
In Spite of Shortages, Nintendo Assures More Switch Systems Are On the Way
It's tough to get a Switch right now, but that will hopefully change.
The Nintendo Switch reached new heights of popularity after global communities started social distancing. But now, that demand is resulting in Nintendo Switch shortages at major retailers.
Going into 2020, the Nintendo Switch was already surpassing previous Nintendo consoles, bolstered by the launch of the Switch Lite. But due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the handheld-console hybrid has seen a boom in popularity, heightened even further by the popularity of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
In Japan, crowds are still lining up for Switch consoles. Ring Fit Adventure has also seen a surge in demand as a workout alternative for those stuck indoors. Eurogamer reports shortages at UK retailers like the official Nintendo UK store and GAME, and in the United States, retailers like Amazon and Target are running out of Switch stock.
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/DDjfYzgrXC
- SANJI (@1rDriussff7WFWP) April 4, 2020
The issue was noted by Nintendo in Japan where the company released a statement (via Twitter) on the shipment of new Switch consoles, saying only those who reserved a Switch would be receiving a unit. This is only for Japanese customers, but it's still recognition of the high demand for the console. Nikkei reports that while operations at factories have recovered to a certain point, according to its source they have yet to return to full capacity. Nikkei also notes that while this has affected shipments to Japan, shipments in the U.S. and Europe will "continue as normal."
Both Eurogamer and GamesIndustry.biz were provided statements by a U.S. Nintendo representative on the region's stock: "Nintendo Switch hardware is selling out at various retail locations in the U.S., but more systems are on the way," the statement reads. "We apologize for any inconvenience."
If you're looking for a Switch console and only finding resellers, that's at least a glimmer of hope. But the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are stretching out across the hardware side of the industry; one UK retailer told GI.biz that PS4 and Xbox One consoles are also being ordered, and are also "in short supply right now."
Related articles
PlayStation 5 Update Lets You Know If You're About to Play the PS4 Version of Game
Check yourself before you last-gen yourself.
Stardew Valley Just Got Beaches, Fish Tanks, Swimming Ducks, and a Whole Lot More
Nearly five years on, Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone just pushed what he says is Stardew's "biggest update yet."
Alien: Isolation Is Free on Epic and Just As Good as It Was in 2014
Get the motion tracker and don't go in the vents.
Shigeru Miyamoto Expresses Confidence in the Younger Generation of Nintendo
The legendary creator says the spirit will stay alive.
You may also like
USgamer Staff Past and Present Say Goodbye (Clone)
End of an era.
USgamer Staff Past and Present Say Goodbye
End of an era.
Press Start to Continue
A look back on what we tried to accomplish at USgamer, and the work still to be done.
Mat's Farewell | The Truth Has Not Vanished Into Darkness
This isn't the real ending, is it? Can't be.