Latest news with #consolelaunch
Bloomberg
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Bloomberg
Best Buy Expects Rapid Sellout of Nintendo's Switch 2 Consoles
Best Buy Co. expects to sell out its allotment of Nintendo Co. 's new Switch 2 game consoles shortly after they become available for purchase at midnight. Fans were already lined up outside stores Wednesday, hours before the console's release. Some were there to pick up devices they had preordered, others to snag inventory left for the day of the launch.
The Independent
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Nintendo Switch 2 launch – live: I've just got my console, here's how to get yours
It's finally happening. The Nintendo Switch 2 launches at midnight tonight, and I've just received my console. After reports that Nintendo wouldn't send out consoles to journalists to preview, I've since got my hands on a brand new Nintendo Switch 2. I've been ripping open the box as I type out this update. If you want your own, it's a little late to preorder, but shops across the country are getting ready to fling open their doors. Every Smyths Toys will be open from 12am, with a small amount of extra stock for anyone who fancies queuing. Over on Oxford Street, Currys is running its own launch event, but it's strictly for customers who've already pre-ordered from the branch. A few retailers are holding back stock for Thursday morning. Argos says it'll have consoles ready to collect from 6am, with same-day click and collect available nationwide. EE will have Switch 2 bundles too, though you'll need to be an existing pay monthly customer to get in on the action. I've been chasing down Switch 2 stock for weeks, and it's safe to say availability is thinning out by the hour. If you've left it late, there's still a decent chance, but you'll need to move fast. I'll be updating this blog with every restock and bundle I can find, and the team and I are on the night shift tonight to catch anything that drops after dark. Nintendo Switch 2 stock at UK retailers A closer look at the unboxing I'm juggling unboxing this console and keeping an eye on stock, but if you want a closer look, here's the screen on the Nintendo Switch 2: The screen is larger than the original Switch, with nearly two extra inches on its predecessor. Alex Lee4 June 2025 17:14 My Nintendo Switch 2 console just arrived Many writers reported that they wouldn't receive a Nintendo Switch 2 console before the launch, so you can imagine how shocked I was when the doorbell went and, well: After months of covering the console, it feels surreal to have it in front of me. If you want to order a console, it won't arrive in time for launch day, but you can still get your hands on one: Pre-order now at ShopTo Pre-order now at Very Alex Lee4 June 2025 16:42 How to prepare for the Nintendo Switch 2 launch If you're hoping to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 tonight, now's a good time to get everything ready. Make sure you're logged in to your retailer accounts, your payment details are saved, and delivery info is filled in. There's nothing worse than having to make an account when all you want to do is buy a console. Some sites (like the My Nintendo Store) will only let you buy the console if you have an active Switch Online membership, while others (like EE) require you to be a pay monthly customer. Alex Lee4 June 2025 15:41 Who's probably not worth checking at midnight? Very and ShopTo are both still taking pre-orders right now, with delivery scheduled for next week – 9 June at ShopTo and 13 June at Very. Since they're already in stock, they'll probably still be available at midnight, but nothing's likely to change. If you're aiming for launch day delivery, these aren't the ones to watch. Game? Don't bother, I say. After cancelling some pre-orders last week, its FAQ now says: 'We cannot guarantee there will be stock available in stores'. Right now, you can weirdly get a Switch 2 into your basket for £9,999. It might indicate a launch day restock, but who knows at this point. Alex Lee4 June 2025 15:00 Who's more likely to restock in the morning? Argos has confirmed it will go live at 6am with launch day stock for same-day click and collect, so set your alarm if you're planning to try there. Amazon is another one to watch. It had pre-order stock live for most of last week but hasn't restocked since the weekend. Based on how it's handled other console launches, I'm expecting stock to appear between 8am and 9:30am. Midnight feels unlikely. John Lewis has confirmed the console will be available to buy on 5 June, but hasn't said when. It doesn't typically drop stock overnight, so a morning release is a safe bet. Alex Lee4 June 2025 14:20 New Zealand and Day One update has entered the chat It's officially launch day in New Zealand, and people are already starting to receive their Nintendo Switch 2 consoles (or they're collecting them in-person). New Year's Eve energy. It also looks like the day one update has rolled out globally, so anyone who's managed to get a console early should now be able to upgrade their machine to play Mario Kart World. Alex Lee4 June 2025 13:48 Who's most likely to go live at midnight? If you're staying up for launch, Smyths is the most reliable bet. Every store across the UK and Ireland is opening at 12am, and there's a good chance it'll have stock online around the same time. The My Nintendo Store is also one to watch. There's been no formal announcement, but it's the official storefront – it has to go live at some point on Thursday. I'll be checking it at midnight just in case. Currys is a bit of a toss-up. It's holding a midnight launch at its Oxford Street store, which makes it possible the site could update too, but given the old listings said "pick up within 1 hour", there's a chance it's planning to go live in the morning for same-day click and collect. Still, I'll be checking overnight. Alex Lee4 June 2025 13:42 US retailers are reportedly cancelling some Switch 2 pre-orders There are reports that Switch 2 pre-orders are being cancelled across several US retailers, including Walmart, Target and Best Buy. Some customers have taken to Reddit and social media to say their orders were dropped without warning, just days before launch. Some believe it might be due to retailers overselling their allocated stock, or last-minute stock issues related to tariffs and shipping delays. Walmart has reportedly offered a few affected customers a $15 gift card by way of apology, and while GameStop posted saying it isn't cancelling orders, a few people have replied with screenshots saying otherwise. Right now, this only seems to be affecting US orders. Besides Game, I haven't seen any other orders getting cancelled. If you're in the US, you'll be able to pre-order a console at most major retailers tomorrow. I've got all the details in the article below: How to get a Nintendo Switch 2 from Best Buy, GameStop, Target and more Walmart, Best Buy, Target and GameStop will have Nintendo Switch 2 stock on launch day Alex Lee4 June 2025 13:02 John Lewis listings confirm launch day restock John Lewis has confirmed that the Switch 2 will be available to buy on launch day. Its listings now read: 'Pre-orders are now sold out. Available to buy from 5 June 2025.' That suggests a restock is definitely coming, though there's no exact time listed yet. John Lewis doesn't usually do midnight drops, so I'm expecting stock to go live sometime in the morning. If you're planning to try your luck, it's worth checking at around 7am – that's when the PS5 used to go live. Alex Lee4 June 2025 12:51 Will Amazon go live at midnight tonight? Amazon had Switch 2 pre-order stock live for most of last week, but it's all sold out now. It's hard to know if Amazon will have launch day stock – all of its pre-orders were scheduled to be delivered on Friday 6 June and Saturday 7 June, so its next wave of consoles might not arrive until the week after. If it does restock, I'm not expecting it to go live at midnight. Amazon doesn't typically do 12:01am launches. When the PS5 and Xbox Series X were released, it was dropped mid-morning at 8am, rather than overnight. Alex Lee
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Nintendo Switch 2 Is Out In Four Days – Where's The Buzz?
Switch 2 Nintendo We are on the verge of the launch of what will be one of the best-selling pieces of video game hardware in history, but it doesn't really feel like it. I'm talking about the Nintendo Switch 2, which will be released on Thursday, June 5 and despite the fact that it's no doubt going to sell extremely well over time, this doesn't seem like the type of 'event' we normally see for big hardware launches. In this case, that's especially unusual, given that it's been a full eight years since the original Switch came out. What's going on here? It's possible this is just an 'online gaming bubble' disconnect from consumer reality, but I do think a few things are at play here that have tamped down on the overt enthusiasm we normally see for big console launches. It's The Same, But Better – Looking back, it's easy to see how wild the leaps were in terms of form and function across Nintendo hardware over the generations. After being rocked by the Wii U, Nintendo needed a hit and introduced the wildly different split handheld/home console, the Switch, and it was unlike anything that had been tried before by a major industry player. A huge, explosive hit. Now? It's the Switch again. More powerful, PS4-level this time. A better screen. A few new features. But it very much is the Switch again. You may say that's true of new Xboxes and PlayStations, and you'd be right, but in those cases, you're also seeing Microsoft and Sony trying to push past new console hardware limits and into a new standard, something Nintendo has not tried to do for generations. That's worked out fine, but it's also not something that's a factor here. Mario Kart World Nintendo The Games – Nintendo is leading with what will likely be its best-selling game of the generation, Mario Kart World, based on how past entries in that series have performed. But between that and Donkey Kong Bananza (a month later) that's…kind of it for a long while. Everything else will be playing old Switch games. There are barely any other release dates listed for games in the future. One anticipated game, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, alleges it will be out in 2025, but we still don't have a date even after a recent preview. And we're now halfway through the year. The Price – I'm not sure that the price is so high it's going to discourage sales, but the debut of the price was discouraging all the same. Nintendo has long positioned itself as an 'accessible' entry point into gaming, which was true of the $300 Switch. But now the Switch 2 is $450, above rivals like the PS5 and Xbox Series S, and 50% more than the last generation. You can account for inflation, sure, but it wasn't exactly a selling point this time around, to be sure. Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo also kicked up a dust storm by announcing that Mario Kart World was going to be $80, up from $70, the standard price of AAA games, which used to be $60 just a few years ago. Their explanation was simply, 'Well, we think it's worth that much,' but it opened up the floodgates to a host of AAA games now pricing their titles at $80. They may have done that anyway eventually, but Nintendo went first, and now everyone has followed. I do not think any of this points to the idea that the Switch 2 is going to fail as a console or not sell a huge number of units. But I do think this all has combined to make the vibes feel sort of off with this launch, which should be one of the biggest deals of the year. And it just doesn't feel like it. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
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The Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Popular UK retailer announces Nintendo Switch 2 midnight launch party – here's how to pre-order
It's almost time. The Nintendo Switch 2 launches next week, and if you haven't secured a pre-order yet, you might be cutting it close. Stock has been appearing in waves and selling out in minutes, and it may be your last chance to secure a console for release day. In a delightful move, Smyths Toys has also confirmed it'll be holding midnight launches at all UK shops on 5 June. If you've pre-ordered via Click and Collect, you'll be able to pick it up from 12:01am, and even if you haven't, Smyths says limited walk-in stock will also be available. Select Smyths Toys branches will also host early demo events from 11pm on 4 June, giving fans the chance to try out Mario Kart World on the Switch 2 before doors officially open. The first 100 customers at each of these stores will also receive a free goodie bag. The participating shops include Boucher Road (Belfast), Glasgow, Stockport, Romford and Hull. If you're still hoping to pre-order or grab a console on launch day, I'm rounding up all the retailers with live stock below, plus the best accessories and bundles to pair with your new console. This page is constantly updated with the latest drops. Where to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 in the UK The Switch 2 keeps the same hybrid design as the original. You can play it handheld or dock it to your TV, but there are some improvements to the hardware. The new Switch has a bigger 7.9in HDR-ready LCD screen, 256GB of internal storage, and improved performance. The big change is a new pair of magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers. Unlike the original Switch, these new Joy-Cons can be used like computer mice, offering new ways to play and interact with the console. The standalone Nintendo Switch 2 console includes everything you need to get going. It comes with the console, the dock, a pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers, and a grip that turns the controllers into a single pad for comfort. It's backwards compatible with your existing Switch library, and now supports 4K output when docked. In our hands-on preview, The Independent 's Steve Hogarty called it 'a different beast entirely', praising the performance, visuals, and the Joy-Con 2's mouse-style control trick. Right now, the standalone console is coming in and out of stock at the My Nintendo Store, though you'll need an active Switch Online membership (was £6.99, now £5.99, to secure it. If you don't mind pre-ordering a bundle, there are plenty available, and I've rounded up the cheapest ones below. Nintendo's official Switch 2 bundle includes everything you get with the standalone console (the device, Joy-Con 2 controllers, grip, dock and cables) plus a digital download code for Mario Kart World. The game normally costs £79.99, so you save about £40 by picking up the bundle instead. In our hands-on preview, The Independent's Steve Hogarty called Mario Kart World 'the most exciting' of the new titles. 'It's absolutely massive,' he wrote, praising the expanded roster, new vehicle types, and the game's ability to let players drift across water, not just under it as in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. He also said Mario Kart 'looks spectacular on the big screen,' especially when docked and running in 4K at 120Hz. Right now, the official Mario Kart World bundle is coming in and out of stock at the My Nintendo Store, though you'll need an active Switch Online membership to purchase it (was £6.99, now £5.99, Don't have a Switch Online account? I've rounded up even more Switch 2 bundles available on launch day below. But that's not all. Other retailers are still offering the Switch 2 as part of bigger launch bundles, with some retailers packaging the console alongside extra Joy-Cons, charging docks, the new Switch 2 camera and additional games. Currys Nintendo Switch 2 bundles Currys doesn't have the standalone Switch 2 console or the official Mario Kart World bundle in stock, but it's offering two larger bundles with added extras. One includes Mario Kart World, Tears of the Kingdom, Breath of the Wild, a carry case and a screen protector for £579. The other swaps the Zelda games for Street Fighter 6, the Switch 2 camera and a microSD Express memory card, bundled with Mario Kart World as well. It also costs £579. Both are available for home delivery on release day, but they can't be collected in-store. Nintendo Switch 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Hitman: World of Assassination, microSD Express card and Switch 2 camera: £609.95, Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World, Cyberpunk 2077, Hitman: World of Assassination, microSD Express card and Switch 2 camera: £644.95, The Game Collection has just two Nintendo Switch 2 bundles left available to pre-order. One pairs the console with Cyberpunk 2077, Hitman: World of Assassination, a microSD Express card and the Switch 2 camera (£609.95, The other includes everything in that bundle, plus Mario Kart World, bringing the price to £644.95. Both are scheduled for delivery on release day, 5 June. My Nintendo Store: Coming in and out of stock for Switch Online members The Game Collection: In stock now Currys: In stock now Very: Sold out on Thursday, 22 May ShopTo: Sold out on Sunday, 25 May Amazon: May be in stock using a workaround link Smyths Toys: Sold out on Tuesday, 27 May EE: Bundles sold out on Wednesday, 21 May JD Williams: Sold out on Thursday, 15 May John Lewis: Sold out on Wednesday, 14 May Kaleidoscope: Sold out on Sunday, 13 April H MV: Sold out on Tuesday, 13 May Game: Restock sold out on Wednesday, 16 April Best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories and games Now that you've successfully pre-ordered a Nintendo Switch 2, you're probably looking to grab some accessories and new games to go with it. Nintendo is also selling extra storage, charging grips, Joy-Con 2 controllers, and the Switch 2 camera. Donkey Kong Bananza, which is releasing in July, is also available to pre-order. The only other Switch 2 exclusive other than Mario Kart World is Donkey Kong Bananza. Launching on 17 July, Bananza is a fresh 3D platformer with a twist. As The Independent 's Steve Hogarty wrote in his hands-on preview, 'you can punch holes through rock to burrow a path toward your objective and pick up chunks of earth to hurl at enemies, leaving gaping, permanent holes in the landscape as you smash your way around levels'. The result is a game that feels part Minecraft, part classic Donkey Kong, with a fully destructible world that encourages chaotic exploration. The redesigned Switch 2 Pro Controller sees some big improvements over the original Switch Pro controller. It's a more traditional-looking gaming pad with better thumbsticks, extra durability, a new button for multiplayer social features, added shoulder buttons, and improved rumble effects. The Switch 2 camera lets you video chat with friends during multiplayer games. A few launch titles make use of it too, like Super Mario Party Jamboree, where it lets you appear inside minigames to balance Goombas on your head and sing karaoke songs with friends. The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage. This can quickly fill up with downloaded games, so it's worth investing in some added storage. Nintendo's official SanDisk microSD card comes with another 256GB of storage, with fast read and write speeds that work seamlessly with the Switch 2. Exclusive to the My Nintendo Store, the GameCube controller brings a touch of nostalgia to your console setup. Whether you're revisiting classics or just prefer the old-school layout, it's a must-have for long-time Nintendo fans. This official My Nintendo Store exclusive is designed to hold everything you need for TV-mode play, including the Switch 2 console, the dock, Joy-Con 2 controllers, various cables, and up to six game cards. Its structured interior keeps your gear secure and organised, making it ideal for travel or tidy storage at home. Don't need an entire travel kit? The official option from Nintendo includes a screen protector and cleaning cloth, with room inside for up to six game cards and two Joy-Con 2 straps.
The Verge
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Verge
GameStop will have more Switch 2 stock at launch
GameStop will have additional Switch 2 stock available in-store and online when the console launches next month, according to a post on X. The company also shared timing for its in-store events leading up to the June 5th launch. 'Launch event begins in-store at 3PM local time on June 4th,' according to the company. 'Switch 2 pickups start at 12AM EST / 9PM PST.' Didn't pre-order Switch 2? We got you. — GameStop (@gamestop) May 16, 2025 GameStop opened up its preorders on April 24th, and like with other retailers, the online preorders started poorly. Within a couple hours, the company confirmed that online preorders sold out, but many people, including The Verge's Ash Parrish, had luck preordering in-store. Best Buy said this week that 'most' stores will have extra Switch 2 consoles available in-store at launch, too. The Verge has contacted Walmart and Target to see if they can share their plans for launch day availability. And if you requested the chance to buy a console through Nintendo's direct sales, check your email; invitations started going out on May 8th, and I got my own invite on Wednesday.
