Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date Set for June 2025, China Launch Excluded Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

Nintendo Sets Global Switch 2 Launch for June 2025, China Excluded Due to Stringent Regulations Nintendo has officially confirmed that its highly anticipated next-generation console, the Nintendo Switch 2, will launch across most major territories on June 5, 2025.

However, the Japanese gaming giant has made the strategic decision to delay the release of the Switch 2 in mainland China, highlighting current challenges within the region. This move aligns with industry expectations given China’s increasingly strict regulations on video games and the need for foreign hardware to comply with the country's unique approval processes.

According to a report by Nikkei, relayed by Video Games Chronicle (VGC), Nintendo is opting for a wait-and-see approach concerning the Chinese market, carefully monitoring domestic demand and the evolving regulatory landscape before committing to a formal Switch 2 rollout. Nintendo currently partners with Tencent, one of China’s leading tech conglomerates, for the distribution and support of the existing Nintendo Switch hardware in the region.

When approached for comment by Nikkei, Tencent declined to confirm whether it will participate in the distribution of the upcoming Switch 2 console.

This uncertainty further underscores the complexity of bringing new gaming hardware to China, where government oversight and market-specific obstacles can routinely delay or prohibit international launches. Adding to the challenge, Nintendo announced plans to wind down its Switch Online services in China.

The phased closure will begin with suspending new eShop purchases on March 31, 2026, followed by a full service shutdown later that same year.

Current Nintendo Switch owners in China are being offered a gesture of goodwill: access to up to four complimentary first-party games via the eShop before the closure.

Available titles include fan-favorites such as Super Mario Odyssey, Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!, New Super Mario Bros.

U Deluxe, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Nintendo’s measured approach reflects not only the significant barriers to console sales in China, such as regulatory approval and the dominance of mobile gaming, but also the company’s commitment to comply with local laws while serving its existing community.

Despite the global popularity of Nintendo platforms, including the original Switch—which has achieved over 125 million units sold worldwide as of early 2024—China remains a challenging frontier for traditional game consoles. For industry observers, these developments highlight the broader complexities videogame companies face when expanding into highly regulated markets.

As the June 5th, 2025 launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 draws closer, Nintendo’s decisions in China will remain under close scrutiny by gamers, analysts, and stakeholders alike. For ongoing coverage of Nintendo Switch 2 news, game releases, and regional market updates, stay tuned to leading industry sources.

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