Nintendo May Be Struggling to Meet Switch 2 Demand in Japan

Nintendo may be struggling to meet demand for the Switch 2 in Japan, according to a new survey indicating that well over half of would-be buyers in the country have yet to secure a console. The Switch 2 launches on June 5, leaving Nintendo little time to address the potential shortfall.

The Switch 2 pre-orders went live on April 9 across dozens of markets, including Japan. In the lead-up to the early April 2025 event detailing the console’s features, launch titles, and pre-order schedule, Nintendo leadership indicated it would have sufficient stock to meet initial demand. However, once the device became available for pre-order, some consumers reported difficulties securing a unit.

Underscoring the purported trend of supply issues, a recent survey conducted by popular Nintendo-focused Twitter account @2021nZelda asked Japanese consumers about their pre-order experience, as spotted by NintendoSoup. The poll drew over 31,000 responses within a day, with the majority reporting difficulty securing a console. As of May 30—one week ahead of the Switch 2’s street date—only 32.7% said they had secured a pre-order. In contrast, 59.8% reported they had not, while 7.5% selected a third, non-committal option.

Switch 2 Supply in Japan Looked Even More Troubled Earlier This Month

The overall response makeup still signals an improvement compared to two weeks back. @2021nZelda ran an identical poll in mid-May 2025, when only 25.1% of responders said they managed to secure a pre-order. Neither survey asked for any clarifying details, like which exact console the responders attempted to buy. For context, Japanese consumers have access to a significantly cheaper Switch 2 model that retails for about $339, in addition to the regular $449 option.

The more affordable model lacks language options and requires a Japanese Nintendo Account for use. It also offers no guarantee of compatibility with physical Switch 2 games purchased outside of Japan. Nintendo cited the yen’s current weakness against the U.S. dollar as the primary reason for releasing two models domestically, describing the move as an effort to make the console more accessible to consumers in its home market. The popularity of the lower-cost unit relative to the standard model among Japanese consumers is currently unclear.

The recent fan surveys are not the first sign that Nintendo’s upcoming console may face supply shortages in Japan. Amid strong demand and concerns over scalping, the company previously implemented a lottery system to manage Switch 2 pre-orders in the Far Eastern country. Winners were announced on April 24, with those not selected automatically entered into a second round.