A few weeks before the highly anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, demand in Japan has already surpassed all previous records. Facing an announced shortage situation, Shuntaro Furukawa, Nintendo’s president, felt compelled to address the public with an official message posted on Nintendo Japan’s Twitter account. In this message, he apologizes and attempts to reassure gamers while acknowledging that supply cannot meet initial demand.
An unprecedented demand: Although the Nintendo Switch 2 has not yet been launched, enthusiasm for the console is so high that Nintendo is already facing saturation of its pre-order system. In Japan, acquiring the console involves a prior lottery. As of now, over 2.2 million people have registered on the My Nintendo Store in the hope of getting a chance to buy it upon release, scheduled for June 5, 2025. Despite anticipated planning and mass production by the company, Nintendo admits it cannot fulfill all requests in time. In his message, Shuntaro Furukawa explains that “demand far exceeds our initial projections, and the number of consoles available for delivery from June 5 via the My Nintendo Store is insufficient to meet this demand.”
He also specifies that a significant number of people will not be selected during the first lottery, with results to be announced on April 24. To prevent further mass registrations, an automatic second round of lottery will incorporate those not chosen in the first draw. However, even with this additional session, the company warns that it cannot fulfill all requests.
Nintendo is working to enhance its manufacturing capacity in response to increased production and a phased store rollout. Starting April 24th, specialized video game retailers and Japanese online sales platforms will begin accepting pre-order registrations through a lottery system. It is noteworthy that the Switch 2 follows a genuine industry trend: the original Nintendo Switch achieved significant success, selling 35.5 million units in Japan, including 300,000 units during its first week of release in March 2017. Now, Nintendo aims to surpass the record currently held by the PlayStation 2, which reached 600,000 sales within a week.
A Logistical Challenge for a Crucial Launch: The Nintendo Switch 2, as the successor to one of the most popular consoles in history, carries significant public expectations. This challenging logistical start reflects both the high public anticipation and the limitations of a distribution model that still relies partly on scarcity of supply. However, the shortage is expected to be temporary. Nintendo is working to accelerate production to allow as many players as possible to get their hands on the new console in the months following its launch.In anticipation of the Nintendo Switch 2’s June 5, 2025 release, Japan has seen unprecedented demand that has overwhelmed pre-order systems. Over 2.2 million people have registered on the My Nintendo Store for a chance to purchase the console, surpassing initial projections and available supply. President Shuntaro Furukawa addressed this in an official message, apologizing and explaining that not all requests can be met due to limited production. A two-phase lottery system is being implemented to manage demand: the first round will announce results on April 24, followed by a second automatic round for those unsuccessful initially. Starting April 24, specialized retailers and Japanese online platforms will also accept pre-order registrations via lottery. While Nintendo is ramping up production and expanding manufacturing capabilities, they aim to surpass the original Switch’s record sales of 35.5 million units in Japan, currently second only to the PlayStation 2’s one-week sales of over 600,000 units. Despite these efforts, the company warns that not all pre-order requests can be fulfilled due to the extraordinary demand for the new console.
