Nintendo Switch launches in China with only one game in the Nintendo eShop

China-based media company Tencent recently gained the Chinese government’s approval to sell the Nintendo Switch in the country. Read on below for more details from Niko Partners Senior Analyst Daniel Ahmad:

Nintendo Switch launches in China with a one-game eShop

The gaming console was released by Chinese conglomerate Tencent on Tuesday, which saw Nintendo shares reach a 19-month high. While Chinese and overseas cartridges can be played on the device, online gameplay is region-locked, and the online store features one game – New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. Photo via @ZhugeEX

Nintendo Switch makes its official debut in China today. There are many gamers in the country who already have one, of course, but easier to convince average consumers to pick one up when they don't have to go overseas or pay for international shipping.

— Vincent Lee (@Rover829) December 10, 2019

Some pictures of China Nintendo Switch in stock at a store in the Beijing Wanda Plaza. Launch Day. pic.twitter.com/IQlpgPTZkp

— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) December 9, 2019

Some pictures of Tencent Nintendo Switch from Chinese site A9VG who got a launch unit today.

– Can play Chinese and Overseas game cartridges.
– Online is region locked to Tencent server / eshop.
– Eshop currently only has NSMBU Deluxe as it is the only approved game. pic.twitter.com/iGJn66Whqt

— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) December 9, 2019

At least no one can complain about eShop discoverability issues lol

— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) December 9, 2019

Logging in to the eShop is easy for Chinese users.

Just open the app, select WeChat, scan the QR code and log in with your existing WeChat account. pic.twitter.com/gYbLA5f6DK

— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) December 9, 2019

https://twitter.com/OnePieceFxn/status/1204145271762018304

Real world advertising has started for the console in China too. pic.twitter.com/Lxb1lb3Gl4

— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) December 9, 2019

I’m curious: is this a situation similar to Blizzard’s where they go through Tencent to publish their products or is this a Chinese branch of Nintendo doing it?

— Taylor Hoyt (@TaylorsShelf) December 9, 2019

The former

— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) December 9, 2019

Does Tencent provide any technological work in bringing the Switch to China or is it just a partner helping with regulatory concerns?

— Farina Renais 🐘 (@FarinaRenais) December 9, 2019

They run the online servers / eshop as well as help localise and publish titles for the console as well as distribute the hardware.

— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) December 9, 2019

Switch's Chinese release doesn't allow access to the eShop outside of China, online multiplayer locked to China https://t.co/GnRjf5Rf8A pic.twitter.com/BHdtvZObdt

— GoNintendoTweet (@GoNintendoTweet) December 10, 2019

Nintendo stocks went up and sales within China were swift as the console launched

Nintendo shares hit near 19-month high as Switch goes on sale in China https://t.co/Cbn3imloI8

— CNBC Tech (@CNBCtech) December 10, 2019

TXNS = Switch in Chinese.

10,000 sold through to customers in 1 online store in one morning.

UBS initially projected 50,000 sold in the entire country of China in the entire year of 2020 (not a joke: https://t.co/Aw5MgKsAso).

That's the quality of Nintendo sell-side analysis. https://t.co/vA7gznZpig

— Dr. Serkan Toto / Kantan Games Inc. (@serkantoto) December 10, 2019

The launch announcement was made last week

https://twitter.com/TwitterMoments/status/1202102413861113857

Source: Twitter.com