Nintendo has confirmed that interest in its upcoming console, the Nintendo Switch 2, has dramatically exceeded the company’s expectations and that there won’t be enough units at launch in Japan. As of April 23, more than 2.2 million applications were submitted in Japan through the company’s official My Nintendo Store lottery system, a figure that does not include any third-party retailers or international markets.
The console was revealed in a first look trailer on April 2, and is set to launch on June 5, 2025. Its price in the United States will be $449.99.
The Lottery System
Importantly, the 2.2 million figure represents lottery applications, not confirmed pre-orders. In Japan, it is common for companies to use a lottery-based sales model for high-demand products, where customers apply for a chance to purchase the item. Winners are drawn at random and can then finalize their order. This system is designed to reduce site congestion and scalping, particularly for tech and gaming hardware.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa acknowledged that the level of demand far surpassed internal projections, despite efforts to ramp up production and logistics.
“This far exceeded our initial expectations and greatly surpassed the number of ‘Nintendo Switch 2’ units we are able to deliver from the My Nintendo Store by June 5.”
Comparisons to Historic Console Launches
While lottery entries are not the same as actual sales, they give a reliable measure of market interest. Here’s how some other major consoles compared (data via Famitsu).
- The original Nintendo Switch sold around 333,000 units in Japan during its launch weekend.
- Also according to Famitsu, the PlayStation 2 sold roughly 650,000 units during its first weekend in Japan in 2000.
- The PlayStation 4 sold 322,000 units in Japan in its first two days.
Supply Constraints and Next Steps
Nintendo stated that many applicants will not be selected in the first lottery round, with results to be announced tomorrow, April 24. To reduce customer inconvenience, the company will automatically roll over unsuccessful applicants into a second round.
Starting April 24, game retailers and online shops across Japan will begin offering their own lottery or reservation systems. Nintendo has also committed to ongoing post-launch sales via the My Nintendo Store, with details to follow.
“We will continue to work with our retail partners to ship as many units as possible so that we can deliver the ‘Nintendo Switch 2’ to more of you,” Furukawa added.
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Nintendo emphasized that it is reinforcing its production capacity and expects to ship significant quantities in the coming months. However, it acknowledged that delays are likely for many consumers and asked for continued patience.
Source: Nintendo Official X
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