Console Pre-orders Are Still a Disaster - Next-Gen Console Watch

Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch! The Nintendo Switch 2 officially went up for preorder in the United States last week, and it went about as well as one might expect considering it's the follow-up to one of the best-selling gaming consoles of all time. Websites crasheds, credit card charges were declined, launch day deliveries were missed—it was chaos. Although many prevailed in securing a Switch 2 preorder, it wasn't easy; why hasn't the games industry learned from this? Why aren't retailers like Best Buy and Walmart better prepared for big consumer-focused moments? Should console manufacturers just bypass third-party retailers and sell directly to consumers? Plus we have last week's poll and a new poll for you to vote on at IGN.com.

And don't forget to secure your tickets to IGN Live! Our big in-person event is returning to Los Angeles June 7-8, after a major turnout last year. Visit IGN.com/Live for details and tickets.