Image Credit: CNN

The hype is real—and the demand? Off the charts. Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 opened on April 24th and sold out almost instantly at major U.S. retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and GameStop. Nintendo fans rushed online to secure the next-gen console, only to be met with sluggish websites and “sold out” notices mere minutes after launch.

Retailers offered two main options: a $449.99 base model and a $499.99 Mario Kart World bundle. Notably, Nintendo kept pricing competitive despite global inflation pressures and looming trade tariffs. The company reportedly plans to absorb any potential added costs to avoid raising prices on consumers—an unusually consumer-friendly move in today’s economic climate.

GameStop’s website even crashed temporarily due to the demand surge, frustrating fans and leaving many without confirmation on their orders. Social media quickly filled with screenshots of error messages and memes capturing the collective disappointment of Nintendo enthusiasts.

Despite the chaos, the response highlights the intense anticipation for the Switch 2. Early impressions suggest a sleeker design, improved battery life, and enhanced graphics capabilities, although Nintendo has remained relatively quiet on official specs.

If you missed out, don’t worry—more preorder waves are expected closer to the console’s official release on June 5th. Be ready. This is going to be the console of 2025.

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