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.
[This Gen Gaming via NeoGAF]