Nintendo Switch 2 draws hordes of fans to stores worldwide for midnight release

Eager customers in the U.S. and around the world lined up outside electronics stores hours in advance on Thursday to collect their pre-ordered Nintendo Switch 2 video game consoles.

The much anticipated Switch 2, being released at midnight worldwide Thursday, is an upgrade to its eight-year-old predecessor with new social features meant to draw players into online gaming. Nintendo is counting on the Switch 2 to boost sagging sales.

In the U.S., a chaotic pre-order process in April left some fans frustrated after the consoles quickly sold out. Still, some eager fans lined up early Thursday at retailers such as Target in hopes of purchasing a unit.