Excited Gamers Queue for Hours to Get Their Hands on Nintendo Switch 2

On Wednesday, crowds gathered outside Nintendo’s store in New York City’s Rockefeller Center, excited to be among the first to purchase the new Switch 2 console. Many fans camped out for hours, equipped with waterproof tents and lawn chairs, while the line extended for several city blocks. Some even donned costumes of beloved Nintendo characters, such as Luigi from the classic game “Super Mario.”

Lauren Hyde, who traveled from Maryland and joined the line on Monday, expressed the community spirit surrounding the launch. “It’s all about sharing that love of Nintendo with each other,” she shared. The highly anticipated console is set to launch on Thursday, marking eight years since the original Switch was released.

The first version of the console was a massive success, selling approximately 150 million units and ranking as the third-best-selling console of all time, following the PS2 and Nintendo DS. In recent months, excitement for the Switch 2 has intensified, fueled by early glimpses of the console and its promising features, including a bigger screen and enhanced graphics. Gamers have been eager to get their hands on the new device, with many showing up at stores like Best Buy and GameStop for midnight releases.

Jason Bonfig, Best Buy’s senior executive vice president, estimated that around 70% of customers planned to pick up their Switch 2 in-store, showcasing the passionate community surrounding the product. However, the Nintendo Store in New York is only selling consoles to those who preorder online, leaving many standing in line simply for the experience. Despite the challenging economic climate, Nintendo has confirmed that the launch price of the console will remain at $449.99.

There is also optimism that the Switch 2 could lead to new game developments and job creation, as the gaming industry has faced challenges in recent years. As the launch approaches, details about preorders remain scarce, with Nintendo choosing to keep many specifics under wraps.