In an electrifying race, preorders for the highly-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 went live just after midnight on Thursday, June 5, but what followed was a whirlwind of chaos and frustration for eager gamers.

Countless fans swarmed online to secure their place in line for Nintendo's latest console, designed to be a game-changer in the gaming world. However, while some fortunate buyers walked away with their orders, many others were met with relentless delays, rapidly sold-out listings, and system errors that mocked their efforts.

Social media exploded with reports from anxious shoppers sharing screenshots of error messages, long waiting times, and shopping carts that vanished at the very moment they thought they’d secured a victory. In a cruel twist, some even received order confirmation emails, only to be later informed that their purchases had been canceled.

Acknowledging the overwhelming demand, Nintendo released a statement through its My Nintendo Store, promising to work hard to fulfill orders but cautioning that delivery by the release date was not guaranteed. They urged hopeful buyers to visit participating retailers to increase their chances.

Walmart, one of the retailers taking part in the preorder madness, noted the astonishing enthusiasm and confirmed that their inventories sold out almost instantly due to insatiable demand. Best Buy and Target also joined in, but similarly faced the same fate, with their consoles quickly showing as ‘out of stock’ early on.

As the day progressed, GameStop attempted to join the frenzy with in-store and online preorder options. Despite their efforts, their inventory also evaporated within minutes, leading to confirmation delays and further frustration among customers.

Gamers took to social media platforms to voice their discontent, prompting GameStop's help team to acknowledge the surge in demand causing site disruptions. They assured fans that they would work to filter out duplicate orders to make inventory available again later.

While the specific supply for each retailer remains unclear, the incredible demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 is hardly surprising. This console is advertised as a significant upgrade over its eight-year-old predecessor, boasting exciting features like an interactive chat, larger screen, and a range of fresh games.

However, the launch occurs in a turbulent economic climate, influenced by new tariffs imposed under U.S. President Trump’s administration. These tariffs are expected to inflate prices across various consumer products, including electronics. The Switch 2 is launching at a baseline price of $449.99, a considerable jump from the original Switch’s $299 price point, with tariff impacts likely playing a role.

Originally scheduled for preorder on April 9, the release was delayed to assess potential tariff impacts. Nintendo has since stated that some accessories will see price changes, though the console’s price will remain as announced.

As Nintendo holds its breath, hoping the Switch 2 can rejuvenate console sales following a lackluster performance from its predecessor, the stakes are higher than ever. The company, headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, recently adjusted its sales forecasts downward, anticipating 11 million Switch console sales for the current fiscal year, down from an earlier estimate of 12.5 million.

With profits dropping 42% in recent months, Nintendo is all-in on the Switch 2, hoping that this new console will unexpectedly turn the tides.