Published on: April 23, 2025
Pre-orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 have surged to unprecedented levels in France and across Europe, according to leading French electronics retailer Fnac.
Following the official reveal during the Nintendo Direct event on April 2, 2025, fans have raced to secure their place for the Switch 2’s launch on June 5, 2025.
Charlotte Massicault, Director of Multimedia and Gaming at Fnac, shared insights with French technology publication Frandroid about the exceptional demand.
As Massicault explained, the volume of pre-orders during the first weekend was overwhelming, with Fnac reaching a historic milestone for console bookings.
This surge was partly attributed to Fnac’s decision to open pre-orders early, immediately following the Nintendo Direct broadcast—well ahead of other retailers.
This strategy allowed eager Nintendo enthusiasts to reserve their Nintendo Switch 2 before widespread availability elsewhere.
The interest hasn’t stopped at the console alone.
Accessories for the Nintendo Switch 2, particularly the new GameChat Camera, have also exceeded sales expectations.
Massicault noted that the rapid sell-through of such add-ons even took the retailer by surprise, highlighting the strong consumer excitement for the expanded hardware ecosystem.
Regarding consumer spending, Massicault clarified that pricing has not acted as a barrier, as the Nintendo Switch 2 is positioned to appeal to a broader audience than the original Switch, which was heavily marketed toward families.
The Mario Kart World Switch 2 bundle has emerged as the most sought-after package among pre-order customers, reflecting ongoing enthusiasm for Nintendo’s flagship franchises.
While game pre-orders have seen steady activity, Massicault anticipates a sharp increase in demand as launch day approaches.
On the supply side, both Fnac and Nintendo remain confident about being able to meet pre-order volume.
Massicault emphasized that the retailer will only accept further reservations if it can guarantee day-one availability, although she cautioned that limited challenges could occur in the initial weeks after launch.
With North American Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders set to go live soon via the Nintendo eShop and participating retailers, all eyes are on whether this historic French demand will be echoed in global markets.
As anticipation grows for the next generation of Nintendo hardware, the record-breaking response at Fnac positions the Nintendo Switch 2 for a robust debut in June 2025.
Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Direct Switch 2 Switch France Fnac