For Nintendo enthusiasts in Japan, April 24, 2025, marks a significant day 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 temporary shutdown of the My Nintendo Store website 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 opened applications for the Switch 2 pre-order lottery in Japan. Successful applicants would have the opportunity to purchase the coveted console from the My Nintendo Store, with delivery scheduled for the launch date of June 5.
In a message from Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa, it was revealed that approximately 2.2 million people entered the first Switch 2 presale lottery, surpassing the company's expectations and leaving many hopeful fans disappointed.
As the results of the first Switch 2 presale lottery were released today, the surge in traffic overwhelmed the My Nintendo Store, forcing Nintendo to take the site offline for maintenance. Scammers capitalized on the excitement, sending out fraudulent lottery results.
On social media platforms like X, Japanese-speaking users alerted others by sharing screenshots of these deceptive emails, highlighting various versions of the scam. The subject lines, such as “You have won the Switch 2 lottery,” could easily mislead eager fans.
These phishing emails often prompt users to click on a LINE messenger app link or make immediate payments through suspicious URLs, urging immediate action to secure the new console. The scams vary from easily identifiable emoji-filled emails to more convincing ones with subtle errors, such as misspellings in email addresses and non-Japanese URLs.
In response, the official warning from the Japanese Nintendo Support account clarified: “Although we plan to send out the lottery result emails today (April 24), we have not sent them yet. Please be aware that any such emails that you have received up until now were not sent by Nintendo.”
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In the United States, Nintendo updated its website to inform those who registered their interest in purchasing a Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store that delivery by the June 5 release date could not be guaranteed. As a result, invitation emails might arrive after the Switch 2 launch, although Nintendo will confirm the shipping date upon purchase. The company suggested that pre-ordering from third-party retailers might increase the chances of obtaining a Switch 2 at launch, despite these options selling out rapidly after pre-orders began.
The challenges faced by fans trying to pre-order the Switch 2 on April 24, coupled with Nintendo's warning, indicate that securing the next-generation console will be difficult around its launch.
According to a FAQ on Nintendo’s website, the first batch of invitations for the My Nintendo Store in the U.S. will be sent starting May 8, 2025. Subsequent batches will follow periodically until purchasing is opened to everyone. These initial invitation emails will be sent on a first-come, first-served basis to “eligible registrants who meet the priority criteria.” Recipients 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 purchased any Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- You must have maintained any paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for at least 12 months.
- You must have opted in to share gameplay data and accumulated at least 50 hours of total gameplay.
