For Nintendo enthusiasts in Japan, April 24, 2025, marks a significant date as Nintendo is set to announce the winners of the Switch 2 pre-order lottery via the official My Nintendo Store. However, the overwhelming demand led to the website being taken offline for maintenance due to excessive traffic. Additionally, Nintendo issued a crucial warning regarding phishing emails that falsely claim to be official Switch 2 pre-order lottery results.
On April 2, Nintendo began accepting entries for the Switch 2 pre-order lottery in Japan, offering winners the chance to secure the console for delivery on its launch date, June 5. According to Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa’s message from the previous day, approximately 2.2 million individuals entered the lottery, far surpassing Nintendo’s expectations and leaving many hopeful fans disappointed.
As the results of the first Switch 2 presale lottery were released today, the rush to access Japan’s My Nintendo Store overwhelmed the site, prompting Nintendo to take it offline for maintenance. This frenzy was exploited by scammers who circulated fake lottery results.
Users on X (formerly Twitter) in Japan have been actively sharing screenshots of fraudulent emails, helping to identify various scam attempts. These deceptive emails, with subject lines like “You have won the Switch 2 lottery,” initially appear legitimate and could easily mislead eager fans. The emails often include instructions to click on a LINE messenger app link or to make an immediate payment via a dubious URL, pressuring recipients to act quickly to secure their new console. The scams range from obvious fakes, filled with emojis, to more sophisticated versions with minor errors like misspelled email addresses and non-Japanese URLs.
The official warning from the Japanese Nintendo Support account clarifies that, as of April 24, no lottery result emails have been sent by Nintendo, and any received prior to this announcement are fraudulent.
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In the U.S., Nintendo's website updated its information, warning those who registered interest in purchasing a Switch 2 from My Nintendo Store that they cannot guarantee delivery by the June 5 release date. As a result, invitation emails might be sent out after the console's launch. However, Nintendo assures customers that they will confirm the shipping date at the time of purchase. The company also suggested that fans might have a better chance of securing a Switch 2 at launch by pre-ordering from third-party retailers, despite the console already being sold out following overnight pre-orders.
The challenges faced by fans attempting to pre-order the Switch 2 on April 24, coupled with Nintendo's warning, indicate that obtaining the next-gen console will be difficult at launch.
According to a FAQ posted on Nintendo’s website, the initial batch of invitations for the My Nintendo Store in the U.S. will begin on May 8, 2025. Subsequent batches will be sent out periodically until the store opens to all. The first invitations will be sent on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible registrants who meet specific priority criteria. Invitees 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 of total gameplay.
