The Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders sold out almost immediately after becoming available, leaving many fans scrambling for another chance to purchase one.
Retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop quickly ran out of stock due to the high demand, with some websites even crashing from the surge of customers.
The rapid sellout highlights just how eager people are for Nintendo’s next gaming system.
Fans are also excited to discover the new games, upgraded hardware, and accessories that will come with the Switch 2.
The pre-order frenzy has led to many questions in the community about when another opportunity to buy will arise and what to expect when the console officially launches.
Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 vanished from digital shelves just minutes after going live on April 24, 2025.
Major U.S. retailers like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and GameStop were hit with an unprecedented surge in demand as thousands of eager fans rushed to their sites at midnight Eastern.
This led to website crashes, long virtual queues, and checkout issues, leaving many customers frustrated and without a console.
Some customers successfully placed orders, only to have them canceled shortly after because of stock issues. Others encountered cryptic errors, frozen carts, or unresponsive checkout pages.
It soon became clear that even the biggest retailers weren’t equipped to handle the frenzy surrounding the Switch 2 launch.
While most stores went live at midnight, GameStop delayed their launch until 11 a.m. Eastern. Unfortunately, this didn’t ease the situation.
Their website alternated between “Not Available” and “Currently Unavailable,” leaving shoppers confused as they refreshed for hours.
By mid-morning, scalpers had already swooped in, listing confirmed orders at inflated prices on resale sites.
The chaos extended beyond North America. In Japan, Nintendo reported over 2 million pre-order applications shortly after launch, far exceeding initial expectations.
The company issued a formal apology, warning that not all orders would be fulfilled in time for the release.
This overwhelming demand underscores the global anticipation for the Switch 2 and raises concerns about how long restocks will take after launch.
