Both the Nintendo Switch and NES Classic Edition have been hard to come by since they launched in March and November respectively.
As things stand, it feels like frustrated gamers will need some extraordinary luck to grab either one of the consoles nowadays, but with a little help and know-how on scouring the internet for places where to buy one, their chances are likely to improve.
Where To Buy Switch, NES Classic Edition
Stocks of the Switch and NES Classic Edition across major U.S. retailers have been going by fast, namely at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and GameStop, to name a few.
Aside from the high demand, the consoles don't stay long on store shelves because of scalpers looking to make a quick buck out of them. To explain, those unscrupulous bunch hoard these devices and sell them at astronomical prices on websites such as eBay, listing the $59.99 NES Classic Edition for $1,000, for instance.
That said, shoppers don't have to comply with the whims of profiteers, and they can still nab the devices from reputable vendors eventually.
First off, Toys "R" Us has been confirmed to sell the Switch this weekend, starting at 10 a.m. on April 9, Sunday. To date, this is one of the best chances to get the elusive console, so be sure to check the retailer's local store info.
Second, there's the listings over at Best Buy (Switch/NES Classic Edition). Considering it recently held a sale, it might not take long until it kicks off with another one.
Third, GameStop (Switch/NES Classic Edition) is one of the many retailers that buyers can rely on, despite an executive saying there'll be a supply problem for the rest of the year. But hey, it could replenish stocks soon, even though they might come in bundles like before.
Fourth in the list is Walmart (Switch), but it's listing the device with a $50 eShop Card. That means the total cost will be more than usual.
To be clear, the Switch and NES Classic Edition are out of stock at the time of this writing, and the links above just lead to pages that are worth keeping an eye on in case the consoles suddenly become available.
It should also be pointed out that Amazon is chock-full of the Switch and NES Classic Edition from third-party vendors, but they're going to hold back customers by a whole lot more than expected.
NES Classic Edition, Switch Buying Guide: Tips To Consider
Beyond just knowing where to buy the Switch and NES Classic Edition, gamers also need to keep some tips in mind to up their chances of getting the consoles.
Tip number 1 is to be ready before the sale even starts. That means log in to your account and load up the retailer's website ahead of time, or in the case of brick-and-mortar store like the abovementioned Toys "R" Us sale, go to your local branch before the doors open.
Second tip is to have a stable internet ready at all times, be it on your smartphone or your home connection. Needless to say, this will help you make sure you snag the console as soon as you can.
As for the third tip, get the autofill feature to work with you, as this will save you some time entering your shipping details. To set this up, you're going to have to buy something from the retailer's website. You can just quickly refund your order, though, but that depends on the store.
The fourth tip is to ask a friend or family member some help. Put simply, this will double your chances of availing the consoles.
