UPDATE: Seattleites looking to get their hands on the new Nintendo Switch console are in luck. The hybrid console will be available through the Amazon Treasure Truck this afternoon.
#TreasureTruck has the new NintendoSwitch, just $299.99. Don’t wait! Pick yours up & play today. #Nintendo #NintendoSwitch @NintendoAmerica pic.twitter.com/q2ToQHA3ig
— Treasure Truck (@treasuretruck) March 3, 2017
Amazon is also selling the Switch at its bookstores in Seattle, Portland and San Diego today.
#NintendoSwitch available TODAY at #AmazonBooks stores in Seattle, San Diego, Portland! LIMITED SUPPLY. Store hours: https://t.co/fs1gLSe6hB pic.twitter.com/Lf9DyLldFh
— Amazon Video Games (@amazongames) March 3, 2017
Original story below
The highly-anticipated Nintendo Switch is here.
The new hybrid console officially went on sale at midnight Friday in some areas, including a launch party in New York City. Super Mario apparently took some time off from trying to save Princess Daisy to make appearances at the party and around town this morning. Executives from Nintendo — yes, there is a Nintendo VP named Doug Bowser — attended as well and greeted fans in line.
With @breath0air and the 1st buyer of a Nintendo Switch @OfficialCND at the @NintendoNYC store! #nintendoswitch pic.twitter.com/3ucDYpqjah
— Doug Bowser (@thetruebowser) March 3, 2017
It's official! The #NintendoSwitch is finally here! #NintendoNYC pic.twitter.com/tsUV1kpOti
— Nintendo NY (@NintendoNYC) March 3, 2017
Mario has arrived with style to play #NintendoSwitch at our final Unexpected Places stop! pic.twitter.com/APnt63bBeF
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2017
This morning, fans lined up at stores all over the country, some braving chilly temps to get their hands on the new $300 console. Social media posts seem to show a lot of lines, but not always extremely long ones.
Braving the elements in #SuperMarioBros blankets (not a joke), Nintendo gamers on line in #Fremont for #NintendoSwitch, on sale today! pic.twitter.com/CPRbTAvShH
— Sam Brock (@SamNBCBayArea) March 3, 2017
A look at the #NintendoSwitch line at WeHo @Target. Not bad. I think I'm gonna get one! pic.twitter.com/uyN4w1TbvN
— Bruce Aguilar ⛰ (@yensid98) March 3, 2017
Here's a recap of everything last night at @GameStop! It was "lit" as the kids say! #nintendoswitch #BreathOfTheWild #gamestop pic.twitter.com/vvBfdot9aw
— Twiggeth (@TwiggethGAMER) March 3, 2017
For those who don’t want to wait in line or don’t the have time, Amazon is offering the new console for delivery via Prime Now, but only in select cities and not in the company’s home town of Seattle.
#NintendoSwitch is available on Prime Now in NY, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, DC, Cincinnati, Columbus, Richmond, and Indianapolis pic.twitter.com/9cq673JK0p
— Amazon (@amazon) March 3, 2017
By 8:30 a.m. Friday, Amazon customers could only get the console through third-party sellers, and some stores were sold out.
We've now reached the part of the morning where people start getting mad that we're sold out of the #NintendoSwitch. Guys, we opened at 8…
— Bryan Nicodemus (@mmarkaholic) March 3, 2017
#nintendoswitch #nintendo why don't you ever make enough product for the people that want to buy it? The switch is sold out already. ?
— Dizzy Desiree (@Dizzy_Desiree24) March 3, 2017
The Switch, Nintendo’s seventh console, is a crucial launch for the company following disappointing Wii U sales compared to competing devices like the Xbox One and Playstation 4. The portable handheld console can also be hooked up to a TV via a docking station for big-screen gaming.
Don’t be surprised if you start seeing a lot of Facebook friends posting about their progress in Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The consoles comes with Facebook integration, allowing gamers to log-in with their Facebook credentials and share their achievements via screenshots on the social media platform. Facebook has similar login integrations with PlayStation, Xbox, PC, web, and mobile games.
We at GeekWire got our hands on an early review unit this week. Our GearedUp podcast goes hands-on with the took a look at the console’s impressive features, and a few shortcomings. We also tested out the new Legend of Zelda, which our co-host Andru Edwards of Gear Live called “the best game I’ve ever played.”
