The much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 pre-sale caused major headaches for America’s biggest retailers as shoppers rushed to secure the coveted console online.

Target, Walmart, and Best Buy were among the stores that faced significant technical issues, with customers reporting website crashes and long wait times as the sale kicked off at midnight.

Website Crashes and Frustrated Gamers

Target’s website took the brunt of the chaos when it crashed just as the pre-sale went live.

According to Downdetector, there were more than 2,200 customer complaints within the first few minutes.

Best Buy wasn’t far behind, experiencing a surge in problems starting at 9 p.m. but reaching a peak right at midnight, exactly when Target’s site went down.

Walmart also had its own share of trouble, with most shoppers reporting issues at 9 p.m., though there was another small uptick at midnight.

As customers scrambled to secure their consoles, some found that the Best Buy website still hadn’t activated the pre-order option, leading to even more frustration.

Social Media Explodes with Complaints

The issues at the retailers didn’t go unnoticed on social media, where many gamers vented their frustration.

One user joked, “Which Best Buy employee forgot to change the button for the pre-orders for Switch 2?” Another shared their disappointment, saying, “Best Buy didn’t open their preorders on time… so now I’m stuck in a long line.”

Others weren’t as forgiving, with one user lamenting, “Best Buy is crashing hard.

Hopefully, people get their Switch 2s.”

Some even experienced issues with the checkout process, with one person commenting, “Best Buy just closed the ‘you’re in line’ box without letting me do anything.”

Success Stories Amid the Chaos

Despite the chaos, some lucky gamers were able to snag their pre-orders.

One ecstatic buyer tweeted, “I GOT ONE YESSSS! Nintendo Switch 2, here we go baby!” Another wrote, “I managed to get one through Best Buy, hopefully, they don’t cancel my order.”

For those who succeeded, the excitement was palpable, and many expressed relief that the wait was finally over.

However, not everyone had the same luck. One frustrated shopper shared screenshots of their failed attempts to secure the console through all three major retailers, saying, “My Nintendo Switch 2 shopping experience lol.

Thanks Target, Best Buy, and Walmart.”

What’s New with the Nintendo Switch 2?

The new Nintendo Switch 2 boasts some exciting upgrades, including a larger 7.9-inch screen, higher resolution, a built-in chat feature for talking to friends, and improved Joy-Con controllers that attach and detach more easily—goodbye to the hassle of stuck controllers.

Originally, the Switch 2 was set to launch on April 9, but the release date was delayed due to trade tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Nintendo confirmed that pre-orders would not start on April 9, 2025, as they had to “assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.”

The Price Tag and What’s Next

Despite the delays and tariffs, Nintendo assured customers that the price would remain the same at $449.99, even though the company would absorb millions of dollars in additional costs.

The company produces the Switch consoles mainly in Vietnam and China, both of which were hit with new tariffs under the Trump administration.

The revised launch date is now set for June 5, 2025, and eager gamers can still expect to see the new Nintendo Switch 2 on shelves despite the hurdles.

For now, those who weren’t able to get their hands on one during the pre-sale will have to wait until the official release.