Nintendo is bracing for a challenging launch of the Switch 2 in Japan, anticipating that it will be difficult to meet the exceptionally high demand for the new console. The company's president, Shuntaro Furukawa, has addressed the situation directly, acknowledging that initial supply will likely fall short of consumer expectations.
The scale of the demand became apparent when Nintendo opened a lottery-based pre-order system through its My Nintendo Store in Japan. An astounding 2.2 million people registered for the chance to purchase the console, a figure that far surpassed Nintendo's initial projections. This overwhelming response has led the company to issue an apology, conceding that a "significant number" of applicants will be unsuccessful in securing a console at launch. Winners of the lottery are expected to be announced on April 24th, with those not chosen entered into a second drawing.
Furukawa stated that Nintendo is actively working to bolster its production capabilities to address the supply constraints. The company plans to continue producing and shipping a "considerable number" of Switch 2 units in the future, aiming to eventually meet the high level of demand. In addition to the My Nintendo Store lottery, pre-orders are expected to open through other retailers in Japan. Nintendo is collaborating with these retailers to distribute the console as widely as possible.
Several factors are believed to be contributing to the intense demand for the Switch 2 in Japan. The anticipation for a new Nintendo console has been building for years. Moreover, a weaker yen has made the Japanese market particularly attractive. There was even the consideration of releasing a cheaper, region-locked version of the Switch 2 specifically for Japan, which would only play Japanese games and be compatible with Japanese Nintendo accounts. The idea was to cater to the local market while preventing large-scale resales to overseas buyers.
Nintendo also faced hurdles regarding pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the US, delaying them due to the uncertainty surrounding tariffs. Ultimately, the company confirmed that pre-orders in the US and Canada would begin on April 24th, with the Switch 2 maintaining its $450 price tag.
