😅 That Feeling When the Preorder Clock Is Ticking…

I’ll be real with you: I’ve got way too many tabs open right now. Not just in Chrome — in my brain. Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 go live tonight at midnight Eastern (April 24), and I’m gearing up like I’m trying to buy Springsteen tickets in 2003.

If you caught the public article on Monday or listened to this week’s Members Only Podcast, you know I’ve been deep in the weeds on this launch. And since I’m not one of those lucky reviewers getting an early unit shipped to the office, I’m fighting in the preorder trenches with the rest of you.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders Are (Finally) Happening — But the Timing’s Kinda Brutal

This is the moment we’ve been waiting for — just not quite like this. When Nintendo delayed U.S. pre-orders earlier this month due to the whole tariff shuffle (classic 2025 headline), it left a lot of us hanging. At TechInform, we’ve been tracking every whisper and waiting for

TechInformTrevor Barnes

Member Podcast: Ep. #4 - The Great Switch 2 Scramble: Preorders, Price Tags & Midnight Madness

Fueling Curiosity Since 2010!

TechInformTrevor Barnes

So here’s the breakdown of what I’ve learned, what I’m trying, and what you should know if you want a Switch 2 on day one.

🧭 Where & How to Preorder a Switch 2

Plan A: Best Buy

My top pick. Why?

• They’re going live at 12am EST sharp
• If you snag one and it hits your cart, they’ll hold it for 10 minutes so you can check out
• Just make sure you’re logged in and your card info is saved ahead of time

⚠️ Expect website chaos. But also… expect second chances around 12:10am when failed payment attempts bounce inventory back into circulation. Pro tip: Have a backup card ready to go.

Plan B: Target

Also going live at midnight. Similar cart-save functionality (though not officially confirmed). Might be overlooked by some buyers, but also might have lower stock.

Plan C: GameStop

This one’s interesting. They’re holding back until 11am EST for online preorders — a full 11 hours later. You can also preorder in-store, and rumor has it you only need to put down a deposit rather than the full amount. Each GameStop is reportedly getting around 100 units, which is… surprisingly generous.

So yeah, I might be at my local GameStop by 8am, camping out with an iced coffee and questionable life decisions.

💸 The Accessory Situation (Yikes?)

Let’s talk about those prices:

256GB Express microSD Card: $60

Honestly, this one makes sense. You’ll need it. But be sure it’s the express card, not just any microSD.

Camera Attachment: $54.99

Niche use case. Maybe cool later.

Carrying Case: $85

For real.

Dock Set: $119.99

For a second dock. The console already comes with one. Unless you’re setting up multiple stations at home, probably skip.

Joy-Cons (Pair): $94.99

Slightly more than the OGs, but not wild if you account for inflation since 2017. Still stings.

Pro Controller: $84.99

Looks almost identical to the old one. Has HD Rumble 2, motion, Amiibo, and an audio jack. Still… $85?

None of these are up for preorder at the time of writing — but when they do drop, grab what you need fast. My guess is accessories, not consoles, will be the real bottleneck.

🎮 What I’m Actually Excited to Play

On launch day, I’m diving straight into Mario Kart World. But I’m also eyeing:

• Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition (launch title)
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Star Wars Outlaws
• Rumored ports of GTA VI, Halo Master Chief Collection, Microsoft Flight Sim, Fallout 4, and Call of Duty

And that’s the big “wait-and-see”: Can the Switch 2 really run these games? If it handles Cyberpunk well, that’ll be a strong sign.

🧪 Trevor Score: 7.5/10 — Hype Meets Hustle

This isn’t a formal review — it’s just how I felt using this thing. A gut-check from someone who actually used it.

It’s not even launch day yet, and I’m already stressed. But also — hyped. It’s rare for a console launch to feel this buzzy again. The process is a little chaotic (tariff drama, sketchy stock info, midnight madness), but there’s a spark here that reminds me why I love gaming in the first place.

Would I prefer a smooth, scalper-proof preorder experience? Yes. Am I staying up to fight for a midnight slot anyway? Also yes.

✅ Final Verdict: Plan Your Clicks, Folks

If you’re serious about snagging a Switch 2 at launch, tonight’s the night. Best Buy and Target go live at midnight, GameStop follows later in the morning, and the whole thing’s gonna feel like Black Friday in your pajamas.

My plan: Best Buy → Target → GameStop. Yours might look different. But either way, do the prep work now — log in, save your card, maybe say a little prayer.

🎤 Thanks for Rolling With Me

We don’t usually get into the preorder play-by-play here at TechInform, but honestly? It’s kinda fun to be in the chaos with you all.

– Trevor