Gamers Are Mobbing Switch 2 Preorders Worldwide

The idiom "absence makes the heart grow fonder" aptly captures the frustration of U.S.-based Nintendo fans waiting for the Switch 2 preorder launch—these hardy hearts will be some of the last in the world to snap up a console at midnight ET on April 24. Nintendo is addressing the high demand with measures like priority lottery sales and automatic carry-over to a second draw, but analysts warn the U.S. could face a stock shortage due to booming preregistration elsewhere, including Japan and other regions where Switch 2 preorders already went live. Nintendo has learned from past mistakes, but supply chain challenges remain a hurdle in ensuring timely availability for release day.