This week’s TechIn5 is a Nintendo special — because when the Switch 2 dropped, so did every single retailer’s website.

We’ve got the full blow-by-blow from launch night, a few actual tips for folks who missed out, a heartfelt goodbye to the OG Switch, and a moment of unexpected reflection for a digital-age pope who left a real mark on the tech world. All that — and somehow, Bitcoin made it into dinner conversation?

Let’s plug in.

🕛 The Switch 2 Preorder Battle Was Real — And Walmart Won

You’ve seen the headlines. Maybe you’ve got the preorder confirmation. Maybe you’ve got… trauma. Either way, the night of April 24 was pure preorder chaos — and our own Trevor Barnes was deep in the trenches.

Here’s how it went down:

  • Best Buy: Launched 30 minutes late. Used the dreaded “You’re in line” screen. Kicked more people than a Mario Party minigame. Big flop.
  • Target: Mobile app worked early… until it didn’t. Website straight-up exploded. Orders were placed, then canceled faster than you can say “restock.”
  • Walmart: Unexpected hero. Clean launch. Smooth virtual queue. Gave people 10 minutes to check out. Trevor snagged his bundle. 🏆

🎙️ “Walmart was the Rainbow Road of retailers — chaotic, but if you held on, it got you there.”

— Trevor

🧭 Missed It? Here’s What To Actually Do Now

If you didn’t get a preorder, take a breath. No shame. No FOMO necessary. Trevor broke down five real strategies for surviving the Switch 2 drought — and they actually make sense:

  1. Set up stock alerts with NowInStock or Discord bots.
  2. Stick with the OG Switch — especially if you haven’t touched your backlog.
  3. Try a handheld PC like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally — they’re stronger than the Switch 2 and in stock.
  4. Go retro — 3DS and Wii U libraries are still alive and beautiful.
  5. Ask yourself: do I need it now, or am I just caught in the hype?

💬 “The Switch 2 is cool. But so is finishing Metroid Dread before November.”

— Trevor

🎮 The Original Switch Deserves Its Flowers

Before we all jump to the next-gen hype train, let’s pour one out for the OG Switch. It launched with skepticism, survived Joy-Con drift, and still became one of the most beloved consoles ever.

✅ Dock it. Take it on a plane. Hide it under your pillow.

✅ Breath of the Wild, Animal Crossing, Mario Odyssey, Smash Ultimate… come on.

✅ It made handheld gaming fun again.

🎙️ “It wasn’t the most powerful console. But it was the most personal.”

— Trevor

📚 Bonus Bits: Bitcoin, Explained (Finally)

Trevor’s wife asked him what Bitcoin actually is — and instead of spiraling into crypto buzzword soup, he gave her the cleanest breakdown we’ve ever seen.

It’s not financial advice. It’s a human conversation.

💰 “Bitcoin is digital cash you send without a bank. It’s secure, scarce, and lives on a giant spreadsheet everyone can see.”

🕊️ Pope Francis: The Tech-Aware Shepherd

We don’t usually end on a quiet note here at TechIn5, but this one mattered.

Pope Francis passed away at 88 — and while he wasn’t a tech guy in the traditional sense, he understood the digital world in a way few global leaders do. He championed ethical AI, blessed coders, and even elevated a teen saint who loved JavaScript.

🙏 “He didn’t just log on — he brought compassion with him.”

🧱 Final Word: Stress Bought a Console, Found Some Peace

This week was classic 2025:

👉 A midnight preorder mess

👉 A surprise win for Walmart

👉 Retro gaming renaissance

👉 Bitcoin over dinner

👉 And a pope who taught us presence still matters

If your cart crashed or your order got canceled — breathe. The Switch 2 will restock. And your old Switch? Still rules.

👋 See you next Friday. Charge your Joy-Cons, hug your OLED, and maybe… check Walmart just one more time. You never know.

— Trevor Barnes

Editor & Digital Cart-Jockey, TechInform.us