Report: Nintendo is delaying the Switch 2 in China
By Consumers in China will seemingly be required to assist in securing the Switch 2.
According to a report from Nikkei, Nintendo is postponing pre-orders indefinitely in the region to gauge demand levels within the notoriously difficult-to-navigate (and highly regulated) market.
This may suggest that the Switch 2 might not launch in China on June 5, 2025—as anticipated for Japan, Europe, and other territories.
Unlike the pre-launch delays experienced in Canada and the United States, where pre-orders have been postponed while Nintendo navigates tariffs enacted by former U.S. President Donald Trump, the latest complication reportedly stems from government regulations in China.
Nikkei (via a Resetera translation) reports that sales of the Nintendo Switch, which debuted in China in 2019, have been tepid due to government regulations that restrict the number of games available. This situation has apparently prompted Nintendo to take a more cautious approach with the Switch 2.
It also mentions that the popularity of mobile games in the region is another factor causing Nintendo to reconsider—consumers in China are reportedly less inclined to invest in a gaming console.
According to Chinese firm Gamma Info, the Chinese market was appraised at 325.8 billion yuan ($44.4 billion) in 2024.
“The obstacles to success in China remain significant,” Gamma Info chief analyst Wang Xu stated to Nikkei. “They must enhance the user experience while adhering to government regulations, and there is also the question of whether they can successfully introduce major global software.”
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In China, Tencent has been the principal distributor for the Switch and its software. The company chose not to comment on the matter when approached by Nikkei.
Last year, Nintendo and Tencent announced that the Switch eShop will be shutting down in China on May 15, 2026.
Game Developer has reached out to Nintendo for a statement.