People camped out in line all night in the rain for Toronto release of Switch 2

Crowds of dedicated video game fans camped out overnight at GameStop, EB Games, and mall locations across Toronto for the highly anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2 on Thursday.

The launch officially marks eight years since the original Switch first hit shelves in 2017. The original console went on to sell approximately 152 million units worldwide, according to Nintendo, making it the third-best-selling console of all time, behind the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS.

With excitement building for months, many braved the dreary weather with lawn chairs and umbrellas to secure their spot in line, with crowds forming early Wednesday and stretching overnight into launch day.

Crowds sleep outs @gamestop Toronto #retail St Clair & Runnymede location for Switch 2 release June 5th. Game 🐈 co$t double the original console. Comes with digital copy of Mario Kart. pic.twitter.com/3deN1UBFn0

— MichaelDavidson (@MichaelDavidson) June 5, 2025

Nintendo teased a first look at the Switch 2 back in January, which fuelled anticipation for what many video game fanatics view as the next major leap in portable gaming. The new console features a larger screen, enhanced graphics, and bigger controls.

The Switch 2 is launching with titles including Mario Kart World, part of a bundle that’s also available on release day. In the U.S., the standard Switch 2 is priced at $449.99, while the bundle with Mario Kart World retails for $499.99. Nintendo confirmed in April that it would not raise prices at launch, despite ongoing global trade tensions and inflation concerns.

Lineup outside Square One Mississauga for the midnight launch of Nintendo Switch 2! pic.twitter.com/bBUTsAg29e

— Daniel Baptista • The Movie Podcast (@dbapz) June 5, 2025

In Canada, the Nintendo Switch 2 costs $629 for the base model with 256GB of storage and $699 with the Mario Kart World bundle.  

This week’s launch follows a chaotic U.S. pre-order period in April, which left many fans empty-handed and disappointed. Nintendo has already projected sales of 15 million Switch 2 units globally through the fiscal year ending in March 2026.

Despite the higher price tag, which is a significant increase from the original Switch’s $299 launch price, dedicated fans in Toronto lined up to show that they're willing to pay more for improved features and early access for one of (if not the) most sought-after gaming device this year.