"Switch 2 Chaos: My Nintendo Store Crashes, Scammers Exploit Pre-Order Lottery Desperation in Japan"

For Nintendo enthusiasts in Japan, April 24, 2025, marks a significant day as Nintendo announces the winners of the Switch 2 pre-order lottery via the My Nintendo Store. However, due to overwhelming traffic, the My Nintendo Store website had to be temporarily shut down for maintenance. Additionally, Nintendo issued a crucial warning about phishing emails that falsely claim to be official Switch 2 pre-order lottery results.

The application period for the Switch 2 pre-order lottery in Japan opened on April 2, with winners gaining the opportunity to purchase the console directly from the My Nintendo Store, scheduled for delivery on the launch date of June 5.

In a message from Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa released the day before, it was revealed that approximately 2.2 million people in Japan participated in the first Switch 2 presale lottery. This staggering number of applicants far surpassed Nintendo's expectations, leaving many hopeful fans disappointed.

As the results of the first Switch 2 presale lottery were set to be announced today, the high demand caused the My Nintendo Store site to crash, prompting Nintendo to take the site offline for necessary maintenance. This situation was exploited by scammers who began circulating fake lottery results.

Users on social media platforms like X have been proactive, sharing screenshots of fraudulent emails and alerting others to various forms of the scam. The deceptive emails often feature subject lines such as "You have won the Switch 2 lottery," which could easily mislead eager fans. These phishing attempts vary, ranging from obvious fakes laden with emojis to more convincing ones that include minor errors like misspelled 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 U.S., Nintendo's website updated its information on release-day delivery, cautioning those who registered their interest in purchasing a Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store that delivery on the June 5 release date could not be guaranteed. As a result, invitation emails might arrive after the Switch 2 launch. However, Nintendo assured customers that they would confirm the shipping date upon purchase. Amidst the pre-order frenzy, Nintendo suggested that fans might have a better chance of securing a Switch 2 at launch by pre-ordering from third-party retailers, though these options have already sold out following the overnight pre-order launch.

The challenges faced by fans trying to pre-order the Switch 2 on April 24, combined with Nintendo's warning, indicate that obtaining the next-generation console will be difficult at least around its launch period.

According to a FAQ posted to Nintendo’s website, the initial batch of invitations for the My Nintendo Store in the U.S. will begin on May 8, 2025, with additional batches sent out "periodically" until the store opens to all. The initial invitations will be sent on a first-come, first-serve basis to "eligible registrants who meet the priority criteria." Those invited will have 72 hours from the time of the email to complete their purchase.

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order invitation priority requirements:

• You must have 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.