The much anticipated Switch 2, being released around the world Thursday, is an upgrade to its eight-year-old predecessor with new social features meant to draw players into online gaming. Nintendo is counting on the Switch 2 to boost sagging sales.

Excitement built in Tokyo as customers lined up before dawn on Thursday to collect their pre-ordered Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. The long-awaited successor to the original hybrid gaming system is now officially available around the world.

Gaming fans queued up for the launch of Nintendo's Switch 2 on Thursday, which is widely expected to be in short supply globally amid pent-up demand for the more powerful next-generation gaming device.