I remember waiting in line outside my local GameStop store the night of midnight release to pick up the Nintendo Switch that I had preordered with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, along with a case, screen protector, and Amiibo. I was excited to bring home a new console, set it up and enjoy the thrill of the hybrid aspect of it and all the games. This was a great experience and one I will always remember.

Shortly after the Switch released my daughter was born, an amazing and beautiful human, much like her mother, and I was so delighted to be her father. I watched her grow and learn and of course become interested in games. Hoping one day that we would bond over games and perhaps go to a midnight release of her first Nintendo console. Well, here we are eight years after it has released and my hope of that Is gradually dimming.

I was really looking forward to going to my local GameStop and waiting to preorder the Nintendo Switch 2 and waiting for a midnight release like I did eight years ago. But when my wife told me that the local GameStop had abruptly closed its doors over a weekend in April, my heart sank, not because I thought that GameStop was crème de le crème, or it was my favorite place to shop, but because we had less than two months to go for Switch 2 to release and I could no longer preorder the console and physically wait for it with my daughter.

Some of you won’t understand and others may laugh at the notion that I even want to wait for Switch 2 or even want one, but when I look back at a time before kids and now, I want to share my passion, my interests, and to make memories with my family. Games make people smile, bring together communities, and leave lasting impressions on all who experience video game magic. I wanted that magic again, but this time for my daughter and I to share. This time, however, it will be different and though it’s not what I pictured, that’s okay.

I have a chance to make new memories and new traditions that I hope my daughter will remember and share with her future family. Though I won’t be able to go physically to a midnight release, I still will make the experience with my family a memorable one. I hope those of you who were hoping the same for your family will realize it’s not how you obtain it, it is the fun that is had and the memories that are created in the end. Though the light in the lantern may be dim, it is how you keep fueling the light that matters.

What are your thoughts on preorders and camping outside a store? Have you waited outside a place for something to pre-order before? Were you able to pre-order Switch 2? Tell us your thoughts and experiences.

Image Source: Bulbapedia.com

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