Nintendo has officially kicked off the lottery sales for its highly anticipated next-generation console, the "Nintendo Switch 2," starting on April 4, 2025. This marks a significant moment for gaming enthusiasts eager to get their hands on the latest innovation from the gaming giant.
As part of the launch, Nintendo has also announced that the sales of dedicated peripherals for the Nintendo Switch 2 at the My Nintendo Store will be limited exclusively to those who win the console lottery. This means that only lucky lottery winners will have access to purchase a selection of 15 specially designed accessories.
The list of eligible accessories includes:
- Nintendo Switch 2 Camera: 5,980 yen
- Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case (with screen protector): 2,980 yen
- Nintendo Switch 2 All-in-box: 9,980 yen
- Joy-Con 2 (L) Light Blue: 5,480 yen
- Joy-Con 2 (R) Light Red: 5,480 yen
- Joy-Con 2 (L) Light Blue / (R) Light Red: 9,980 yen
- Joy-Con 2 Strap Light Blue / Light Red: 1,980 yen
- Joy-Con 2 Handle 2-piece set: 2,480 yen
- Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip: 3,980 yen
- Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller: 9,980 yen
- Nintendo GameCube Controller: 7,980 yen
- Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set: 14,980 yen
- Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter: 3,980 yen
- SanDisk microSD Express Card 256GB for Nintendo Switch 2: 6,980 yen
- Samsung microSD Express Card 256GB for Nintendo Switch 2: 6,980 yen
While these accessories will be available at the My Nintendo Store, they are also expected to be sold at various retailers across Japan.
According to Nintendo, the first lottery sale for the Nintendo Switch 2 at the My Nintendo Store began around 4:30 PM on April 4, 2025. Interested customers can submit their applications until April 16, 2025, at 11:00 AM. The winners will be announced on April 24, 2025, and later.
Initially, the My Nintendo Store website experienced some instability due to high traffic, but this issue has largely been resolved. It's been clarified that the order of application does not impact the chances of winning, allowing hopeful buyers to apply without the pressure of being first in line.
Nintendo has also confirmed that they will continue to hold lottery sales for the Nintendo Switch 2 at the My Nintendo Store even after the first round concludes. While specific dates for future lottery sales have yet to be announced, there remains ample time before the console's official release on June 5, 2025.
To qualify for the lottery, applicants must meet several conditions. They need to have a Nintendo account set to Japan and must have played Nintendo Switch games for at least 50 hours as of February 28, 2025. Additionally, applicants must have a cumulative membership period of one year or more with Nintendo Switch Online at the time of application.
These requirements aim to prevent resellers from monopolizing stock and ensure that genuine gamers have the opportunity to purchase the console. In cases of family accounts, only the parent account that purchased the membership will have its playtime counted, which means that children’s playtime will not be considered unless the parent account is actively managing it.
The Nintendo Switch 2 lineup includes three types of consoles:
- Nintendo Switch 2 (Japanese / Domestic) for 49,980 yen
- Nintendo Switch 2 (Japanese / Domestic) Mario Kart World Set for 53,980 yen
- Nintendo Switch 2 (Multilingual) for 69,980 yen
Applicants can choose only one type to apply for. Once the application is submitted, no changes can be made during the application period.
As for retail availability, general retailers are expected to begin accepting reservations and lottery applications gradually after April 24, 2025. However, these stores will only offer the Japanese/Domestic model, while the multilingual version will remain exclusive to the My Nintendo Store.
For those in Japan, the domestic model may be the most practical choice, especially for players who intend to use Japanese as their primary language. However, the multilingual version is ideal for gamers who prefer to play with different language settings or those using accounts from outside Japan.
Ultimately, the Nintendo Switch 2 represents a significant leap forward in gaming technology, and the excitement surrounding its launch is palpable. As the application period for the lottery continues, fans are eagerly awaiting the chance to secure their console and explore the new features that Nintendo has promised.
With the Nintendo Switch 2 set to release in just a couple of months, gamers are hopeful that this new console will deliver the innovative gameplay and experiences that Nintendo is known for. As always, the gaming community keeps its fingers crossed for a smooth launch and a successful rollout of the much-anticipated accessories.
