Nintendo Switch 2's First-Day Pre-Orders Mismanaged by GameStop
Man, today's a real rollercoaster!
After a nightmarish night for many, folks were left scrambling to get their hands on the highly-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 from retail giants such as Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. GameStop was the last glimmer of hope for several desperate buyers, with pre-orders scheduled to go live at 11 a.m. ET on April 24, 2025, as planned.
However, the GameStop site and app crashed almost as soon as the time came, inundated with an avalanche of requests. Many of our Gizmodo staff, among others, received a Cloudflare error 502 for bad gateway. Currently, if the GameStop listing for the Switch 2 loads at all, it displays a stubbornly grayed-out box labeled as "Not Available."
I must confess, I managed to click through and find a red box with a "Not Available" sticker at one point. Clicking on it led me to a page where I could purchase the console. I received an order number but am still waiting for a confirmation email. It hasn't appeared in my GameStop account, my credit card hasn't been charged, and I'm not alone in this experience. GameStop later informed customers that anyone yet to receive a confirmation email should be receiving one shortly. Since then, I've received confirmation that my order went through. Keep a close eye on your account or inbox if you think you've managed to score one – the email might still be on its way.
Naturally, I reached out to GameStop to get some answers, but I haven't heard back just yet. It seems the Switch 2 is sold out online from most major retailers until more stock returns.
At the time of writing, the GameStop app still displayed an error reading "Activity Paused" with the following note: "We're having problems processing this request from the network you're currently on." The app is now operational as of Thursday afternoon. Previously, the app failed to load the listings for both the $450 console-only model and the $500 Mario Kart World bundle, which offers a $30 discount on the game separately.
In an update posted on their site, GameStop stated, "Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders have sold out online. We're working hard to squash bot and duplicate orders to reopen inventory."
If you're still holding out hope for a Switch 2 on launch day, brick-and-mortar stores might be your best bet. Yes, that means leaving the comfort of your home and waiting in line – may the odds be ever in your favor! Some locations reportedly have anywhere between 50 units and more than that available. However, we won't recommend you dash off to the store just yet. Calling ahead to check the stock would be wise to avoid any disappointments.
With the Switch 2 set to be one of the biggest gaming launches in history, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa had to issue an apology in Japan after pre-orders exceeded the number of launch units on the My Nintendo Store. Nintendo has promised to send out emails to users ordering directly through the company on May 8. However, be warned: due to the extraordinary demand, delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed – your invitation email may arrive after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. As of writing, the Switch 2 is listed as sold out at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. Maybe it's time to put your preorder plans on hold and wait for the console to become available after the launch on June 5. That will also give you ample time to read reviews (cough, cough, we do those!) and decide whether you really need a new device in your life.
This is a developing story. We'll update this post as we learn more information.
- The tech industry, once again, experienced a challenging day as the GameStop website and app crashed due to the overwhelming demand for thenewly released Nintendo Switch 2.
- Despite the tech issues, consumers are still hopeful of securing the anticipated console from other retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, though they may have to wait for more stock to become available.
- Gizmodo staff, along with many others, encountered a Cloudflare error 502 when trying to access the GameStop site, preventing them from placing orders for the Nintendo Switch 2.
- GameStop reassured customers that they can expect confirmation emails for their orders soon, as some users reported successfully placing orders but have yet to receive confirmation.
- In the future, gadget enthusiasts may want to consider visiting brick-and-mortar stores for a chance to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2, although calling ahead to check the availability is essential to avoid disappointments.
