# Beating the Bots: Securing a Switch 2 Preorder the Old-Fashioned Way at GameStop

## Beating the Bots: Securing a Switch 2 Preorder the Old-Fashioned Way at GameStop

Online preorders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 vanished faster than a blue shell in Mario Kart. Frustration reigned as websites crashed and virtual queues proved impenetrable. But amidst the digital chaos, a glimmer of hope remained: the humble brick-and-mortar GameStop.

While many wrote off in-person preorders as a relic of the past, for some, including this author, it proved to be the golden ticket. Remembering a tip from *Bloomberg*’s Jason Schreier about surprisingly good odds at local GameStops, a quick trip to the Akron, Ohio, location proved fruitful.

Despite a line of eager fans, some of whom had been waiting for hours (and a few even attempting to camp out), the atmosphere was charged with excitement. The common denominator? A shared love for the original Switch and anticipation for the upgraded console. As one woman at the front of the line put it, “The Switch 1 is so awesome and we’ve been waiting for a Switch 2 for seven years now.”

The discussion also touched on the price. While the cost of the console itself was deemed reasonable in the current economic climate, the rising price of games sparked a different reaction. “The pricing for the games is a little steep for my tastes,” one person admitted, echoing the sentiment of others. Still, the allure of Nintendo proved too strong to resist, with many declaring the experience would be worth it.

The star of the show, besides the console itself, was undoubtedly *Mario Kart World*. Everyone in line hoped to snag the coveted bundle, which offered a slight discount on the game. The tension was palpable as GameStop employees periodically tallied who would be lucky enough to receive the bundle.

After what felt like an eternity, the author, accompanied by their loyal dog Bu, finally secured a Switch 2 *Mario Kart World* bundle, even adding *Donkey Kong Bananza* to the order for good measure. It was a victory won not through the speed of clicks or the luck of an algorithm, but through patience, persistence, and a willingness to embrace a classic approach.

In a world dominated by online shopping, this experience served as a reminder that sometimes, the “old ways” are the best ways to cut through the noise and secure what you want. So, the next time you’re battling bots and crashing websites, consider the possibility of taking a trip down to your local GameStop. You might just be surprised at what you find.