The Popular Switch 2 Moves to "Invite-Only Sales" — Three Key Points for International Audiences

What's Happening Now? An Overview of the Latest Situation

In Japan, the demand for the Switch 2 console is extremely high, and an "invitation sale" limited to the My Nintendo Store will be conducted for users who missed out on the lottery sale. Applications are scheduled to be accepted in mid-September, with the first round targeting deliveries by "November 20," and up to the third round planned within the year (not all eligible users will be notified within the year/continuation expected after the new year). Invitations will be sent via email, the 'My Nintendo' app, and "Notifications for You." Joining Switch Online is not a requirement for application or purchase. My Nintendo Store

Meanwhile, in North America and Canada, direct sales have shifted to "no invitation required" from August 28 (purchase quantity restrictions apply). Various bundles and suggested retail prices (console $449.99, Mario Kart World bundle $499.99) are clearly indicated officially. Inventory status and bundles vary by region among retailers, and Amazon may use "invite requests" depending on the country and phase. Nintendo+1Tom's GuideThe Verge

Key Point 1: How Japan's "Invitation Sale" Works—Conditions, Order, Schedule

Eligibility Conditions (All Must Be Met)

• Applied for the 5th lottery sale and met the application conditions

• Never won in previous Switch 2 lotteries

• No Switch 2 linkage history in the Nintendo account at the time of extraction
  *Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required (not mandatory for application, extraction, or purchase) My Nintendo Store

Order of Notification (Priority Criteria)

• People with a cumulative Nintendo Switch Online membership of "6 years or more" will receive an invitation for "delivery within the year"

• For others, the order is determined based on a comprehensive evaluation of usage conditions such as (1) the number of "paid" software purchased, (2) total playtime of "paid" software, and (3) cumulative NSO membership period

• High numbers do not guarantee early invitations (comprehensive judgment) My Nintendo Store
  
  
  

Schedule

• Mid-September: Start of "Application Acceptance" for Invitation Sale (planned to be one-time acceptance)

• Early October: First Invitation Notification (for "delivery by 11/20")

• After October: Second and Third Invitations (for delivery within the year). Due to the large number of eligible people, it is unlikely that everyone will be notified within the year

• After the New Year: Continuation of the fourth and subsequent invitations planned My Nintendo Store
  
  
  

Notification Channels

• Email

• 'My Nintendo' App

• Nintendo Account "Notifications for You" My Nintendo Store

Key Point: Japan's "lottery→gradual invitations to non-winners" is a "congestion relief" model. The most important action you can take now is to apply at the start of the acceptance period and enable all notification channels. My Nintendo Store

Key Point 2: Overseas Moves Toward "No Invitation Required"—Differences in Sales Methods by Country and Retailer

North America and Canada (Official Direct Sales)
From August 28 onwards, My Nintendo Store direct sales no longer require an invitation. Although purchase restrictions apply, the basic operation is that if there is stock, it can be purchased immediately. Nintendo+1

Amazon's "Invite Request"
In the US, Amazon has deployed a system where you can request a purchase invitation on the official product page, allowing for invitation registration for both console-only and bundles. Since operations vary by country and inventory phase, note that there may be a discrepancy where **"direct sales do not require an invitation, but Amazon does"**. The Verge

Amazon Japan
Amazon Japan's product page clearly states "This product is for invitation sales." It explains that **"only those who have received an invitation email can order, and requests are not always accepted due to limited quantities."** Amazon.co.jp

Retail Inventory and "Broad Invitations"
In the UK and US, inventory is recovering at Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Currys, etc., while there are differences in Amazon's invitations and each company's bundle configurations. Even in the latest inventory live blogs, the trend is **"using invitations and stock notifications while being able to buy with regular restocks."** Tom's Guide

Key Point: There is a discrepancy in the "presence or absence of invitations" depending on the country and sales channel. Overseas residents can reduce missed opportunities by confirming the "no invitation required" status for official direct sales while also registering for invitations on Amazon, etc. NintendoThe Verge

Key Point 3: Practical Checklist for Foreign Users (Japan Edition)

1. Account and Sales Target Alignment

• Japan's invitation sale is conducted at the My Nintendo Store (Japan).Only accounts that have applied for the 5th lottery, not won, and have no Switch 2 linkage history are eligible. Check country/region settings and account history requirements. My Nintendo Store
  
  
  

2. Receiving Notifications

• Loosen spam filters and allow the "nintendo.co.jp" domain. Turn on notifications for the 'My Nintendo' app and regularly check the "Notifications for You" in the account. My Nintendo Store
  
  
  

3. Realities of Delivery and Receipt

• The first round targets "delivery by 11/20." It is unlikely that all eligible people will be invited within the year, so plan for continued invitations after the new year (consider address and avoiding long absences). My Nintendo Store
  
  
  

4. Understanding Models and Prices

• The standard console in Japan is 49,980 yen (including tax), and the Mario Kart World bundle is 53,980 yen (including tax).The "multilingual" model supporting 16 languages (69,980 yen) is exclusive to the My Nintendo Store. It is a strong option for foreign users who want to enjoy it in languages other than Japanese. My Nintendo Store
  
  
  

5. Beware of Price and Stock Gaps with Overseas

• North American reference prices: Console $449.99, Mario Kart World bundle $499.99.In the US and Canada, direct sales have moved to no invitation required, and it may be faster to purchase locally than through travel or forwarding. Nintendo+1
  
  
  

6. Also Use "Invite Requests" from Amazon, etc.##