Nintendo Switch 2 launches globally at $450 with new features, high demand, and expected shortages. Here’s what to know before you buy.
The much-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 officially launched Thursday, eight years after its groundbreaking predecessor changed the gaming landscape. Retailers from Tokyo to Toronto saw long lines and fast-moving inventory as fans scrambled to secure the next-gen console.
Priced at $450 for the base model, and $500 for the bundle with the new “Mario Kart World,” the console promises significant upgrades and has already sparked intense consumer interest across major markets.
A Look Back: The Original Switch Legacy
First released in 2017, the Nintendo Switch introduced hybrid gaming—allowing users to toggle between handheld and docked gameplay. Its popularity surged further with the 2019 release of the handheld-only Switch Lite and hit games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
With over 152 million units sold globally, the Switch trails only the Nintendo DS in lifetime sales.
What’s New in the Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 builds on the success of its predecessor while introducing fresh features. New capabilities include interactive chat, screen-sharing for multiplayer sessions, a more vibrant display, and a larger screen for enhanced gameplay.
Nintendo is aiming to reignite its hardware momentum after a recent sales dip, citing the Switch 2 as central to its recovery strategy.
Retail Availability and Pricing
The base model of the Nintendo Switch 2 retails for $450. For fans eager to get the full experience, a bundle that includes Mario Kart World is available for $500.
Retailers including Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and GameStop are carrying the console both in-store and online. However, widespread shortages are expected due to intense early demand.
Launch Day Hiccups and Pre-Order Chaos
The road to release was not without turbulence. Pre-order demand surged when sales opened in April, resulting in delayed order confirmations, technical glitches, and checkout failures. Many customers reported empty carts and long wait times.
Compounding concerns were fears over trade tariffs initially imposed by the Trump administration. Though the Switch 2 launch coincides with a 90-day tariff freeze, Nintendo delayed U.S. preorders to assess potential supply chain risks.
Nintendo’s High Hopes Amid Declining Sales
The Japanese gaming giant projects sales of 15 million Switch 2 units by March 2026. The launch is seen as a critical lifeline after the company reported a 43% drop in annual profits in May.
Analysts and investors alike are closely watching the performance of Switch 2, which could determine Nintendo’s momentum in a competitive gaming market led by Sony and Microsoft.
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