UK games retailer GAME has issued a statement admitting it has had to cancel “some” Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders.
The company, which is owned by Sports Direct owner Frasers Group, did not explain why orders had to be cancelled or clarify how many orders were affected, but apologized in a statement posted on its website and on social media, blocking direct replies.
The statement, entitled “Cancelled Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders” said: “We sincerely apologize for the recent cancellation of some Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders. We understand how disappointing this is, especially for those who have been eagerly awaiting their order.
“We’re currently working hard to reinstate as many affected pre-orders as possible. If your order was impacted, please know that we’re doing everything we can and will be in touch with further updates and next steps.”
GAME also did not give a timeframe on when pre-orders may be reinstated.
In 2024 alone, GAME dropped its long-running pre-owned business, ended the sale of physical currency cards, and is no longer taking in-store pre-orders for new releases.
It also reportedly lost the majority of its head office staff at the end of last year, leading to further problems for the struggling games specialist. Throughout the past few months, the retailer is said to have struggled to fulfill online pre-orders for key releases and has been shipping copies late, with affected titles including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. As GAME often has exclusive merch or pre-order items deals with publishers, such as Silent Hill 2 Remake’s steelbook case in the UK, some players have no choice but to use them.
Nintendo Switch 2 is slated to release worldwide on June 5. Nintendo has previously said it is committed to making its products “as obtainable as we possibly can” amid fluctuating market conditions due to the US tariffs. Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser emphasized the company has maintained the ¥49,980/$499.99/£395.99 Switch 2 price following tariff announcements.
