Next-gen consoles have been flying off the shelves faster than retailers can get them. Thursday was no exception, as GameStopran out of PS5and Xbox Series X consoles before most consumers knew they were available.
At 2 PM Eastern Standard Time,GameStopannounced on Twitter thatPlayStation 5,Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch consoles were available for online orders. By then, shoppers had already flooded the site, buying out the next-gen consoles within minutes.
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“How is it already out bro” reads one response, posted less than an hour after the Twitter announcement. Another commenter claims that the items sold out before GameStop’s post even went up. As of this writing, some pre-owned Nintendo Switch consoles are still available through the link GameStop provided. A few other items can be pre-ordered. However, it appears that the PS5 andXbox Series X consolesdisappeared before most people even knew they were in stock.
For those who missed out, GameStop assures customers they’ll have another chance soon. As of this writing, pre-orders are available for the Xbox Series XAssassin’s Creed: Valhallabundle and Nintendo Switch Neon Joy-conMario Cart 8bundle. The XboxAssassin’s Creedbundle costs $684.99. It includes the console, one white and one black controller, a copy ofAC: Valhalla, a $20 GameStop Gift Card, and a three-monthXbox Game Pass subscription. Meanwhile, the $349.99 Switch bundle includes the console, a copy ofMario Cart 8 Deluxe, a screen protector, and a carrying case. Customers can also pre-order Nintendo Switch consoles individually for $299.99. According to the website, all three items will be back in stock on February 15th.
Other sold-out Xbox bundleswill also be back in stock on February 15th, according to GameStop.com. However, none are available for pre-order. The page for the Play Station 5Spider-ManandDemon’s Soulsbundle also lists February 15th as the date of availability. For $729.99, this bundle includes the console, two controllers, both games, and a $20 GameStop gift card. Clicking on any other sold-out PS5 bundle redirects to an error page.
The initial run of PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles sold-out in less than a day. Two months later, they continue to fly off the shelves. Scalpers have exacerbated the shortage, buying vast numbers of consoles to resell at an extreme markup. It’s gotten so bad that theUK government is considering getting involved. For now, though, gamers will have to keep their eyes peeled for when the new consoles are back in stock.
