Nintendo has officially announced the results of the first lottery sale for its highly anticipated next-generation console, the Nintendo Switch 2, on April 24, 2025. The new console is set to launch in Japan on June 5, 2025, with a price tag of 49,980 yen for the Japanese/domestic version. For those looking to bundle their gaming experience, the "Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Set" will be available for 53,980 yen, while a multilingual version will retail for 69,980 yen.
As excitement builds around the Switch 2, Amazon began accepting invitation sales for the Japanese/domestic version the same day. This version is priced at 49,980 yen, with the Mario Kart bundle slightly higher at 53,980 yen. Additionally, gamers can opt for a Samsung microSD Express Card set priced at 56,959 yen, or a SanDisk equivalent for 60,960 yen. Customers who request an invitation will have their request valid for three months, with invitation emails sent based on stock availability. However, the links provided in these emails will expire within 48 hours.
The Nintendo Switch 2 was first detailed on April 2, 2025, revealing not only its release date but also the overwhelming interest from fans, with approximately 2.2 million applications submitted for the initial lottery at My Nintendo Store. Nintendo has responded to this surge in demand by ramping up its production capabilities. According to reports, the second lottery application period will commence on April 28, 2025, with results expected to be announced on or after May 23, 2025.
Starting April 24, various electronics retailers across Japan began their own lottery sales for the Switch 2. These retailers implemented strict application conditions to combat reselling, which had plagued the release of the original Switch model in 2017. For instance, Bic Camera requires potential applicants to have a purchase history of at least 50,000 yen over the last two years at their stores or online. Similarly, Yamada Denki has limited applications to customers who have made purchases within the past year.
Joshin Electric has taken a unique approach by sending lottery invitations to the top two tiers of its five-tier membership system, which requires cumulative purchases of at least 150,000 yen and at least five purchase days in the last year. For those in the top three ranks, they can participate in a lottery through the membership app, provided they have accumulated at least 80,000 yen in purchases.
In a bid to ensure that genuine customers have access to the new console, used goods retailer Geo has also set conditions requiring customers to present identification and a membership card at the time of purchase. This is aimed at filtering the lottery participants to those who regularly shop for gaming purposes.
Notably, the official online shopping site, which began accepting lottery applications on April 4, has set its own conditions, including a requirement of 50 hours or more of gameplay on the current Switch model and a subscription of one year or more to the Nintendo Switch Online service.
The measures being implemented by Nintendo and various retailers highlight a concerted effort to protect consumers from the issues that arose during the previous console's launch, where many products were reportedly purchased for resale, leaving regular customers without access at standard prices. Reports indicated that at peak times, as much as half of the purchases were believed to be for resale.
As the launch date approaches, Nintendo is also generating buzz around the titles that will accompany the Switch 2's release. Among the most exciting is the latest installment in the Mario Kart series, titled "Mario Kart World," which promises a unique racing experience where all stages seamlessly connect, allowing for continuous racing. This edition will support a record 24 players in simultaneous competition, promising chaotic and thrilling gameplay.
Another highly anticipated title is "Kirby’s Air Rider," marking the return of the beloved franchise after 22 years since its last installment. Directed by Masahiro Sakurai, the game is expected to feature simple controls while leveraging Kirby's copy abilities for exhilarating racing experiences, set to release later in 2025.
Additionally, fans of the Zelda franchise can look forward to "Zelda Musou: Sealing War Chronicles," which aims to build upon the storyline established in "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom." This game will transport players back to the ancient sealing war in Hyrule, where they will join Princess Zelda and other heroes in epic battles against monstrous foes, slated for a winter 2025 release.
With the Nintendo Switch 2 generating significant interest and excitement among gamers, the company appears to be taking all the right steps to ensure that loyal customers can secure their consoles while simultaneously combating the resale market. As the second lottery approaches, many are hopeful that they will finally get their hands on the new device and experience the next generation of gaming.
