Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Attracts Fans Despite High Price

New York, NY — The long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 launched worldwide on Thursday, attracting passionate fans who camped out for days. Despite a price of $449, significantly higher than its predecessor, the new console quickly sold out at many retailers.

Fans eagerly lined up outside Nintendo’s stores, including Christopher Evangelista, who camped outside Nintendo New York for two months. “I really love the new design of it,” he said enthusiastically during the midnight release. The Switch 2’s new features, including a larger screen and robust social capabilities, have caught the attention of gamers.

Nate Bihldorff, senior vice president at Nintendo of America, explained that the new hardware is built from the ground up. “It has way more processing power and memory, which enhances gameplay opportunities and graphical capabilities compared to the original Switch,” he said.

However, not all feedback has been positive. Some gamers experienced difficulties with the new controller settings. A video creator for Polygon mentioned that using the new mouse mode felt overly sensitive, complicating gameplay. Despite these mixed reactions, the console’s most anticipated game, Mario Kart World, was highlighted as a major attraction. Sold exclusively for the Switch 2 at $80, it offers a vast world to explore alongside traditional racing competitions.

Bowen Yang, cast member of Saturday Night Live, expressed enthusiasm despite his initial defeat in the game, stating, “I can’t wait to experience that from the comfort of my home with my friends or enemies.”

Nintendo is projecting to sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles by the end of the fiscal year in March 2026. However, industry experts like van Dreunen suggest that many existing customers may hold off on upgrading for now. “I’m a huge fan and I’m happy to wait a little bit,” he said. As the holidays approach, it remains to be seen if Nintendo can convince users to switch over.