Key Takeaways
- Target, Walmart and Best Buy opened pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 at midnight on Thursday, April 24.
- As pre-orders went live, all three websites experienced a surge in reported issues getting online.
- The new handheld console can also be pre-ordered from GameStop and Nintendo Store.
As pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 opened at midnight on Thursday, April 24, some of the biggest retailers in the U.S. struggled to handle a surge in web traffic.
According to Downdetector, websites operated by Target, Walmart and Best Buy all experienced difficulties, with thousands of users reporting issues.
Target, Walmart and Best Buy Websites Crash
Shoppers based in the U.S. can pre-order a Nintendo Switch from the Nintendo Store, GameStop, Target, Walmart or Best Buy.
Of the retailers that offer pre-orders, Target, Walmart and Best Buy opened them up at midnight (EST).
In the early morning hours, Downdetector logged more than 2,520 reports from users struggling to access the Target website.
Meanwhile, reports of issues with the Walmart website spiked to over 1,700. While less pronounced, Best Buy also experienced a surge in reported connection issues.
Nintendo Store and GameStop
Because they opted for a different pre-order schedule, Nintendo Store and GameStop were not subject to the midnight rush.
Nintendo Store required Nintendo Account holders to register their interest in advance and is sending out invitations to pre-order the new handheld console via email. Meanwhile, GameStop pre-orders go live at 11 a.m.
How Much Is a Nintendo Switch 2?
At all retailers, a Nintendo Switch 2 can be pre-ordered for $450 or $500 for the Mario Kart World bundle.
GameStop customers can also trade in their old Switch to receive a discount of up to $175 off the Switch 2 retail price. The deal runs from April 24 until the end of the month.
James Morales is CCN’s blockchain and crypto policy reporter. He has been working in the news media since 2020, writing about topics such as payments, banking and financial technology. These days, he likes to explore the latest blockchain innovations and the evolving landscape of global crypto regulation.
With an educational background in social anthropology and media studies, James uses his platform as a journalist to explore how new technologies work, why they matter and how they might shape our future.
