Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Mishandled by GameStop on Launch Day
Struggling to Secure a Nintendo Switch 2? Here's the Dirt on GameStop's SNAFU
Hey there, tech enthusiasts! If you've been chasing a Nintendo Switch 2 like a hot potato from retail giants such as Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, only to find GameStop as your final hope, we feel your pain. Here's what went down on April 24, 2025, when GameStop's preorders for the sought-after console were supposed to go live.
Brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride of technical malfunctions, botched orders, and crushed dreams (well, maybe not yours-yet). The GameStop site and app simply crumbled under the torrent of requests, displaying a Cloudflare error 502 for bad gateway or simply stating the console as "Not Available."
Gizmodo editors, like many customers, encountered the same issue. Despite one brief window where the console was, arguably, within reach, various users didn't receive a confirmation email or see the order in their GameStop account, with no signs of the purchase going through on their credit card. GameStop informed affected customers to expect a confirmation email soon after.
But there's a glimmer of hope! Some lucky dogs claimed to have successfully snagged the Switch 2. If you've been holding your breath, check your account or inbox for that long-awaited confirmation email. It's game on, if you've been lucky enough to make it this far.
GameStop's app, plagued with problems, displayed an "Activity Paused" error for some users, with the company promising to work on squashing bot and duplicate orders to reopen inventory. The app is back online as of Thursday afternoon, but it's still a wild ride.
Midnight launch events are planned for June 5, 2025, but with in-store preorders being the only hope left, you'll need to gear up for some seriously long lines at brick-and-mortar GameStop locations. Some stores may have up to 50 units available, while others might have less, so it's worth giving your local store a call before you brave the crowds.
If you happened to miss the early preorders, fret not! There's still a chance for you. Nintendo is sending out invites for preorders based on specific criteria, which could prove an additional opportunity for those who didn't score an early spot in line.
As for Nintendo, their store in Japan had to issue an apology after preorders exceeded the number of available launch units through Nintendo's My Nintendo Store[2]. Nintendo has promised to email users ordering directly through the company on May 8, though the company cautions that delivery by June 5 isn't guaranteed[2].
So, there you have it. Preorders are sold out, but nothing's ever certain in the land of tech. Hang in there, and keep your eyes peeled for restocks or launch day opportunities. And remember, patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to scoring that coveted Nintendo Switch 2.
This article is under continuous development. Stay tuned for updates as we gather more information.
Enrichment Data Summary:- Preorder Availability: GameStop Nintendo Switch 2 preorders went live on April 24, 2025, but quickly sold out.- Current Stock Status: Preorders are fully sold out at GameStop, similar to other retailers.- Midnight Launch Events: GameStop is planning midnight launch events for the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.- Resolution Timeline: GameStop is yet to announce a timeline for when preorders will restock, but users should keep an eye out for restocks and prepare for potential in-store availability on launch day.
- Despite several tech giants selling out of the Nintendo Switch 2, GameStop remained a beacon of hope for many consumers, until technical malfunctions and errors plagued their preorders on April 24, 2025.
- Gizmodo editors, like countless others, faced the 502 error'502 bad gateway' during the preorder process, adding to the frustration of keen tech enthusiasts who had held out hope for a successful purchase.
- Some fortunate consumers managed to secure the Nintendo Switch 2 through GameStop's preorders, but many were left in the dark without confirmation emails or visible orders, raising questions about the success of their transactions.
- After struggling with bot and duplicate orders, GameStop's app is back online, but the saga continues as consumers gird themselves for midnight launch events planned for June 5, 2025.
- With GameStop stores having limited numbers of Nintendo Switch 2 units for in-store preorders, consumers are advised to contact their local stores and brace for long lines before the launch day.
