Your best bet for getting a Nintendo Switch on launch day without a pre-order

I’ve been kicking myself for weeks for not pre-ordering a Switch as soon as I could. “Pre-orders will be around for a while,” I said. “They’ll release better bundles soon,” I said. Come on, Mischa. Get your shit together.

If you’re like me and also need to get your shit together, let me fill you in on who has their shit together: GameStop.

In a press release, GameStop announced their stores will carry a “limited supply” of Nintendo Switches for walk-in customers on launch day, March 3rd. The post encouraged hopeful Switch owners to attend their midnight release for the best chance to snag Nintendo’s newest console.

GameStop also announced they’ll be carrying two of their own Switch bundles both in stores and on their website:

1. Switch + Pro Controller + The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – $429.99
2. Bundle 1 + Piggyback’s official guide to Breath of the Wild – $454.99

Lemme tell ya a little something the press release didn’t: GameStop will start ringing up Switches at 9:00 p.m. on March 2nd. So you can purchase the Switch at 9:00 and then come back at midnight with your receipt to pick it up. Genius, right?

Now, I’m saying this even though GameStop hasn’t announced it officially. I called a couple of my local GameStops and a few random ones across the country, and they all confirmed they would start ringing up Switches at 9:00 p.m. However, you should still call your local store to make sure they’re offering the same service.

The GameStops I spoke with said they’ll also ring up any in-stock Switch games at 9:00 p.m. as well.

Even if you do get to GameStop early in the evening on March 2nd, there’s no telling how long the lines and how limited the stock will be. Nintendo is infamous for not stocking high-demand items well–looking at you, NES Classic. So proceed with caution, low hopes, and plenty of snacks for your wait.

Are you one of the smart gamers who pre-ordered your Switch early? Or will you be braving the midnight release like me? Let me know in the comments!