Nintendo Switch 2 Launches to Midnight Mayhem — Is It Worth the Hype?

The long-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 has finally launched worldwide, and if the midnight lines snaking around storefronts are any indication, fans couldn’t wait a second longer. Retailers like Currys called it their “biggest gaming pre-order ever,” with over 30,000 units snapped up by launch day. While some stores had the console available on shelves, most buyers were picking up pre-orders, and not without hiccups. UK supplier Game canceled select orders, and Nintendo had briefly halted pre-orders in the U.S. earlier this year due to tariff concerns.

The frenzy is being driven in part by the launch title, Mario Kart World, the first new Mario Kart instalment in over a decade. It’s priced steeply at £74.99 — £15 above the typical Nintendo game, but that hasn’t slowed demand.

“It’s a big deal,” said Tushar Sandarka, President of the University of York’s Mario Kart Society. “It’s expensive, sure, but we’re looking at 7 to 8 years of gaming ahead.”

A Sequel, Not a Reboot

Unlike previous generations, Nintendo hasn’t rebranded this device — it’s the first time the company has released a direct sequel, Switch 2, rather than a new name entirely.

And what they’re getting is a sleeker, more powerful console. The Nintendo Switch 2 features a larger OLED display, faster processing, and enhanced storage capabilities. It maintains its hybrid identity, working as both a handheld and a TV-based console, while adding surprising innovations. One standout feature: twist-enabled Joy-Cons that mimic PC mouse controls, making strategy games like Civ VI far more intuitive.

 

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Sparse Launch Titles, But Solid Prospects

Aside from Mario Kart World, day-one offerings include remastered versions of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Upcoming titles like Metroid Prime 4, Donkey Kong: Bananza, and Super Mario Party Jamboree TV are expected to roll out later this year. Titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Bravely Default, and Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma round out a more mature, versatile catalog.

Still, the early indicators are strong. Nintendo’s gamble on a direct sequel may be paying off — and with more optimized games promised by developers as they get familiar with the new hardware, the Switch 2 could be just getting started.