Nintendo Switch 2 Debuts in China With Delay Due to Local Issues

While the debut of the Switch 2 gaming console developed by Japanese company Nintendo outside of China is being delayed by the possible impact of customs duties, as in the United States, other factors are coming into play in the local market, limiting the distribution of the new product. According to Nikkei, the Switch 2 gaming console will appear in China, if at all, with a delay compared to other regions.

Image source: Nintendo

First, even the first-generation Nintendo Switch only entered the Chinese market in 2019, two years after its Japanese debut. The rights to distribute games for it and the console itself in the domestic market of the PRC were received by the Chinese Tencent Holdings, whose responsibilities included coordinating game content with local authorities. Such censorship initially limited Nintendo’s business growth opportunities in China.

Secondly, Tencent announced last November that it would stop supporting digital services for the Nintendo Switch in the Chinese market in 2026. Tencent representatives did not give Nikkei a direct answer about their intentions to bring the Nintendo Switch 2 to the Chinese market. The situation for the Japanese company is aggravated by the fact that since the debut of its predecessor, smartphone games have gained popularity in China, which do not require the same level of investment as console games.

At the same time, the Chinese gaming market is the largest in the world with a turnover of $44.4 billion last year, but the presence of regional specifics and strong regulation make it difficult for foreign developers and publishers to develop their businesses in the region. In addition, the Chinese authorities stimulate the export of gaming developments, supporting national market participants. Nevertheless, it cannot be said that Switch 2 is of no interest to anyone in China, since there are those willing to pre-order it through Hong Kong. The “first wave” of Nintendo Switch 2 deliveries will cover Europe, Japan and other regions from June 5 this year.