Nintendo has implemented a playtime-based purchase requirement for one version Switch 2 in Japan. The novel policy, which is not entirely without precedent, indicates that the Japanese gaming giant is still sometimes struggling to keep up with Switch 2 demand.
The Japan-exclusive Switch 2 model now requires proof of gaming to purchase
Sales of the multilingual Switch 2 model in Japan were temporarily halted in mid-June 2026 after Nintendo found some suspicious ordering behavior consistent with scalping practices. “Several orders suspicious of hoarding or similar activities” were identified, a company representative said in a prepared statement. The circumstances prompted Nintendo to restart sales with a new requirement: proof of gaming. That is, potential Switch 2 buyers in Japan can now only order if they have at least 50 hours of playtime logged on the original Switch.
