Should you buy the Nintendo Switch 2 right now? We played for weeks to find out
We spent weeks testing and playing with the Nintendo Switch 2 to figure out if you really need to run out and track one down right now. We've got some serious thoughts on whether you should, shouldn't, or when might be the right time to dive into Nintendo's latest beloved console.
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Tom's Guide
4 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Nintendo Switch 2 restocks live — Best Buy has stock right now
1. Quick links2. Full retailer listings3. U.K. restocks4. LIVE: Latest updates Nintendo Switch 2 restock has been plentiful over the last week. After more than a month of persistent stock shortages, we're finally seeing constant availability across numerous major retailers. It appears that Switch 2 supply is swiftly catching up with the demand levels. Retailers like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, GameStop and Amazon have all restocked in recent weeks. And not only are these restocks becoming more frequent, but they're lasting longer as well. It appears that Switch 2 stock shortages are becoming a problem of the past. In the U.K., we've seen increased availability of Switch 2 for a while. Pretty much since launch, the best-selling hybrid console has been relatively easy to get hold of, and that's not changing as the summer progresses. Whenever Switch 2 restock appears in the U.K., it typically lasts for several hours, if not entire days. Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 5 and costs $449 / £395 standalone and $499 / £429 bundled with Mario Kart World. There is also a new Pokémon Legends A-Z Bundle, which also costs $499 / £429 and is available to pre-order now. It will launch on October 16. I've been tracking Nintendo Switch 2 restocks every single week since the console was first made available to pre-order back in April, and I'm here to bring you the latest updates to help you lock in a console as soon as possible. These are the latest Switch 2 restock updates. After being absent from the Switch 2 pre-order phase, Amazon U.S. launched a Nintendo Switch 2 listing page and is now allowing shoppers to request an invite to purchase. There are no details yet when invites will be sent, but sign up now to be in with a chance to score a Switch 2. Mario Kart Bundle: $499 @ Amazon Best Buy currently has stock of Nintendo Switch 2 and the Switch 2 Mario Kart Bundle. Best Buy has been primarly holding in-store restocks, but it's latest drop is also online. Mario Kart Bundle: $499 @ Best Buy Target has restocked the Nintendo Switch 2 as of July 23 at 7 a.m. ET. Both the standalone console and the Mario Kart Bundle are available for shipping, so make your pick and get yours. Mario Kart Bundle: $499 @ Target Sam's Club currently has stock of the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart bundle! You can only order one per membership, though. Walmart looks to be out of stock of the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle for $499. Walmart's usual restock pattern is to first release stock exclusively to Walmart Plus members before later opening up to Kart Bundle: $499 @ Walmart GameStop is currently sold out of Switch 2 consoles. However, as a specialist video game retailer, we're expecting more stock to arrive shortly, so watch this space. Mario Kart Bundle: $499 @ GameStop My Nintendo Store is using an invite system to allocate its available Switch 2 stock. You will need to meet specific criteria, including having a Nintendo Switch Online account and then be selected and sent an invite to order the console. Mario Kart Bundle: $499 @ Nintendo Store Antonline's Switch 2 listings have a "coming soon" message. This could be a sign that the tech retailer is planning to restock the console in the near future, though that message has been there quite a while now, so it's a little puzzling. Mario Kart Bundle: $499 @ Antonline Newegg's Nintendo Switch 2 pages are live, but there's currently no stock. Newegg may restock the console soon, but nothing is confirmed yet, so this is another one to watch closely for now. Mario Kart Bundle: $499 @ Newegg The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is practically guaranteed to be the most in-demand Switch 2 accessory, and it packs a suitable upgrade over its predecessor adding a headphone jack, the new "C" button, and customizable back buttons. Additional retailers: Best Buy | GameStop Need an extra set of Joy-Con 2 controllers for multiplayer, or just because it's always nice to have a spare? You can pick up an additional set of Joy-Con 2 at various retailers for $94. Additional retailers: Best Buy | GameStop One of Switch 2's new features is GameChat, and to get the most out of this new addition you'll need a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera to video chat with your friends online. Additional retailers: Best Buy | GameStop The official Nintendo Switch 2 Camera is pretty dull, but this licensed third-party one from Hori is anything but. It's modeled after the iconic Piranha Planet from the Super Mario series and offers all the same features, plus you can close the Piranha's head to give yourself some privacy as needed. Huge caveat: it's resolution maxes out at 480p, whereas the Nintendo camera is retailers: Best Buy You don't need the Switch Joy-Con 2 Wheel to enjoy games like Mario Kart World, but it'll sure make the experience much more fun. You can get a set of two for just $24. Additional retailers: Best Buy | GameStop It's not the most exciting Switch 2 accessory, but should you need a spare AC adapter for your Switch to you can get one for $34. It connects directly to the Switch 2 Switch 2 retailers: Best Buy | GameStop Take your Switch 2 on the road with the official Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case. It's big enough so you can carry the Switch 2, Nintendo Switch 2 dock, Joy-Con 2 controllers, various cables, and up to six game retailers: Best Buy | GameStop The Switch 2 comes with an increased storage capacity of up to 2TB. However, the Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards, which means you'll need new storage cards for your console. Additional retailers: Best Buy | GameStop Mario Kart World will launch on the same day as the Switch 2. This new entry will allow up to 24 drivers to take part in each race, and you'll be able to drive anywhere on the track. Nintendo also said gamers can expect new retailers: Best Buy | GameStop| Walmart Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 is the definitive way to enjoy CDPR's critically acclaimed first-person open-world RPG on the go. You play a mercenary named V, completing missions in the dark city of the future, Night City, though your main aim is surviving the chaos that surrounds you. This Ultimate Edition also includes the essential Phantom Liberty DLC expansion, which opens up a new area of the map, the ruthless Dogtown. Additional retailers: Best Buy | GameStop Donkey Kong Bananza allows DK to smash his way through (and down into) the surrounding terrain. He can punch his way through mountains or head underground in search of collectibles. It's hands-down one of the Switch 2's biggest titles. Additional retailers: Amazon | GameStop| Walmart Super Mario Party Jamboree is getting a Switch 2 makeover. The new game will feature all new modes, game types, and rules that work with the new console. The game will release on July retailers: Best Buy | Walmart | GameStop Street Fighter 6 1-2 Fighters Edition features 26 characters and 20 stages. You'll fight your way to the top with all-new content and game modes exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, like Local Wireless One-on-One and Avatar retailers: GameStop | Walmart An enhanced edition of Kirby and the Forgotten Land will make its way to the Switch 2. It'll feature everything we loved about the original as well as some improvements like better graphical fidelity, HDR support, and frame rate improvements. The ever-adorable Kirby gets a bump from 30fps to 60fps and you can enjoy 1080p gameplay in handheld mode or 1440p when retailers: GameStop | Walmart The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is being ported over to the Switch 2. It promises improved visuals and performance. It also brings support for Zelda Notes, a game-specific service found in the Nintendo Switch app that's exclusive to the Switch 2. It brings voice-assisted navigation, voice memories, and item sharing. Additional retailers: GameStop| Walmart The original Switch's definitive launch game has returned for the Switch 2, and now it's been enhanced for Nintendo's new hardware. It's the masterpiece you (probably) know, but it looks and runs better than ever. If you've never played Breath of the Wild, there really isn't a better time to jump into Hyrule than via this Switch 2 retailers: Best Buy Hitman World of Assassination Signature Edition brings the complete IO Interactive trilogy to Nintendo Switch 2. In this action-stealth game, you play the world's most lethal killer, Agent 47, as they travel the globe eliminating high-value targets in a multitude of creative ways. Each mission is highly replayable, and this Signature Edition also comes with a wealth of extra content. I'm a Senior Entertainment Editor at Tom's Guide with more than five years of experience tracking restocks for loads of in-demand gaming items. From the PS5 and Xbox Series X to the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection, I've helped thousands of readers secure hard-to-buy tech, and I'm putting all that experience to good use this week to help you secure a Nintendo Switch 2.
Tom's Guide
10 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
My favourite Switch 2 game is already AU$20.95 off on Amazon — get Donkey Kong Bananza for only AU$89
Recently, I wrote an article on the things I love about my Nintendo Switch 2, and I can now add Donkey Kong Bananza to that list. Apart from being the Switch 2's first major release post-launch, it's arguably the best reason to own the new console to date. Although the game shares some similarities to its development team's previous title, Super Mario Odyssey, Donkey Kong Bananza feels like an entirely fresh approach for Nintendo, thanks to its smashable environments and layered levels, as well as the dynamic movement of its title character. Best of all, Donkey Kong Bananza is just AU$109.95 AU$89 on Amazon right now, which is a solid saving of AU$20.95 on the RRP. Pretty good way to dodge Nintendo's next-gen price hike if you ask me... Donkey Kong Bananza is the first must-have title to release for Nintendo Switch 2 since Mario Kart World, boasting a vast subterranean world that's just waiting to be smashed to pieces. Join DK and Pauline on an epic adventure in search of Banandium Gems. Use DK's fists to smash through the terrain and Pauline's singing abilities to transform DK into various animal forms. Now only AU$109.95 AU$89 on Amazon. I've only played the game for a handful of hours so far, but I'm already hooked on its core mechanic of pummelling the environment to smithereens in search of precious Banandium Gems. In fact, I'm finding it hard to move forward in the game without smashing everything in sight — I may have a problem. But don't just take my word for it — in his Donkey Kong Bananza review, my colleague Anthony Spadafora praised the game's "destructible environments and unique visuals." He also described it as "the 3D Donkey Kong game fans of the character have always wanted", though he did note that there were "some camera issues" and "far too many Banandium Gems to collect in a single playthrough." Of course, those minor quibbles shouldn't stop you from playing one of the best Nintendo games in years — especially now that it's received a sweet 19% discount on Amazon, less than a fortnight after its release. Don't own the Nintendo Switch 2 yet? You can find today's best Switch 2 prices below.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Say, What? — Nintendo Just Dropped A Bombshell About Mario And Princess Peach's Relationship After All These Years
Since the '80s, our favorite mustachioed plumber, Mario, rescued our blonde-haired princess, Peach, from that problematic turtle monster, Bowser. But if you thought they were madly in love and destined to be together forever, think again. Newsflash: Mario and Princess Peach are apparently just friends! Related: No, you didn't read that wrong. After decades of romantic rumors, Nintendo basically revealed the actual status of Mario and Peach's relationship. "Princess Peach and Mario are good friends," the Japanese video game company wrote in a statement this past week, "and help each other out whenever they can." The news was brought to everyone's attention by X user @KirPinkFury, who discovered this bombshell announcement via the Nintendo Today app and shared it to X on July 23. For decades, across multiple platforms and forms of media, Mario has rescued the kidnapped Princess Peach from Bowser, and sometimes he was even rewarded with a kiss. But this viral revelation changes everything we once knew about the Mushroom Kingdom's greatest hero. If this news rocked your world, here's how people online reacted: Related: If you've played Super Mario Odyssey, then you'll remember when Peach rejected him after he traveled across the galaxy to rescue her. People couldn't get over the idea that he was seemingly "friendzoned" after all these years: Related: Some folks were downright shocked and saddened by the news: Related: And finally, somebody joked that maybe his archnemesis Bowser was in charge of the company: Funny enough, technically Doug Bowser is the current president and CEO of Nintendo of America, the American branch of the Japanese company. So, yes. Bowser is the CEO. It'll be okay, everyone. We need an update on Princess Daisy and Luigi's relationship status. We contacted Nintendo for comment and'll let you know if we hear back. Also in Celebrity: Also in Celebrity: Also in Celebrity:
