Pre-orders are still available in Australia for the Nintendo Switch 2, but in Japan, it looks like a shortage is anticipated at launch as the number of people registering for the pre-order lottery outstrips availability.
The lottery would award a select number of loyal Nintendo fans the ability to pre-order the newly unveiled Nintendo Switch 2 in an effort to combat scalping. 2.2 million people have applied to pre-order, with Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa warning a “significant number” will have to miss out.
“To deliver Nintendo Switch 2 to all of you, we have been procuring a large number of components in advance and proceeding with production,” read the statement.
“On April 2, we announced the details of Nintendo Switch 2 and began accepting applications for a lottery sale on the My Nintendo Store. As a result, we received applications from an astonishing 2.2 million people in Japan alone.”
“However, this far exceeded our prior expectations and greatly surpasses the number of Nintendo Switch 2 units we can deliver from the My Nintendo Store on June 5. Consequently, it is with great regret that we anticipate a significant number of customers will not be selected in tomorrow’s lottery announcement on April 24.”
It’s massively disappointing news for Japanese Nintendo fans eager to pick up the upgraded console, and concerning news perhaps for the rest of the world yet to secure a console.
Much attention has been on the US where tariffs delayed the planned pre-order date, now going live in the next 24 hours. Vietnamese-produced units have been said to have been allocated to the US market in a bid to impose the tariffs on Chinese imports, which may have complicated the delivery of the console around the world.
For those eagerly awaiting the console in Japan, the only silver lining is that those not selected in the first round of the lottery will automatically be entered in the next round. Even then, Furukawa warned enough units would still not be available.
Fingers crossed Nintendo can open up more production to ensure those that want the console can get it!
