Aspiring to queue up hours in front of the electronics outside of the United States and around the world to collect their pre-order Nintendo Switch 2 video game consoles on Thursday.
The highly anticipated Switch 2 will be released at midnight on Thursday, an upgrade to its eight-year-old ex, with its new social features designed to attract players to online games. Nintendo relies on Switch 2 to boost sagging sales.
In the United States, some fans were frustrated after the messy booking process in April sold out quickly. Still, some eager fans lined up at retailers such as Target earlier Thursday, hoping to buy a unit.
Edgar Huo said: "I'm just rolling the dice here. Many people waiting for the store to open have already ordered online, but like Huo wants the opportunity to buy any additional inventory the store has.
In Japan, the new console was sold through the competitive lottery system that Nintendo said was about 2.2 million applications.
In addition to the official lottery, some retailers offer their own lottery tickets to book equipment.
Nintendo Switch 2 features
The original Switch, released in 2017, is "one of the most popular consoles of all time," CNET's editor-in-chief Scott Stein told CBS News Boston in January.
The new console has a larger, higher resolution screen than its predecessor and offers improved processing power to deliver smoother, more vivid graphics. At the heart of its update system is a new "C" button on its controller that will launch the "GameChat" feature, requiring a subscription to Nintendo's Switch online service. It allows players to “communicate with friends and family while playing the game” and lets them share their gaming screen with others. The built-in microphone will also allow chatting with other gamers.
Nintendo said it expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles in the fiscal year of March 2026.
The company has promised to launch fascinating software for the Switch 2 later this year, including the "Legend of Zelda" game, the Pokemon title and Kirby game, and products from external software companies.
Nintendo opened a store in San Francisco and Super Nintendo World Entertainment Facilities In Orlando, Florida, both will be this month.
The launch of the Switch 2 has reached the uncertain gaming industry as U.S. President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs.
In the United States, the Switch 2's baseline startup price is $449.99, which is higher than the original Switch's $299 price.
The new console's "Mario Kart World" game costs $80, the first time Nintendo games have received a $80 bonus, Washington Post video game reporter Gene Park Tell CBS News In April.
"It's a bit of an eyebrow," Parker said. "This is indeed the first Nintendo game to raise $80, and there's a lot of discussion about video games that have become $100."
US reservation switch 2 A few weeks delayed Therefore, companies can assess the potential impact of tariffs.