Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders Surpass Expectations, Setting New Benchmarks in Japan

Nintendo continues its strong presence in the gaming hardware market with the phenomenal pre-order performance of its upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

The Kyoto-based gaming giant has reportedly seen higher-than-anticipated demand, with consolidated figures indicating that approximately 1.2 million Nintendo Switch 2 units are allocated for the launch window in Japan—a testament to the platform's enduring popularity and the company’s effective market strategy. Contextualizing this achievement, data from survey results gathered through the first two My Nintendo Store Switch 2 pre-order lotteries, as well as similar lottery initiatives conducted by Japanese retailers, underscore just how significantly the Nintendo Switch 2’s initial allocation eclipses previous launches.

For reference, when the original Nintendo Switch debuted in 2017, launch sales reached roughly 330,000 units in Japan.

Even Sony’s acclaimed PlayStation 2, which enjoyed legendary commercial success, sold around 600,000 units at its Japanese launch.

A Nintendo representative, speaking to local gaming media, emphasized the overwhelming positive response: "We have witnessed demand for Nintendo Switch 2 that greatly exceeds our internal estimates, especially in the Japanese market.

Our focus remains on meeting consumer expectations and ensuring as many players as possible can enjoy our new hardware from day one." The surge in Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders demonstrates the ongoing vitality of Nintendo’s brand within Japan and highlights consumer anticipation for the next evolution of its hybrid gaming concept.

The Nintendo Switch family has achieved remarkable milestones, with global hardware sales exceeding 125 million units as of 2024, making it one of the best-selling consoles in history.

Nintendo’s innovative approach—blending portable and home console gaming—has resonated with fans worldwide and continues to drive strong engagement in every major hardware cycle. Looking back, Nintendo’s hardware launches have historically set the pace for the industry, but the Nintendo Switch 2’s pre-order figures showcase a new standard for market anticipation.

The company’s collaborative efforts with both its proprietary My Nintendo Store and a network of Japanese retailers have streamlined access and increased visibility, driving pre-order numbers beyond previous records for both Nintendo and the broader gaming sector within the region. As anticipation swells leading up to the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, all eyes remain on Nintendo to see how supply and demand will be balanced and whether the momentum can be sustained globally.

Industry analysts note that with such robust initial figures, the Nintendo Switch 2 is well-positioned to extend Nintendo’s dominance and set new benchmarks for hardware launches in the years ahead.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo PlayStation Japan Switch 2 Switch PlayStation 2 My Nintendo Store Japanese retailers Switch 2 pre-orders