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The Switch sells out in minutes in Japan
- Thread starter guek
- Start date
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Naked Snake
Member
Dat sub-1080p blurred image on the TV
SpinningBirdKick
Banned
Due to the poor performance of the Wii U there's likely to be "some" pent up demand from earlier generation Nintendo fans that skipped the Wii U that would like to play Nintendo again.
If lapsed Nintendo fans would be anywhere you would guess it had to be Japan as Nintendo have always performed better there.
The Switch selling out in Japan with Nintendo's restricted supply and the pent up demand for Nintendo over there looks to be a none story. It's pretty much what I'd expect even at a higher price.
Whether the Switch is still in demand after the core Nintendo fans have had their fill remains to be seen.
If lapsed Nintendo fans would be anywhere you would guess it had to be Japan as Nintendo have always performed better there.
The Switch selling out in Japan with Nintendo's restricted supply and the pent up demand for Nintendo over there looks to be a none story. It's pretty much what I'd expect even at a higher price.
Whether the Switch is still in demand after the core Nintendo fans have had their fill remains to be seen.
Yes -- that standing in long lines is not indictative of a massive ground swell of support for the Switch in Japan, when similar length lines happen all over the country every day for even the most pedestrian of items.
Edit: I agree with the poster above me as well.
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
I was in Yodobashi Akiba today and the line was insane, wrapping around multiple parts of the toy/games/figures floor. Luckily they had a line open for people who weren't pre-ordering, because it was easily a multi-hour wait.
The Sofmap nearby seemed to still be taking pre-orders and didn't have a crazy line, though.
The Sofmap nearby seemed to still be taking pre-orders and didn't have a crazy line, though.
Its hardly a controversial statement. What are you implying?
ArtHands
Thinks buying more servers can fix a bad patch
Lol, one of the weirdest excuses i have heard
How's it an excuse? We need to wait and see. Initial launch always sells out.
Funny thing about Japanese lines is the more people are in a line, the more people line up.
marvelharvey
Member
respawnIN10
Banned
I just think it's hilarious that any of you think opinions on GAF have any effect on anything gaming related. It's just over 171k active users. It's nothing. This site might as well be a blog when it comes to gaming culture.
Dark Cloud
Member
In implying people in the west stand in lines to for video game systems. 😂
Moor-Angol
Banned
No, the most funny thing is : the more people are in line in front of a restaurant, the more food is good there..
Anyway, I was in Sofmap Ikebukuro, preorders for Switch already closed, in Yamada Denki still available (6-7 people in line and 3 with preorders paper, another one was filling the paper at the kiosk
Now in Bic Camera, preorders still available despite not possible online since this morning (16:30 here): I directly asked to the staff and he said that actually you can still make preorder but not sure for how long time yet
In the end I can say there is good interest in Switch, probably from tomorrow it won't be possible to preorder anymore
Update: according to preorder paper in Bic Camera actually the only sold out items are both Zelda versions
The console is quite significantly cheaper in Japan right? I feel like if the console was noticeably cheaper in the US and particularly the EU the consensus would be less negative. What are the game / accessory prices like over there?
Edit - I'd still be cautious of jumping to conclusions of the implications of preorders selling out. Quick Google search shows:
Edit - I'd still be cautious of jumping to conclusions of the implications of preorders selling out. Quick Google search shows:
MatrixMan.EXE
Member
"Is there any reason Switch *won't* domindate Japan?"
ArtHands
Thinks buying more servers can fix a bad patch
Its an excuse because there are many other better theories and reasons on why it sell out now
Phenomenal Flea
Member
I spent the better part of 2 hours wrestling with the site now, only for it to finally be listed as out of stock.
CaviarMeths
Member
It's hard to say that Japan is a hotbed for "relapsed Nintendo fans" when the 3DS is one of the most successful consoles of all time there. It outsold every piece of hardware Sony has ever released and topped only by the DS and the combined sales of GB and GBC. Nobody in Japan has been waiting a generation to play Nintendo games.
Price seems about on par with US price - both list prices excluding sales tax. Comes to about £215 and that is with the shit exchange rate right now. I should have left my 30k yen from my Christmas japan trip with my in-laws and got them to pick me one up (they got my vita at launch too) but Indidnt expect such a big price difference
PdotMichael
Banned
Personal items (handheld) vs. household items (console).
NDS sold way more than the PS2 but the PS2 has still the edge in total software sales.
foxuzamaki
Doesn't read OPs, especially not his own
Im pretty sure trying to seperate it as a personal item or a household item is irrelevant in japan, where a japan now would still choose a 3DS over a PS2
Yautja_Warrior
Member
Good to see Switch is popular in Japan, with consoles not being so popular over there anymore, they are clearly interested in the handheld side of the Switch.
KratosEnergyDrink
Member
BotW will probably worldwide the best selling Zelda ever.
PdotMichael
Banned
The question here would be how the Japanese market will receive the Switch, because right now it is the more expensive device than the PS4 and doesn't really operate in that personal item sphere.
marvelharvey
Member
Ah, sorry to hear thatI spent the better part of 2 hours wrestling with the site now, only for it to finally be listed as out of stock.
the androgyne
Member
I live in a small town and nothing's sold out here. Tsutaya, Joshin, Yamada and Edion. Crazy thing i realised while i was having a look around is that they're still trying to sell 500gb PS3s for 25000Y! Switch price doesn't seem so bad when you compare it with that lunacy!
KratosEnergyDrink
Member
There had been a few stories about WiiU shortages but you could get a WiiU always without problems.
It's not comparable anyway if we don't know the numbers.
Same price as PS4 in Japan.
CaviarMeths
Member
This is not relevant to the point I made or the post I replied to. You're being contrarian for the sake of it.
PdotMichael
Banned
You are comparing different types of devices.
something something apples and oranges.
jts
...hate me...
The Switch is as personal as an iPad.
Moor-Angol
Banned
Yamada Denki Ikebukuro
At the kiosk one person is registering his data and what he wants to buy, on the back among the people in line 3 people holding the preorder paper
Sofmap Ikebukuro
Both systems and Zelda were sold-out, the other games were all available
Bic Camera Ikebukuro
The preorder paper, as you can see both Zelda versions are already sold-out
pictures took from 16:00 to 16:30
At the kiosk one person is registering his data and what he wants to buy, on the back among the people in line 3 people holding the preorder paper
Sofmap Ikebukuro
Both systems and Zelda were sold-out, the other games were all available
Bic Camera Ikebukuro
The preorder paper, as you can see both Zelda versions are already sold-out
pictures took from 16:00 to 16:30
CaviarMeths
Member
I didn't compare anything.
Here, I'll repost my comment without that confusing middle sentence to make my point more concise:
jobrro
Member
Just ordered the gray console and a Pro pad. Unsure whether I will keep the order or cancel and pick one up once there is a discount or bundle. I regretted not preordering PSVR and ended up having to get PSVR from Amazon US and move controllers from Amazon UK.
If I keep it I will most likely get Zelda digitally. Maybe 1 2 Switch if reception is warm, wish it was packed in though... Really liked Nintendoland that came with the Deluxe Wii U Bundle, was great multiplayer over many holidays.
KratosEnergyDrink
Member
Honestly? People would simply not buy the Switch now if they are not interested in Zelda.
Pretty much.
I did the same as you, from Amazon. I also picked up an official case and screen protector. Can't wait! I'm thinking about Setsuna and also Puyo Tetris too.
Psycho_Mantis
Banned
The only reason someone hasn't made a thread like this is due to how much crow was served in the previous one.
The_Endgamer
Member
Yamada Denki Ikebukuro
At the kiosk one person is registering his data and what he wants to buy, on the back among the people in line 3 people holding the preorder paper
Sofmap Ikebukuro
Both systems and Zelda were sold-out, the other games were all available
Bic Camera Ikebukuro
The preorder paper, as you can see both Zelda versions are already sold-out
pictures took from 16:00 to 16:30
Dragon Quest Heroes 1/2 is a launch title!?
Jelly.
i wasn't sure why people were so damn sure the wii u was going to replicate the wii. it seemed like the writing was on the wall it would at least start off worse than the ps3.
by that same token, i don't know why people are so damn sure the switch is going to replicate the wii u. sometimes it feels like people really think that everything is locked into a linear pattern when reality doesn't reflect that.
I haven't seen many saying the switch will replicate Wii U's numbers. Most have it between Gamecube and N64's.
anothertech
Member
Good to hear Japan is buying it. Would be more interesting to see how many 'sold out' actually means.
WiiU sold out in NA and that didn't pan out that's for sure.
WiiU sold out in NA and that didn't pan out that's for sure.
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