Gamers line up at The Arboretum for Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Anticipation was in the air Thursday morning at The Arboretum in North Austin, as eager gamers lined up outside of the GameStop store for a chance to grab a pre-order of the Nintendo Switch 2.
The GameStop store boasted a sign on its window saying it had 19 Nintendo Switch 2 base units available for pre-order, as well as 41 consoles with the Mario Kart bundle.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to hit store shelves starting June 5 with pre-orders opening up today. This marks the first major console release by the company since the original Switch in 2017, according to Nintendo.
On the new console, Nintendo said on its website, “The next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system is here! Bring games to life with a larger 1080p screen–or connect to a TV and play in up to 4K resolution.”
Since the initial announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 on January 16, it has generated a lot of excitement among gamers across the globe, including here in the Austin area.
Ian McCave, one of the first people in line at the GameStop, said the console marks a new era for Nintendo, as well as its global fanbase.
“Honestly, it’s more so like the potential of what they can do, and also a lot of developments help them make more games for it,” McCave said. “We already have Street Fighter 6, we have Cyberpunk coming to it now, like they’re pretty much actually leveling themselves with everyone else now.”
Pre-orders of the Nintendo Switch 2 began Thursday morning, and most retailers, including Best Buy, Target and GameStop have already sold out.
