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.

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.

In cities across the globe, crowds camped into the night, anticipating the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, eight years after the original's debut.