Summary
Coming off the back of what might one day be crowned the best-selling console of all time, it was always to be expected that a lot of people were going to try and pre-order theNintendo Switch 2once given the opportunity. Unfortunately, it looks likeNintendohas underestimated just how many people want a Switch 2 on its release day.
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa shared a lengthy messagevia the company’s Japanese Twitter account, revealing 2.2 million people in Japan alone have applied for the chance to pre-order a Switch 2 via the My Nintendo Store on April 24. Furukawa notes that, unfortunately, not only is that number so high that some people won’t be able to pre-order the console in time for its release day, but some will also be left out of the second lottery selection Nintendo has now promised.
Nintendo is running a lottery system for Switch 2 pre-orders in Japan which means a select few from the 2.2 million applicants will be contacted tomorrow, April 24, and be given the opportunity to pre-order a Switch 2. Furukawa noted that, rather than apply again, unsuccessful applicants will automatically be placed into a second lottery, giving more a chance to pre-order a Switch 2 at a later date. However, as noted, even then, there won’t be enough for all 2.2 million applicants.
2.2 Million People Want A Switch 2 In Japan
And Nintendo Doesn’t Have Nearly Enough To Go Around
The Nintendo president notes that the company is already strengthening its production line in response to demand, noting that other stores will have lottery systems in place, or simply be accepting pre-orders, for the Switch 2 in Japan starting tomorrow. That means even if you don’t receive an invite from Nintendo, there’s still a chance you’ll have a Switch 2 come June 5.
As for whether this will be an indicator of potential Switch 2 scarcity in other parts of the world, that may become clearer tomorrow. Pre-orders for the console will finally begin in the US on April 24 following chaos brought about by tariff news hitting on the same day as the Switch 2’s reveal.Some retailers will begin accepting pre-orders at midnight, while others will wait until later in the day.
Analysts predictedNintendo had 20 million Switch 2 consoles ready to sell throughout 2025. That may well be true, but this is the first evidence that even that might not be enough. This also might simply be a case of Nintendo not having enough Switch 2s in Japan alone, or the bulk of the 20 million coming later this year, potentially in time for the holidays. Just be prepared not to have a Switch 2 on June 5, even now that the pre-order problems have been ironed out.
