What to Expect from Nintendo's Switch 2 in China
Global launch in 2025, but what about China's domestic model?
After months of leaks that mostly turned out to be true, Nintendo finally unveiled their new console: the Nintendo Switch 2.
The actual release date has not yet been disclosed, however, Nintendo did list a few dates for what it is calling the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience. These will happen at different locations across the globe, for people to experience the new console first hand. When checking the list of announced dates and locations, once can notice Mainland China is not included:
This MIGHT be indicative that it is still working out licensing and distribution partnerships for the country, with Tencent or others.
Hong Kong is in Nintendo's calendar, although still without a date, but nothing for the mainland. Effectively, these are two different markets with different regulations.
Important to Understand:
-The Switch has been the most popular modern console in mainland China for the last decade, selling unaccounted millions.
Most of the SKUs sold in the country however are imported, mostly from Japan and HK (read more about that here).
-Tencent has been Nintendo's partner in China for the Chinese licensed model - which sold/sells far less than the imported models (learn more about that here).
-As it was recently announced, Tencent will descontinue the Chinese Switch and its online services in 2026.
At the moment, it is unclear whether Tencent will remain/renew its partnership with Nintendo for the Switch 2 (I wrote about it here).
-While the Switch 2 will be widely available in China through imported models via the many and easily accessible e-commerce sellers as soon as the console is available internationally, it is unlikely that an official Chinese model is made available still in 2025...
-Demand for the Switch 2 in China will likely be high, no doubt about it. Consumers will easily be able to get their hands on it, no matter what.
Whether Nintendo thinks it's worthwhile to invest in a local partnership to ensure a locally licensed model or not, that remains to be seen. I predict they will.