After a long wait filled with leaks, reveals, preorder stress, and hands-on events, the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch day has finally arrived around the world, including launch events at retailers like Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy, and Target.

It’s a big day for Nintendo fans. The gaming giant’s new console, the $450 Switch 2, arrives on store shelves globally after being announced in April — marking Nintendo’s first major console launch since the original Switch arrived roughly eight years ago.

The Nintendo Switch 2 finally hit store shelves on Thursday, eight years after the initial release of Japanese video-game maker Nintendo's popular video game console. Even with a hefty $450 price tag,