All eyes in the gaming industry are on the Nintendo Switch 2, and a recent statement from Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa reveals the company is having a hard time keeping up with demand. Even with a pre-order lottery through My Nintendo, there will be many who aren't able to receive a Switch 2 on launch day in Japan. The lottery was intended to ease the issues with pre-ordering a Switch 2 for those who are longtime customers with Nintendo Switch Online s.

Furukawa took to Nintendo's Twitter (via VGC) to let the public know that an astonishing 2.2 million people signed up for the My Nintendo lottery in Japan alone, so there will not be enough Switch 2 units to meet demand in the country on release day. Of the 2.2 million applicants to the lottery, Furukawa wrote, "this number far exceeds our expectations, and far exceeds the number of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles that can be delivered from the My Nintendo Store on June 5th." Furukawa also directs those not chosen for the My Nintendo lottery to check retailers' Switch 2 stock.

Nintendo Details Switch 2 Lottery In Japan

A Second Lottery Is Planned

Nintendo's Switch 2 lottery was likely intended in part to mitigate issues with scalpers, giving longtime Nintendo customers a better chance at claiming a new console at launch. However, with 2.2 million applicants just in Japan, "a significant number of customers will not be selected" when the lottery results are announced tomorrow, April 24. Luckily for those not selected, a second My Nintendo lottery is now being planned in Japan, and the "My Nintendo Store will automatically carry over those who were not selected in the first lottery."

In response to the unexpected demand, Nintendo is increasing production of the console. Despite some controversy surrounding the price of the Switch 2, Nintendo plans "to continue producing and shipping a considerable number of Nintendo Switch 2 units in the future." The original Switch is among the best-selling home consoles of all time, trailing only the PlayStation 2, so Nintendo was likely expecting huge pre-order numbers, but clearly not this many.

With U.S. Preorders Looming, Will Nintendo Have The Same Issue There?

Supply Is Likely Limited

Nintendo has not divulged the number of United States residents who have opted into the My Nintendo lottery, but a limited supply of Switch 2 consoles is practically guaranteed. A key difference is that the My Nintendo lottery in the U.S. is taking place well after retail pre-orders begin. Most retailers begin their Switch 2 pre-orders at 12:00am EDT on April 24, but the lottery will not inform registrants if they've been chosen until May 8, two weeks later. Retail pre-orders are expected to be assailed by scalpers, which could make it difficult for consumers.

Whether the My Nintendo lottery will be affected in the same way remains to be seen, though it's certainly likely. This saga at least shows Nintendo is willing to schedule a second lottery, so if the demand in the U.S. is similarly overwhelming, there could be a similar statement issued closer to May 8. The lottery favoring those with longstanding Nintendo Switch Online s will help mitigate scalpers, but demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 is likely just as high, if not higher, considering the U.S. population is nearly three times that of Japan.

Source: Nintendo/Twitter (via VGC)