Walmart Issues $519 Gift Cards Following Zelda Switch 2 Order Mix-Up

On Thursday, a special edition of the Nintendo Switch 2 was launched, themed around The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, ahead of its release on November 5. As is typical with limited hardware releases, the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 sold out rapidly. Walmart, however, oversold the consoles and had to cancel orders just a day before the launch.

In an effort to make amends, Walmart is offering $519 gift cards and the option for customers to reclaim their reservations for the Switch 2.

Fans who pre-ordered the special Ocarina of Time Switch 2 for $519 were understandably upset when Walmart refunded their money and canceled their orders. Pre-orders are meant to ensure that customers receive their products on launch day, and canceling them undermines that promise.

To rectify the situation, Walmart is providing unexpectedly generous compensation. Customers affected by the cancellations have reported receiving a $519 gift card or the opportunity to reserve the special edition console again. Gift cards are expected to be issued within 10 days of the initial compensation email. For those looking to reclaim their reservation, they have 48 hours to act, so timing is crucial if they still want the console.

Most fans have indicated they either received the gift card or the chance to reserve the special edition console. A small number reported receiving both options, but the majority were assigned one form of compensation at random.

While securing an Ocarina of Time special edition Switch 2 is exciting, the gift card effectively offers what feels like a free console—a deal that seems almost too good to be true. Regardless, it’s a win-win for the frustrated customers who lost their pre-orders.

The Tears of the Kingdom Pro Controller is also a visually appealing addition to the lineup.