As I sit down to write this at 11:30pm CT, well past my usual bedtime on a work night, I find myself, like countless others around the globe and beyond, attempting to pre-order the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. The pre-order window opened at 9pm PT/12am ET across three major retailers: Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. However, the launch has been far from smooth, leaving many, including a significant portion of the IGN staff, navigating a maze of varying outcomes. Social media is buzzing with reports of similar frustrations, with only a few celebrating their success.

At Walmart, eager customers were immediately placed in a digital queue, a system designed to manage demand but which has left many in limbo, staring at a "stay in line" screen without any indication of progress or success. Those who managed to advance through the queue sometimes encountered inexplicable error messages, further complicating the process.

Target, on the other hand, did not implement a queue system, initially suggesting a smoother experience. However, the reality was quite different, with numerous reports of error screens disrupting the purchase process. Some customers believed they had successfully ordered a Switch 2, only to receive cancellation emails shortly thereafter, forcing them to start over. Others found the console mysteriously removed from their carts mid-process.

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-orders were delayed, with the "Coming Soon" message lingering on their site for half an hour before finally allowing customers into a queue. While some are now receiving purchase confirmations, others are facing the same errors and setbacks as those at Walmart and Target. Additionally, some customers reported issues with fraud alerts and other financial hiccups that further delayed or completely thwarted their attempts to secure a system.

2 minutes....
byu/trashpandacoot1 inSwitch

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }As I write this, both Target and Walmart have reportedly sold out, while Best Buy continues to see mixed results. Many, including myself, remain stuck in a seemingly endless queue, while others have received notifications of canceled or delayed orders without any new delivery dates or options to reorder.

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

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }In the coming hours, more success stories may emerge, and there's still hope for those who missed out today. GameStop will open pre-orders at 11:00am ET tomorrow, both in-store and online, and other retailers may offer future opportunities. Additionally, some lucky Nintendo account holders might receive an email in May, inviting them to pre-order directly from Nintendo. However, given the high demand, particularly in Japan, securing a console is far from guaranteed.

Bots are the worst
byu/CANfilms inSwitch

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }For those not deeply invested in the Nintendo ecosystem, it's easy to dismiss the chaos. Yet, for dedicated fans, this ordeal follows a reveal and rollout that have been confusing and frustrating at every turn. The initial excitement of the Nintendo Switch 2's announcement was quickly overshadowed by the high costs of the system and its accessories, which remained unchanged despite a pause in pre-orders due to U.S. tariffs. Furthermore, Nintendo's unclear plans regarding physical and digital software pricing, formats, and content have left many questions unanswered, adding to the overall frustration. As fans struggle to secure a console amidst fears of future price increases and supply shortages, the situation feels increasingly daunting.

But for those eager to experience Mario Kart World at launch, this is the current reality. Here's how to navigate the pre-order process if you're still trying.