Several customers who pre-ordered the special edition Nintendo Switch 2 console, themed around The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, have reported receiving cancellation notices from Walmart just one day before the units were scheduled to arrive. The affected buyers received emails stating their orders were out of stock, a situation that typically should not occur with pre-orders.
According to reports on Reddit, this is not the first time Walmart has canceled pre-orders for popular items. The Switch 2 console, which was listed for pre-order at its original price, is now appearing on Walmart's website for approximately $700, a significant increase that may be attributed to third-party sellers using the platform. This price surge is nearly $200 more than the initial pre-order cost.
One customer described the situation as an "unethical sales practice," lamenting that Walmart allowed pre-orders beyond its allocated stock. This action not only prevented competitors from securing sales but also denied enthusiastic customers the opportunity to purchase limited-edition merchandise. While some consumers plan to seek alternative purchasing options, the incident has raised concerns about retailer stock management and consumer awareness.
Reports from customers who have contacted Walmart's customer service suggest that the retailer oversold pre-orders, resulting in an insufficient number of consoles to fulfill all placed orders. As the November 5 release date for the Ocarina of Time remake approaches, affected buyers are exploring various avenues to secure one of the limited-edition consoles.