Nintendo has officially decided not to launch the Switch 2 console in China. This decision regarding the Nintendo Switch 2 not launching in China comes as a result of the country’s strict government regulations and the overall difficulty of entering the Chinese gaming market.
Nintendo Switch Sales in China (2019–2020)
| Date | Sales (Units) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 10, 2019 | 50,000+ | Estimated units sold on launch day. GamesIndustry.biz |
| End of 2019 | ~100,000 | Estimated units sold by year-end. Nintendo Life |
| End of 2020 | 1.3 million | Official sales reported by Tencent. GamesIndustry.biz |
| End of 2020 | ~4 million | Estimated total sales including grey market. GamesIndustry.biz |
According to a report from Japanese news outlet Nikkei, the Switch 2 will not be available in China on June 5, 2025 — the same date set for its global release via Nintendo Direct. The company has not provided a future release date for the region, leaving Chinese consumers uncertain about when the console might arrive.
As a result of these challenges, the Nintendo Switch 2 not launching in China is especially disappointing for local gamers eager to experience the latest console.
Nintendo Switch 2 Not Launching in China: Understanding the Market Dynamics
One major reason behind this decision is the dominance of mobile gaming in China. Compared to console gaming, mobile platforms attract significantly more users, making it less appealing for Nintendo to invest in expanding its console sales in the country.
In North America, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 have also been temporarily paused. This is due to newly imposed import tariffs on Chinese goods by U.S. President Donald Trump, which have directly impacted Nintendo’s supply chain and pricing strategies.
This cautious approach leads to the unfortunate conclusion that the Nintendo Switch 2 not launching in China may remain a significant hurdle for the company in a rapidly growing market.
Overall, Nintendo is taking a cautious approach to the Switch 2’s release in key global markets, especially where political or economic factors could affect the product’s success.
Sources : Game Developer
