The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 was a hot mess, especially for those hoping to snag one from GameStop. The retailer's website and app crashed almost instantly when preorders went live at 11 a. m. ET on April 24, 2025. This left many customers frustrated and confused. The site was flooded with requests, leading to a Cloudflare error 502 for bad gateway. Even when the site loaded, it showed the console as "Not Available. " Some users, however, briefly saw an option to buy the console and even received order numbers, but many did not get confirmation emails or charged cards.

GameStop later assured customers that those who didn't receive confirmation emails would get them shortly. The retailer also mentioned they were working to squash bot and duplicate orders to reopen inventory. The GameStop app also had issues, displaying an error message about network problems. It eventually came back online, but the damage was done.

For those still hoping to get a Switch 2 on launch day, in-store preorders were the last resort. However, this meant dealing with long lines and uncertain stock levels. Some stores had as many as 50 units, while others had very few. Calling ahead was advised to avoid wasting time. The Switch 2 is expected to be one of the biggest gaming launches in years. In Japan, Nintendo had to apologize for exceeding the number of available launch units. The company promised to send out emails to users ordering directly through them on May 8, but delivery by June 5 was not guaranteed.

As of now, the Switch 2 is sold out at major retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. It might be wise to wait until after the launch on June 5. This way, you can read reviews and decide if you really need a new console. The launch of the Switch 2 highlighted the challenges of high-demand product releases and the importance of robust online infrastructure. It also showed the resilience of consumers who are willing to wait in long lines for the latest tech.

The Switch 2 Launch: A Tech Fiasco

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