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Nintendo Switch 2 Debuts to High Demand and Early Shortages

Retailers opened at midnight to meet strong demand for Nintendo’s next-generation console blending handheld home gaming with new social features.

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Customers lin up to purchase Nintendo Switch 2 at an electronics retailer in Tokyo, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Overview

  • The Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 5 at $449.99 in the US and £395.99 in the UK, triggering midnight openings, rapid sell-outs and inventory woes at major retailers worldwide.
  • Its 7.9-inch LCD touchscreen delivers 1080p handheld play and up to 4K/60Hz output when docked, supported by 256 GB of internal storage, HDR10, a custom Nvidia processor with DLSS upscaling and ray tracing.
  • New functionality includes GameChat for in-game voice and video communication, redesigned Joy-Con 2 controllers with HD rumble2 and mouse-mode operation when flipped sideways.
  • Backward compatibility covers most original Switch titles and a broad library of retro classics via Nintendo Switch Online, and the launch is bolstered by microSD Express support and an optional GameChat camera accessory.
  • Nintendo forecasts shipping 15 million units through March 2026—on par with the original Switch’s pace—and analysts predict the Switch 2 could set new early‐sales records.