When it comes to the excitement around new gaming consoles, Nintendo has once again proven it knows how to generate buzz — and the numbers show it. The Nintendo Switch 2, unveiled with major fanfare earlier this year, officially launched for preorder at midnight Eastern Time on April 24, 2025. Within minutes, nearly every major U.S. retailer had sold out of available units, leaving countless fans — ourselves included — stuck in virtual queues with empty carts and plenty of frustration. In this article, we’ll explore the rollout chaos, what went wrong, where you might still have a shot, and what to expect moving forward.
Retailers Hit by Overwhelming Demand
If you attempted to preorder the Switch 2 last night, chances are you ran into one of two problems: either the site wouldn’t load, or your cart mysteriously emptied just before checkout. Major retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target saw their websites buckle under the traffic. Many fans waited online for hours, only to be met with error pages or the dreaded “out of stock” notice by the time they reached checkout. It was an experience we know firsthand — we had tabs open across three browsers, mobile backups, and alerts set up, yet still ended the night without a single unit secured.
GameStop was among the few to try a staggered approach, offering online orders at 11 a.m. ET and opening up in-store preorders at brick-and-mortar locations. But even that strategy quickly faltered under the pressure. Social media quickly filled with stories of customers camped outside stores at dawn, only to find local allocations limited to just five or six consoles per location. For all intents and purposes, the console’s first preorder window has come and gone — and very few walked away with success.
Nintendo’s Invitation-Only Preorder System
Adding another layer of frustration to the situation is Nintendo’s own approach. Rather than offering open preorders, Nintendo is launching its own limited batch of Switch 2 consoles via an invite-only system starting in early May. To qualify, you’ll need to have had at least 12 months of paid Nintendo Switch Online membership and 50+ hours of logged gameplay. Invitations begin rolling out on April 24, but there’s no guarantee everyone who qualifies will actually receive one. It’s a lottery system, essentially — and if history with similar programs (such as the PS5 launch) is any indicator, invites will be both highly sought-after and frustratingly sparse.
While some fans are hopeful this will allow more dedicated users to get their hands on a console, others see it as another bottleneck that fails to address the overwhelming demand. In fact, some have speculated that the invite-only model is a strategic decision by Nintendo to extend hype and scarcity — a tactic that has worked for them in the past with products like the original Switch and even limited-edition Amiibos.
The Resale Market Is Already Heating Up
As expected, the resale market has already begun to balloon. Listings for the Switch 2 have started appearing on sites like eBay and StockX, often at double or triple the retail price. This is standard fare for high-demand hardware launches, but that doesn’t make it any easier to swallow for everyday buyers. Scalping has long been a thorn in the side of gaming communities, and this latest release shows no signs of changing that trend.
Scalpers were clearly ready — many armed with bots capable of purchasing large quantities in milliseconds, far outpacing the average user. Until stricter bot protections or allocation limits are enforced by retailers, the average fan will likely continue to be outmatched by those looking to make a profit on the secondary market. It’s a frustrating cycle that shows no sign of slowing down — particularly for limited hardware drops like this one.
Tips for Increasing Your Odds of Scoring a Switch 2
If you’re still hoping to get a Switch 2 before the official release date of June 5, 2025, don’t lose hope just yet. While the initial drop was chaotic, there are still a few things you can do to stay in the game:
1. Sign Up for Stock Alerts:
Use websites and browser extensions like NowInStock, HotStock, or even Discord groups dedicated to console restocks. These tools monitor online stores and notify you the moment restocks are detected.
2. Follow Retailer Accounts on Social Media:
Many stores, especially Best Buy and GameStop, announce restocks on their official Twitter/X accounts. Turn on notifications so you’re among the first to know.
3. Have an Account Ready:
Make sure you’re logged in with payment and shipping information saved on all major retailer sites. The fewer steps between “add to cart” and “confirm purchase,” the better.
4. Try Smaller Retailers:
While big-box stores are the most common route, don’t forget about smaller players like B&H Photo, Newegg, and local game shops — some of which are receiving smaller shipments.
5. Consider the Nintendo Invite Route:
If you’re a regular Switch user with an active online membership, keep an eye on your email and Nintendo.com for your invite. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s one of the few legit chances left.
6. Be Cautious on the Resale Market:
If you’re tempted to buy from a reseller, be sure to use platforms that offer protection for buyers — and double-check that the seller is verified. Avoid paying more than double the MSRP unless absolutely necessary.
Final Thoughts
The Switch 2 preorder launch may go down as one of the messiest console rollouts in recent memory — plagued by technical issues, mass sellouts, and high consumer frustration. Even with three devices and multiple tabs open, we at Aos Oasis weren’t able to lock one down. That alone should tell you how wild the demand truly is. Whether Nintendo underestimated the interest or simply intended to keep supplies tight to build hype, one thing is clear: if you want a Switch 2, you’ll need persistence, patience, and a little bit of luck.
With the official release still weeks away, there’s still time for Nintendo and its retail partners to restock — and hopefully learn from this launch chaos. Until then, stay sharp, keep your tabs open, and don’t give up hope. Game on.
