Things are heating up in Japan over the Nintendo Switch 2, as top retailers will only sell the console to their most loyal, highest-spending customers. With demand surging, the biggest stores in the country are imposing strict limitations.

Excitement surrounding the Switch 2 is at a fever pitch, with millions of fans counting down the days until they can get their hands on Nintendo’s new hybrid console. With just over a month to go, players are eager to dive into improved hardware and exclusive titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. Although pre-orders have been open for a few weeks, some regions—especially Japan—have already hit a wall.

Japan Puts Restrictions on Who Can Buy the Switch 2

Japan is one of the markets most hungry for the Switch 2, and even Nintendo was stunned when they received more than 2.2 million pre-order applications. That means thousands of people will inevitably be left without a console. But things are even worse in physical stores, where major retailers are introducing tough new rules to deal with overwhelming demand.

After the My Nintendo Store crashed under the weight of reservations, large Japanese chains rolled out a new set of criteria that customers must meet to be eligible for purchase. According to IGN, electronics giant Bic Camera now only allows customers who’ve spent at least 30,000 yen (roughly $180) in the last two years to qualify. The goal is to reward loyal shoppers and limit scalping and resellers.

Meanwhile, retailer Joshin has gone even further. Pre-orders there are restricted to Platinum members of its Smile program, which requires purchases exceeding 150,000 yen (around €900). Adding to the complexity, Nintendo plans to release two versions of the Switch 2 in Japan—one of which will be significantly cheaper. Despite being region-locked and supporting only Japanese language, a staggering 97% of surveyed players still prefer the more affordable model.

Source: 3djuegos