Lenovo has pulled the plug on some pre-orders for its new Legion Go 2 gaming handheld, blaming unexpectedly high demand for the popular device. The company, which unveiled the upgraded portable console at IFA 2025 earlier this month, says the rush of buyers has overwhelmed its supply chain, forcing cancellations on orders placed directly through its website.
This comes even though the Legion Go 2 starts at a steep $1,099 for the base model, making it one of the pricier options in the crowded handheld gaming market.
The Legion Go 2, successor to the original Legion Go from 2023, packs an AMD Ryzen Z2 processor, an 8.8-inch OLED screen with smooth 144Hz refresh, and a larger 74Wh battery for longer play sessions. It also features detachable controllers that double as a mouse for certain games, appealing to fans of on-the-go PC gaming.
Pre-orders opened shortly after the announcement, with shipments originally slated for late October. However, as orders piled up far beyond Lenovo’s forecasts, the company shifted focus to stocking third-party retailers like Best Buy, leaving direct buyers in the lurch.
In a Reddit thread meant for fan questions, Lenovo’s team apologized for the mix-up, explaining, “Pre-orders for the Legion Go Gen 2 have substantially exceeded our projections, leading to unforeseen delivery range extensions.”
They added that canceling some website orders is the fairest way forward, as “we don’t believe in holding onto customer payments for products we can’t ship in a timely manner.” Refunds will process automatically, and Lenovo promises to reopen direct sales once inventory catches up, expected in the coming weeks.
The decision has frustrated some early adopters, who took to social media and forums to vent. One Reddit user complained, “I used a discount code to snag it cheaper, and now it’s gone—no explanation beyond ‘high demand.'”
Others speculate Lenovo underestimated interest in the premium specs, especially with rivals like the upcoming Xbox Ally X from Microsoft and Asus looming on the horizon.
Priced higher than the original Legion Go’s $699 launch, the new model’s $1,099 tag (for the Ryzen Z2 with 16GB RAM) and $1,349 top-end version with Ryzen Z2 Extreme haven’t deterred buyers, who praise its vibrant display and improved controllers.
Lenovo isn’t alone in facing supply hiccups. Other AMD Ryzen Z2-based handhelds from competitors are also seeing delays, highlighting growing pains in the booming portable gaming scene.
The company vows to learn from this, stating in the Reddit update that “this experience has been an important lesson for us” and they’ll “improve and ensure a better process moving forward.”
For now, eager gamers can turn to retailers for availability, where stock is improving globally. The Legion Go 2 remains a hot ticket for those wanting a powerful, Windows-based handheld to rival the Steam Deck, but this pre-order fiasco serves as a reminder that high demand can sometimes mean tough waits—even at premium prices. Lenovo plans to ship the first units by late October, with more details on restocks soon.
