Nintendo opened pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch system at retail in Japan on January 21, and within minutes, retailers had to stop accepting orders- the Switch was sold out already. As of right now, the Switch is being reported as being sold out at all major Japanese retailers- Yodobashi, BIC Camera, Sofmap, and more.
Equally importantly, the Switch pre-order rush brought back something we had not seen for years now- the phenomenon of Japanese gaming enthusiasts lining up for the latest hardware or software release. In the last few years, the dedicated Japanese gaming market has contracted to the point that no new release feels like an even in the country- even something like Final Fantasy underperformed there. Seeing this kind of enthusiasm for the Switch in Japan is heartening to see, and reinforces the notion that the Switch may be the salvation for the Japanese gaming industry.
The Nintendo Switch is due to launch on March 3 worldwide.
本日から予約開始の「ニンテンドースイッチ」ヨドバシAkiba、通路に約80人待機。深夜は列とかなかったけど、先頭の人たちはたぶん徹夜 pic.twitter.com/lym1JgmfnX
— ﾂﾙﾐﾛﾎﾞ (@kaztsu) January 20, 2017
ヨドバシAkiba、本日より予約開始の「ニンテンドースイッチ」徹夜もあり、予約のため店内入店案内がはじまったあさ8:30頃には約350人が長い列をつくっていた pic.twitter.com/giqO1jCkDU
— ﾂﾙﾐﾛﾎﾞ (@kaztsu) January 20, 2017
[This Gen Gaming via NeoGAF]
