a day ago
Global Switch 2 shortage may continue into next year
TOKYO, Japan, July 5: The Nintendo Switch 2, which launched globally on June 5, is expected to remain in short supply through next spring, according to industry analysts, as demand continues to outpace production capacity despite record-breaking sales.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa addressed the ongoing shortage during the company's 85th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders this week, stating that demand for the new-generation console has 'exceeded supply in many countries,' with Japan among the hardest hit.
'We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may be causing our consumers,' Furukawa said. 'I understand that some of our shareholders and their families and friends might still be unable to purchase Nintendo Switch 2.'
The Switch 2 has enjoyed a historic launch, selling more than 3.5 million units worldwide in its first four days, according to VGChartz estimates — more than double the original Nintendo Switch's 1.4 million units during its launch week in 2017. This makes it the biggest global hardware launch in video game history.
However, the success has led to significant stock issues. In Japan, Nintendo introduced a lottery-based sales system through its My Nintendo Store as early as April. Furukawa disclosed that the company received over 2.2 million applications for purchase — a number that far surpassed initial forecasts.
'Since then, we have conducted a total of four lottery rounds, but many consumers have still not been selected,' Furukawa added. 'A fifth round is scheduled to take place in early July.'
Retailers across Japan have also adopted similar lottery systems to cope with high demand, although recent reports indicate that more storefronts have started offering direct in-store purchases. Nintendo says it is working to scale up production to meet global demand.
Despite improved availability in markets like the United States and United Kingdom — Nintendo's largest revenue regions — analysts predict that full supply stabilization may not occur until spring 2026, particularly in Japan and other parts of Asia.
According to Statista data, Nintendo prioritized supply to the U.S. and Europe due to their sales potential, with Japan ranking third in terms of company revenue. This decision has fueled frustrations among domestic consumers, who face the steepest wait times and most competitive purchasing systems.
While the company ramps up manufacturing, Nintendo is also facing minor post-launch issues such as packaging damage caused by retail mishandling — including screens punctured by receipts stapled to the console box. However, no widespread product defects have been reported.
With analysts forecasting sustained demand through the holiday season, consumers are advised to monitor official Nintendo channels and trusted retailers for updates on availability and upcoming lottery rounds.
In the meantime, Nintendo maintains its commitment to improving access: 'We will continue to strengthen our production and supply systems to deliver as many Nintendo Switch 2 systems as possible to our customers,' Furukawa affirmed.
