Latest news with #DougBowser
CBS News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Nintendo Switch 2 draws hordes of fans to stores worldwide for midnight release
What to know about Nintendo's new Switch 2 console Eager customers in the U.S. and around the world lined up outside electronics stores hours in advance on Thursday to collect their pre-ordered Nintendo Switch 2 video game consoles. The much anticipated Switch 2, being released at midnight worldwide 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 pre-order process in April left some fans frustrated after the consoles quickly sold out. Still, some eager fans lined up early Thursday at retailers such as Target in hopes of purchasing a unit. "I'm just rolling the dice here," said Edgar Huo, who was in a line of about 25 outside of a Target in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan, New York. Many of those waiting for the store to open had ordered online, but a few like Huo hoped for a chance at purchasing any extra inventory the store had. Doug Bowser, president of Nintendo of America, center, stands among fans outside of the Nintendo store in New York, US, early on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images 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 pre-order the devices. Nintendo Switch 2 features The original Switch, released in 2017, is "one of the most popular game consoles of all time," Scott Stein, editor-at-large at CNET, told CBS News Boston in January. The new console comes with a larger and higher resolution screen than its predecessor, with improved processing power, offering smoother and more vivid graphics. Central to its updated system is a new "C" button on its controller, which will launch a "GameChat" feature that requires a subscription to Nintendo's Switch online service. It allows players to "communicate with friends and family while playing a game," and lets them share their game screen with others. A built-in microphone will also allow chatting with other gamers. Nintendo has said it expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles for the fiscal year through March 2026. A mock-up of the Nintendo Co. Switch 2 game console on display at a Bic Camera Inc. electronics store in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Nintendo Co. fans from Tokyo to Manhattan stood in line for hours to be among the first to get a Switch 2. Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images 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. A "Mario Kart World" game for the new console is priced at $80, marking the first time a Nintendo game has broached $80. Ariana Drehsler/Bloomberg via Getty Images A "Mario Kart World" game for the new console is priced at $80, marking the first time a Nintendo game has broached $80, Washington Post video game reporter Gene Park told CBS News in April. "It's a little eyebrow-raising. It's really the first Nintendo game to broach $80, and there's a lot of talk about video games becoming $100 right now," Park said. U.S. preorders for the Switch 2 were delayed for several weeks so the company could assess the potential impact of tariffs.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nintendo Switch 2: Is new gaming console available in market? Details here
High Demand Global Launch Strategy Nintendo Expectations Live Events Tariff Policies FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Nintendo released its new gaming console, the Switch 2, on Thursday. The console follows the success of the original Switch and is now available in major global markets. The launch brought strong demand, long queues and quick sell-outs in several launched the Switch 2 with strong consumer interest. In Japan, 2.2 million people entered a lottery to buy the console. This number was more than the available supply. Demand in Japan remains high, and many stores require pre-orders. In China, online retailer received 400,000 reservations. In the US, retailers like Best Buy and Walmart opened stores at midnight. Walmart's website showed the console as sold Buy opened select stores at midnight. Walmart launched sales online and in stores. In the UK, Amazon showed delivery available the next day. Other stores, such as Currys and Smyths, had stock. Retailers are working to keep up with customer demand through restocking plans to sell 15 million units of the Switch 2 by March 2026. Analysts believe the company could exceed this number. Omdia expects 14.4 million units sold in 2025. Kantan Games forecasts 20 million units sold in the first year. Analysts note strong launch day interest and believe Nintendo can meet demand with steady supply over Switch 2 is priced at $449 in the US. Nintendo has paused decisions on raising prices due to tariff uncertainty. US tariffs could affect future pricing. Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser said the current price should hold but future hikes are possible depending on policy Switch 2 is facing shortages due to high global demand and limited launch-day stock, especially in Japan, China, and the has not confirmed any increase, but future tariffs might cause a price change depending on government trade policies.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Nintendo Switch 2: Is new gaming console available in market? Details here
High Demand Global Launch Strategy Nintendo Expectations Live Events Tariff Policies FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Nintendo released its new gaming console, the Switch 2, on Thursday. The console follows the success of the original Switch and is now available in major global markets. The launch brought strong demand, long queues and quick sell-outs in several launched the Switch 2 with strong consumer interest. In Japan, 2.2 million people entered a lottery to buy the console. This number was more than the available supply. Demand in Japan remains high, and many stores require pre-orders. In China, online retailer received 400,000 reservations. In the US, retailers like Best Buy and Walmart opened stores at midnight. Walmart's website showed the console as sold Buy opened select stores at midnight. Walmart launched sales online and in stores. In the UK, Amazon showed delivery available the next day. Other stores, such as Currys and Smyths, had stock. Retailers are working to keep up with customer demand through restocking plans to sell 15 million units of the Switch 2 by March 2026. Analysts believe the company could exceed this number. Omdia expects 14.4 million units sold in 2025. Kantan Games forecasts 20 million units sold in the first year. Analysts note strong launch day interest and believe Nintendo can meet demand with steady supply over Switch 2 is priced at $449 in the US. Nintendo has paused decisions on raising prices due to tariff uncertainty. US tariffs could affect future pricing. Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser said the current price should hold but future hikes are possible depending on policy Switch 2 is facing shortages due to high global demand and limited launch-day stock, especially in Japan, China, and the has not confirmed any increase, but future tariffs might cause a price change depending on government trade policies.
San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Nintendo's Switch 2 release draws eager buyers to S.F.'s Union Square store
Nintendo celebrated the launch of its Switch 2 video game console with a celebration at its new San Francisco store. Nearly 50 people were in line Wednesday afternoon to enter the Union Square shop and get a preview of 'Mario Kart World,' the flagship launch game for the new console. 'I'm seeing people of all races and religions come together over video games and they're playing together, and Nintendo is such an awesome IP because there's so many different worlds to explore, so many different characters. … The line's down the block and around the corner,' said Nintendo fan Darren Stallcup, a San Francisco resident. 'I'm really excited for the future of San Francisco.' The Japanese video game giant's hotly anticipated Switch 2 was set for release at 9 p.m. local time, when shoppers with reservations could buy it for two hours while supplies lasted. Nintendo will have a 'stream of supply coming between launch date and the end of the year. Our goal is to obviously meet demand,' Doug Bowser, president of Nintendo of America, previously told the Chronicle. Online preorders sold out quickly last month, with reports of some being canceled. Following 'Mario Kart World,' Nintendo is releasing 'Donkey Kong Bananza' in July, the first major game starring the gorilla character since 2014. 'Pokémon Legends: Z-A' is also coming in late 2025 to both the original Switch and Switch 2. Aside from games, the Nintendo store sells clothing, accessories, home goods and collectibles like LEGO sets and jewelry. The new store is one of a number of new openings in Union Square, including Shoe Palace, luxury watch stores from Breitling and a Rolex showroom operated by Kerns, and a new Zara flagship next year. Retail brokers have previously said the area is seeing more tenant interest after dozens of business closures since the pandemic. Chronicle photographer Lea Suzuki contributed to this report.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
As Switch 2 fans worry about price increases, Nintendo of America president isn't too reassuring as he admits tariffs make for "a very fluid situation"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. With tariffs, inflation, and memories of pandemic supply chain shortages still fresh in a lot of our minds, the question is: will the Nintendo Switch 2 remain at its current $450 price tag? The Switch 2's pre-orders were delayed in the US for a while due to the US tariffs imposed on much of the world. In particular, the high tariffs on China, Vietnam, and Cambodia, could affect the price of the Switch 2 as it's produced in these countries. Asked by IGN if Nintendo can commit to the Switch 2's current price into the future amid tariff uncertainties, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser says: "We made a commitment by announcing the pricing of both the single SKU [stock keeping unit] at $449 and then the bundled SKU with Mario Kart World at $499. And we really thought it was important that we established that price point, even after further tariffs were announced, to give consumers that comfort that they would be able to purchase at that price point." Recently, both the PS5 and Xbox Series have seen price increases, likely due to inflation and tariffs, so people are worried the Switch 2 could get more expensive before it even comes out. "Obviously, it's still a very fluid situation and it's difficult to determine what may be happening in the upcoming months or weeks," Bowser says. "But our commitment is to find ways within existing market conditions or changing market conditions to make our products, including Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, as obtainable as we possibly can." The Switch 2 is $150 more expensive than the original Switch was at launch, so it's already a much more costly console, but hopefully we won't see any more increases any time soon. If you're staying caught up with the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news, also be sure to see our roundup of upcoming Switch 2 games and Nintendo Switch 2 launch games. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
