Switch 2 Frenzy: Japanese Retailers Limit Pre-Orders to Best Customers
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the most anticipated gaming console of 2025. Japanese retailers are taking extraordinary measures to manage the overwhelming demand for pre-orders. By limiting access to their most loyal customers, stores like Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera are trying to ensure that dedicated fans get first dibs on the new console. But not everyone is happy about this approach. The launch date is set for June 5th,2025. The pre-order has sparked both excitement plus frustration among gamers.
My Nintendo Store’s Rigorous Requirements
The My Nintendo Store has set the bar high for Switch 2 pre-orders. To even enter the lottery, customers need at least 50 hours of gameplay on their current Switch and a year-long Nintendo Switch Online membership. This move is designed to reward true fans and deter scalpers, but it’s also left some gamers feeling excluded. The demand is staggering—IGN reported that 2.2 million applications flooded in during the lottery window from April 4 to April 16, 2025.
When the results were announced on April 24, the My Nintendo Store’s website buckled under the pressure, as noted by IGN. The chaos didn’t stop there either—scammers even started sending phishing emails to desperate fans. It’s clear that the Switch 2 is in high demand, and Nintendo is doing its best to manage it.
Retailers Prioritize Loyal Customers
It’s not just Nintendo’s store. Retailers like Yodobashi Camera are requiring a purchase history of around 50,000 yen (about $330) over the past year to join their pre-order lotteries, according to My Nintendo News. Bic Camera is limiting entries to credit card holders who’ve spent over 30,000 yen (around $207) in a specific period, as reported by The Game Post. These steps are meant to keep things fair, but some fans argue it’s unfair to newer customers.
One fan on Reddit said, “It’s great that they’re trying to stop scalpers, but what about people who just got into gaming? They shouldn’t be punished for not having a long purchase history.” The debate is heated, with some praising the loyalty focus and others feeling left out. Retailers are walking a fine line between rewarding dedication and alienating potential buyers.
The Switch 2 pre-order situation in Japan is a double-edged sword. While retailers are trying to reward loyalty and prevent scalping, some fans feel left out. As the June 5, 2025, launch approaches, the debate continues. For more updates on the Switch 2 and other gaming news, check out Total Apex Gaming or their news section.
