It’s no secret that the Nintendo Switch isn’t easy to find on store shelves. In fact, like the NES Classic before it, Nintendo is seemingly shipping a laughably low number of Switch units. It seems the company just now realizes not having enough consoles in stock is a bad thing.
In an apology posted on the Nintendo website, the company wants customers to know there are more consoles coming. “The ‘Nintendo Switch main unit’ which we released on March 3, 2017 has continued to be in short supply in the entire domestic market since launch. We apologize sincerely to our customers and dealers for their inconvenience,” the post reads. In-browser translation was used to read the post, so it might not be a perfect translation for what Nintendo is saying, but the general sentiment is the same.
Nintendo is producing more Switch consoles, and will be ramping up shipping rates in the next few months. “In July and August, we will increase shipment volume this month, including continued shipment of ‘Nintendo Switch Splatoon 2 set,’” the company wrote in the post. “For autumn and beyond, we will continue to work to ensure that as many products as possible can be delivered to our customers towards the end of the year, such as further strengthening our production system. We appreciate your understanding.”
Hopefully, this statement means that the previously ominous quotes from GameStop aren’t relevant any more. In an earnings call from late March, GameStop COO Tony Bartel said the company expects the Switch stock issues will continue into 2018. "There's tremendous demand for [the Switch] and we just don't know how high it is because every time we get it out in our stores it's literally gone," Bartel said. This mirrors when the Wii was launched, with gamers camping outside of stores months after the console had shipped (I know, I was one of them).
So what do you think? Do you hope more Switch consoles will make it to a store near you soon? Did you already manage to snag a Switch for yourself? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
