Switch 2 Preorders Cause Global Retail Frenzy

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders have triggered global shortages, with overwhelming demand causing technical issues and rapid sellouts at major retailers in the US, UK, and Japan. In Japan, over 2.2 million people registered for a pre-order lottery, far outstripping Nintendo's supply and prompting official apologies and a second lottery round. US pre-orders, delayed by recent tariffs, saw websites like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy crash or sell out within minutes, frustrating customers with errors and cancellations. GameStop is one of the few retailers still offering pre-orders, having started later than others. Nintendo introduced strict pre-order requirements and a lottery system to deter scalpers, but even dedicated fans face uncertainty about securing a console. Despite high upgrade costs for certain games, enthusiasm for the Switch 2 remains strong, pointing to another blockbuster launch for Nintendo.