Switch 2 Preorders: Chaos, Tariffs, and a Nationwide Scramble

Switch 2 Preorders: Chaos, Tariffs, and a Nationwide Scramble
Photo Credits: Alex Perry / Mashable

Giancarlo Matute, a 25-year-old resident of Medford, embodies the dedication of many gamers. He arrived at the Shirley GameStop shortly after midnight on Thursday, armed with a folding chair, and patiently waited overnight. His goal? To be the first in line to preorder the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, following Nintendo’s announcement of preorder availability for the console, slated for release on June 5th.

Matute's “worried” anticipation stemmed from previous delays in preorders. By noon, when the store finally opened, he was joined by a crowd of 60 fellow eager gamers – and thankfully, all 61 of them successfully secured a preorder. This story isn’t unique; it echoes a nationwide scramble for the new console.

A Rocky Road to Preorder

The initial preorder date of April 9th was unexpectedly pushed back due to President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs on April 2nd. Nintendo subsequently announced a new preorder date of April 24th, maintaining the console’s price at $449.99. To mitigate the impact of the tariffs, Nintendo strategically moved production from China to Southeast Asian locations, including Vietnam, as reported by the Financial Times.

A bundle option is also available, featuring the Nintendo Switch 2 alongside the Mario Kart World game for $499. Individual game prices will range from $69.99 to $79.99. Nintendo has also warned that accessories for the console will likely see a price increase due to the tariffs, and may adjust prices for other products further depending on market conditions.

Technical Difficulties and Limited Availability

Online preorders launched at midnight on Thursday, but quickly descended into chaos. Major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy experienced immediate sell-outs and did not offer in-store preorders. Nintendo’s own online store cautioned customers that delivery by June 5th couldn't be guaranteed.

GameStop opened online preorders at 11 a.m. ET, but the website buckled under the immense demand. This led many to rely on brick-and-mortar GameStop stores as the most reliable option. As GameStop communicated on X (formerly Twitter): “We’re seeing overwhelming demand for Switch 2, which is causing some site issues. In-store preorders are open and running smoothly. Our team is actively working to fix it. Hang in there — we’ll keep you posted.” GameStop's corporate office remained unavailable for comment.

Dylan Nemeth, a GameStop employee in Shirley, shared that store employees were informed of unit availability the night before, with notices posted at the stores. “It was actually really shocking,” Nemeth said. “Everyone who waited on line got one. We only had to turn away three people.” Rory Braun, a resident of Mastic, took a chance after finishing errands and was fortunate enough to secure one of the last preorders at the Shirley location.

What to Expect From the New Console

The Switch 2 boasts video and audio chat capabilities, as well as game-sharing functions, according to the Associated Press. Users will be able to play the console in handheld mode or connect it to a TV screen for a more traditional gaming experience.

A Wave of Frustration Online

The online experience wasn't smooth sailing for many. Social media flooded with complaints of long wait times, error messages, and orders being cancelled even after confirmation. Nintendo acknowledged the "very high demand" in a statement on its My Nintendo Store, stating it would work to fulfill orders but couldn’t guarantee delivery by the launch date, encouraging those seeking a launch-day console to visit participating retailers.

Persistence Pays Off - A Trick for Walmart Shoppers

Despite the initial frenzy, there’s still a glimmer of hope for potential buyers. One strategy for securing a Switch 2 through Walmart involves continuously tapping the “add-to-cart” button. While the site typically displays a “sold out” message, this persistence reportedly succeeds for many determined shoppers. It's believed that cancelled orders are trickling back into the system, creating sporadic opportunities.

Is it Worth the Hype? A Considered Perspective

Despite the intense demand, some experts suggest pausing before jumping into the preorder madness. After experiencing a hands-on demo, a recent assessment suggests the Switch 2 is largely an iterative upgrade. It’s capable of better frame rates and graphics resolution but doesn’t offer a drastically different experience compared to the original Switch. Many upcoming games are also planned to be compatible with both consoles, making the urgency to upgrade less pressing.

The Switch 2's strengths lie in its backward compatibility – it plays all existing Switch games – and the promise of future exclusives. While upgrades like the enhanced Nvidia GPU are significant, the immediate impact may be subtle.

Nintendo’s history suggests they’ll continue supporting the original Switch for a few years after the Switch 2 launch, offering a buffer for those hesitant to upgrade immediately. New features like Game Chat and Joy-Con mouse functionality are interesting additions, but might not be essential for all players.

  • Walmart: Switch 2 console / Mario Kart World bundle (persistence is key)
  • Target: Switch 2 console / Mario Kart World bundle
  • GameStop: Switch 2 console/Mario Kart World bundle (online preorders initially sold out)
  • Best Buy: Switch 2 console/ Mario Kart World bundle
  • Sam’s Club: Unknown timing for Switch 2 console / Mario Kart World bundle

Finally, Nintendo will begin taking preorders directly on May 8th, but this requires a degree of dedication; consumers have to be true to the game.