare Before the Switch 2
Ugh, what a pain in the ass! Last night was a rough one for many, and I'm not just talking about nightmares. After scouring Walmart, Best Buy, and Target for the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, GameStop was the last place left for folks to grab one on launch day. Preorders were due to kick off at 11 a.m. ET on April 24, but let's just say that GameStop's site and app had other plans.
As soon as preorders went live, GameStop's website was bombarded with a tsunami of requests. Our Gizmodo staff, along with many others, ran into a Cloudflare error 502 for bad gateway. If the GameStop listing for Switch 2 managed to load at all, it showed a grayed-out box with the console listed as "Not Available."
A Glimmer of Hope
But wait! I personally managed to glimpse a ray of hope when I refreshed GameStop's page. For a fleeting moment, I saw a red box with a "Not Available" sticker. Clicking on it, I found myself on a page where I could buy the console. I got an order number, but no confirmation email or sign of my purchase in my GameStop account, and my credit card remained untouched. It seemed other buyers had similar experiences. GameStop later informed buyers that those without confirmation emails should be receiving one soon. Fingers crossed!
The SNAFU Saga
Reaching out to GameStop to get the lowdown on what was quickly becoming a major SNAFU, I haven't heard back just yet. As of now, it's safe to say that the Switch 2 is sold out online from most major retailers, at least until more stock becomes available.
For a short while, the GameStop app flashed an error reading "Activity Paused" with the following note: "We are having problems processing this request from the network you are currently on." As of Thursday afternoon, the app is back online. When it was functioning, it failed to load the listings for both the $450 console-only model and the $500 Mario Kart World bundle that shaved $30 off buying the game separately.
In an update posted on Twitter, GameStop admitted that "Nintendo Switch 2 preorders have sold out online. We will continue to squash bot and duplicate orders to reopen inventory."
One Last Shot: In-Store Preorders
If you're still holding out hope of securing a Switch 2 on launch day, there's one last hope: in-store preorders. Yes, you'll have to brace yourself for the horde and stand in line at a brick-and-mortar retail location... good luck with that!
Reports are coming in of massive lines at GameStop stores across the U.S. Some stores have varying levels of stock, with upwards of 50 units or more available. Some lucky consumers have managed to snag a receipt for a console after getting in line early in the morning. But don't rush out just yet; give the store a call first to check their status before wasting a trip.
High Demand, Limited Supply
The Switch 2 is set to be one of the biggest gaming launches in years. In Japan, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa issued an apology after preorders on Nintendo's My Nintendo Store exceeded the number of available launch units[6]. Nintendo has promised to send out emails to users ordering directly through the company on May 8. However, the company cautions on its website that delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed, as demand is far outstripping supply[6].
As of the time of writing, the Switch 2 is listed as sold out at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. Maybe it's time to take a deep breath and wait to grab a console after the release date on June 5. That'll also give you some extra time to read our reviews (we're on it!) and decide if you really need a new device in your life.
This is a developing story. We'll be providing updates as more information becomes available.
Enrichment Insights:- GameStop's In-Store Pre-Orders Running Smoothly: After online pre-orders faced technical difficulties and sold out quickly, GameStop reported that in-store pre-orders were running smoothly[4].- Nintendo Apologizes for Shortage of Launch Units: Following the announcement that preorders exceeded the number of available launch units, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa issued an apology[5].- Restock Alerts Advised: Due to high demand, it is advisable to stay updated with retailer notifications and restock alerts, as more stock is expected to become available periodically[1]. However, specific dates for restocking have not been confirmed[1].
- Amidst the chaos of the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders, Gizmodo staff encountered a Cloudflare error 502 for bad gateway while attempting to access GameStop's website.
- Although a glimmer of hope was experienced when some consumers saw the Switch 2 listed as "Not Available" on GameStop's website, no confirmation emails or signs of successful purchases were received.
- Upon investigating the situation, GameStop admitted that the Nintendo Switch 2 preorders had quickly sold out online, causing issues with bots and duplicate orders.
- For those still holding out hope, in-store preorders at GameStop could present a last chance of securing a Switch 2 on launch day, with reports of up to 50 units available at some stores.
- The potential high demand of the Switch 2 is significant, as indicated by Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa's apology for the shortage of launch units in Japan, and the company's promise to send out emails to users ordering directly through the company on May 8.
