Nintendo has taken a proactive approach to meeting demand for its upcoming Switch 2 console by shipping some inventory to the US ahead of its June 5th launch. According to Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser, the company has built up an inventory of the next-gen portable gaming system "on a global basis," with some units already landing in the United States.

This move is likely an attempt to avoid the supply chain issues that plagued the original Switch's launch in 2017. The console remained hard to find for months after its release, selling 17.79 million units by April 2018 – more than its predecessor, the Wii U, sold in five years. However, Bowser acknowledged that meeting demand remains a challenge, saying "That remains to be seen. That certainly is our goal."

The Switch 2's launch is not without its challenges. The company is facing tariffs on its Vietnamese-made consoles, which could impact availability and pricing. The latest tariffs, announced after the Switch 2 event, could result in a 46 percent tariff on the consoles. Bowser stated that Nintendo is "actively assessing" the impact of these tariffs, but the company has already delayed Switch 2 preorders in the US and Canada from the original April 9th date.

Despite these challenges, analyst DFC Intelligence still predicts the Switch 2 will be the fastest-selling console ever, with a forecast of 15 million units sold this year. This is a reduction from the original forecast of 17 million units, likely due to the tariff uncertainty. The console's high price point of $449.99 may also impact sales, although it remains to be seen how much of an effect this will have on demand.

The Switch 2's launch is highly anticipated, with several high-profile games already announced, including Hades II, which will launch first on the Switch and Switch 2. The console's success will be closely watched by the gaming industry, as it competes with other next-gen consoles from Sony and Microsoft.

As the June 5th launch date approaches, Nintendo will need to navigate the complex landscape of tariffs, supply chain management, and consumer demand to ensure a successful rollout of the Switch 2. With its proactive approach to inventory management, the company is taking steps to mitigate potential issues, but only time will tell if it can meet the high demand for its latest console.