Nintendo fans are ‘camping out’ for Switch 2 months before launch

Eager fans have already started lining up for the Switch 2 in the US, despite the console being two months away.

The dominance of online shopping and digital downloads has made midnight launches for games sadly redundant in the modern world, but some YouTubers are keeping the in-store dream alive for the Switch 2.

The person leading this crusade is ChickenDog, who began waiting outside the Nintendo Store in New York on April 5, to be the first in line to pick up a Switch 2, two months before it launches on June 5, 2025.

He’s been documenting his wait outside the store ever since, with YouTube videos showing him playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in a car outside, and attending the Switch 2 Experience event within the city.

While he describes it as ‘camping out’, in a follow-up video ChickenDog states he has access to a hotel and Airbnb, so he won’t be roughing it on the streets. Nevertheless, it’s a long time to be loitering around the Nintendo store in the name of content.

He isn’t the only person dedicated to the cause in the US. Fellow YouTuber, Super Café, has lined-up outside the Nintendo Store in San Francisco, which hasn’t even opened yet. The new store is set to open on May 15, ahead of the Switch 2’s launch in June.

Unlike ChickenDog though, Super Café is largely going solo in his venture. ‘This is going to be a solo mission for the most part,’ he states. ‘What I’m trying to say is I’m going to skip a couple of showers if I have to, alright.’

Both of these stunts are inspired by YouTuber Alex CND, who previously waited outside the Nintendo Store in New York for a month so he could be the first person to pick up a Nintendo Switch in 2017.

His final video, which features Doug Bowser before he became the president of Nintendo of America, notched up over 1 million views.

As the next system is called the Switch 2, both these YouTubers are trying to top Alex CND by waiting outside for two months. Will they manage to do it? How much fast food will be consumed within the interim? We’ll have to wait and see.

If you’re looking to purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 but don’t fancy being exposed to the elements, pre-orders are available now at select retailers in the UK and Europe. Pre-orders in the US and Canada, however, have been delayed due to the recently announced tariffs.

Mario Kart World leads the console’s launch-up, although the cost of the game itself (£74.99 for a physical version) has caused some commotion.

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