Nintendo Says 'Cool It!' (Literally) - Switch 2 Temperature Woes in Japan
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Nintendo's warning Japanese players about using their Switch 2 in extreme temperatures, which raises the question of console abuse and *Mario Kart World's* absolute dominance in the early Switch 2 sales charts.
Right, so Nintendo's just dropped a bit of a bombshell for Switch 2 owners in Japan, and it's got me thinking about how much we abuse our poor consoles. Turns out, playing your shiny new Switch 2 in extreme temperatures – we're talking scorching heat or freezing cold – could lead to malfunctions. That's according to Nintendo's official Japanese social media, who are presumably trying to avoid a wave of melted or frozen consoles being sent back for repairs. (Credit to Eurogamer for spotting this first, by the way.)
They're recommending sticking to a 5-35°C (41-95°F) range. Now, I reckon most of us are sensible enough not to leave our consoles baking in the sun or chilling in a snowdrift, but it's a fair warning nonetheless. Especially when you consider that Japan's been hitting some serious heatwave temperatures lately.
One player from Hokkaido, a region known for its frosty winters, even chimed in on Twitter, joking, "5°C?! [Is Nintendo] telling me not to fight in Hokkaido?!" Fair dinkum, that's a valid point. It’s all well and good telling people to avoid extreme temperatures, but what about those who live in places where "extreme" is just Tuesday?
Nintendo didn't go into specifics about *why* these temperatures are a problem, but it's pretty common knowledge that extreme heat and cold can mess with electronics. Think slowed charging speeds, battery degradation, the whole shebang. It's basically the same reason you don't leave your phone on the dashboard in summer. (Unless you *want* a spicy phone-shaped paperweight, that is.)
Now, let's talk numbers. According to Nintendo's recent earnings release (again, massive hat tip to Eurogamer for the intel), the Switch 2 shifted a whopping 5.82 million units worldwide in its first month. And *Mario Kart World*? A staggering 5.63 million copies sold! That's a 97% attachment rate, which is frankly bonkers. Software sales for the Switch 2 hit 8.67 million in the same period, meaning Mario Kart is responsible for almost two-thirds of all sales on the new console. Blimey!
Since launch, they've sold over 6 million Switch 2 units, but Nintendo's also admitted that demand is outstripping supply in many countries. Sounds familiar, eh? Remember the great PS5 shortage? Anyway, the Switch 2 is officially Nintendo's fastest-selling hardware ever, beating even the Switch's initial launch. It's also the fastest-selling video game hardware in the US, surpassing even the PS4. Not bad for a console that apparently can't handle a bit of sunshine.
So, what's the takeaway here? Keep your Switch 2 cool (or warm, depending on your climate), and *Mario Kart World* is probably going to be the only game you ever need. Just kidding! (Mostly.) But seriously, maybe invest in a little temperature gauge for your gaming den. You know, just in case.
Tags: Nintendo, Switch 2, Temperature, Mario Kart, Gaming News
Original article: Eurogamer