Nintendo has extended the maintenance of its My Nintendo Store, which was initially scheduled to conclude at 12:00 PM on April 4, 2025, until approximately 5:00 PM on the same day. This announcement comes as the company prepares to launch pre-orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, which began in the evening of April 4, 2025.
The maintenance, which began at 1:00 AM, was meant to last around 11 hours. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it has been prolonged, causing frustration among eager customers awaiting the opportunity to secure their Switch 2 units. Nintendo confirmed the new maintenance end time through an official post on their support platform, indicating that users should expect service to resume later in the day.
As the clock struck 5:00 PM, the My Nintendo Store was set to open its doors to pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2. However, many users reported significant access issues, with a surge in traffic leading to frequent errors during the application process. As one frustrated journalist recounted, "It has been over an hour since the start, and I still cannot apply!" This sentiment echoed across social media as users struggled to navigate the store’s website amid the chaos.
The application for the Switch 2 lottery comes with specific conditions. Applicants must have over 50 hours of playtime on Nintendo Switch games as of February 28, 2025, and must also have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership for at least one year at the time of application. These criteria aim to ensure that dedicated gamers have the first opportunity at securing the new console.
In addition to the standard model of the Nintendo Switch 2, two special editions will be available: one featuring a Mario Kart World set and a multi-language version. Each applicant can select only one version during the lottery process, which is not first-come, first-served, allowing users to apply without the pressure of immediate access.
Despite the excitement surrounding the pre-orders, the application process has been riddled with challenges. Users attempting to add items to their carts frequently encountered the message "An unexpected error has occurred." This led to a cycle of frustration as they were forced to restart the process repeatedly, often losing their selections in the cart.
Many have expressed their concerns over the complex application conditions, questioning whether these requirements might hinder casual gamers from participating in the lottery. Some users have reported that even after confirming they meet the criteria, they faced issues when attempting to submit their applications. As one user noted, "I tried several times, but the server is congested. It keeps saying, 'The judgment could not be loaded.'"
In light of these challenges, Nintendo has reassured customers that the order of application does not influence the odds of winning the lottery. Therefore, taking time to apply later may be a more prudent approach, especially as the application deadline is set for April 16, 2025. Nintendo also plans to continue lottery sales in the future, providing additional opportunities for those who may miss out this time.
In addition to the lottery at the My Nintendo Store, general retail outlets will begin accepting pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 starting April 24, 2025. However, these will only be available for the Japanese language, domestic-use model, while the multi-language version will remain exclusive to the My Nintendo Store.
As the gaming community eagerly anticipates the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, many are weighing their options between the domestic-only and the multi-language versions. The domestic model is priced at 49,980 yen, while the Mario Kart World set is available for 53,980 yen, and the multi-language version is priced at 69,980 yen. Users must consider their preferences for language settings and whether they plan to use the console outside of Japan.
In conclusion, the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 has generated considerable excitement, but the accompanying technical issues have led to a challenging experience for many customers. As Nintendo works to resolve these issues and streamline the application process, players are encouraged to remain patient and explore their options for securing the next generation of gaming.
