The Nintendo Switch 2 has been released worldwide, with stores opening at midnight so fans could get their hands on the long-awaited console the moment it became available.
People of all ages have already sold out first wave pre-orders at most stores worldwide, and are stretching to prepare for the first fully brand new traditional Mario Kart game in 11 years, while parents are girding their loins (and wallets) to brave the shopping gauntlet at Christmas.
Some shops have the devices available to buy off the shelf – but in most cases customers have been picking up consoles they had ordered in advance, with UK retailer Currys calling it its “biggest gaming pre-order ever.”
Despite the excitement there have been some setbacks, with one supplier, Game, cancelling some pre-orders.
In the US, Nintendo briefly pulled Switch 2 pre-orders in April over concerns around tariffs before starting again a few weeks later.
The original Nintendo Switch has shifted more than 150 million units since its 2017 release.
A successor has been in the works for years – so perhaps unsurprisingly Tushar Sandarka, the President of the University of York’s Mario Kart society, is among those excited about the launch, and the new version of Mario coming with it.
“It’s coming out with Mario Kart World – which is the first since 2014 – it’s a big deal for us,” the 19-year-old said.
“Securing a pre-order was such a tough decision because it’s so expensive.
“Even if it’s a bit higher than I would have wanted to pay for it, it’s going to serve me well for the next 7 or 8 years.”
