Walmart reportedly offering $519 gift cards after Zelda Switch 2 preorder cancellations
Walmart’s troubled rollout of the Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition has taken another surprising turn. After canceling a number of preorders shortly before launch, the retailer is now reportedly trying to make things right for some affected customers with a mix of restored purchase reservations and $519 gift cards.
The limited-edition Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2 was scheduled to launch on October 29, but many customers who secured preorders through Walmart were suddenly told their orders could not be fulfilled because the console was out of stock. The timing sparked frustration, especially among fans who had placed their orders early and expected to receive the highly anticipated collector’s edition at launch.
According to customer reports circulating online, Walmart has begun sending emails acknowledging that some preorder cancellations were made in error. In certain cases, affected buyers are being given another opportunity to purchase the console through an “Exclusive Reservation” that appears directly in their Walmart shopping cart.
Customers who receive this restored reservation reportedly have only 48 hours to complete the purchase. The offer is also limited to one console per customer, likely in an effort to prevent resellers from taking advantage of the situation.
The bigger surprise is the reported compensation. Some customers say Walmart has promised them a $519 gift card following the canceled Zelda Switch 2 preorder. Since the Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition originally retailed for $519.99, the gift card could come close to covering the price of the console itself, though taxes and any additional costs may still apply.
However, the situation remains inconsistent. Some customers claim they received the restored reservation but no gift card offer. Others say they received a message about the $519 gift card without being given another chance to buy the console. At this point, it is unclear whether Walmart plans to provide both forms of compensation to all affected buyers or only to select customers.
The preorder problem appears to be part of a wider supply issue affecting Zelda-themed hardware. Reports from customers and retail employees suggest that launch-day stock has been extremely limited at several major stores. Some locations reportedly had very few units available, while others were said to be holding inventory due to supply-chain complications.
The confusion has made the Zelda Switch 2 one of the most difficult gaming items to secure this season. Demand was already expected to be high due to the console’s special 40th Anniversary design and its connection to one of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises. The last-minute Walmart cancellations only added more frustration for fans hoping to add the system to their collection.
For now, affected customers should keep a close eye on their Walmart accounts, shopping carts, and email inboxes. Anyone who receives an Exclusive Reservation should act quickly, as the reported 48-hour window leaves little room for delay.
The $519 gift cards are still being described as promised compensation, so customers may need to wait for further confirmation before assuming the credit is guaranteed. Until Walmart provides a broader update, the full scope of the issue remains unclear, including how many Zelda Switch 2 preorder cancellations were affected and how many buyers will receive compensation.
What is clear is that Walmart’s handling of the limited-edition Zelda Nintendo Switch 2 launch has left many fans disappointed. Whether the restored reservations and gift cards are enough to rebuild customer trust will depend on how quickly and consistently the retailer follows through.
