It's the big day! This Friday, the Nintendo Switch 2 is released in France! But faced with unprecedented demand, the new console from Big N could experience a shortage as soon as it officially launches. Will there be enough for everyone? Not sure...
A highly anticipated console… and already under pressure
Announced with great fanfare during the worldwide presentation on April 2nd, the Nintendo Switch 2 immediately generated excitement. In Japan, more than 2 million pre-registrations were recorded in a few days, according to the Japanese economic site Nikkei AsiaIn France, the situation seemed under control so far. But major retailers and specialist retailers have confirmed off-the-record that not all pre-orders can be fulfilled.
Nintendo, however, claims to have anticipated the strong demand. According to an executive from a French distributor interviewed by Digital, "France is one of the three European countries with the highest volume, along with Germany and the United Kingdom"The French market, strategic for Nintendo, saw the first Switch sold at more than 8 million units, according GfK France.
But according to several sources, everything changed after the April 2 presentation. "The pre-order curve skyrocketed between May 15 and the end of the month. The announcement of the Mario Kart World bundle accelerated things.", confirms a buyer for a major retailer.
A price war… and scalpers
Another aggravating factor: the proliferation of highly aggressive promotional offers. Platforms like CDiscount ou Auchan display prices up to 420 Euros, well below the recommended price of 469,99 EurosA strategy that aims to attract buyers, but which also fuels a parallel market, notably via scalpers, these opportunistic resellers who buy in bulk to resell at a high price.
Nintendo had, however, implemented protections on its official website, limiting it to one copy per household and requiring identity verification. This was not enough: the website My Nintendo Store France is no longer accepting any new pre-orders.
A localized shortage and night openings
According to several sources, the stock effort focused on the big cities as Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux, while rural or medium-sized areas are much less well provided for. "We have planned stocks for midnight openings in around thirty stores in France, notably at Fnac and Micromania.", confirmed a logistics manager at Fnac-DartyBut even these initiatives do not guarantee anything. “The Switch 2 will be on shelves, but you’ll have to be among the first to get it when it opens.”, warns a Fnac department manager.
Nintendo faces very strong demand
Nintendo aims high: according to its latest quarterly financial report, the company plans to sell 15 million units worldwide by March 2026.
But in the immediate future, the objective is significant: to satisfy very strong demand. “If you haven't received a shipping or pickup confirmation email yet, be careful.”, confides a source in a large brand. "Hundreds of orders could be cancelled in the next few hours." To be continued…
