For Nintendo fans in Japan, April 24, 2025, marks a significant date, as Nintendo is set to announce the winners of the Switch 2 pre-order lottery through the My Nintendo Store. However, the overwhelming demand led to the website being temporarily shut down for maintenance due to excessive traffic. Additionally, Nintendo issued a crucial warning about phishing emails that mimic official Switch 2 pre-order lottery results.

On April 2, Nintendo began accepting applications for the Switch 2 pre-order lottery in Japan. Those selected in the lottery would have the opportunity to purchase a Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store, with delivery scheduled for the launch date on June 5.

According to a message from Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa, approximately 2.2 million people in Japan participated in the first Switch 2 presale lottery. This unprecedented demand far exceeded Nintendo's expectations, leaving many hopeful fans disappointed.

Japanese-speaking users on X have been proactive in warning others, sharing screenshots of fraudulent emails and highlighting various forms of the scam. At first glance, the subject line "You have won the Switch 2 lottery" could easily excite many Nintendo fans.

These deceptive emails often prompt users to click on a LINE messenger app link or pay money through a suspicious URL, urging immediate action to secure the new console. The phishing attempts vary from obvious fakes filled with emojis to more sophisticated versions with minor errors like misspellings of "Nintendo" in email addresses and non-Japanese URLs.

The official warning from the Japanese Nintendo Support account clearly states: "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."

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

View 91 ImagesIn the U.S., Nintendo updated its website to inform those who registered interest in purchasing a Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store that delivery on the June 5 release date cannot be guaranteed. This means invitation emails might arrive after the Switch 2 launch. However, Nintendo assures customers that they will confirm the shipping date upon purchase. Nintendo also suggested that pre-ordering from third-party retailers might offer a better chance of securing a Switch 2 at launch, despite these options selling out quickly after pre-orders opened.

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

According to an FAQ posted on Nintendo’s website, the first batch of invitations for the My Nintendo Store in the U.S. will begin on May 8, 2025. Subsequent batches of invitation emails will be sent out "periodically" until the purchasing process is opened to everyone.

Initial invitation emails 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 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 have accumulated at least 50 hours of total gameplay.