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

For Nintendo enthusiasts in Japan, April 24, 2025, marks a significant day as Nintendo plans to announce the winners of the Switch 2 pre-order lottery through the My Nintendo Store. The excitement surrounding this announcement led to such high traffic that Nintendo had to temporarily shut down the My Nintendo Store website for maintenance. Amidst this frenzy, Nintendo also issued a crucial warning about phishing emails that are posing as official Switch 2 pre-order lottery results.

Nintendo began accepting applications for the Switch 2 pre-order lottery on April 2, offering winners the chance to buy the console directly 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 in Japan entered the lottery, surpassing the company's expectations and leaving many hopeful fans disappointed.

As the results of the first Switch 2 presale lottery were set to be released on April 24, eager fans flocked to the My Nintendo Store, causing the site to go offline for maintenance. This situation was exploited by scammers who sent out fake lottery result emails. Japanese-speaking users on social media platforms like X have been vigilant, sharing screenshots of these fraudulent emails and highlighting various scam tactics. These emails often feature subject lines like "You have won the Switch 2 lottery," which could easily deceive excited fans. The phishing emails typically urge recipients to click on a LINE messenger app link or make a payment through a dubious URL, often filled with emojis or containing subtle errors such as misspellings of "Nintendo" in email addresses and non-Japanese URLs.

The official warning from the Japanese Nintendo Support account clarified that, as of April 24, no lottery result emails had been sent out by Nintendo, and any such emails received prior to their official dispatch were fraudulent.

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In 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 by the June 5 release date could not be guaranteed. This means that invitation emails might arrive after the console's launch. However, Nintendo assured customers that they would confirm the shipping date upon 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, a recommendation that comes as pre-orders have already sold out overnight.

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-gen console will be difficult around its launch.

According to an FAQ on Nintendo's website, the first batch of invitations for the My Nintendo Store in the U.S. will be sent out starting May 8, 2025. Subsequent batches will be dispatched periodically until purchasing is opened to everyone. The initial invitation emails will be sent on a first-come, first-serve 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 total gameplay hours.