UK customers eager to get their hands on the Nintendo Switch 2 next week have had their pre-orders unexpectedly cancelled by GAME, one of the first retailers to open pre-orders for the next-gen console after its reveal back in April.

In a statement posted to social media, GAME has apologised for the cancelled pre-orders, though it stated that only “some” online orders for the highly anticipated console had been cancelled. 

It seems as if it might’ve been a mistake, however, with the company explaining that it’s “working hard to reinstate as many affected preorders as possible,” and pledged to reach out to affected customers with updates as they get them.

GAME has tried to reassure Nintendo fans that the vast majority of online pre-orders remain unaffected, and that in–store pre-orders aren’t impacted by the issue at all. Customers who have received a cancellation email are being urged to contact GAME’s customer services through its online help portal. 

While the company hasn’t provided a specific reason behind the mysterious cancellations, the wording of the statement suggests that it could be a logistical or inventory management issue. It could also be a glitch with the system handling pre-orders, rather than a wider problem with console availability. We just don’t know for sure. 

That said, a customer affected by the cancellations that we spoke to paints a different picture. The customer, who wishes to remain anonymous, spent three hours speaking with GAME’s customer services earlier today, only to be told that nothing could be done, at which point the chat was closed. This apparently happened before the statement went out, however, so it’ll be interesting to see if this changes.

Nintendo’s highly anticipated Switch 2 is set for release on 5 June worldwide, offering significant upgrades over its predecessor. It features a larger 7.9-inch 1080p screen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, while also supporting 4K output on TVs. It’s powered by a custom Nvidia processor and supports features like DLSS upscaling and ray-tracing for boosted graphics, along with redesigned Joy-Con 2 controllers and new video chat functionality. 

Simply put, it’s easy to understand why affected customers are feeling frustrated. 

 A familiar frustration

The cancellation drama will be frustratingly familiar for fans who remember the chaotic rollout of the original Nintendo Switch, or the turbulent launch of the PS5 in 2020. In both cases, scalpers, limited supply and retailer issues combined to create widespread chaos that took weeks, if not months, to rectify. 

Retailers taking early pre-orders ahead of confirmed stock allocations have increasingly been criticised for creating false expectations and, when they inevitably can’t deliver, creating distrust among consumers. 

GAME’s attempt to get ahead of the backlash with a public statement might soften the blow, but it also raises questions about how retailers should manage demand for high-profile hardware launches going forward.