I’m Hanging Onto Hope… and a Pending Walmart Order
We’re just days away from the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 — eight years after the original Switch changed how we think about console gaming — and somehow, my Walmart preorder is still kicking. No cancellation email. No weird “delay” notification. Just that glorious “Preparing order” status that may or may not mean anything.
If you’ve been following the launch drama, you know that just having a preorder puts you in the upper tier of console hunters. Preorders vanished in minutes back in April. Retailer websites melted. Bots probably had a field day. And now we’re seeing cancellations pop up, especially over in the UK, where high street retailer Game pulled the plug on some Switch 2 orders just days before launch.
💡 What’s Actually New — And Why It Matters
The Switch 2 isn’t just a mild refresh. It’s a full-blown generational leap, the biggest one Nintendo has made since the OG Switch landed in 2017 and kicked off the hybrid console revolution. Here’s what’s worth knowing:
🔋 More Power Where It Counts
While Nintendo still isn’t aiming to beat Sony or Microsoft on raw performance, the Switch 2 gets a serious horsepower boost. Enough to bring over previously impossible third-party titles like Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, and a full-fat Fortnite that reportedly runs up to 120fps (versus the original Switch’s choppy 30).
Translation: The Switch 2 can finally keep up with modern gaming, at least enough to make ports viable and enjoyable.
🧠Smarter Hardware, Better Joy-Cons
There’s a new controller setup with some unique tricks — most notably, a mouse-like Joy-Con mode that sounds perfect for games like Splatoon or Pikmin. Built-in group chat is also coming (finally), and yes, it looks like Nintendo has revamped its notoriously awkward online experience. We’ll believe that when we see it.
The Joy-Con 2s are also getting a price hike: $94.99 per pair — likely tied to new tariffs on Asian imports. Not great news, but not shocking either.
🏎️ Mario Kart World Leads the Charge
Nintendo is launching the system with Mario Kart World, a sequel to the most successful Switch title of all time. This isn’t DLC — it’s a whole new game, built to show off the new system.
The bundle includes a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership and is expected to retail around $549.99 — at least in bundles like the one spotted on Costco’s site.
🔥 Launch Day Chaos — and the Retailer Hunger Games
Preorders sold out almost instantly, so now it’s all about launch day availability. Here’s the current state of play if you’re still trying to score one:
📦 Game’s Cancellations Rock the UK
Game canceled Switch 2 preorders without giving much of a reason. Fans are (understandably) furious, and the retailer’s vague promise to “reinstate as many as possible” hasn’t inspired much confidence.
This kind of thing leaves buyers scrambling — and with retailers like Smyths and GAME promising only “limited” in-store stock, it’s basically musical chairs for consoles at this point.
🧾 Costco’s Bundle is Real, But Not Live Yet
Costco has quietly listed the Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle on its site, including the NSO Expansion Pack sub. No pricing confirmed yet, but all signs point to a $549.99 price tag — not cheap, but comprehensive.
The catch? You can’t actually preorder it. And when it does go live, it’ll likely sell out fast — especially with a “one per customer every 7 days” limit in place.
🎯 Target Is Going Full Nostalgia
Target is leaning all the way into the event, setting up a classic ticketing system for June 5. Doors open at 7 a.m., and they’ll distribute physical or digital tickets at the entrance until stock is gone. Stores like the State Street Target in Chicago reportedly have 70 units total — split between the standard $449.99 system and the $499.99 Mario Kart bundle.
They’ll also offer discounts on Nintendo-themed merch, amiibo, toys, and even gaming furniture. So if you do get in line early, you might walk out with more than just the console.
🛍️ Best Buy and GameStop Midnight Launches Are Back
Yes, it’s happening: Best Buy will open doors at 11:01 p.m. on Wednesday night, June 4, with Switch 2 stock on-hand. GameStop is taking a more staggered approach — final payments start at 3 p.m. Wednesday, with pickups likely happening that night or early Thursday.
Bring snacks. Bring patience.
🧪 What It’s Like Being in Launch Limbo
Honestly? It’s kind of wild how much stress is involved in not getting a cancellation email. I check my order status like it’s a stock portfolio. “Still processing” has never felt so loaded.
I’ve got a browser tab open to Walmart, Target, Costco, Best Buy, GameStop, and a local indie shop — just in case the bottom drops out on my preorder. And yes, I’ve marked June 5 on my calendar like it’s a national holiday. Because for gamers, it kinda is.
I also feel like this launch is a weird time capsule. Nintendo’s doing everything they used to: tight stock, in-person-only releases, huge flagship launch title. It feels like a throwback in all the good and frustrating ways.
🎯 Trevor Score: 8.5/10 — The Best of Nintendo, With a Side of Stress
This isn’t a formal review — it’s just how I felt using (or in this case, chasing) this thing. A gut-check from someone who’s actually going through the launch madness.
There’s a lot to love about the Switch 2: the power boost, the return of premium first-party games, the clever hardware upgrades. It feels like a real evolution, not just a refresh. But the surrounding chaos — the preorder disasters, the pricing creep, the supply chain tension — keeps it from hitting a perfect 10.
That said, if my Walmart order does come through? I’m probably going full 9/10 retroactively. Because finally being able to play Mario Kart World on launch day? That’s pure serotonin.
✅ Final Verdict: Switch 2 Looks Worth It — If You Can Actually Get One
This is the biggest console launch of the year, and Nintendo’s pulling out all the stops — big flagship title, bold retail rollout, and hardware that finally feels modern. But they’ve also brought back the scarcity and stress we haven’t seen since the Wii era.
If you’ve got a preorder: treasure it. If you’re still trying: map your route, set your alarms, and maybe dig out that camping chair.
I’ll be refreshing Walmart every 10 minutes until June 5. May the launch gods be kind.
