Nintendo Switch 2 Launch: Midnight Queues, and the Hype That Didn’t Quit

The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here—and if you were anywhere near a major electronics store this week, you probably saw the lines.

From New York to Los Angeles, fans stayed up late (or maybe just didn’t bother sleeping) to be among the first to crack open the new system. The buzz? Absolutely electric. But like every major tech launch, it came with its fair share of chaos, joy, and a little sticker shock.

The Lead-Up: Pre-Orders, Tariff Drama, and Jumpy Fans

Let’s rewind a bit. Pre-orders for the product opened in early April, and—unsurprisingly—they vanished in minutes.

Then, just as quickly, Nintendo yanked them back.

In the US, concerns over import tariffs briefly paused the process. A few nervous weeks followed. Gamers held their breath, worried they’d miss their shot. Then Nintendo brought them back, and once again, pre-orders flew off the digital shelves.

Retailers were ready… well, kind of. Game, one of the UK’s biggest chains, had to cancel some orders due to supply issues. Over in the US, most big names like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy had smoother rollouts, though some customers complained of slow confirmations or confusing pickup instructions.

Midnight Launches: Cold Coffee, Big Crowds, and a Lot of Mario

Launch night felt like a throwback to the good old days—before downloads and digital keys took over. In cities across the US, the Switch 2 launch brought people out of their homes and into the chilly midnight air.

At the San Francisco Store, around 150 people stood in line by 11:30 PM. Someone brought a Bluetooth speaker. A few folks in line were wearing Mario hats. It was… oddly wholesome.

Meanwhile, in New York City, the Nintendo Store near Rockefeller Plaza became the epicenter of launch energy. There were cosplay contests, giveaways, and an entire Mario Kart-themed corner where people played demo versions of the new game while waiting for midnight.

“I haven’t done this since high school,” said 29-year-old Mike G., who had brought a folding chair and snacks. “Felt like the right time to get excited again.”

Not every store was that lively, but even low-key GameStop branches saw 20–30 people show up for the drop. Some came just for their pre-orders; others hoped to score a walk-in purchase. Most of them got what they came for. Some didn’t.

The Console Itself: Familiar, But Better

The Switch 2 is not a reinvention of the wheel. And honestly? That’s kind of the point.

At first glance, it still looks like a hybrid console—handheld by default, dockable for TV play. But once you start using it, the differences show up fast.

The screen’s bigger and brighter. The new OLED panel is sharp enough to make older Switch graphics look blurry by comparison. The Joy-Cons? Better grip, sturdier buttons, and one clever new trick: twist it sideways and you can use it like a computer mouse. Weird at first. Surprisingly useful once you get used to it.

It’s got more power under the hood too. Games load faster, frame rates are smoother, and there’s way more built-in storage (thank you, Nintendo).

But the real test? Games.

So, What Can You Actually Play?

Here’s the thing: if you were expecting a huge wave of new games on day one… you might be a little let down.

The Switch 2’s big launch title is Mario Kart World—a true sequel, not a remaster or repackaging. It’s wild, it’s fast, it’s got all-new tracks, and it supports up to 24 players in online races. It also costs $79.99 in the US, which had a few fans wincing at checkout.

Aside from that, Nintendo’s offerings are mostly upgrades of existing games. That includes:

• Breath of the Wild—Switch 2 Edition

• Tears of the Kingdom – Enhanced Performance

• Welcome Tour – A small game designed to showcase hardware features

A few third-party games rounded out the launch, including:

• Civilization VII

• Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

• Bravely Default: Golden Path

• Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

But some of the heavy hitters—Metroid Prime 4 and Donkey Kong: Bananza, for example—aren’t ready yet. They’re coming later in the year, which means launch day buyers are mostly working with familiar titles or just one major new one.

Big Business and Bigger Expectations

Early sales suggest Nintendo has another hit on its hands. Industry sources say more than 1.5 million units may have sold globally in the first few days. That’s massive, especially for a console that isn’t dramatically different from the original.

Analysts are watching closely. Nintendo hasn’t changed its naming style before—this is the first time it’s directly followed up a system with a “2.” No Wii U-style rebrand confusion this time. Players know exactly what they’re getting.

That clear messaging, combined with solid launch performance and a loyal fan base, puts the Switch 2 in a good position. But it’ll take more than nostalgia to match the original Switch, which sold over 150 million units globally.

Final Thoughts: So… Worth It?

If you already own a Switch and just want to keep playing familiar games, you probably don’t need the Switch 2 right away. But if you’re craving better performance, smoother gameplay, and a slightly futuristic Mario Kart experience, it might just be worth the splurge.

For first-time buyers, this is the best version of Nintendo’s hybrid vision so far. It’s polished. It’s fast. It feels good in your hands. Just be ready to drop close to $500 for the full experience.

The next few months will tell us a lot more. Nintendo has hinted at more first-party releases later this year—some fans are already speculating about a new Smash Bros. or Animal Crossing. And with the holiday season coming, you can bet demand won’t slow down anytime soon.