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Nintendo’s Japanese branch has announced it’s placed new purchase requirements on the Switch 2, after discovering “multiple orders” suspected of scalping consoles.

The notice specifically highlights the Switch 2 “multi-language” model sold on the Nintendo Store in Japan. To purchase one of these units, customers will now be required to have “50 hours or more” of play time on the original Switch (as of the end of May 2026) before they can purchase this new unit.

As further noted, this does not include the hours spent on demo software or free software, and Nintendo is also limiting Switch 2 orders to one purchase per Nintendo account. Here’s the full translated notice about this via social media:

Nintendo: Regarding sales of the Nintendo Switch 2 (Multilingual) on the Nintendo Store, we have temporarily suspended sales after identifying multiple orders suspected of hoarding or similar activities.

To ensure we can deliver the product to as many customers as possible, we will now limit sales to customers who meet the following conditions. We appreciate your understanding.

Please note that there are no changes to the purchase conditions for the Nintendo Switch 2 (Japanese/Japan-only).

<Requirements for Purchasing the Nintendo Switch 2 (Multilingual Version)>

・As of 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 31, 2026, you must have played the Nintendo Switch for 50 hours or more.
*Excludes demo versions and free software.
*The purchase limit is one unit per Nintendo Account.

In case you missed it, Nintendo’s new price for the Switch 2 will come into effect this September in Western markets. In Japan, the new prices have already been applied as of May 2026. The company is also increasing the price of the original Switch hardware in Japan as well as its Switch Online subscription in this location.

The reasoning for these price increases are due to “changes in market conditions” and “global business outlook”. This isn’t isolated to Nintendo, either. Every major player in the console space has announced price increases in recent months in response to global supply shortages and other market factors. It’s even ignited rumours about next-generation hardware delays.

You can find out more about the new prices for the Switch 2 and original Switch in our previous story here on Nintendo Life:

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If you feel like the current Overwatch roster is getting a little crowded, Blizzard begs to differ. The development team has dropped the curtain on what is coming down the pipeline, confirming that Hero 52 will arrive alongside a brand-new Tokyo core map.

The update builds heavily on the criminal underworld lore established in the short stories and comics. For players who have been begging for the game to move away from generic sci-fi facilities and back to tight, urban street layouts, this next phase looks like an answer to those prayers.

Cass 2.0 Hits the Streets

While Blizzard keeps the final character model under lock and key, leaks and development teasers from the community have already painted a very clear picture of Hero 52. The character is slated to be a Damage dealer who acts as the supreme leader of the Hashimoto clan. This is the ruthless yakuza-style syndicate that took control of Kanezaka and Tokyo following the downfall of the Shimada empire.

Mechanically, the early testing data points to a high-mobility skirmisher built entirely around dual pistols. Think of it like a spiritual successor to Cassidy, but trading the single-shot cowboy revolver for rapid-fire double guns. Up-close combat and melee strikes are heavily integrated into the kit, making her playstyle lean closer to an aggressive, combo-heavy duelist than a traditional long-range sniper.

Welcome to the Neon Underworld

The accompanying Tokyo map is a massive structural big deal for the game’s ongoing content cycle. Visually, it focuses on the neon-drenched night streets controlled by the Hashimoto. This marks a sharp contrast to the peaceful, cherry-blossom aesthetic of Hanamura or the quiet suburbs of Kanezaka.

The map addition also carries a bit of historical significance for the development team. With the arrival of Hero 52, the game officially breaks out of the content drought that plagued the transition era between the original game and its sequel. While the hero pipeline is now operating at a net positive, the map pool has been a major point of community frustration due to the recent system reworks and the retirement of older assault modes.

This core map launch represents a major effort to inject fresh variety into the standard competitive rotation.

A Narrative Collision Course

The lore implications are dropping some massive anchors for the future of the game’s story. Hero 52 stands as the direct employer and terrifying boss of Mizuki, the recent undercover addition who has been playing a dangerous double-agent game with Kiriko’s Yokai group.

Bringing the big boss of the Hashimoto directly into the arena means the localized gang war in Japan is spilling over into the global stage. It adds some actual narrative stakes to the match loading screens, giving characters like Genji, Hanzo, and Kiriko a very personal antagonist to trade voice lines with spawn room doors open.

Dual pistols, yakuza leadership, and a grudge against the local vigilantes. Kiriko might have a giant fox spirit on her side, but clearing the streets of Tokyo is about to get a whole lot more expensive.

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