This Friday, Nintendo is launching their newest console, The Nintendo Switch. The Switch is a hybrid between a handheld gaming device like the PS Vita and Nintendo 3DS and a traditional home console that hooks up to your TV to play games, allowing owners to take their Console Games on the go, which is something that has been tried before, but never executed to the quality that Nintendo hopes to deliver. Does this sound like something you are interested in? Did you already preorder the system before it sold out months ago? No worries, I reached out to Columbus retailers to help you get your Switch on March 3.
Of course, the best reference is to call your local stores to find out their plans. They will know best!
Best Buy
From the conversation I had, Best Buy is ready to go all out for the Nintendo Switch. Most stores in the Columbus area are doing a midnight launch for the console. The stores will also have more consoles on top of the reserved preorders, allowing people to get a “ticket” at 11 p.m. that holds their place in line to buy the console at midnight. Those attending the midnight launch will also receive a Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild poster.
Although the employee I spoke to couldn’t give me specific numbers (a reoccurring theme in my conversations), they did tell me “There will be more consoles than you think.” They also told me that they would have both the Grey and Neon consoles available for walk in sales, and they anticipate that there will still be a few leftover come open on Friday if you can’t make it at midnight.
Unfortunately, the employee did tell me that they weren’t getting any extra copies of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s Special Edition, but will have plenty of the standard copy on sale.
Walmart
Walmarts that are open for 24 hours a day are going to be releasing their systems at 12:01 a.m. on Friday morning. Per an employee at the Walmart I visited, they were still allowing preorders for the console at guest services, however, I recommend you call the store before trying to preorder to assure that is still possible.
For those who still don’t have a preorder come Friday, a limited number of consoles will be available for purchase. They recommended going to the bigger stores around town (Stringtown Road, Lewis Center, Hilliard-Rome, etc.) to have a better chance at getting a walk-in console Friday morning.
Target
Although Target isn’t planning on a midnight release, they told me that they will be open at 8 a.m. on Friday to sell the new console. Most are planning on using a ticketing system much like Best Buy, where people in line in front of the store before open will receive a ticket to buy the Switch before opening. This will allow you to get your game without having to trample small children to get it.
GameStop
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem as if GameStop will have many — if any — consoles available outside of preorders. Per the employee I spoke to, this is pretty anticipated for most stores in the Columbus area. However, if you could get a preorder for a Switch before they sold out, GameStop will be holding a midnight launch for the console so you can bring your new Switch home on Friday morning.
GameStop is also offering a 20 percent trade bonus towards Zelda: Breath of the Wild, so if you can grab the console from another retailer, you can trade in some of your old games towards the system’s best game on launch.
Amazon Prime Now
Did you know Amazon’s two-hour delivery service is live in Columbus? This service, known as Amazon Prime Now, let’s you get everything from english muffins to video games, (Yes I got both of them, yes it was in the same order, and yes it was amazing.) and they are including the launch of the Nintendo Switch with the service. Although information is sparse right now, if you aren’t able to get the console from anywhere else, refresh the app for the rest of the day. Who needs to work when you’ve got video games to play?
Are you picking up the new Nintendo console? Leave a comment below and share your experience with us!
