Nintendo Could Be Expecting Issues With Retail Switch 2 Stock

Mario Bautista June 3, 2025

Summary

Nintendo may need to produce 20M Switch 2s to meet demand, preparing retailers for potential stock shortages.
Some early stock issues may arise, hinting at potential hardships if Switch 2 production falls short.
In Japan, buyers engage in lotteries and face difficulties in securing pre-orders; Nintendo addresses fraudulent listings.

While there have been some genuine and valid concerns around the Nintendo Switch 2’s pre-launch marketing (Game Key Cards and Switch 2 Welcome Tour, I’m looking at you), the pre-order process thus far has been pretty smooth. Sure, it was delayed in North America due to the uncertainty around Trump’s tariffs, and some people seemingly accidentally had their orders canceled, but it seems like Nintendo got most things right.

8 nintendo switch 2s against an orange background.

Nintendo Shoots Down Report That It’s Giving Preferential Treatment To Select Retailers Regarding Switch 2 Prices As “Not True”

The company’s share prices significantly dropped after the initial reports.

While things so far have gone mostly to plan, analysts have predicted Nintendo will need to produce 20 million Switch 2s to meet year-one demand, and if it can’t do so, there could be some hardship. This is seemingly something the company is preparing for, as it’s sent retailers posters preparing them for the situation.

Nintendo Switch 2 Retailers Sent “Out Of Stock” Posters

For those of you who haven’t managed to snag a pre-order yet, or are leaving your indecision until the last minute, popping to a retail store may be your only way to get your hands on a Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo is clearly anticipating some levels of stock issues, though.

First posted on the Nintendo Switch 2 subreddit by Alternative_Basket19, it looks like Nintendo has been sending retailers posters that simply exclaim “Out of Stock” with the Switch 2’s logo and an image of the console.

It’s a good move, designed to prevent retail staff from facing bombardments of stock queries and customers from queuing up only to face disappointment, but it raises questions about the availability of the follow-up to one of the most successful consoles of all time.

Pre-order stock has been relatively easy to secure in the West. However, in Japan, the same can’t be said. Eager buyers have had to participate in multiple lotteries to try and get their hands on the console, with Nintendo itself working with online reselling platforms to remove fraudulent and price-gouged listings. Despite promising signs, though, Nintendo has expressed concerns that the Switch 2’s price will make it difficult for early widespread adoption.