Key Takeaways
1. High demand for the Switch 2 has led to over 2.2 million pre-orders in Japan, exceeding expectations.
2. Nintendo’s president apologized for not meeting demand and acknowledged the supply shortage.
3. Customers who missed the first lottery for pre-orders will be considered for a second round.
4. Nintendo is enhancing production methods to address the supply issues.
5. Pre-orders will also be available through various retailers and online shops after the launch.
Nintendo has released a new product that’s causing quite a stir, but it’s not entirely positive news. The Switch 2, the successor to the hugely popular hybrid console, has generated so much excitement in Japan that the company is already apologizing for not being able to satisfy the demand.
High Demand for Switch 2
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, admitted that the interest in the Switch 2 has “far exceeded” what they expected. Japan alone has seen over 2.2 million pre-orders for the console, with many people entering a lottery just to secure a spot for a pre-order through the My Nintendo Store. Furukawa mentioned that this number is much higher than what the company can supply by the launch date of June 5.
Nintendo’s Apology
Furukawa expressed regret, stating, “We deeply apologize for failing to meet your expectations despite our preparations.” The tone of the message was quite straightforward and unusually honest, which is actually refreshing for consumers. Instead of a vague response, Nintendo opted to clearly communicate the delay in shipments for the Switch 2, which many customers are likely to appreciate.
For those who did not get a pre-order in the first lottery, they will automatically be considered for a second round. However, Furukawa cautioned that even then, the supply may still fall short. The company is working on enhancing its production methods and will also begin accepting pre-orders and lottery entries for the Switch 2 from various game retailers and online shops across the country. The console will remain available through the My Nintendo Store after its launch.
Managing Expectations
It appears that only those fortunate enough to be chosen in the first lottery will be able to get their hands on the Switch 2 early. Nintendo seems to be attempting to deal with the repercussions of a demand issue that it has created itself. However, it will undoubtedly take some time to resolve this situation.
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