Nintendo

A couple who travelled to Universal Studios in Japan were left stunned after arriving at the theme park and seeing the Super Nintendo World, with thousands of others left in awe since watching the clip

A couple were gobsmacked when they rocked up to a theme park that appears to exist in an entirely different “dimension” due to its spectacular, all-encompassing 3D design. Countless theme parks can be found across the globe, providing guests with an enormous selection of attractions ranging from heart-stopping rides to beloved cartoon and gaming characters roaming about for meet-and-greets, live entertainment shows, and much more.

Universal Studios operates five locations worldwide. Its original theme park was the legendary Universal Studios Hollywood, which remains popular today. It was quickly followed by venues in Florida, Japan, Singapore and Beijing.

There’s currently a new theme park in development set to launch right here in the UK, in Bedfordshire. However, it was Universal Studios Japan, situated in Osaka, that recently captured the wonder and amazement of one British couple – along with thousands of social media followers whose mouths fell open when clips of their visit were posted on TikTok.

The venue first opened to visitors on March 31, 2001, becoming the inaugural location to launch beyond the United States.

On its website, it states: “Our theme park appeals to children and adults of all ages, and covers a wide spectrum of entertainment based on blockbuster Hollywood movies, from thrilling rides to shows featuring popular characters.”

It’s also the location of the impressive Super Nintendo World, featuring enormous, full-scale reconstructions of the buildings and various levels made legendary in the beloved Super Mario and Donkey Kong franchises.

Claudia and Liam, a travel-loving couple who share their adventures online as the Cotswold Wanderers, recently embarked on a trip to Universal Studios in Japan. The sight of Super Nintendo World left them speechless.

In a TikTok video, the pair are seen with their mouths wide open in awe, as the camera reveals what they’re looking at: the spectacle of giant, brightly coloured buildings that have become iconic through video games worldwide.

The caption accompanying the clip read: “Just two 20 something year olds that have dreamed of seeing this in real life.”

Their video resonated with thousands of social media users, amassing over 246,000 likes, 42,900 shares, 28,700 saves and more than 1,000 comments.

One gobsmacked viewer commented: “Oh my gosh that’s mad.”

Another said: “Another reason why Japan is a much better place to live than here,” while a third admitted: “I’m 42! Grew up playing Mario, even I’m gobsmacked! Would love to visit one day.”

A fourth user said: “Yeah it’s unbelievable it’s like you have gone into the dimension.”

Others expressed their desire to visit, with one saying: “I will go to Japan just for this” and another agreeing: “I really wanna go.”

One person praised the creativity, saying: “This is so creative!” Another simply stated: “It is a dream.”

And yet another added: “Omg Japan is most definitely on my list now.”

One user shared their personal motivation: “I wanna gooooo! I wanna heal my inner child!!!”

While another succinctly summed up the general sentiment: “Wow!! Need to go.”

Mario is headed to outer space for his next cinematic adventure.

Nintendo held a supersized livestream of announcements Friday commemorating the 40th anniversary of “Super Mario Bros.”: The first game in the popular franchise was released in Japan in September 1985. Among the news items shared by the company’s video game maestro Shigeru Miyamoto is that the sequel to “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is officially titled “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” The follow-up to the 2023 blockbuster is slated to hit theaters in April.

“What kinds of adventures do you think Mario and his friends will have in space?” Miyamoto, who created Nintendo’s iconic mustachioed hero, said during Nintendo Direct after sharing a brief teaser for the film. “This movie will be the main event of the ‘Super Mario Bros.’ 40th anniversary.”

“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is another collaboration between Nintendo and the animation studio Illumination. During the livestreamed announcement, producer and Illumination chief executive Chris Meledandri shared that “while the ‘Super Mario Galaxy’ games are the core inspiration for our story, this next film holds surprises for fans of every Mario era.”

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” directors Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath are once again at the helm for “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” Also returning are cast members Chris Pratt (Mario), Anya Taylor-Joy (Princess Peach), Charlie Day (Luigi), Jack Black (Bowser), Keegan-Michael Key (Toad) and Kevin Michael Richardson (Kamek), as well as composer Brian Tyler.

The announcement did not mention whether Lumalee — the cheerfully nihilistic star-shaped blue being that Luigi meets during “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” — will return for the sequel, but the teaser did include a glimpse of a yellow Luma. So it’s impossible not to hope that the character will have some sort of role in “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” since the star-shaped creatures appear in both the 2007 video game “Super Mario Galaxy” and its 2010 sequel. While the character in the movie had memorable one-liners about “the sweet relief of death” and how “hope is an illusion,” in the games these blue Lumas are more helpful merchants of life.

New characters likely to debut in the sequel include Rosalina, a sort of guardian of the cosmos and caretaker of the Lumas who first appeared in the “Super Mario Galaxy” game, as well as Yoshi, the dinosaur-like character who can grab faraway objects — and foes — with his tongue. Yoshi was teased in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s” post-credits scene.

The success of films like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which grossed more than $1.3 billion worldwide, is among the reasons Hollywood has recently pivoted to more video-game inspired fare. The “Super Mario” movie sequel was first announced in 2024.

If your summer holiday saw screen time soar, you’re not alone. New research shows kids spend up to 67 per cent of their time on them while off school. Mum-of-two Hannah Britt reveals how cutting back made her feel like a better parent – and you can do it too

Our summer was full of sea, sand, sun… and screen time. K-Pop Demon Hunters, anyone? But with September now in full swing, it’s time to crack down – and fast. And I am by no means alone. In fact, the latest statistics show that, for primary-aged children, 29 per cent spend two or more hours per day on screens during the school week, but that number jumps to an eye watering 67 per cent during the holidays.

Parenting expert Kirsty Ketley explains. “School provides children with structure and built-in limits on screen use, and of course, once home, there are less hours in the day for screens, but once the holidays arrive, that structure disappears,” she says. “Parents are often juggling work, childcare, and the cost of keeping kids entertained, so screens naturally become a convenient option. On top of that, digital entertainment is designed to be engaging and hard to switch off from, so it’s no surprise children gravitate towards it when they have long stretches of free time.”

So what’s the issue? “It’s not that screens are inherently ‘bad’,” says Kirsty. “In fact, they can be educational, social, and even calming at times. However, when screen time dominates, it can crowd out other important activities like active play, real-world socialising, outdoor time, and rest. High levels of screen use are also linked to disrupted sleep, reduced concentration, and higher stress levels in both children and adults. The key issue isn’t the screen itself, but what’s being displaced when usage creeps up too high. It’s why having consistent boundaries around screen time is important, so that kids strike a healthy balance.”

Having done some serious Netflix parenting over the summer holidays, I decided to pull the plug – and go cold turkey when it came to screens. Indeed, experts agree the benefits of reducing screen time are huge. “Reducing screen time means more space for connection. Families who put healthy limits in place often find they talk more, laugh more, and feel less stressed,” advises Kirsty. “Sleep improves, behaviour often does too, and there’s more opportunity for shared activities – from board games to walks, to simply sitting around the table together.”

Looking around our home, my eyes glanced upon the TV, the iPad, various laptops, a Nintendo, the Kindle and two phones. So I booked an Airbnb, and we hopped in the car to the Lake District. And there the screen time stopped.

For our digital detox I chose Dodd’s Lee, a 17th Century farmhouse, located in the village of Dockray, near Ullswater. It was a Guest Favourite (easy to recognise as they have a special logo on the properties, and a collection of the most-loved homes on Airbnb, according to guests), and around £400 per night, with four bedrooms. It looked ideal – there was a pub at the end of the road, walks to Aira Force waterfall, Ulswater and more from the door and plenty of board games to enjoy while we were there. It was so well located, I wouldn’t even need Google maps to explore.

Once there, my partner John and I put our phones, along with Molly’s Kindle, and the TV remote in a little bag and hid them in an upstairs wardrobe. “What now”, I thought. “Can I watch Mr Bean?” asked my five-year-old, Molly. When the answer was no, she huffed. Getting out the board games, we started our digital detox by playing dominos. Then Monopoly. Molly’s grump gave way to laughter as she beat both me and her dad.

Then, it was time for a walk, for which we headed down the hill from Dockray to a little beach on the banks of Ullswater. I found myself reaching for my phone several times out of habit. Whatever I would have done on it, check Instagram, reply to a text, it could wait. Holding hands with Molly, we chatted all the way instead, and she told me stories, clearly happy her mummy was fully engaged. That evening came stories and songs, and when the children were in bed John and I set about talking away before we too hit the hay.

The next morning, Molly didn’t ask for her Kindle but to play snap. She beat us again. Lunch came in the form of a trip to the pub, where John tried in vain to teach us the rules to giant chess. We fell about laughing, getting our rooks mixed up with our pawns.

After three days, when checking out of our wonderfully cosy Airbnb, I almost didn’t want to get my phone out of its bag. And in fact, after just a few minutes of a Disney film in the car on the way home, Molly set her Kindle aside and asked for a family sing song. A complete digital wipeout might not be possible in the modern age in which we live. But a detox every now and again might be just what we need.

How to reduce your family’s screen time

Kirsty shares her advice:

OFFER ALTERNATIVES

For me, the most effective way isn’t to ban screens altogether, but to add in alternatives, and have rules and boundaries in place – they need to be fair and realistic, too. Children need things to do instead, whether that’s setting up playdates, encouraging outdoor activities, or giving them creative projects at home.

SCREEN-FREE ZONES

Having screen-free zones or times of day (like during meals or the hour before bed) also helps build natural boundaries. Start small and be realistic: shaving an hour off daily use by swapping it for something else is far more sustainable than trying to go cold turkey. Also, when creating boundaries for the kids, incorporate some as whole family rules – no screens at the table, after a certain time, in bedrooms, for instance.

SET AN EXAMPLE

Children copy what they see, so if we’re always scrolling, they’ll think that’s normal. Modelling balanced screen use is powerful. That might mean putting your phone away at dinner, not checking emails late into the evening, or choosing to read, cook, or go for a walk instead of defaulting to a device. Being honest with kids about your own screen habits can also help. If you explain, “I’m putting my phone down because I want to spend time with you,” it sends a strong message.

The live-action “Legend of Zelda” movie has found its stars.

Legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, who’s an executive producer on the film, announced Wednesday on X that Bo Bragason will portray Princess Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will play Link in Nintendo and Sony’s film. Miyamoto created the hit video game series with Takashi Tezuka.

British actor Bo Bragason is known for her roles in BBC One’s “Three Girls” and “The Jetty,” as well as Disney+’s “Renegade Nell” and the 2024 vampire comedy “The Radleys.”

Ainsworth, also from the U.K., voiced Pinocchio in Disney+’s live-action “Pinocchio” in 2022 and played Miles in Netflix’s “The Haunting of Bly Manor.” He also stars in the Canadian series “Son of a Critch” and the comedy “Everything’s Going to Be Great.”

The actors’ young ages — 21 and 16 — have sparked fan speculation that the film may draw from “The Wind Waker” or “Ocarina of Time” games, which feature Zelda and Link as teens.

While initially slated for a March 2027 release, production delays have shifted the film’s launch to May 7, 2027.

The project is helmed by director Wes Ball, known for the “Maze Runner” trilogy and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” A huge fan of the franchise, Ball told Entertainment Weekly in late 2023 that he wanted to create something more akin to “a live-action Miyazaki” than “The Lord of the Rings.”

“That wonder and whimsy that he brings to things, I would love to see something like that,” he told EW about the renowned Japanese animator.

Avi Arad is also producing the film.

The adaptation marks Nintendo’s second big-screen foray after 2023’s mega-successful “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” The animated film grossed about $1.4 billion worldwide.

The action-adventure video game franchise, released in 1986, follows young hero Link on his quests to rescue Princess Zelda and overcome the villain Ganon. Missions include navigating dungeons, solving puzzles and taking on an array of enemies.

Celebrated for its innovative gameplay, installments of the popular game include “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” and “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” In the years since, the franchise has expanded beyond video games and into other media like animated series and comic books, and now film.

Nintendo is in many ways a different company now than it was back in 2017 when it released the Switch. For one, it has sold more than 150 million units of its hybrid TV/on-the-go console, making it the defining game device of the last decade.

Nintendo also expanded its universes beyond its game consoles. At long last, “Super Mario Bros.” became a blockbuster animated film, and there are now three Super Nintendo World theme park properties, including one here in Los Angeles at Universal Studios Hollywood.

That makes the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 something of an event, and arguably the most important tech instrument of the year.

The Times’ Features Columnist Todd Martens plays Nintendo Switch 2’s upgraded version of “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” on the console’s handheld mode.

(Etienne Laurent / For The Times)

So, the good news. The pricey Switch 2 is a worthy successor to the original. And unlike the motion-controlled Wii in 2006 or the dual-screen Nintendo DS in 2004, this play-it-somewhat-safe console takes an if-it-ain’t-broke philosophy to gaming, continuing Nintendo’s legacy rather than redefining it. While it’s bigger, stronger, better feeling, higher-res and comes with a couple new tricks, overall it’s primarily a refinement of the original Switch’s ideas.

The first game company to make interactive characters household names — Donkey Kong, Mario, Link, take your pick — Nintendo has become a full-fledged, cross-media storytelling company. And it has done so via a medium that in its most mainstream form is only about four decades old.

The Switch 2, officially released June 5 and selling for $449.99, is the vessel for which Nintendo will reveal its play-focused worlds for likely the next decade. The reception from consumers may be inspiring but brings with it a host of questions.

The Switch itself is far from obsolete, despite being significantly less powerful than Sony‘s PlayStation and Microsoft‘s Xbox consoles, due largely to its hybrid design. And consumers may be forgiven for wondering why — or when — they should upgrade to a machine that looks, feels and plays similar to the one they currently own, especially when Nintendo is unleashing only one new core game for it this month, the dazzling “Mario Kart World.”

The Nintendo Switch 2 with its accessories, a Pro Controller and camera. Each is sold separately.

(Etienne Laurent / For The Times)

Valid, but I believe those who make the leap will be happy in their investment, even if its lineup of exclusive games is relatively barren for now. There are enough improvements to make the Switch 2 feel fresh.

I’m eager, for one, to see how its controllers, the detachable “Joy-Cons,” evolve, as they now have the ability to act as a mouse. This has already come in handy in the strategy game “Civilization VII,” a title I waited for the Switch 2 to play and one that can utilize the more precise maneuvers mouse controls provide. First-person shooters should benefit even more.

And then there are its chat features, which can be enhanced with an optional Nintendo camera ($54.99). While serious gamers who use services such as Discord may not need a console to facilitate chatting with friends, the Switch 2 makes connecting and conversing safe and easy for the gamer who plays primarily solo. One can can only talk with approved friends, and Nintendo will verify accounts and a phone number to do so. Simply touch a button on the Joy-Con, and the chat feature is enabled.

My circle of connections who own a Switch 2 is currently small, so I haven’t experimented with these accoutrements as much as I would have liked, especially the CameraPlay feature that allows users to overlay their own faces on drivers in the game. Other features will no doubt come in handy during “Mario Kart World,” saving my friends and I from conversing via text. And they would have been a godsend during the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when every Switch owner was eager to share their “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” creations with their pals.

All of this says nothing about how good the Switch 2 simply feels. The Joy-Cons now connect magnetically rather than having to lock into place, and while it’s perhaps an incremental upgrade, snapping them into the console is one of those tech creations that feels like magic, like the first time one uses a touchscreen. It’s slightly larger, and I find a more robust Switch 2 is easier to handle, my arms less likely to grow tired when playing in bed.

The Nintendo Switch 2 controllers — its “Joy-Cons” — now connect magnetically.

(Etienne Laurent / For The Times)

The screen is 1080p, making just about every old game feel brighter, crisper and less fuzzy, and the Switch 2 has support for 4K TVs. “Super Mario Odyssey” has never looked so clear, and $9.99 upgrades to “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” and “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” will have you wanting to revisit — or jump back into — each of those titles, as refreshed resolutions and frame rates have us seeing the worlds anew.

Battery life, however, might be a challenge. In handheld mode I was able to get about two hours of “Mario Kart World” before needing to recharge. The console fared better with independent and smaller games.

But the real reason to buy a new gaming console is for its next-generation games. Nintendo is counting on “Mario Kart World” to be enough initially to entice buyers. It’s a safe bet, when one considers that “Mario Kart 8” is one of the bestselling games of all time, having sold more than 67 million copies. Many an original Switch was likely a “Mario Kart”-focused machine, and though I prefer my plump plumber when he’s exploring the Mushroom Kingdom on foot — running, jumping and power-upping his way to rescue his friends — I am not immune to the charms of “Mario Kart World.”

“Mario Kart 8” was released back in 2014, meaning these cute-but-vicious races are now nostalgia bait for another generation. And “World” marries some Nintendo weirdness — you can now race as a cow — with its penchant for playful world building. I’m smitten, for instance, with the game’s approach to races, which makes driving among the Mushroom Kingdom landscapes as important as it does wacky tracks that encompass everything from Route 66-inspired hokeyness to careening amid giant ice cream palaces.

The Nintendo Switch 2’s detachable controllers — its “Joy-Cons” — can now be used as a mouse.

(Etienne Laurent / For The Times)

There’s now a so-called “free roam” mode, allowing us to simply drive off course and explore the wonders of the Mushroom Kingdom. Though there could probably be a few more hidden mini-games, I find it relaxing and full of little surprises. Instead of zooming by Yoshi’s Cafe, I can now pull up, enjoy some speed-boosting ice cream, admire the animation work and take in the delightfully down-home soundtrack, an orchestral, slightly upbeat and cartoonish approach to classic American big band, jazz and Western stylings. As an insomnia sufferer, I’ve spent a few recent sleepless nights just roaming around “Mario Kart World,” driving through empty castles-turned-racetracks.

Then there’s “Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour.” This is a $9.99 introduction to what the Switch 2 can do, full of odd little mini games, most of them able to be completed in a minute or two. One shows off the Switch 2’s touch screen, having us use the device as a sort of Twister board for our hands. Others use the Joy-Con as a mouse to swing wildly at a golf ball or dodge falling metallic obstacles. Sometimes they’re not games at all but rather tech demos designed to show off, say, the rumble vibration effects in the controllers.

One simply had me using the Switch 2’s backing stand to try and match the degrees for which it was asking me to place the console. “I’ve never seen such amazing angling!” it told me after completing the task. Why, thank you.

It’s cute. I’ve completed a little more than half of it. It reminds me a bit of mid-’80s PC work “Little Computer People,” as it turns the Switch 2 into a living, theme park-like mall space full of tiny humans. Though I do recommend springing for it if you buy into the Switch 2, it’s ultimately a game-as-tutorial and should have been included with the system, especially since one of its goals is having us better appreciate the tech behind the console.

The most common question I’ve received — understandably so — is if I believe the Switch 2 is “worth it.” While it’s difficult to tell someone to drop close to $500 for a gaming machine and then another $80 for “Mario Kart World” (you’re also probably going to want the $84.99 Pro Controller, as it’s a more ergonomically-friendly way to play via the TV), those with the means and in the market for a new gaming console will likely be pleased. Thankfully, your Switch controllers will work with the Switch 2, saving you some financial upgrade headaches, and with 256 GB of internal storage, you likely won’t need a memory-expanding microSD Express card right away, although you will need a new case due to the console’s bigger size.

The Times’ Features Columnist Todd Martens plays “Nintendo Switch 2: Welcome Tour” in handheld mode.

(Etienne Laurent / For The Times)

Blissfully, upgrading from a prior Switch to the Switch 2 is relatively easy. One logs into their Nintendo account, and places the two consoles next to one another while data is transferred. I brought over a handful of games, which took about half a day. Download speeds varied. “Tears of the Kingdom” was loaded in about 20 minutes, whereas a bigger game such as “Cyberpunk 2077” took about three hours.

Part of buying a new gaming console is the gamble of, betting on new games rolling out over the coming years that will hopefully make the device a worthy investment. Early signs are promising; “Donkey Kong Bananza” is due July 17. I played the game at a Nintendo media event earlier this year and I’m eager to get my hands on it as it embodies Nintendo’s play-as-discovery principles. Our friendly but grumpy banana-crazed ape can essentially power his way through the world, stomping and smashing new pathways to make this a game about exploration as much as it is any challenges.

That’s long been Nintendo’s approach to play and storytelling, and that likely isn’t going to change anytime soon. The Switch became the most popular gaming console of the decade by giving us games that became global phenomena, be it “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” or “Tears of the Kingdom” (I’m most partial to “Super Mario Odyssey”).

And to buy a Switch 2 is to trust the Nintendo design team to continue to deliver. It’s early days, but I feel good about that gamble. After all, I have a cow in a kart waiting for me to get back into a race.

Benedict Corpuz has always been a “day one” type of person when it comes to fueling his video game habit.

Beginning in his high school years, the 45-year-old flight attendant from Kent, Wash., has tried to get his hands on new Nintendo systems on the day of their release, whether it was the Nintendo 64 or its less popular successor, the GameCube. The new Nintendo Switch 2 was no different. He lined up at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Federal Way Best Buy in Washington, was allowed in the store at 9:01 p.m. and was back in his car with the coveted item — which he had preordered — by 9:13 p.m.

“It’s a good feeling to be one of the first,” he said. “I just really enjoy playing the games.”

Demand for the roughly $450 handheld device, which officially launched Thursday, was high as eager shoppers like Corpuz waited in line for hours to acquire the newest iteration of the Switch, which launched eight years ago to robust sales. “Let the games begin!” Nintendo of America posted on social media, showcasing photos of excited customers holding up their Switch 2 devices.

By afternoon in Los Angeles, there were reports of the devices selling out at some retailers, a clear indication of the console’s success. Shortages were reported in a number of international markets. The last time a console release generated so much attention was in 2020, when Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s latest Xbox were released during the same month.

“Realistically, it’s going to be sold out for quite a while,” Michael Pachter, a managing director at Wedbush Securities, said of the new Switch. “By January, maybe they’ll get supply and demand in balance.”

The popular device, which introduces several new games including “Mario Kart World,” will provide a boost to the global video game and game services market, which is expected to grow 1% to $201 billion this year, according to estimates from London-based Ampere Analysis. Video games are a massive business in entertainment, with gross revenues far exceeding annual worldwide box office ticket sales for movies, for example.

Console sales alone are projected to hit $16.5 billion this year, up from $13.4 billion in 2024.

Ronald Santa-Cruz, a research manager at Ampere, estimates that Switch 2 will sell 13.6 million units in 2025, and attributes its popularity to a large install base of Switch users ready to upgrade, improved performance and capabilities to support higher fidelity games, and the loyalty of fans to Nintendo’s franchises, which include “Super Mario Bros.” and “The Legend of Zelda.”

The original Switch, which launched in 2017, saw sales soar for Nintendo during the COVID-19 pandemic as people looked for ways to entertain themselves at home. Nintendo said it has sold 152 million units of Nintendo Switch hardware as of March 31.

Before launching the Switch, Nintendo’s future was uncertain. The video game pioneer, based in Kyoto, Japan, had struggled to compete in the intense consoles market against the likes of Sony and Microsoft, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst with advisory services firm Enderle Group. Nintendo’s onetime chief rival, Sega Corp., stopped making and selling consoles in 2001 after a series of failures.

But the Switch heralded a turnaround. Its hybrid design, which allowed for on-the-go playing, broadened its appeal beyond the typical console gamers.

“Back before the Switch, it was really kind of unclear whether Nintendo was going to survive,” Enderle said, adding that the Switch was different enough from the other offerings and portable. “The end result is it allowed them to restore their market opportunity. But without the Switch, I think they would have gone under.”

Nintendo is forecasting that Switch 2 hardware sales will total 15 million units in its fiscal year, with the goal of reaching the sales that the company had with the first Switch in the 10-month period from its launch in March 2017, said Shuntaro Furukawa, president of Nintendo Co. Ltd. in a briefing last month. Furukawa said that the tariff situation in the U.S. and the possibility of a recession did not reduce the company’s forecast.

“Our first goal is to get off to the same start we did with Nintendo Switch, and we are working to strengthen our production capacity so we can respond flexibly to demand,” Furukawa said.

“We appreciate the positive response from our fans,” Nintendo said in a statement, declining to share launch-day sales numbers.

Nintendo said it supplied its retail partners with “a significant amount of products for launch” and encouraged anyone who didn’t get a Switch 2 during preorder to visit their favorite retailers.

“We’ll work hard to replenish our retail partners with a steady stream of product as we make every effort to meet demand,” Nintendo said.

Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser told CBS News on Thursday that the company has been “delighted with the demand we’ve seen thus far” and that preorders sold out in a “very quick period of time.”

While the Switch is off to a strong start, its future pricing remains uncertain as the Trump administration imposes tariffs. Despite the uncertainty, analysts said that they think demand will remain strong for the device.

The Nintendo Switch 2 console has officially been released, as retailers opened their doors at midnight — 9 p.m. here on the West Coast — to welcome early adapters and die-hard fans. It’s the follow-up to Nintendo’s second-bestselling gaming device ever; with sales topping 150 million, the Switch is behind only the handheld Nintendo DS.

Thus, Switch 2 carries expectations.

Though it has a bigger, higher-resolution 1080p screen and more processing power than its predecessor to better run some of today’s most popular games, it’s not a wholesale re-imagining. It looks similar, albeit just a tad larger, and again comes with detachable controllers, which Nintendo dubs “Joy-Con,” only now they are magnetized. Switch owners will feel right at home with the new device.

And judging by lines at retailers yesterday — a social media friend of mine claims to have spent eight hours standing outside a Best Buy to get a Switch 2 on Day One — many have already made the plunge to buy the new console. Nintendo has stated that it expects to sell 15 million new consoles between now and the end of its fiscal year next March.

Yet a new video game console brings with it questions. What is worth playing? Is it easy to upgrade? And will it even be in stock?

Nintendo has stated it believes it has enough consoles to meet demand, but whether there will be shortages after the initial rush remains an unknown. I’m still getting to know my Switch 2, but have spent some time with its showcase game and transferred my data from my prior console, and here are some initial answers to basic queries.

The showcase game for the Nintendo Switch 2 is “Mario Kart World.”

(Nintendo)

There’s only one new marquee game at launch: “Mario Kart World.” How is it?

While it may seem odd to release a new console with only one potential blockbuster title, remember that the most recent game in the series, “Mario Kart 8,” is one of Nintendo’s top-selling games, selling more than 67 million units since its release about a decade ago. Therefore, it’s a pretty safe bet, as it’s a game that works for casual and hardcore players, and has cross-generational appeal. Nintendo has also made “Mario Kart” the centerpiece of its theme park lands, of which there is one here at Universal Studios Hollywood.

And there’s good news: It’s a winner.

While its feel and tone will be instantly familiar, it comes with a couple of new tricks. One of those is a new mode called “Knockout Tour,” in which you’ll need to maintain a certain placement throughout each of the race’s five checkpoints. It’s a fast play style that is constantly upping the tension, which is key for a game in which it’s always possible to go from first to last and vice versa at a moment’s notice. Another new option, and my early favorite, is the “free roam” setting. No racing here, just exploring.

At a preview session earlier this year, some of the most fun I had was when I wasn’t racing and was simply driving my kart off the track to see what hidden surprises awaited me in the world. I came across Toad characters fishing and ramshackle vehicles that encouraged me to follow them. It was play for play’s sake. This morning, I relaxed with coffee while pulling up to a cafe run by Yoshi, and then stumbled across some timed mini-challenges in the world. It adds a surprising sense of depth and presence to Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom.

Short answer: Early impressions are dazzling.

“Nintendo Switch Welcome Tour” is a delightful exploration of the Nintendo Switch 2 featuring a host of mini games.

(Nintendo)

Wait, there’s an add-on game that’s essentially a Switch 2 tutorial? What’s that about?

I was eager to get my hands on “Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour,” a $9.99 title game-as-tutorial in which we control a tiny human avatar who appears to live in a giant Switch 2. Only instead of tech bits, we see a sleek mall-meets-amusement park world full of mini-games designed to showcase various aspects of the Switch 2’s technology — a guessing game centered on frames per second or a dodging challenge that has us using the Joy-Con detachable controllers as mouse-like gadgets. The latter is one of the key differences between the Switch and Switch 2, and will be especially handy in games that require precision.

Some of the other games in “Welcome Tour” are essentially demos. One aims to show off modern television sets with 4K resolution. Another has us adjusting Switch settings to help convey the vibrancy of HDR via animated fireworks. They’re simple, quick ways to get to know new tech, and I had fun with a mini-game that tests out the rumbling of the controllers, challenging us to pinpoint the precise moment the vibrations are at their most intense. They’re good mini-games that won’t last more than a minute or two.

Yet it’s a game designed to teach players about the new fancy game console they just bought, and therefore should come bundled with it. I wonder if I’ll revisit it after my initial week with it.

Short answer: “Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour” is cute but should be free.

The Nintendo Switch 2 looks and feels familiar to the Switch.

(Nintendo)

How complicated is it to transfer data from my original Switch?

If you’re purchasing a Switch 2 and playing via cartridges rather than downloadable games, you can jump right in. But I’d recommend downloading the system update and transferring your saved game data and as many games as you’d like from your prior Switch. The Switch 2 is largely backward compatible, meaning the vast majority of older titles will work on it (Nintendo is maintaining a list).

While I opted not to download every game from my previous Switch, wanting to save space on the 256 GB internal storage of the new console, I was pleased to see that the more than 50 games I had on my older device were all ready to go. Better yet, this was all relatively simple to accomplish and extremely user intuitive. A QR code will have you log into your Nintendo account, and as long as your older Switch and Switch 2 are in the same room, everything should transfer within a couple hours, depending on how many games you want to port over.

Short answer: Don’t stress.

“Donkey Kong Bananza” is due next month for the Nintendo Switch 2.

(Nintendo)

Eek, the price! Will it increase?

Early headlines regarding the Switch 2 focused on the price. It’s high.

The base system sells for $449.99 and “Mario Kart World” carries a hefty $80 tag, the highest price Nintendo has given a game, and an atypical price for an industry that has long valued non-special editions of games at around $59.99. And just hours after announcing a price and pre-sale date, Nintendo pulled back its pre-order plan, stating that there was uncertainty due “the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.” President Trump’s trade war remains an evolving situation, but the Japanese tech giant ultimately decided not to increase the price of the system. That being said, Nintendo did up the cost of some of the accessories for the Switch 2.

In recent interviews, Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser said the company would continue to monitor the situation. For now, the price is set, but things seem to always be in flux in our current political climate. Nintendo’s gaming competitor Microsoft recently raised the prices on its Xbox consoles.

Short answer: It remains unknown, but if you’re in the market for a Switch 2, it may be advisable to buy when you can.

A purchaser of the Nintendo Switch 2 at a Target in Chicago.

(Kiichiro Sato / Associated Press)

So, should I buy it?

This is, of course, the No. 1 question I receive, and I’m being honest when I say it’s difficult to answer. I’ve had a Switch 2 in my home for only half a day, at the time of writing, and while I attended a preview event earlier this year, I still haven’t been able to put it through its paces. Additionally, it’s always difficult to tell someone to drop $500 — $600 or more, if you’re buying some games and a recommended Pro Controller — on a video game console, which is, of course, a luxury item.

That being said, I am a big proponent of the importance of play, and Nintendo tends to get this right. The company’s video game mantra since its Nintendo Entertainment System days has been to show gaming and play as a medium full of possibilities, using world-building, competition and puzzles to enchant. I believe some new additions to “Mario Kart World,” for instance, such as the free roam mode, accomplish this goal. You likely already know if you’re a fan of the worlds Nintendo creates, whether they involve Mario and his brother Luigi or are franchises such as “Zelda” and “Animal Crossing.” And Nintendo isn’t going to abandon its core franchises — a new “Donkey Kong” title arrives in July — and there are some abilities, such as using the detachable controllers as mice, that should add some fun twists to future gameplay.

Short answer: If you have the means, my early impression is that Switch 2 is a worthy successor. That being said, if you’re not a fan of “Mario Kart” or Nintendo’s main franchises, I think you’re safe to wait until there are more games to your liking, as the Switch has a robust catalog and Nintendo is going to continue to support it for the near future.

Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe in Florida has opened its doors – with five new worlds to explore within – so naturally I went along to sample the magical delights

Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, has changed the face of the landscape and what it means to enjoy a holiday full of thrills and spills.

The £7 billion theme park is an immersive, multisensory experience with storytelling at its core. The resort’s fourth theme park and the first to open in 25 years, it invites guests to “explore vibrant worlds filled with extraordinary adventures that go beyond their wildest imaginations” – and it really is magical.

With 50 awe-inspiring attractions,entertainment, dining and shopping experiences in its new park, the Universal parks make up a 700-acre resort space.

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But it’s not just the stunning scenery, experiences and rides that blew me away – my entire group were wowed by the culinary experiences inside the park. Forget burgers, hotdogs and popcorn – although readily available if you fancy – I dined on exquisite seafood from scallops to King Oysters at Atlantic and freshly made Dim Sum and Ramen noodles at The Blue Dragon, both in Celestial Park.

I also found the best purple pizza called Pizza Lunare in Pizza Moon, complete with an Ube crust – the chunks of roasted garlic were to die for – and melt-in-the-mouth beef brisket at The Oak & Star Tavern.

Let’s explore the worlds a little closer for when you plan your first visit…

Celestial Park

Step through the Chronos – the impressive first portal tower and entrance to the park that when ‘powered’ will align to open up five magical portals for visitors to explore.

I first enjoyed Celestial Park – the cosmic heart of Epic Universe and so much more than just a starting point. Local ‘Celestians’ who inhabit here tend to the lush, tree-lined walkways and I found myself whisked into a whimsical world of greenery, tropical flowers, fountains and ponds.

Everything here is connected heavily to astrology, from the first sight of Luna, goddess of the moon, who oversees the night’s luminescence by her Neptune Pools, to the far side of the park where Apollo, god of the sun, rests. Even the rides are well themed – I enjoyed a gentle sway on the Constellation Carousel and zipped at 62mph on Stardust Racers, a dual racing rollercoaster across 5,000ft of track, which is the park’s top thrill ride for speed and height.

Celestial Park interweaves the other worlds and acts as a calming decompression from the extremities of themes and music in each world. Grab a cocktail at Bar Zenith, watch the fountain show and marvel in the sheer beauty.

MUST DO Visit North Star Wintry Wonders, an all-year Christmas store where it really snows outside – even under the hot Florida sun.

Dark Universe

The storytelling continues as you move through this spooky portal and into monstrous Darkmoor Village. It makes sense – Universal is the pioneer of horror, after all.

Dr Victoria Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein’s great great-granddaughter, is the proud owner of this world’s central focus – Frankenstein Manor – and she has captured all the monsters but she’s having some trouble with Dracula. Ride Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment as you navigate the catacombs of the manor to “help” Victoria (you won’t help – but you will scream).

The ride’s technology is phenomenal and the animatronics are creative masterpieces. Fear not, it’s suitable for all ages.

Take time to explore the details. Look out for a little girl statue of Maria (a character from the 1931 Frankenstein film, who accidentally drowns), listen to sounds from beneath the vampire well and head to the Blazing Blade Tavern for a fiery sight to behold.

MUST DO Grab a bite to eat at Das Stakehouse. The theming is almost better than the food – and the food is delicious.

Super Nintendo World

Everything moves, spins, jumps and wobbles in Super Nintendo World. It’s a gaming world for everyone – even the big kids who are young at heart.

Providing one of the coolest portals (the walkway into each world), I entered via a Super Mario Warp Pipe and arrived inside Princess Peach’s Castle before exiting into a world of jaw-dropping colour and musical joy. Glistening golden coins, stomping Koombas, sliding 1-Up mushrooms and snapping Piranha Plants were everywhere as I looked across to Bowser’s Castle.

This is where I gave Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge a go and my dismal points were made up for by the fun and laughter I had hurtling turtle shells and banana peels at my friends (virtually, of course – the race car game, where we’re up against all the usual Super Mario bad guys, is played via a headset).

The character meet and greets here are sweet for youngsters – Toad is a rotund delight for toddlers, Mario and Luigi are cool for pre-teens and even the too-cool-for-school teenagers won’t be able to resist Donkey Kong.

Don’t miss the fabulous rollercoaster Minecart Madness – it’s a bumpy ride but the jumps over “missing” sections of the track are thrilling.

MUST DO Buy a $45 Power-Up wristband. It’s vital for playing the in-world mini games, collecting coins and banking some exclusive park stamps and badges, which connects to an app on your mobile phone and creates family friendly competition.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic

This world makes the Wizarding Worlds at Universal Orlando Resort a trio – also made up of Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade in Islands Of Adventure.

Step inside the magical streets of 1920s Paris, where the likes of Newt Scamander hangs out. Known as Place Cachée, this world is a fan delight, merging the magic of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them in Paris, with the wonders of Harry Potter.

I hopped on the Métro-Floo to the British Ministry Of Magic for Dolores Umbridge’s trial for her crimes against magic on the mesmerising dark ride, Battle At The Ministry. Expect magical creatures and spells galore – and make time for the show, Le Cirque Arcanus. The puppetry will leave you speechless.

MUST DO Try a Gigglewater in Le Gobelet Noir – a bar owned by Nicolas Flamel, the alchemist who created the Philosopher’s Stone.

How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk

The largest of all the worlds at Epic Universe,the Viking village of Berk is breathtaking. On entry, I was faced with two 40ft carved wooden statues, guarding the village. This world is set after the second film, where there’s peace and harmony between man and dragon.

Look out for The Untrainable Dragon live show, which has the most beautiful score, with singers and actors akin to the talent of a West End show. And be sure to try the mac and cheese cone at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel – it’s the novelty dish I never knew I needed.

MUST DO Look to the skies. Here you’ll find actual flying dragons – drones to us adults (don’t tell the kids), but they are very realistic.

HOW TO BOOK

Universal Orlando Resort

All Parks tickets are available through British Airways Holidays from £439 per person.

British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at Universal Stella Nova Resort from £829 per person, travelling on selected dates in January 2026. Book by 9 June. For reservations visit britishairways.com/en-gb/destinations/orlando/holidays-inorlando

TikTok sensation Katie Kennedy – aka The History Gossip – is bringing history to life in her new Sky TV show History Crush after going viral with her bawdy social media videos

Queen Elizabeth I was “fuggers”, Henry VIII “clapped” and it’s debatable whether Anne Of Cleeves was a “minger”.

Katie Kennedy, better known as The History Gossip, uses this colourful language to bring alive famous historical characters in her bawdy social media posts, which have earned millions of likes on TikTok. Most people take years to get noticed, but Katie became famous practically overnight.

One minute she was writing her 12,000-word dissertation on Women in Pompeii in her final year at Durham University, the next she’d posted a few quirky history videos on TikTok and gone viral.

Like most students, she’d happily wile away hours of study time on social media, but for Katie, it led to greater things. “I was on TikTok all the time anyway, so I posted some stuff about the Tudors and I got a couple of thousand followers Then I did a video with the caption – why were the Tudes clapped?” she says.

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Seeing my blank expression, she translates: “Why were they really ugly? That did really well. It got onto this really big meme page called Great British Memes and they’ve got loads of followers. People were screenshotting it and asking, ‘Is that you?”

Earthy and funny, Katie’s history videos are the right side of sweary, with a sprinkling of Gen Z language. “Some of the slang that I’ve picked up through the years was originally just to get around TikTok guidelines,” she explains.

Half a million followers later, Katie got a book deal and published The History Gossip – Was Anne Of Cleeves A Minger? And she will now be appearing on our screens on Sky TV’s History Crush, where she’ll be rummaging through the underwear drawers of historical figures like Lord Byron, Charles Dickens or Marie-Antoinette – and asking the big questions like was Henry VIII clapped? “Yes he was,” she giggles. And was Lord Byron a crush or a burn? “Definitely a crush.”

The speed at which Katie got a book deal will have many seasoned writers gnashing at the bit. “I had a message from my now agent in February last year when things were going off,” she says. “And she was like, ‘Have you ever thought about writing a book?’ And I thought, ‘Yeah maybe in the future.’ But as soon as I handed in my dissertation, I started writing it and finished it during Freshers Week at Oxford – when I was hungover!

“We got it out for November for Christmas, because it was more of a gifty book. It’s still really weird seeing it in the book shops.”

When we meet outside on a sunny afternoon in pretty Vaults and Gardens Cafe by Radcliffe Camera in Oxford, where 25-year-old Katie’s now studying for her masters, I have to ask, “Was Anne of Cleeves a minger?”

“Well I don’t think so,” she replies. “Henry VIII gave her a castle and they had a brother and sister type of relationship. Of all his wives, she came out of it quite well. She wasn’t really minging, like her portraits said, but she was ‘mid’.”

What about Elizabeth 1? “Her teeth were fuggers because she ate so much sugar,” says Katie. “And it’s so funny that even when she looks a bit minging in her portrait, that’s probably her best photoshopped version.”

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Katie has just returned from a holiday abroad, but her skin remains the colour of porcelain. “I don’t like to sit in the sun because I get scared of getting sunburned,” she says in her sing-song Geordie accent.

“I’ve lived in Durham my whole life. I grew up there, went to a local comprehensive school, did sixth form. And then a journalism apprenticeship with BBC,” she says.

This explains why Katie’s so good at finding a hook in a story – and she has a journalism certificate to prove it. “In my posts, I have to get a three second intro to get people interested – that takes a lot of research,” she explains. “I don’t really script them though, I just press record!”

The secret of Katie’s success is clearly an authentic voice on the platform, which is backed up by years of hard academic study.

“I did journalism for two years, but I felt like I’d missed out on university, so I applied to Durham to do Ancient History and Archeology – and got in!” she says.

While she seems surprised by her ‘luck,’ it strikes me that both Durham and Oxford are lucky to have someone with such a knack for bringing history to life.

Although she has a bit of imposter syndrome, the university social life has made up for it. “I loved being at Durham – all the traditions and stuff and that’s partly why I wanted to come to Oxford,” she admits. “It’s fun and you don’t get that in every university.”

A quick peek at her socials and you can see Katie has settled in well since arriving last September. She laughs: “Yeah the balls are so nice. I love wearing the gowns. I went to a Balioll College ball last week. I can’t lie – the balls here are better than Durham!”

Katie’s first taste of history came when her parents dragged her around National Trust properties every Sunday. “I remember when I was seven being like, I don’t want to go to Wellington and Cragside, I just want to sit on my little Nintendo,’” she admits.

But the experience left an impression, because she fell in love with immersive history – even becoming part of a Beamish Living Museum of the North exhibit.

“It’s just down the road from where I liv,e so I did work experience there twice,” she recalls. “Once dressed up as a Victorian school child and then as a Second World War evacuée and I had my little cardboard gas mask box.

“Did you know during rationing, instead of ice lollies little kids would have frozen carrots?”

Inspired by TV historians such as Lucy Worsley and Ruth Goodman, Katie admits that Horrible Histories – which has probably done more to make history popular than all the dusty old academic institutions put together – inspired her.

“Horrible Histories doesn’t make you feel like you’re learning. The author of the books, Terry Deary, is from Sunderland, which is not far from where I’m from,” she adds proudly.

“I used to love Ruth when she would do Victorian Farm on TV and she would be like, ‘I’m going to make bread from scratch.’ She doesn’t make you feel you’re being lectured to – she’s living history and talking about normal people, who I think get overlooked sometimes.

“It definitely sparked the way I like to present history in a fun, doesn’t-feel-like-you’re-learning type of way.”

I do wonder what Katie’s more traditional tutors think of her style of bringing history to the masses. “When I first started on TikTok, I blocked everyone at Durham and friends and family, because I was embarrassed about posting a video that might get three views,” she reveals. “It was only later when I did a series on the Victorians, that I stopped caring what people thought.

“My supervisor at Oxford’s really supportive. I told him it’s like Horrible History but for adults, and he thinks it’s great that I’m making history more accessible.”

Social media burn out is real for influencers. I ask how she’s managing her time with so much on her plate. “My masters is on British and European 18th-century history, and I’m doing my dissertation on the fan-making industry and how women used fans. But I’ve gone part-time now, so I’ve got another year to get my arse in gear and sort it”: she says.

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“I used to post every single day on TikTok, but I’ve learned to take a step back from it and know that if I don’t post today, it’s not like the end of everything.”

And history clearly attracts a decent social media crowd. “I just get Americans not being able to understand my accent, or they’re like ‘what’s a minger?’” she laughs.

In Durham she lives with her mum, dad and brother, who’s just started studying politics at university. “He was debating history or politics, but he likes arguments, so it’s politics,” she says.

While she’s keen to ask if historical figures are worth dating, she sidesteps when asked if she’s single. “Depends on who’s asking?” she smiles.

But she gushes when talking about one of her great loves back in Durham. “We’ve just got a King Charles Spaniel puppy called Millie – I love to sit and cuddle her in the garden,” she says. “I miss her so much when I’m not there.”

Devoting a lot of time to studying women in history Katie continues: “I especially like the Brontes and also Mary Antoinette, because I feel like she was very misunderstood.”

The arts have been losing out in the push for more maths and engineering, but Katie is making history cool again and reminds us the importance of knowing about our past.

“History keeps repeating itself,” she says. “People aren’t so different to us today. The Tudors put belladonna in their eyes to make them sparkle. Victorian women would eat arsenic wafers to give their skin a pale complexion and wore dresses dyed with a green pigment made from arsenic. Women died wearing them.”

So, forget Brazilian butt lifts, or excessive tanning – when it comes to dying for beauty, the Tudors and Victorians got there first.

• HISTORY CRUSH, presented by Katie Kennedy (aka History Gossip), will be available on Sky HISTORY on demand via Sky and Virgin Media from May 29. More at www.history.co.uk/shows/history-crush #HISTORYCRUSH @HISTORYUK

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