Nintendo Switch 2 launch live: Where to buy, best deals, and early verdict

That's all from our coverage of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch.

Millions of gamers across the globe will be diving into the brand-new Nintendo console as we speak.

Thank you for reading, and make sure to follow LBC for all the latest coverage. 

It looks like Very is out of Nintendo Switch 2 stock. 

Even the more expensive bundles are no longer available on the site.

We'll keep you updated if more Switch 2 consoles are listed. 

Having waited 11 years for a true sequel to Mario Kart 8, expectations were always going to be high, but first impressions of Mario Kart World are that Nintendo has created another hit - particularly if you're a fan of the franchise which began in the early 90s.

Having played the first Mushroom Cup Grand Prix series it's clear a lot of effort has gone into creating the game - it looks more like a cartoon than ever before, and the levels are packed with multiple-routes and surprises, including nods to classic Nintendo games, and remixes of game music from over 35 years ago. 

Much was made in the previews of Mario Kart World being an open-world game, which had some incorrectly imagining some kind of Grand Theft Auto or Forza Horizon type world.  So far - I've yet to really get involved in this bit of the game, preferring to race, not explore without goals. It doesn't feel like something that's going to capture my attention. 

Those who have spent longer with the game, including GamesRadar's Sam Loveridge are big fans of the new Knockout element of the game - where you race with 24 other characters to be left as the winner. 

It looks like there's plenty to love about this game.  Let's just hope they support it with new levels and characters like they did its predecessor. 

While most games with Nintendo Switch 2 upgrades require a small fee, some are available for free.

Here are all the free upgrades available on launch day: 

• Pokémon Scarlet
• Pokémon Violet
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
• Super Mario Odyssey
• The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
• Game Builder Garage
• Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics / 51 Worldwide Games
• Arms
• Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain

It's a busy day for gaming websites around the world  - a bit like Christmas Day. 

Sam Loveridge, Brand Director of GamesRadar.com spoke to LBC's Tech Correspondent, Will Guyatt about the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, and what gamers should be looking forward to next. 

Do you think Nintendo has another success on its hands or is at too early to tell? 

This is the first time Nintendo has ever launched a straight sequel, so it's really easy for consumers to understand if they are already familiar with the original Switch.

With pre-orders looking strong, I believe that the Nintendo Switch 2 will sell incredibly well. The original Switch is one of the best selling consoles of all time, and as long as Nintendo can keep launching excellent Switch 2 exclusives, the console's sales trajectory will be strong. 

Some people have raised their eyebrows about the cost of the console and games - is that a sign of the times, or do games cost huge amounts of money to develop? 

It's partly a sign of the times. Game prices haven't really gone up with inflation.  There's no denying the price of the Nintendo Switch is expensive - it's £116 more expensive than the original Switch - but is similarly priced to rival handheld consoles like the Steam Deck and the Asus Rog Ally. 

It's interesting that there are only two SKUs available - one with the console, and the other bundled with Mario Kart World.  It's a little limited if people don't want to play the new Mario Kart but do want something to play from day one if they don't have a Switch library already. 

In terms of what you've played so far - what are your top 3 Switch 2 games right now? 

Mario Kart World is such great fun - particularly the new 24-player Knockout mode.  The upgrade for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has some brilliant new features for completionists and Survival Kids is the other brand-new Switch 2 launch game, which has some really interesting co-op gaming features. 

What Switch 2 games are you looking forward to? 

Donkey Kong Banana is the next Switch 2 exclusive and is out in July - it should be impressive. 

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is due out sometime this year and makes innovative use of the Switch 2's new mouse controls, so I'm very intrigued to play more of that. 

Kirby Air Riders is a reimagining of a Gamecube game that I never got to play, so I'm excited for some new Kirby. 

It's a busy day for gaming websites around the world  - a bit like Christmas Day. 

Sam Loveridge, Brand Director of GamesRadar.com spoke to LBC's Tech Correspondent, Will Guyatt about the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, and what gamers should be looking forward to next. 

Do you think Nintendo has another success on its hands or is at too early to tell? 

This is the first time Nintendo has ever launched a straight sequel, so it's really easy for consumers to understand if they are already familiar with the original Switch.

With pre-orders looking strong, I believe that the Nintendo Switch 2 will sell incredibly well. The original Switch is one of the best selling consoles of all time, and as long as Nintendo can keep launching excellent Switch 2 exclusives, the console's sales trajectory will be strong. 

Some people have raised their eyebrows about the cost of the console and games - is that a sign of the times, or do games cost huge amounts of money to develop? 

It's partly a sign of the times. Game prices haven't really gone up with inflation.  There's no denying the price of the Nintendo Switch is expensive - it's £116 more expensive than the original Switch - but is similarly priced to rival handheld consoles like the Steam Deck and the Asus Rog Ally. 

It's interesting that there are only two SKUs available - one with the console, and the other bundled with Mario Kart World.  It's a little limited if people don't want to play the new Mario Kart but do want something to play from day one if they don't have a Switch library already. 

In terms of what you've played so far - what are your top 3 Switch 2 games right now? 

Mario Kart World is such great fun - particularly the new 24-player Knockout mode.  The upgrade for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has some brilliant new features for completionists and Survival Kids is the other brand-new Switch 2 launch game, which has some really interesting co-op gaming features. 

What Switch 2 games are you looking forward to? 

Donkey Kong Banana is the next Switch 2 exclusive and is out in July - it should be impressive. 

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is due out sometime this year and makes innovative use of the Switch 2's new mouse controls, so I'm very intrigued to play more of that. 

Kirby Air Riders is a reimagining of a Gamecube game that I never got to play, so I'm excited for some new Kirby. 

Seth Fernandez celebrates as he enters a Best Buy store at midnight to purchase Nintendo's Switch 2 console in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

Darren Stallcup, left, reacts as Nicholas Oehlberg, right, of San Francisco documents the event as they play the Mario Kart World for Nintendo Switch 2 game with others at the Nintendo Store for a pre-launch event in San Francisco.

A gamer collects signitures of the Nintendo store employees on his Switch 1 ahead of the Switch 2 launch at a Nintendo popup outside the store in Rockefeller Center  in New York City

Customers line up outside of a Best Buy store in Pembroke Pines, Florida

People wait in line ahead of the midnight release of the Nintendo Switch 2 at the Nintendo New York store

JD Williams has limited stock of the Nintendo Switch 2 bundle featuring Mario Kart World.

You'll have to hurry - the stock is moving quickly.

Order from JD Williams

As far as set up of any new games console  goes - the first 30 minutes with the Nintendo Switch 2 has been painless. 

From switching the console on for the first time, the console pumps out what can only be described as lounge music as you go through the set up process. 

The much-vaunted day one update took just two minutes to download and install to the console, and it was simple to then access my Nintendo Online account. 

Once logged in, the console recognised I had both Switch 2 and Switch games to install, and now it's automatically downloading them. 

On that note, it looks like Mario Kart World must be a huge file - because even on a quick fibre Internet line, it looks like I'll be awaiting around 25 minutes for it to download.

So far - the console seems faster than its predecessor and everything feels just a little bit slicker