GAMERS racing to get their hands on a Nintendo Switch 2 are facing obstacles as the highly-coveted console sells out.
Shoppers had another chance to score the gaming system as Best Buy restocked the second-generation Switches, but saw purchase limits similar to those enforced for popular Pokemon products.
The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 is causing a craze among Nintendo fans and gamers[/caption]
Best Buy’s Nintendo Switch 2 restock saw similar purchase limits for Pokemon product drops[/caption]
Nintendo revealed on Wednesday that the company had sold over 3.5 million Switch 2 units within just four days of the gaming device’s launch, making it the Japanese electronics company’s fastest-selling console yet.
As dedicated Nintendo fans and gamers set their sights on securing one, the Nintendo Switch 2 immediately sold out at nearly every major retailer, including Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Amazon.
Best Buy is offering fans a second chance to get their hands on a second-generation Switch, hosting a restock today, June 11, which began around 12 pm ET.
The retailer offered the Nintendo Switch 2 System for $449.99 or the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World Bundle for $499.99, both of which sold out quickly.
The online-only event limited customers to one Nintendo Switch 2 per shopper, per account, a Best Buy representative confirmed to The U.S. Sun.
The measure was put in place to avert scalping and ensure that a wider range of shoppers could get their hands on the popular console.
TRAINER TROUBLE
This purchase limitation mirrors that in place when the retailer rolled out the Nintendo Switch – OLED Model: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Edition in 2022.
It sold out within a day at most Best Buy locations, and the store enforced a strict purchase limit of one console per person, both online and in-store.
Best Buy similarly imposed a purchase limit on the Scarlet & Violet – Journey Together series when it launched in late March.
Shoppers could only purchase one of each of the following items:
- Elite Trainer Box
- Booster Box
- 3-Pack Booster
- Sleeved Booster Pack
Target likewise limited shoppers when the Journey Together trading card series dropped.
“The new release of the Pokémon cards will be held at guest service and will have a limit of two items per household, not 2 of each SKU,” read an in-store sign.
CONSOLE FEVER
In the US and Canada, Nintendo officially opened up pre-orders for the Switch 2 on April 24, following earlier regional launches in early April, selling out almost instantly.
How to Secure a Nintendo 2 Switch
Because the Nintendo Switch 2 is in such high demand, Best Buy made updates to its reservation process to improve shoppers’ odds of getting the item. The retailer outlined several steps to score a console:
- Sign in or create an account: An account is required to purchase this item.
- Confirm your location: Make sure your preferred pickup and shipping locations are accurate. This helps us find an available item more quickly.
- Add the item to your cart
- Follow the on-screen prompts: Once you click “Add to cart”, you’ll be in line to try and get the item. We’ll then verify your account and check for available inventory.
- Complete your purchase: Once in your cart, the item is “held” for 10 minutes. After time expires, we can’t guarantee the item will still be available. So be sure to complete your purchase quickly!
The popular gaming system then launched globally launched on June 5 and 6, rapidly selling out both in-store and online.
Availability is now largely limited to in‑store pickups, and fans who did not manage to snag a pre-order are having trouble getting their hands on a Switch 2.
Similar to the Pokemon model of the Nintendo switch as well as the PS5 and Xbox Series X, the Nintendo Switch 2 is proving tough for retailers to keep in stock on their shelves.
In May, Nintendo predicted that sales for the new console would reach 15 million units by the end of March 2026.
“Fans around the world are showing their enthusiasm for Nintendo Switch 2 as an upgraded way to play at home and on the go,” said Nintendo of America president and COO Doug Bowser in a statement.
The company has sold 152 million Switch consoles since it was first rolled out in 2017 thanks to popular games like The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which became especially popular during the pandemic.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has many similarities with its predecessor, although with a handful of improvements.
For example, it is more powerful, has a larger screen, and features improved graphics.
