Masahiro Sakurai Acquires Nintendo Switch 2 via Japan's My Nintendo Store Lottery

Masahiro Sakurai, renowned game designer and creator of hit franchises Super Smash Bros.

and Kirby, has confirmed he secured a Nintendo Switch 2 unit through Japan’s My Nintendo Store lottery system.

As anticipation builds for the Nintendo Switch 2’s global launch on June 5, 2025, the veteran developer’s experience highlights Nintendo’s approach to equitable hardware distribution in a high-demand market. The Nintendo Switch 2 represents the next evolution in Nintendo's successful hybrid console line, following a strong legacy set by the original Nintendo Switch, which has sold over 139 million units worldwide since its launch in March 2017.

To manage intense consumer demand ahead of the launch, Nintendo implemented a lottery system at Japan’s official My Nintendo Store, ensuring a fair opportunity for fans and industry insiders alike to obtain the new hardware. Sakurai shared his experience on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating that he, like thousands of eager Japanese gamers, entered the lottery and successfully purchased his Nintendo Switch 2.

"Obtaining the latest Nintendo console was no different for me than for anyone else—I participated in the My Nintendo Store lottery and was lucky enough to win a chance to buy the hardware," Sakurai explained.

His candid acknowledgment underscores Nintendo's commitment to impartiality, even for its top talent responsible for major first-party titles on the Nintendo Switch platform. Nintendo’s decision to utilize a lottery system in Japan reflects the overwhelming anticipation for the new system and aims to minimize scalping and aftermarket price hikes.

The global gaming community awaits the official release date on June 5, 2025, when the Nintendo Switch 2 will become available in regions worldwide.

As of reporting, only verified customers chosen through the lottery are able to pre-purchase consoles in Japan, with details on broader retail availability to be announced by Nintendo. Masahiro Sakurai’s involvement with Nintendo spans over three decades, including his roles as the creator and director of both the Super Smash Bros.

and Kirby series.

While no current projects have been formally announced by Sakurai for the Nintendo Switch 2, his endorsement and participation in the hardware launch serve as a testament to both his ongoing engagement with Nintendo platforms and the company’s fair retail strategies. With the highly anticipated June launch, both the gaming industry and Nintendo fans are closely monitoring developments for the Nintendo Switch 2.

The use of a lottery system, involving luminaries such as Sakurai, sets an industry standard for equitable product launches and exemplifies Nintendo’s ongoing dedication to its user community.

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