Nintendo has implemented a playtime-based purchase requirement for one version of the Switch 2 in Japan. The novel policy, which is not entirely without precedent, signals that the Japanese gaming giant is still occasionally struggling to keep up with the Switch 2 demand.
Japan-Exclusive Switch 2 Model Now Requires Proof of Gaming to Purchase
Sales of the multilingual Switch 2 model in Japan were temporarily paused in mid-June 2026 after Nintendo flagged some suspicious ordering behavior consistent with scalping practices. “Multiple orders suspected of hoarding or similar activities” were identified, a company representative said in a prepared statement. The circumstances prompted Nintendo to resume sales with a new requirement: proof of gaming. Namely, prospective Switch 2 buyers in Japan can now only place an order if they have at least 50 hours of playtime logged on the original Switch.