As I sit down to write this piece at 11:30pm CT, well past my bedtime on a work night, I'm joining countless others around the globe in the frantic effort to pre-order the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders officially launched at 9pm PT/12am ET across three major retailers: Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. However, the process has been anything but smooth, leaving many, including a significant portion of the IGN staff, grappling with a mix of success, frustration, and disappointment. Social media platforms are buzzing with similar tales of woe and occasional victory.

At Walmart, eager customers were immediately placed into a digital queue, which moved forward for some, eventually allowing them to add a Switch 2 to their carts. Yet, many others remain stuck on a "stay in line" screen with no clear indication of wait times or success rates. Those who managed to reach the checkout phase reported encountering baffling error messages that halted their progress.

Target's approach differed, initially appearing more successful without a queue system. However, the situation quickly deteriorated as users reported encountering error screens throughout the purchase process. Some thought they had successfully purchased a Switch 2, only to receive cancellation emails shortly afterward, forcing them to restart the entire ordeal. Others found the system mysteriously removed from their carts mid-purchase.

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, displaying a "Coming Soon" message for half an hour before slowly admitting customers into a queue. While some are now receiving purchase confirmations, others continue to face the same errors and restarts experienced at the other retailers. Additionally, some customers reported dealing with fraud alerts from their banks, further complicating their efforts to secure a system.

2 minutes....
byu/trashpandacoot1 inSwitch

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By the time I finished writing this, both Target and Walmart had officially sold out, while Best Buy saw more successes, yet many, including myself, remained stuck in queues for over an hour. Some received emails about canceled or delayed orders, with no new delivery dates or reordering options.

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

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In the coming hours, more success stories may emerge, and there's still a chance to pre-order at GameStop starting at 11:00am ET today, both in-store and online, as well as at other retailers in the future. Additionally, Nintendo may send out invitations to pre-order directly from them in May, though this is not guaranteed, especially given the high demand in Japan compared to projected supply.

Bots are the worst
byu/CANfilms inSwitch

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For those not deeply invested in Nintendo's ecosystem, it's easy to dismiss the chaos. However, for dedicated fans, the situation is particularly frustrating following a reveal and rollout fraught with confusion and exasperation. The initial excitement of the Nintendo Switch 2's reveal was tempered by the high costs of the system, its accessories, and games. Nintendo's decision to pause pre-orders due to U.S. tariffs, only to resume them without adjusting the system's price, added to the confusion. The company's unclear communication regarding physical and digital software pricing, formats, and content has left many questions unanswered, heightening the frustration of not knowing if they'll secure a system near launch, amid concerns over potential future price increases and supply issues.

For those eager to play Mario Kart World at launch, this is the reality we face. Here's how to navigate the pre-order process if you're still trying.