The Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Day is basically here. In just a few hours, Nintendo’s newest console will be officially available. A fresh era of Nintendo gaming is about to begin. This is a day gamers have been waiting for a very long time. Many of us have been following every whisper and rumor. Now it is time to see the console in action.
If you did not manage to get a pre-order, do not worry. You still have a chance to snag a Nintendo Switch 2 for launch day. Big stores like Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy, and Target have said they will open at midnight for launch events. These events will have consoles for customers who did not pre-order. These in-store events will probably be your best bet for getting a Switch 2 right away. There is nothing quite like being at a midnight launch with other excited fans.
For those who prefer shopping online, there will be digital restocks coming soon. Walmart and GameStop plan to restock online on launch day, which is June 5. Target has confirmed that new online stock will appear on June 6. These will just be the first chances to get a Switch 2 online. I expect many more online restocks in the coming weeks. If you stay alert, you will find one.
Where To Find The Nintendo Switch 2 On Launch Day And In The Weeks AheadAll The Places You Can Try To Get Your Hands On Nintendo's Latest Gaming Machine
In the UK, it seemed easier to get a Switch 2 during the pre-order period. There were more restocks over there. However, right now, the console is sold out at UK stores. I still expect launch day restocks across the pond. For those of us here in the US, major retailers have made their plans clear. Walmart has a live product page for the Switch 2. They will open select stores at midnight for launch events. Walmart also plans to take more online orders at midnight ET. The Mario Kart Bundle is listed for $499 at Walmart, which sounds like a good deal to start with.
Best Buy has announced its own midnight plan for June 5. Stores will open for pre-order pickups and will have extra consoles for walk-ins. Best Buy will not be taking online orders during this first launch week. So if you want one from Best Buy, going to a physical store is your best bet. You can find the Mario Kart Bundle there too for $499. Target is also holding a Switch 2 midnight launch event. They have said there will be extra units for people who did not pre-order. Target will take new online orders on Friday, June 6. The Mario Kart Bundle is also $499 at Target.
GameStop has also confirmed a Nintendo Switch 2 restock on June 5 during its midnight launch event. They will take online orders for launch day, but they have not announced a specific time. The Mario Kart Bundle will be $499 there. The official My Nintendo Store is doing things a bit differently. They are using an invite system to give out their available Switch 2 stock. You need to meet specific conditions, like having a Nintendo Switch Online account. If selected, you will get an invite to order the console. This method can be a bit frustrating if you do not get an invite.
Smaller tech stores are also getting ready. Antonline’s Switch 2 listings have a "coming soon" message. This might mean they plan to restock on launch day. Newegg’s Nintendo Switch 2 pages are live, but they currently have no stock. Newegg might restock the console for launch day, but nothing is certain right now. Sam's Club also has a listing page for the Nintendo Switch 2 saying "coming soon." This hints they might take orders on launch day. Amazon has not yet launched a product page or confirmed plans to sell the console in the US, but they are selling it in the UK. So keep an eye on all these places if you are trying to get one.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally launching soon with many games and new features. Find out when you can get your hands on the console and what to expect.
What's New With The Nintendo Switch 2 And Its Must-Have Accessories
Important Details About The Console's Capabilities And The Gear You Might Need
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is almost certainly going to be the most wanted accessory. It is a good upgrade over the first Pro Controller. It adds a headphone jack, a new "C" button, and customizable back buttons. This makes it even more useful for playing games. Extra Joy-Con 2 controllers are also available if you want more multiplayer options or just a spare set. These cost $94. One of the Switch 2’s new features is GameChat. To use this, you will need a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera to video chat with your friends online. The official Nintendo Switch 2 Camera is pretty basic, but there is a fun licensed third-party one from Hori. It looks like the Piranha Plant from Super Mario and has all the same features.
You do not need the Switch Joy-Con 2 Wheel for games like Mario Kart World, but it will make the experience much more fun. You can get a set of two for $24. If you need a spare AC adapter for your Switch 2, you can get one for $34. It connects right to the Switch 2 dock. If you travel with your Switch 2, the official Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case is a good choice. It is big enough for the Switch 2, its dock, Joy-Con 2 controllers, cables, and up to six game cards. This seems like a handy way to keep everything together.
The Switch 2 comes with more storage space, up to 2TB. But there is a catch: the Switch 2 only works with microSD Express cards. This means your old Switch cards will not work with the new console. You will need to buy new storage cards. I have noticed some microSD Express cards are no longer available for pre-order, which could mean stock has run out. So if you need one, try to get it quickly. Also, a quick note about the console itself: do not peel off the protective film on the screen. It is designed to prevent glass fragments from scattering if the screen gets damaged. It is an extra layer of protection you want to keep.
The long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here. We are looking at how to get your hands on one, what games to play, and what the future holds for Nintendo's new console.
The Exciting Game Lineup For Nintendo Switch 2 And What It Means For Gamers
New Titles And Enhanced Classics That Show Off The Console's Improved Performance
The launch of a new Nintendo console always means a fresh batch of games. Mario Kart World will launch on the same day as the Switch 2. This new game will let up to 24 drivers race at once. You can drive anywhere on the track. Nintendo also said new power-ups are coming. My colleague Tony Polanco said, "if you’re buying a Switch 2, you absolutely need to get Mario Kart World. Not only will it arguably be the best in the series so far, but it will also be a possible contender for game of the year." The $80 price tag is high, but it might be worth it for this game. Donkey Kong Bananza will launch on July 17. In this game, DK can smash through terrain. He can punch through mountains or go underground for collectibles. This is definitely one of the Switch 2’s biggest titles.
Street Fighter 6 1-2 Fighters Edition will have 26 characters and 20 stages. You will fight to the top with new content and game modes made just for Nintendo Switch 2. These include Local Wireless One on One and Avatar Matches. An improved version of Kirby and the Forgotten Land will also come to the Switch 2. It will have everything we liked about the original plus better graphics, HDR support, and improved frame rates. The adorable Kirby gets a boost from 30 frames per second to 60 frames per second. You can enjoy 1080p gameplay in handheld mode or 1440p when docked. These improvements will make the game look and feel much better.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is also being brought over to the Switch 2. It promises improved visuals and performance. It also supports Zelda Notes, a game-specific service in the Nintendo Switch app that only works on the Switch 2. This service brings voice-assisted navigation, voice memories, and item sharing. It sounds like a handy way to make the game even better. The ability to revisit these well-loved games with better performance and new features is a big draw for the Switch 2.
After a long wait, the Nintendo Switch 2 is here, promising new features and a powerful experience, but it comes with some interesting design choices and warnings.
What Tech Experts Are Saying About The Nintendo Switch 2's Power And Potential
Comparing The Console's Specs To Previous Generations And Looking At Its Future
Experts are starting to talk about what the Nintendo Switch 2 can do. CD Projekt Red's VP of Technology Charles Tremblay spoke about the upcoming Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077. He said the Switch 2 might be comparable to the PlayStation 4 in some ways. However, some of its features allow it to go beyond the quality of that older system. NVIDIA DLSS is one key tool helping games run well on the Switch 2. Tremblay also said a big problem with older consoles was their mechanical drives. The new Nintendo console does not have this issue. The increased amount of RAM also helps. It allows games like Cyberpunk 2077 to run better and even include the Phantom Liberty expansion.
While Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 will not look as good as on PC, it is not meant to. CD Projekt Red wants it to be a fun experience for the system. They are aiming for a steady 30 frames per second. Tremblay feels a 40 frames per second option is a good middle ground for modern console games. It shows they are working to make the most of the hardware.
We even heard from a Russian leaker who got the console early. Fedor Volkov shared his story. He got a Switch 2 nine days before its official release. He was not worried about Nintendo. He said he bought it and did not sign any non-disclosure agreements. Nintendo also does not have official shops in Russia anymore. This situation outside normal channels shows the big excitement for the Switch 2. Volkov showed the setup process and confirmed that old Switch 1 games could not run on the new machine yet. He also noted only two menu themes: black and white. These early peeks gave us a taste of what is to come.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is truly a console that gamers have been waiting for. It brings new features, a strong lineup of games, and promises to push what portable gaming can do. The excitement around its launch is clear, from midnight lines to online chatter. I am very much looking forward to seeing how this new console changes how we play and what new experiences Nintendo brings us in the years ahead.