Nintendo will delay the release of its Switch 2 gaming console in mainland China when it launches in other major markets on June 5, as the Japanese gaming giant evaluates potential demand and navigates China’s stringent gaming industry regulations.
The decision comes after Tencent Holdings, which serves as Nintendo’s local distribution partner, announced last November it would shut down Nintendo Switch digital services in China by 2026. When asked about potential plans to distribute the Switch 2, Tencent declined to comment.
Gamma Data chief analyst Wang Xu noted that “the hurdles to success in China remain high” as companies must “improve the consumer experience while complying with government policies” that include official inspections and other restrictions imposed by authorities.
Despite these challenges, China represents a massive opportunity as the world’s second-largest video gaming market, with domestic game sales reaching 325.8 billion yuan ($44.4 billion) last year. However, console gaming accounts for only a fraction of this market, which is dominated by mobile games.
The current Switch arrived in China in 2019—two years after its global debut—but sales have underperformed due to limited software approval through regulatory channels. Nevertheless, Chinese consumers are showing strong interest in the Switch 2, with some retailers already accepting preorders for imported versions from Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, Nintendo faces additional challenges in other markets, as the company recently postponed US preorders to “assess the potential impact of tariffs” following President Trump’s announcement of sweeping global tariffs.
The Switch 2 will retail for ¥49,980 ($335) in Japan when it launches on June 5.
