Latest news with #BicCamera
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Gamers Flock to Stores as Nintendo Launches Highly Anticipated Switch 2
Gaming enthusiasts across Japan turned out in droves on Thursday for the long-awaited launch of Nintendo's next-generation console, the Switch 2, signaling massive demand for the upgraded gaming experience. In Tokyo's bustling Ikebukuro shopping district, a line of eager gamers – all successful applicants of Bic Camera's sales lottery – formed well before the store's opening, waiting patiently to get their hands on the coveted device. 'The level of demand seems to be sky-high,' noted Serkan Toto, founder of Kantan Games consultancy. The buzz comes after months of anticipation and speculation over Nintendo's follow-up to its wildly popular original Switch console. Packed with enhanced performance capabilities, the Switch 2 is seen as Nintendo's answer to an evolving gaming landscape that demands more power, sharper graphics, and seamless gameplay. The company has already pledged to increase production capacity to meet the overwhelming interest. Industry analysts are predicting a blockbuster performance for the new console. A recent report by a leading research firm projects that Switch 2 sales could surpass 100 million units by 2030, cementing Nintendo's status as a dominant force in the global gaming market. As the lines of excited fans prove, the future of console gaming is looking bright—and Nintendo is ready to play.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Nintendo Switch 2 launches with high demand and long queues in Tokyo
Gaming fans flocked to stores for the global launch of Nintendo's new Switch 2 console, with demand running high for the upgraded device. In Tokyo's Ikebukuro shopping district, dozens of lucky lottery winners queued outside electronics retailer Bic Camera to collect their pre-ordered consoles. 'I feel like I'm going to cry,' said Yumi Ohi, a 30-year-old delivery contractor who traveled from nearby Saitama Prefecture after missing out on previous sales lotteries. The Switch 2 retains the hybrid design of its predecessor but includes a larger screen and improved graphics. Nintendo is launching the console with titles like 'Mario Kart World' and expects strong early adoption due to the established base of Switch users. 'The much larger audience of Switch users should translate to stronger adoption in the opening part of its lifecycle,' said Piers Harding-Rolls, an analyst at Ampere Analysis. Since launching the original in 2017, Nintendo has sold over 152 million Switch consoles globally. That momentum, driven by hits such as 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' and two 'Legend of Zelda' titles, has created high expectations for the Switch 2. The company reported receiving 2.2 million applications for its sales lottery in Japan and saw U.S. retailer Target sell out pre-orders in under two hours. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed plans to strengthen production capacity and exceed the sales forecast of 15 million units this fiscal year. Analysts project lifetime Switch 2 sales could top 100 million by 2030. Despite some concerns over the limited number of first-party launch titles, fan excitement remains high. 'Given it's a special occasion, I wanted to buy the Switch 2 right away,' said Shinichi Sekiguchi, a hotel receptionist in his thirties.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nintendo's Switch 2 hits store shelves amid signs of hot demand
STORY: Nintendo's new Switch 2 gaming console hit store shelves in Japan on Thursday. And the early signs are that the Kyoto-based firm could have another hit on its hands. The company says it got 2.2 million applications for a lottery to secure one of the early units. In the U.S., pre-orders at Target sold out within two hours. This fan says she failed to win a slot in the lottery, and then struggled to find any available at a store, eventually succeeding at this Tokyo branch of electronics retailer Bic Camera. Nintendo enjoyed huge success with the original Switch, selling 152 million units so far. Now the new version looks very similar, but has a bigger screen, improved graphics and controllers that stick to it with magnets. It's been priced at around $450 in the U.S., and the company predicts it will sell about 15 million units over this financial year. Serkan Toto, the boss of consultancy Kantan Games, says demand appears to be sky-high. He says it could be months before you can just walk into a store and expect to find one available. Investors appear equally bullish, with Nintendo shares up almost 30% this year and close to record highs. However, analysts will be watching to see if the sales momentum lasts once hard-core Nintendo fans have all got a Switch 2. Some observers also say the roster of games available at launch isn't as strong as it could be. This buyer says he's happy some games from Sony's PlayStation 5 are now coming to the new Switch, but would like to see more such transfers. And, looming over all such regular considerations, is Donald Trump's trade war. If tariffs rise sharply, that could leave Nintendo with a test of how it manages supply and pricing for its new console. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CNA
4 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Gamers line up for Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day
TOKYO :Gaming fans queued up for the launch of Nintendo's Switch 2 on Thursday amid pent-up demand for the more powerful next-generation gaming device. "The level of demand seems to be sky-high," said Serkan Toto, founder of the Kantan Games consultancy. In the Ikebukuro shopping district of Tokyo, dozens of successful applicants to a sales lottery by electronics retailer Bic Camera lined up before the store opened to collect their devices. "I feel like I'm going to cry," Yumi Ohi, a 30-year-old delivery contractor, told Reuters. Ohi had missed out in other lotteries and had come from Saitama prefecture, adjacent to Tokyo, to receive her Switch 2. Nintendo has sold 152 million Switch home-portable devices since launching in 2017. It became a games juggernaut with titles including two "The Legend of Zelda" titles and COVID-19 pandemic breakout hit "Animal Crossing: New Horizons". The Switch 2 bears many similarities with its predecessor but offers a larger screen and improved graphics and debuts with titles including "Mario Kart World". "The much larger audience of Switch users should translate to stronger adoption in the opening part of its lifecycle," said Piers Harding-Rolls, an analyst at Ampere Analysis. "Nintendo is better prepared this time around" to deal with the high demand, he said. The launch of the $499.99 Switch 2 is a test of Nintendo's supply chain management during U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. Nintendo last month forecast sales of 15 million Switch 2 units during the current financial year, as well as 4.5 million Switch units. President Shuntaro Furukawa said Nintendo will strengthen production capacity to respond to strong demand and focus on sales promotion in an effort to exceed the forecast. "Given it's a special occasion, I wanted to buy (the Switch 2) right away on its release date," said Shinichi Sekiguchi, a hotel receptionist in his thirties. Nintendo said it received 2.2 million applications for its Switch 2 sales lottery on its My Nintendo Store in Japan. Pre-orders at Target sold out in less than two hours. "You are looking at weeks or months until you can walk into a store and buy a Switch 2," said Toto of Kantan Games. Investor expectations for the new device are similarly lofty. Nintendo's shares, which closed down 2 per cent in Tokyo, have gained 28 per cent this year. Concerns include whether momentum for the Switch 2 will be sustained after hardcore gamers have upgraded. "The volume of first-party games on offer at launch isn't as strong as it could be, so some more casual users may wait and see how the games available build over the next one to two years before making the leap," said Ampere's Harding-Rolls. Ampere forecasts Switch 2 sales to exceed 100 million units in 2030. "Mario Kart World" has a U.S. sticker price of $79.99, generating debate over the price of games. Nintendo is also attracting third-party titles to the system. "I've been around since the era of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and games from (that period) were expensive too so I think it's somewhat within the acceptable range," said Akitomo Takahashi, a salesman in his forties.
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
Gamers line up for Nintendo Switch 2 launch with global shortfall expected
Gaming fans queued up for the launch of Nintendo's , opens new tab Switch 2 today, which is widely expected to be in short supply globally amid pent-up demand for the more powerful next-generation gaming device. "The level of demand seems to be sky-high," said Serkan Toto, founder of the Kantan Games consultancy. In the Ikebukuro shopping district of Tokyo, dozens of successful applicants to a sales lottery by electronics retailer Bic Camera lined up before the store opened to collect their devices. "I feel like I'm going to cry," Yumi Ohi, a 30 year-old delivery contractor, told Reuters. Ohi had missed out in other lotteries and had come from Saitama prefecture, adjacent to Tokyo, to receive her Switch 2. Nintendo has sold 152 million Switch home-portable devices since launching in 2017. It became a games juggernaut with titles including two "The Legend of Zelda" titles and COVID-19 pandemic breakout hit "Animal Crossing: New Horizons". The Switch 2 bears many similarities with its predecessor but offers a larger screen and improved graphics and debuts with titles including "Mario Kart World". "The much larger audience of Switch users should translate to stronger adoption in the opening part of its lifecycle," said Piers Harding-Rolls, an analyst at Ampere Analysis. "Nintendo is better prepared this time around" to deal with the high demand, he said. The launch of the $499.99 Switch 2 is a test of Nintendo's supply chain management during U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. Nintendo last month forecast sales of 15 million Switch 2 units during the current financial year, as well as 4.5 million Switch units. President Shuntaro Furukawa said Nintendo will strengthen production capacity to respond to strong demand and focus on sales promotion in an effort to exceed the forecast. Nintendo said it received 2.2 million applications for its Switch 2 sales lottery on its My Nintendo Store in Japan. Pre-orders at Target sold out in less than two hours.
