Walmart, Best Buy only allowing online orders for next-gen consoles at launch

To prevent the ravenous gamers from bombarding storefronts and potentially spreading the COVID-19, Walmart and Best Buy have announced purchase plans for next-gen stock that exclude buying in stores. Instead, those looking to nab a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S on launch day will have to do so online at particular times.

For Walmart, the company’s Twitter has stated PS5 stock will be in rotation online on Nov. 12, starting at 12 PM ET, and will be restocked every three hours until 9 PM ET that day. Xbox Series X/S availability will differ, with Walmart making stock available once on its website on Nov. 10, at 12 PM ET. 

On Thursday, Best Buy also revealed that both next-gen consoles can be bought online on their respective launch dates and mentioned that purchasing these in-store won’t be possible until well into 2021. No details have been given as to what times online stock will be present on either launch day.

For those lucky enough to claim one online, both retailers will offer in-store and curbside pick up options on each release day. Best Buy has also made it optional for pre-orders to schedule appointments to avoid any packed parking lots.

Don’t forget that Best Buy and Walmart have mobile apps. Thus, you’ll be able to reserve your sought after machine from anywhere with just one tap of a button.