For Nintendo enthusiasts in Japan, April 24, 2025, marks an exciting yet challenging day. This is when Nintendo planned to announce the winners of the Switch 2 pre-order lottery via the My Nintendo Store. However, due to overwhelming traffic, the website had to be taken down for maintenance. In addition, Nintendo issued a crucial warning about phishing emails that falsely claim to be official Switch 2 pre-order lottery results.
The pre-order lottery for the Switch 2 began on April 2, with the promise that winners could secure their console for delivery on the launch date of June 5. In a message from Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa, it was revealed that approximately 2.2 million individuals in Japan participated in the first Switch 2 presale lottery. This level of demand far surpassed Nintendo's expectations, leaving many hopeful fans disappointed.
As the results of the first Switch 2 presale lottery were released on April 24, the rush to access Japan’s My Nintendo Store led to Nintendo taking the site offline for maintenance. This situation was quickly exploited by scammers who began distributing fake lottery results. Japanese-speaking users on social media platforms like X have been vigilant, sharing screenshots of fraudulent emails and highlighting various scams. These deceptive emails often feature subject lines proclaiming “You have won the Switch 2 lottery,” which can easily mislead eager fans.
The phishing emails typically urge recipients to click on a LINE messenger app link or make a payment via a suspicious URL, often emphasizing the need for immediate action to secure the coveted console. These scams range from obvious attempts filled with emojis to more sophisticated ones with subtle errors such as misspelled email addresses and non-Japanese URLs.
In response, the official warning from the Japanese Nintendo Support account clarified that no lottery result emails had been sent by Nintendo as of April 24, advising fans to be cautious of any emails received prior to this statement.
Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery
View 91 Images
In the U.S., Nintendo has updated its website to inform those who registered interest in purchasing a Switch 2 from My Nintendo Store that delivery by the June 5 release date cannot be guaranteed. This means that invitation emails for pre-orders may arrive after the console's launch. However, Nintendo assures that the shipping date will be confirmed upon purchase. Furthermore, Nintendo suggests that fans might have a better chance of securing a Switch 2 at launch by pre-ordering from third-party retailers, although these have already sold out following the overnight pre-order launch.
The challenges faced by fans on April 24, combined with Nintendo's warnings, indicate that obtaining a Switch 2 around its launch will be a difficult task.
According to a FAQ posted on Nintendo’s website, the first batch of invitations for the My Nintendo Store in the U.S. will start being sent out on May 8, 2025. Additional batches of invitation emails will follow "periodically" until pre-orders are opened to everyone. Initial invitations will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to "eligible registrants who meet the priority criteria." Those invited will have 72 hours from the time the email is sent to complete their purchase.
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order invitation priority requirements:
- You must have been the one who purchased any Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- You must have had any paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for a minimum of 12 months.
- You must have opted in to share gameplay data and have at least 50 hours total gameplay hours.
