The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 was primed to be a massive success, but GameStop’s preorder attempt turned into a spectacular misfire!

On April 24, eager gamers flocked to GameStop after exhausting their chances at Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. Preorders were set to kick off at 11 a.m. ET, but as the clock struck the hour, GameStop’s website and app crashed spectacularly, letting down thousands of hopeful buyers.

Almost immediately, customers encountered a flood of connectivity issues, including the infamous Cloudflare error 502. If you were lucky enough to access the site, you were met with a grayed-out box labeling the Switch 2 as “Not Available.” But a glimmer of hope emerged when some users – including myself – spotted a fleeting opportunity to order, only to be left in the dark without confirmation emails or visible orders in their accounts.

Frustrated gamers took to social media, while GameStop assured customers that confirmation emails were on the way for those who encountered glitches during checkout. Some gamers, like me, eventually received confirmation, but many were left in limbo.

After a slew of issues, GameStop informed users via X (formerly Twitter) that online preorders were sold out and they were working diligently to combat pesky bots and duplicate orders.

But don’t lose hope just yet! If you're feeling brave, in-store preorders are still an option, albeit with lengthy lines reported at GameStop locations across the U.S. While some stores had plenty of units available, others were sold out, leading to a frantic morning rush for fans desperate to secure their new console.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launch is set to be one of the biggest events in gaming history. In Japan, Nintendo's President Shuntaro Furukawa even issued an apology after preorders vastly outstripped the available stock at their My Nintendo Store.

For those ordering directly through Nintendo, expect an email update on May 8, but be warned: due to unprecedented demand, the company can’t guarantee delivery by the June 5 launch date.

As we speak, the Switch 2 is sold out at major retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. For those still looking to get their hands on one, it might be wise to just wait and see what the reviews say post-launch.

Stay tuned, as this story is still developing. We’ll keep you updated with more information as it unfolds!