Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has recently addressed the overwhelming demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 during the Q&A segment of the 85th annual general meeting of shareholders. Furukawa stated that demand for the console has significantly outstripped supply in numerous countries, leading to challenges for consumers hoping to secure their own units. He expressed sincere apologies for the inconvenience this situation has caused.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has seen an extraordinary level of interest, particularly in Japan. In early April, the company initiated a process where potential buyers could apply for the console through random drawings on the My Nintendo Store, Nintendo’s official online platform. The response was overwhelming, with applications far exceeding the company’s expectations.
Furukawa noted that by April 23, he had posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) revealing that over 2.2 million applications had been submitted. Unfortunately, this means that a large number of applicants would not be selected in the initial rounds, prompting Furukawa to apologize for the inability to meet everyone’s expectations.
To address the high demand, Nintendo has since conducted four rounds of drawings through the My Nintendo Store, with some applicants still waiting for selection. In response to consumer concerns, the company recently announced plans for a fifth drawing scheduled for early July. This illustrates Nintendo's ongoing commitment to ensuring that as many customers as possible have access to the coveted Nintendo Switch 2.
Additionally, Furukawa acknowledged that many retailers initially chose to sell the console through a drawing system as well. However, he noted that since last weekend, the number of stores providing direct purchase options for customers has gradually increased, further enhancing availability.
As part of their strategy to meet consumer demand, Nintendo is actively working to strengthen its production and supply systems. The Nintendo Switch 2 was officially released on June 5 and achieved remarkable sales, moving over 3.5 million units worldwide in just the first four days. This remarkable figure marks the highest launch sales for any Nintendo hardware in its initial days on the market and is recognized as the largest hardware launch in video game history, according to VGChartz estimates.
For context, this launch significantly surpasses that of the original Nintendo Switch, which sold approximately 1.4 million units in its debut week, as per VGChartz data. The impressive sales figures for the Nintendo Switch 2 underscore both the excitement surrounding the console and the challenges posed by its overwhelming popularity.
William D'Angelo, the author of this article, has been a passionate gamer since 2007 and has contributed extensively to VGChartz since joining as a junior analyst in 2010. His expertise in the gaming industry has grown over the years, and he continues to engage with the community through his YouTube and Twitch channels. Follow him on Bluesky for more updates and insights.
