Gamers line up outside stores ahead of Nintendo Switch 2 launch

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Excited gamers lined up outside stores across the nation Wednesday for the launch of Nintendo Switch 2.

The second-generation game console was set to launch in stores as the clock struck midnight Thursday, offering a second chance for those who missed out online.

“I was 30 minutes late to the Switch 2 preorder,” Antonio Jacques of Warwick said. “And apparently it sold out in 60 seconds, so I had no chance.”

“It sold out everywhere the second it went up,” Emmy Fuller said. “So we gotta get it in person.”

Cranston resident Michael Gonzalez and Christian Tavares from Berkley met at Best Buy in Warwick at 5 a.m. Wednesday.

“We actually met at a Best Buy together in 2015,” Tavares said.

“And it’s come full circle,” Gonzalez added.

“I’m the biggest Nintendo fan in the world,” Tavares said. “And if they can hear me they know it, cause I spend it with my wallet that’s for sure!”

Others gamers gathered for the launch in Seekonk, including Christiano Tavares from Bristol.

“We thought we were not gonna be able to get one because preorders were impossible to get,” he said. “But then we saw Best Buy was doing the preorder, wait in line, so we did that.”

“I’m really excited to get this new powerful console and go into a new generation with all new games,” Warwick resident Gavin Gillooly said. “It’s a very exciting time to be a Nintendo fan.”

For Gonzalez and Tavares, the console will mean more memories made with new games and old friends.

“I’m excited for Mario Kart World,” Tavares said. “Mario Kart has been one of my favorite games since I was a kid, and I can’t wait to experience the new title with my best friend.”

The Switch 2 costs $450, which is quite a bit more than the first-generation model’s $300 price when it came out eight years ago.