Nintendo Switch 2 Japan Launch: Scalper Policies, Pricing & Success

Nintendo Switch 2 Japan: Launch Success & Key Developments

Nintendo’s Switch 2 officially launched in Japan on June 5, 2025, causing overwhelming demand with approximately 2.2 million lottery applications for limited units, leading to major sellouts and long queues across the country. In response, Nintendo implemented scalper-prevention strategies in Japan—including cooperation with platforms like Mercari to block unauthorized console resellers and prioritize genuine buyers based on Nintendo Online membership and gameplay hours. A Japan-exclusive discounted Switch 2 edition (limited to Japanese-region accounts) also launched at ¥49,980 (~US $333), praised by industry observers as a smart, local-centric strategy.

Recent & Upcoming Game Releases in Japan

 

Donkey Kong Bananza – Switch 2 exclusive (Released July 17, 2025)

Nintendo’s Donkey Kong Bananza launched in Japan (and globally) on July 17, 2025. The studio’s first internally developed 3D Donkey Kong title since 2004, it features destructible environments, voxel-style gameplay, high production values, and has received universal acclaim—Famitsu gave it 38/40. It’s widely recognized as the Switch 2’s first major masterpiece.

Hunter × Hunter: Nen × Impact – Switch release (Japan & global)

A Hunter × Hunter fighting game by Bushiroad/Eighting released July 17, 2025 on Nintendo Switch in Japan. Offering 3-on-3 tag battles with rollback netcode, the game includes notable characters like Gon, Killua, and Hisoka, and supports both single-player and online multiplayer.

Anomaly Collapse – Switch port (Japan)

Originally released on PC in April 2024, Anomaly Collapse arrives on Switch July 17, 2025 in Japan. This sci-fi roguelite strategy game combines fluffy aesthetics with challenging, positional turn-based combat. Released to moderate reviews, it’s an indie favorite among roguelite fans.

Shadow Labyrinth – Multi-platform, including Switch (Japan)

From Bandai Namco’s Pac-Man revival, Shadow Labyrinth launched July 18, 2025, offering a dark metroidvania-styled action-adventure. Available on both Switch and Switch 2 in Japan, the game fuses old-school maze navigation with modern RPG mechanics.

Calamity Angels: Special Delivery – Switch (Japan)

This niche RPG from Compile Heart and Idea Factory released in Japan on June 26, 2025. Centered around a fantasy courier service in an imaginative region, it brings quirky delivery-based gameplay and charming visuals, exclusively in Japanese language at launch.

Why This Matters for Japanese Gift Card Users

• All the above titles are released or confirmed in Japan, making them directly accessible using Japanese-region Nintendo Switch gift cards.
• With many recent releases arriving mid-July—especially Donkey Kong Bananza and Hunter × Hunter—fans with Japan accounts can jump in immediately.
• Nintendo continues to support Japanese-region users with region-locked Switch 2 editions and exclusive offers, making Japanese gift cards the best choice for accessing these local releases.

 

 

Release Timeline (Japan)

Game Title	Platform	Japan Release Date
Donkey Kong Bananza	Switch 2	July 17, 2025
Hunter × Hunter: Nen × Impact	Nintendo Switch	July 17, 2025
Anomaly Collapse	Nintendo Switch	July 17, 2025
Shadow Labyrinth	Switch & Switch 2	July 18, 2025
Calamity Angels: Special Delivery	Nintendo Switch	June 26, 2025