A former member of the Nintendo of America sales team has predicted a June release date for Nintendo Switch 2, and claimed that retailers currently know “nothing” about Nintendo’s launch plans for the console.
‘Sean’ previously worked in the sales and retail department at Nintendo‘s US arm, and recently appeared with his former colleagues on the Kit and Krista podcast to share insight into the company’s sales strategy.
According to the former employee, Nintendo will “definitely” share plans to release Switch 2 before the end of the summer during its upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April.
“They’re going to want the system to be out before the end of the summer. I would say at the start of the summer, at the end of the school year, so you have kids talking about what they’re excited for,” he said.
“I think we’ll see a June launch. I’m thinking maybe mid-June, or a little bit later than that. But definitely before the end of the summer, that thing’s coming out… there are good strategic reasons why that would be part of the consideration.”
The former Nintendo employee was also asked about alleged retail leaks regarding Switch 2’s release date and price, and dismissed the notion that retailers have any advance knowledge of plans.
Asked what retailers know about Switch 2, Sean replied: “Nothing. Nothing. Certainly not price. Almost certainly not any kind of launch date other than maybe a quarter. It always makes me laugh to see these articles like, ‘Walmart Canada says the price is going to be this’… Walmart Canada are the last people who are going to know.”
He continued: “They don’t have that information. There’s no way that even Target in the US would know anything… when we know the launch date, that’s probably when the retailers are going to know the launch date. Maybe a week or two in advance. I would imagine maybe March 27th the retailers will find out – a couple of days in advance [of the Nintendo Direct].”
Nintendo officially announced Switch 2 last month, with a teaser video showing the console and Joy-Cons. No release date was given, but Nintendo plans to reveal more information about the console in a Nintendo Direct broadcast in April.
In a recent shareholder Q&A, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said the Nintendo Switch 2 price will ‘consider the affordability customers expect’ from Nintendo.
Furukawa was asked if there was any change to Nintendo’s stance on what constitutes an acceptable price point, given various global economic factors. He replied that not only does Nintendo have to take into account Japan’s increased inflation rate, it also has to consider that the exchange rate environment has changed considerably.
However, he noted that Nintendo also has to consider “the affordability that our customers expect from Nintendo products”, saying the company needs to take all these factors into account when considering the price of its products.
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