Nintendo has launched its first major piece of hardware in eight years. The much-anticipated Switch 2 console was released last week. It is the follow-up to the hugely popular Switch, which sold 152 million units. The new Switch 2 can be used as a handheld device or as a tablet. It can be connected to an external display. It comes with two controllers, a power adaptor, a USB-C charging cable, a dock, and two wrist straps. It has 25 games, including an enhanced version of Mario Kart World. Nintendo expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles for the fiscal year to March 2026.

Gaming fans queued for hours outside stores, eager to get their hands on the new system. In Japan, the consoles were sold via a national lottery. Over 2.2 million applied. In Tokyo, winners of the draw lined up at dawn outside an electronics store. One Switch fan said: "It's fantastic that players can see each other while playing. I can't wait to…play." Another fan, who was unsuccessful in the lottery, went to the store's release event to savour the experience. He took a half-day off work to try the Switch 2. The console has a hefty $449.99 price tag, but fans say it's worth the money.