Tag:

Walmart

Current in-stock availability on consoles and games

Latest stock updates at Best Buy, Walmart, Target and more

by admin June 20, 2025

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been available in the US for more than two weeks — but good luck finding one. The $450 console officially went up for sale on June 5, and several retailers have offered it both online and in-store in the days since. While millions of people have been able to snag the device, online inventory dried up fairly quickly at most stores soon after launch and remains difficult to find today. Target and Best Buy restocked shortly after launch, but those didn’t last long, and the latter required in-store pickup. You may also be able to grab a bundle at Costco if you’re a member there. Otherwise, it’s slim pickings as of our latest sweep.

Broadly speaking, people had a bit more luck on launch week by venturing to a physical retail store. We can’t guarantee you’ll still be able to snag a Switch 2 the old-fashioned way, but it’s worth checking if a local Target, Best Buy, Walmart or GameStop — the four official retailers Nintendo lists on its store page — still has consoles in stock. Either way, if you’re still on the hunt, we’ve rounded up all of the latest information we could find on how to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 and where you can pick one up.

Where to buy the Nintendo Switch 2

Walmart also began online purchases at midnight ET on June 5. Currently, both the Mario Kart World bundle and the standalone console are “available” via third-party retailers, but listed for much higher than their standard $500 and $450 price tags — with limited quantities available. We wouldn’t recommend buying these; instead, wait for the console to be listed at its regular MSRP. Naturally, the world’s largest retailer is also selling the console at its brick-and-mortar locations, though the company has noted that quantities are limited and inventory will vary by location.

Best Buy began selling the Switch 2 at its retail locations on June 5. It previously said it wouldn’t sell the handheld at its online store during launch week, but it made additional consoles available on June 11 around 12PM ET. That restock lasted for the better part of an hour and required in-store pickup, but the device is now sold out again.

Target had the Switch 2 in stores on June 5 and restocked its online inventory for at least a couple of hours starting around 3:30AM ET on June 6. It then had another restock on June 12 around 2:30PM ET, but that appears to have died out in less than an hour. It still looks to be fully sold out as we write this, but you should see if there’s any stock at the stores closest to you just to be safe.

GameStop has advertised in-store availability, though exactly how much stock your local store may have will vary by location. Online, the device has been unavailable for the past week, with the listings for the base console and Mario Kart bundle now pointing to a “Find a Store” page. We saw a $625 bundle that includes Mario Kart World, a microSD Express card and a few other accessories pop up a bit more frequently than the standard SKUs, but it’s no longer listed (and it was kind of a raw deal anyway).

You may still have some luck at certain membership-based retailers. A Mario Kart World bundle at Costco that includes a 12-month Switch Online subscription has gone in and out of stock since launch day. Sam’s Club has had a bundle without the Switch Online sub as well, though it’s out of stock now. We also saw the console at BJ’s early on June 5, but it’s no longer live there.

Verizon briefly had the Switch 2 available on launch day, but that’s dried up, and only those with Verizon service were able to order.

Amazon hasn’t had any form of Switch 2 listing on its website, nor has it listed Mario Kart World. The company didn’t take pre-orders for the Switch 2 either, so it’s unclear if and when it will sell the device. You can, however, find some Switch 2 games.

Newegg has listed the Switch 2 on its site for several weeks, but it’s given no indication as to when it’ll begin sales. It previous showed a couple listings from a third-party seller, but at massively inflated prices.

With all of these stores, we’ve seen the Mario Kart World bundle available in greater quantities online than the base console, which costs $50 less. But given that Mario Kart is the Switch 2’s biggest launch game and retails for $80 on its own, that may not be the worst thing.

Nintendo, meanwhile, is only offering the Switch 2 via an invite system. This requires you to have been a Switch Online member for at least 12 months and logged at least 50 hours of Switch 1 playtime as of April 2. It can’t hurt to sign up if you meet the criteria, but don’t expect it to bear fruit immediately — it’s taken weeks for many people who registered in April to receive their invite.

You can find a list of every Switch 2 retail listing we could find below. Just be aware that this is meant to be a reference, not a rundown of everywhere the device is available right this second.

Where to buy Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle:

Where to buy Switch 2:

Where to buy Nintendo Switch 2 games and accessories

Nintendo is selling a number of Switch 2 accessories alongside the console, from its (pricey) Pro Controller to cases to cameras for the new GameChat feature. Most of these became available on June 5. The same goes for games like Mario Kart World and the Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Another big Switch 2 release, Donkey Kong Bananza, won’t be available until mid-July but is still up for pre-order now.

As of Friday afternoon, just about all Switch 2 games are broadly available. Stock for the accessories remains a little spottier, but most devices are still available at multiple retailers. Nintendo’s official Switch 2 carrying cases have bee the main exceptions, so you may need to look to third-party alternatives if you want some protection for your console right away.

Mario Kart World ($80)

Donkey Kong Bananza ($70)

Additional Switch 2 games

Samsung microSD Express Card (256GB) for Nintendo Switch 2 ($60)

Joy-Con 2 bundle ($95)

Switch 2 Pro Controller ($85)

Switch 2 Camera ($55)

Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera ($60)

Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip ($40)

Joy-Con 2 Wheels (set of 2) ($25)

Switch 2 All-in-One Carrying Case ($85)

Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector ($40)

Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set ($120)

Nintendo GameCube Controller for Switch 2 ($65)

Source link

June 20, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Stock updates for Walmart, Target, Best Buy and more

by admin June 16, 2025

You can finally buy the Nintendo Switch 2 in the US. The $450 console officially went up for sale on June 5, and several retailers have offered it both online and in-store in the week since. While millions of people have been able to snag the device, online inventory dried up fairly quickly at most stores last week and remains difficult to find today. There have been restocks at Target and Best Buy in recent days, but those didn’t last long, and the latter required in-store pickup. You may also be able to grab a bundle at Costco if you’re a member there. Otherwise, it’s slim pickings as of our latest sweep.

Where to buy the Nintendo Switch 2

Walmart also began online purchases at midnight ET on June 5, but the console alone and the Mario Kart World bundle are out of stock as our latest update. Both SKUs briefly returned around 11:30PM ET on June 6, but we haven’t seen much in the week since. Naturally, the world’s largest retailer is also selling the console at its brick-and-mortar locations, though the company has noted that quantities are limited and inventory will vary by location.

Verizon briefly had the Switch 2 available on launch day, but that’s dried up, and only those with Verizon service were able to order.

Amazon hasn’t had any form of Switch 2 listing on its website, nor has it listed first-party Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World. The company didn’t take pre-orders for the Switch 2 either, so it’s unclear if and when it will sell the device.

You can find a list of every Switch 2 retail listing we could find below. Just be aware that this is meant to be a reference, not a rundown of everywhere the device is available right this second.

Where to buy Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle:

Where to buy Switch 2:

Where to buy Nintendo Switch 2 games and accessories

Mario Kart World ($80)

Donkey Kong Bananza ($70)

Additional Switch 2 games

Samsung microSD Express Card (256GB) for Nintendo Switch 2 ($60)

Joy-Con 2 bundle ($95)

Switch 2 Pro Controller ($85)

Switch 2 Camera ($55)

Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera ($60)

Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip ($40)

Joy-Con 2 Wheels (set of 2) ($25)

Switch 2 All-in-One Carrying Case ($85)

Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector ($40)

Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set ($120)

Nintendo GameCube Controller for Switch 2 ($65)

Source link

June 16, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

Elizabeth Warren, Consumer Groups Slam Walmart and Amazon Stablecoin Plans

by admin June 13, 2025

In brief

Senator Elizabeth Warren and consumer advocacy groups denounced a report detailing plans by major retailers including Amazon and Walmart to potentially issue their own stablecoins.
The GENIUS Act, a stablecoin bill in the Senate, would as written allow major corporations to issue their own dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies.
Senate Democrats and select Republicans have warned this development could give major tech companies too much power.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and leading consumer advocacy groups denounced a report Friday that Amazon and Walmart are considering issuing their own stablecoins, framing such developments as an unacceptable outcome of pending stablecoin legislation in the Senate.

“Let’s not forget the GENIUS Act has a major loophole allowing Big Tech companies and major retailers to issue their own private currencies structured as stablecoins,” Warren said Friday in a statement shared with Decrypt. “If Congress doesn’t fix it, billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg could launch stablecoins that track your purchases, exploit your data, and squeeze out competitors.”

“Then they’ll come begging for a bailout when it inevitably blows up,” Warren continued. “The GENIUS Act shouldn’t pass without preventing these risks.”

Amazon and other major merchants including Walmart and Expedia are mulling issuing their own stablecoins should the GENIUS Act imminently pass, a Wall Street Journal report revealed Friday. A spokesperson for Warren told Decrypt the senator, who is the Ranking Member on the Senate Banking Committee, denounces such plans.

Amazon, Walmart, and Expedia did not immediately respond to Decrypt’s requests for comment on this story.

The GENIUS Act, which could pass a final vote in the Senate as soon as next week, would for the first time create a legal framework for issuing stablecoins in the United States.

Stablecoins are crypto tokens generally pegged to the U.S. dollar that allow holders to enter and exit crypto positions without accessing dollars directly. They are, for that reason, a key connector between crypto and traditional financial markets.

Should the bill become law, numerous sectors have expressed interest in adopting or issuing stablecoins, including Big Tech firms and merchants. The motivations for doing so are diverse: tech companies could use stablecoins to gather key financial data about their customers’ spending habits, and merchants could use them to dodge traditional payment processors that charge them billions of dollars in fees every year.

Further, any issuer of a stablecoin could earn passive yield on their customers’ deposits, creating an incentive for most traditional finance players to enter the sector. Wall Street financial market infrastructure giant DTCC, for example—which processes U.S. stock trades—is currently exploring “the potential of issuing a DTCC stablecoin” for use in financial transactions, a company representative confirmed to Decrypt. The company’s stablecoin plans were first reported by The Information.

Last month, the GENIUS Act’s odds of passage were nearly derailed by Democratic opposition, which focused, among other subjects, on the bill’s potential to allow America’s largest tech corporations to create their own private currencies. Democrats did succeed in adding new language to the bill on the subject, but the legislation would still allow giant tech companies to issue stablecoins—and collect customers’ financial data from them—under easily met conditions.

“Alllowing the tech industry to issue private money will amplify financial stability risks,” Corey Frayer, director of investor protection at the Consumer Federation of America, told Decrypt. “The danger of a small set of corporations having immense power over consumers and the broader economy is why we separated banking from commercial ventures in the first place.”

“How can any independent business compete when the big guys are running unregulated bank side-hustles?” Amanda Fischer, policy director at consumer advocacy nonprofit Better Markets, wrote Friday on X.

3. Amazon/Walmart have outsized influence on vendors. Imagine you’re an independent seller, & now your revenue MUST be accepted in Amazon dollars. Maybe you have to pay an exchange fee to convert to $ or maybe Amazon punishes you on search results if you don’t maintain a balance

— Amanda Fischer (@amandalfischer) June 13, 2025

The GENIUS Act is currently in its final stretch of procedural hurdles, and is widely expected to pass early next week, given key Democrats have come back aboard the legislation. It would then need to pass the House before heading to President Donald Trump’s desk for signature.

“The growing interest of major traditional companies in stablecoins signals that stablecoins—and blockchain-based financial infrastructure more broadly—are gaining serious traction beyond the crypto-native ecosystem,” Blockchain Association Policy and Legislative Analysis Manager Salah Ghazzal told Decrypt. “This marks a broader shift in how industries view the potential of digital assets, not just as speculative tools but as foundational infrastructure. Momentum like this adds urgency to getting stablecoin legislation passed.”

Though Republicans have eagerly pushed to get the bill passed, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) recently came out against it, in a rare intraparty rebuke of the high-priority legislation.

“It’s a huge giveaway to Big Tech,” Hawley told the New York Times last week. “It allows these tech companies to issue stablecoins without any kind of controls. I don’t see why we would do that.”

Edited by Andrew Hayward

Daily Debrief Newsletter

Start every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.

Source link

June 13, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

Amazon and Walmart Exploring Issuing Cryptocurrencies

by admin June 13, 2025

According to a Friday report by the Wall Street Journal, Amazon and Walmart are considering issuing their own dollar-backed cryptocurrencies.

This would allow the American merchant powerhouses to potentially save billions in fees and speed up settlements by bypassing traditional payment systems.

For now, such plans are only in exploratory stages, but they show that crypto finally has a mainstream use case.

As reported by U.Today, Apple, Airbnb, and several other tech giants are also exploring corporate stablecoins.

Walmart Has 512GB Switch 2 MicroSD Express Card For $65, 256GB For $35

by admin June 2, 2025

Walmart has restocked the 512GB and 256GB Onn microSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2, which are substantially more affordable than cards from any other manufacturer. The 512GB model is $65.77, roughly $35 less than the other two sold-out options in this capacity. The 256GB model is $35.77, which is close to $25 less than the Samsung microSD Express Card that’s officially licensed by Nintendo.

Onn is a Walmart-owned brand geared toward budget tech. These cards have already sold out multiple times since they first became available, and we imagine this restock won’t be available for long either.

The officially licensed Samsung microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 is in stock at multiple retailers, including Best Buy and Target, ahead of the console’s release in a few days. The Switch 2 is only compatible with Express cards, and since it’s a newer technology, there aren’t very many options in stores at the moment–and most of them are sold out. Samsung’s 256GB Nintendo-themed card costs $60 and releases alongside the Switch 2 on June 5.

Outside of the Mario-themed card from Samsung, the only other options currently in stock are the aforementioned pair of Onn cards at Walmart, SanDisk’s microSD Express 128GB for $54 or 256GB for $72 at Amazon, and PNY’s 256GB card for $60 at Walmart.

Nintendo – Samsung microSD Express 256GB Card (Updated: June 2)

The Nintendo Switch 2 is a massive upgrade in terms of storage space. The 256GB onboard SSD is four times larger than the Switch OLED (64GB) and eight times the size of the original Switch and Switch Lite (32GB). That said, the Switch 2’s performance upgrades will inevitably lead to larger game file sizes, which could compel you to expand your console’s storage capacity with one of the ultra-fast microSD Express Cards.

The Express format is a recent advancement in the semiconductor industry that hasn’t been widely adopted by manufacturers yet. The Nintendo Switch 2 will certainly increase its adoption rate by both manufacturers and consumers in a hurry. Officially licensed, Nintendo-themed cards from SanDisk are slated to release this year, too, but they aren’t available to order yet

At this time, the upcoming Nintendo-licensed models max out at 256GB, but you can find 512GB and 1TB options elsewhere if you’re worried about future-proofing your Switch 2 storage space. We’ve put together a brief list and explainer detailing the microSD Express options from Samsung, SanDisk, PNY, Lexar, Onn, and GameStop.

All microSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2

Note: Products that were in stock at the time of writing are in bold.

For more on upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 products, check out GameSpot’s roundups of Switch 2 accessories and games you can preorder now.

$60 | Releases June 5

Samsung’s officially licensed microSD Express Card is capable of reaching speeds of up to 800MB/s.

The $60 price point is honestly a bit of a surprise considering how expensive branded microSD cards for gaming tend to be listed for in comparison to regular editions.

It’s still possible that Samsung’s regular 256GB microSD Express Card will retail for less than $60, but this branded option actually has a lower MSRP than the SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card that’s already available.

As of May 31, the Samsung microSD Express is in stock at Best Buy, Target, and GameStop.

Available in 256GB and 512GB models

The Walmart-owned tech brand Onn is staying true to its budget-friendly identity by offering by far the lowest prices for microSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2.

Walmart says Onn’s microSD Express Cards are graded for read speeds of to 800MB/s and write speeds of up to 600MB/s. The cards are “water, shock, temperature, and magnet proof.”

Available in 128GB and 256GB models

SanDisk currently manufactures 128GB and 256GB models of its microSD Express Cards.

The Nintendo-branded versions of SanDisk’s microSD Express Cards aren’t listed online yet, so it’s unclear if they will retail for the same prices. When we initially published this story, we theorized that the branded cards would cost more. SanDisk’s Nintendo-themed cards for the original Switch carry higher prices than non-branded editions. But this might change with Switch 2, as shown by the price point of Samsung’s Super Mario-themed 256GB card.

At the moment, it appears SanDisk will release Nintendo-themed versions of its two microSD Express offerings. It remains to be seen if SanDisk cards with more (or less) storage space will get the Nintendo treatment.

SanDisk microSD Express Cards are substantially faster than its Ultra and Extreme Cards, which are popular picks for expanding storage on the original Switch.

With Express technology, SanDisk’s cards offer read speeds of up to 880MB/s, write speeds of 650MB/s, and sustained write speeds of 210MB/s. For comparison, the SanDisk Ultra is rated for 150MB/s read speeds, and the Extreme can hit 190MB/s.

Express cards are essentially solid-state drives that can fit on your fingertip. In fact, this card is actually faster than the average SATA SSD.

Available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models

If you want to future-proof your Switch 2’s storage space, Lexar is the only major manufacturer with microSD Express Cards exceeding 256GB.

Lexar’s Express Play Pro Cards launched in March in three different capacities: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. The 256GB retails for $50, the 512GB is $100, and the 1TB will typically set you back $200, but all three models are sold out as of May 31.

Like the SanDisk Express that debuted last year, Lexar’s cards offer blistering speeds. Lexar says its microSD Express Play Pro can reach 900MB/s read speeds and 600MB/s write speeds.

Available in 128GB and 256GB models

PNY’s microSD Express Card is a brand-new release seemingly spurred by the Switch 2. PNY says the card is capable of read speeds up to 890MB/s and write speeds of 550MB/s.

The 256GB card is currently going for the same price as the official Samsung card ($60). Meanwhile, the 128GB model is $45, though it’s strangely listed as shipping from Amazon Germany with a wait time of 6-7 months.

Available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models

GameStop has its own range of accessories for Nintendo Switch 2, including microSD Express Cards capable of reaching speeds of 800MB/s, according to GameStop.

GameStop’s Switch 2 accessories are not officially licensed by Nintendo, and it’s unknown which memory manufacturer built these cards.

Prices for GameStop-branded accessories have bounced around since preorders opened in early April. The 256GB version changed from $50 to $70 before falling back down to $55, which is rather unfortunate considering you can get the Nintendo-licensed Samsung card for $60.

The 512GB edition started at $85 before climbing to $100. Lastly, the 1TB model, which was only $150 out of the gate, now goes for $190–very close to the price Lexar charges. The 512GB and 1TB models are sold out.

When it comes to storage and memory, it’s generally a good idea to opt for brands known for reliability, and since it’s unclear which storage brand manufactured these cards, it’s pretty challenging to compare GameStop’s cards to the well-known brands above.

Here’s a closer look at the official Samsung and SanDisk microSD Express Cards:

Samsung and SanDisk official Mario-themed 256GB microSD Express Cards

Source link

June 2, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Metroid Prime Remastered Is On Sale For 25% Off At Walmart

by admin May 30, 2025

With Metroid Prime 4: Beyond releasing on Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch later this year, there’s no better time than the present to play one of the very best games from Nintendo’s back catalog: Metroid Prime. Specifically, Metroid Prime Remastered, the superb modernization of the revolutionary GameCube classic. Metroid Prime Remastered is available for just $30 (was $40) at Walmart.

Walmart has offered this deal several times since February, and while it has sold out of copies on multiple occasions because of it, the retailer keeps bringing the deal back. Prior to Walmart’s first deal, Metroid Prime Remastered had been one of the notable Switch games that almost never received discounts. It took close to two years for the price to budge from $40. And it has only happened at Walmart. Prime Remastered remains $40 at Best Buy, Target, and GameStop. And Amazon, since it no longer carries Nintendo’s first-party games, doesn’t even have it in stock.

$30 (was $40)

Though it has “Remastered” in its name, the Nintendo Switch version feels more like a (faithful) remake of the brilliant first-person adventure game. Metroid Prime series developer Retro Studios implemented smart modernizations that improve the moment-to-moment gameplay while also enhancing the game’s unforgettable atmosphere.

The alien ruins and wilderness of Tallon IV were rebuilt with new models and high-resolution textures that align with the original art direction while enhancing the unforgettable atmosphere. And the remastered audio makes the minimalistic, haunting score even more immersive.

Metroid Prime series developer Retro Studios implemented smart modernizations to the control scheme to give players multiple options, including a standardized dual-stick layout found in most first-person shooter games. The original control scheme as well as a gyro-based mode similar to Metroid Prime Trilogy’s motion controls.

For newcomers, there’s a casual difficulty level that makes the adventure more approachable, but series veterans can still play on normal and unlock a harder difficulty for a second playthrough. Longtime fans will also appreciate the unlockable concept art as well as character art and soundtrack galleries.

While we still don’t know exactly when Metroid Prime 4 will arrive, we do know that fans will soon be able to distract themselves by flipping through the pages of an official Metroid Prime book.

Metroid Prime 1-3: A Visual Retrospective will be published June 24. This hardcover book includes commentary from Retro Studios developers as well as a wealth of artwork created during the development of the three numbered games as well as Metroid Prime Remastered. The foreword is written by Metroid Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe.

The book was created by the experienced team at Piggyback, the strategy guide publisher behind the official guidebooks for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Metroid Prime 1-3: A Visual Retrospective is a clothbound hardcover with a foil-etched silhouette of Samus on the cover. You can preorder the 208-page book for $46.49 at Amazon.

Amazon is also taking preorders for an official Metroid Prime 2026 wall calendar, which also includes a 2025 planner, so you can make use of it before the new year rolls around.

While 2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for Metroid Prime, the entire series has been enjoying some well-earned attention over the last few years. The latest game in the mainline side-scrolling series, Metroid Dread, launched on Switch in 2021 as the first all-new side-scrolling entry in the series since 2002’s Metroid Fusion for GBA. You can couple it with the Metroid Dread Amiibo 2-Pack, which includes figures of Samus Aran and the E.M.M.I. robot, for $18 (was $30).

And if you still have a Nintendo 3DS, we’d highly recommend the superb remake of Metroid II. You can get a new copy of Metroid: Samus Returns for $41 at Amazon.

For more Metroid figures, check out these Amazon listings for official World of Nintendo action figures: This Metroid Prime 3 Samus figure is available for less than $25, and you could pair it with a Metroid (the creature) figure for $22. Lastly on the merch front, if you want to show off your love of Metroid, Amazon has budget-friendly Metroid apparel themed around popular entries in the series, including the original NES adventure and the wildly influential Super Metroid.

Source link

May 30, 2025 0 comments