(Credit: Nintendo)
Japanese gamers are eager to get their hands on the Switch 2, with 2.2 million people applying to preorder the next-gen handheld. Nintendo, however, warns that it can't accommodate everyone.
"We received a very large number of applications, approximately 2.2 million people in Japan alone. However, this is far beyond our expectations, and far exceeds the number of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles that can be delivered from the My Nintendo Store on June 5 [launch day]," the company wrote in a translated tweet.
Earlier this month, Nintendo opened an application system for Switch 2 preorders that favors longtime fans. To apply, people must have at least 50 hours of gameplay time on Nintendo Switch software as of Feb. 28, 2025 and be a Switch Online member for a year or more. The application period closed on April 16, and Nintendo will notify selected buyers tomorrow.
"We expect that a considerable number of customers will not be selected," Nintendo says. "In order to avoid the trouble of those who were not selected in the first lottery sale having to reapply, the My Nintendo Store will automatically carry over those who were not selected in the first lottery sale to the second lottery sale."
That second round won't hit 2.2 million, though, Nintendo says. "We deeply apologize for not being able to meet your expectations despite our advance preparation," it says. "In response to this demand, we are currently working on further strengthening our production system."
This may be a bad sign for Switch 2 buyers in the US, where demand is also expected to be sky high. Still, Nintendo has previously said it’s been building stockpiles for the Switch 2, with the supplies in the US predicted to be in the millions by the June 5 launch.
Other retailers, including Best Buy and GameStop, will start preorders at midnight Eastern time on the morning of April 24. GameStop is even offering in-store preorders. So consumers eager to own the Switch 2 should be prepared to stay up late.