Nintendo Switch 2 launches in Tokyo drawing hours-long lines

Eager customers lined up outside electronics stores in Tokyo hours in advance to collect their preordered Nintendo Switch 2 video game consoles.

The much anticipated Switch 2, being released around the world Thursday, is an upgrade to its eight-year-old predecessor with new social features meant to draw players into online gaming. Nintendo is counting on the Switch 2 to boost sagging sales.

In the U.S., a chaotic preorder process in April left some fans frustrated after the consoles quickly sold out.

In Japan, the new consoles were sold through a competitive lottery system that Nintendo said got about 2.2 million applications.

Outside the official draw, some retailers offered their own lotteries to preorder the devices.

Koji Takahashi was among those who missed out on the official draw but he was selected in the second round of a lottery held by a major electronics retailer in Japan.

He was first in line waiting outside the store, arriving four hours ahead of its opening. He hoped to secure a limited supply of Nintendo accessories to buy along with his preordered Switch 2.

“I feel very sorry for those who weren’t successful in the lottery. But I also had tough time getting this far, so I hope they forgive me!” Takahashi said.

The new console comes with a larger and higher resolution screen than its predecessor, with improved processing power, offering smoother and more vivid graphics.

Nintendo has said it expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles for the fiscal year through March 2026.

The company has promised to roll out attractive software for the Switch 2 later this year, including “The Legend of Zelda” games, a Pokemon title and a Kirby game, as well as offerings from outside software companies.

Nintendo is capitalizing on the launch with the opening of a store in San Francisco and the Super Nintendo World amusement facility in Orlando, Florida, both set for this month.

The Switch 2’s rollout arrives at an uncertain time for much of the gaming industry due to new tariffs implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump.

In the U.S., the Switch 2’s baseline launch price is $449.99—significantly higher than the original Switch’s $299 price tag.

U.S. preorders for the Switch 2 were delayed for several weeks so the company could assess the potential impact of tariffs.

—Ayaka McGill, Associated Press

https://www.fastcompany.com/91346783/nintendo-switch-2-launches-tokyo-drawing-hours-long-lines?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

Erstellt 2mo | 05.06.2025, 16:40:13


Melden Sie sich an, um einen Kommentar hinzuzufügen

Andere Beiträge in dieser Gruppe

What the White House Action Plan on AI gets right and wrong about bias

Artificial intelligence fuels something called automation bias. I often bring thi

05.08.2025, 08:40:04 | Fast company - tech
Online scam uses fake ICE raids at Target and Walmart to steal personal data

A new online scam is exploiting fears surrounding immigration raids.

If your “For You” page on

05.08.2025, 06:20:07 | Fast company - tech
This mom went viral for co-parenting with ChatGPT. Thousands are following her lead

Ask any parent and they’ll tell you that the laundry list of daily tasks is relentless. Now, some are turning to a new kind of support system:

04.08.2025, 23:30:02 | Fast company - tech
How Tesla’s brand loyalty suffered during Musk’s alliance with Trump

Tesla for years had more repeat U.S. customers than any other major auto

04.08.2025, 16:30:05 | Fast company - tech
Using ChatGPT or other AI tools? Here’s who can see your chat history

While AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini can be helpful, they&#82

04.08.2025, 11:50:02 | Fast company - tech
These 8 highly rated tech companies have 300+ remote jobs to fill

Ditch the commute and embrace the pajama pants-powered productivity of

04.08.2025, 07:10:07 | Fast company - tech