Early Stock Market Activity Suggests Switch Could Be A Bigger Hit Than The Wii

I'm going to predict that their will be 7.5 million predictions.

Time will tell. That price needs sorting first to have mass market appeal. As well as many other issues, 3rd party support, lack of quality releases, Virtual Console, lack of detail about online fees, expensive accessories, no apps, browser, etc, etc.

Edit: I think it'll sell 8 million at most in the first year, provided games scheduled for this year like Super Mario Odyssey ship on time.

Based on what I have read from earlier news, Nintendo will do a lot better for the Switch if it produces and ships out more.

Most analysts are all saying the same thing,Nintendo could have a big hit on their hands but their stock updates since launch have been frankly pathetic.Amazon have had new stock only twice since launch and they were gone within minutes with one of these being limited to Prime members.Much of the demand is there because of Zelda alone. People read the reviews,they want to play it but they can't.Will many of those same people wanting to buy now be happy to wait until the end of the year when stock is plentiful?It's a risky move by Nintendo,whether deliberate or not.

If nintendo actually starts to manufacture, instead of sitting around, they'll be in business, but...just like other generations, they won't meet demands. Wii took forever for many people to find (almost over a year before it began to sit on store shelves), Gamecube's memory cards were impossible for quite a while (which was downright pathetic) and even the Wii Remotes were pathetic (until Wii Play came out). Nintendo has a history of this, but you would think that they would learn, especially when they knew the hype and demand for the switch when they first revealed it. If they get the demand, yeah, they could definitely have a better selling console than the Wii, even though I technically don't see that.

Once E3 hits, and Mario at the end of the year... There are some Switches that are going to be sold

They need to get stock levels and some bundles before fall when the Scorpio is released. Those itching for a hardware purchase this year might need to choose between the two. But I really think that if the stock is there, sales will be good.

The monetary stock market is basically just a glorified gambling ring built to make the rich richer, for whom insider information and slightly preemptive information is given. However, they cannot predict the future. They have no idea what will happen.

That said, we can make an inference based on current physical restock trends. As we can see:

http://www.nowinstock.net/videogaming/consoles/nintendoswitch/

In the USA, the NS console restock that arrived early this week has now been sold out at the regular MSRP, as quickly as it came. There was no major restock campaign after launch in March. For many big box stores across the USA, including Best Buys, there was no console restock at all during March. Perhaps tens or possibly hundreds of thousands of leftover game copies from release day sat on the shelves, waiting for the next restock.

There likely won't be another restock until the end of April to coincide with the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe release. The only exception seems to be Gamestop's US-only $510 bundle deal:

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-buy-nintendo-switch-preorder-price-availability/

This means there likely will be nearly zero sales of new consoles from retailers throughout almost all of April. Most remaining game copies will languish on the shelves, and will need to have stock replenished after being depleted from being paired with the recent restock. There's no reason to believe this trend won't be repeated again in May, then June, July, etc up until the big holiday push, to coincide with the highlight release of each month.

This means that throughout the first year, momentum will come and go like the tides, and will not be constant. There simply is not enough volume each month to reach the lofty goal of 10 million consoles sold during the first year, much less the ignorant claims of 15-20 million. So 5-7 million is much more realistic. That number will mainly depend upon the success rate of sustaining demand throughout the year to combat the inevitable "unavailability fatigue" that many uninformed buyers will find themselves victim to.

It doesn't help that Nintendo has not sent out much in the way of demo kiosks throughout the world this time around. A lot of people have heard about the NS, however, few will actually get to experience the NS in person during it's first year, which is a critical miscalculation on Nintendo's part.

For whatever it's worth, I have still not seen even one NS user while out and about in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, the capital area of the USA, and I take public transportation to work. So I have no idea who's even seeing this thing out in the wild. It may as well be a mythical beast, as far as most people are concerned. That Super Bowl ad memory is fading, so Nintendo better hope that people still remember that memory up until and through the holidays...

Isn't that a bit backwards? Stock prices rising is a symptom of people believing it will be a success. It does not indicate actual success.

Would be pleasantly surprised if that was the case, but still yet to see any evidence it's going to outperform the Wii U. Just to be clear, I absolutely think it's going to beat the Wii U sales, but everyone keeps referring to it as a staggering success, when I think it's still tracking behind the Wii U? It just seems a bit daft to go 'woah, it prints money' when there's no actual evidence it's not the same people that bought a Wii U going out and putting down their money again. It's like when people got excited over headlines like Wii U sales increase 600%, when sales were still absolutely pathetic.

@PlywoodStick Nintendo could do with bringing back the Best Buy E3 events, like these:

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/06/reggie_reveals_wii_u_best_buy_games_list

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/05/best_buys_smash_fest_venues_perks_and_demo_details_confirmed

That combined with a strong E3 in general would help Switch a lot.

So much potential...

...but currently the only substantial game is BOTW, very little 3rd party vocal support, and stock shortages everywhere. I know it'll get better but imagine what they could sell once were past these problems....

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Here's a question for you: If Nintendo kept the price the same, BUT included a pack-in, would that be AS effective as a price drop in your opinion?

@Grumblevolcano That would be great, but it seems Best Buy has a lower priority this time around compared to the Wii/DS and even Wii U/3DS eras. So who knows if Nintendo will partner with Best Buy on anything, any time soon. The general public has no idea about E3, either, so whatever they hear will come from gamers and the gaming press.

Considering that Nintendo has made E3 into less of a focus in recent years, it seems ironic that many gamers (especially Nintendo fans) are suddenly now pinning their hopes on a slam bang E3 event schedule. As I recall, many people around here in particular were heralding a decreased focus from E3 for the past few years, even commending the use of a Nintendo Direct to replace a major E3 showcase. Some even went as far as to say that E3 showcases had fallen from prominence, and were no longer a truly critical event for Nintendo.

So why is E3 suddenly so important again? Does the importance of E3 merely change on a whim to match the current internet narrative?

@Peach64 sometimes confidence itself sells.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Wow, 8 million? That's an incredibly optimistic figure, coming from you. I can't imagine it will break 7 million tops for the first year.

The console I believe has potential to succeed greatly, even at current prices (although like all other products sales continue over time as price drops occur; although you want to hold onto its launch price for as long as possible).

It nonetheless is vital that Nintendo continue to ensure a steady stream of heavy hitters both from its own studios and by supporting 3rd parties. Then make sure word of these games reach the general public. I also predict that bundles may start to appear near the end of the year.

At the same time, Nintendo must continue offering enhancements and improvements to the Switch in its current state.

@PlywoodStick I think the E3 Directs they've had the last few years can have as big an impact as a live show as long as they're done right.2014 was a great example of how to do one right,2015 a great example of how to do one badly.The only reason the last 2 years have been lower key is due to the fate of Wii U.I'm confident this years will be a huge improvement. I'll be surprised though if they come back with a live show this year .Id much prefer a 45 minute pre-recorded show with good pacing packed with surprises than Reggie,Bill and co babbling on on stage.Having said that,the January presentation was a live stage show and very un-Nintendo -like,so maybe they will be back on stage at E3.

@JLPick Huh, I never knew that GameCube memory cards were low in stock... I didn't have any trouble getting two of them, myself. (Plus the Animal Crossing memory card, of course!)

i'm in a really weird situation because of course I want a Switch but there are no games on it besides Zelda, some curiousities, $50 Bombermans or Puzzle games, or games you can play on other systems.

Need firmer dates for when there will be more games

@OorWullie It sure sounds like a lot of people are expecting Nintendo to go back to puting on a live event schedule. How else are they going to live up to current expectations? Only gamers and the gaming press hear about Nintendo Directs, since those are staged digital shows (as in acts, not showcases). Whereas live E3 showcases are tangible, and thus the news of it can be more readily spread far and wide, even outside the gaming press.

@PlywoodStick Ya, it is optimistic. Don't think it'll reach that, 8 million was at the maximum. Probably more like 5 or 6. It depends what comes out of E3 and as I say, games like Super Maruio Odyssey and Xenoblade 2 releasing this year. Can't see that happening. I keep thinking Nintendo will end up pushing the Smash Bros. Wii U port as their big holiday game.

@PlywoodStick I'd say even with Nintendo Directs, E3 was important for Nintendo for 2013 and 2014. The issue with 2015 and 2016 was more about quantity and/or quality of unannounced games, you could kind of tell from E3 2015 that codename NX wasn't too far away (if I recall correctly most people guessed holiday 2016 and they weren't far off!). With Switch released, I could see E3 2017 potentially being as good as E3 2014.

Let's hope that Nintendo's decision to order more consoles will prove fruitful. The gaming industry is more robust with a successful Nintendo console. I think this E3 will go along way to deciding whether the Switch keeps momentum or slows down. If they can announce a steady steam of games for shortly after E3 (like Splatoon 2) right through to the holiday season sales will be strong. However, they also need to show some clips of games coming in 2018 and some previously unannounced games, too. Nintendo clearly pulled back last summer so I'm hoping this E3 is a big one for the company.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE It's funny... Somehow, many are expecting that the release timing for Super Mario Oddysey will match the current estimate, even though it's a huge return to the (true) 3D Mario adventure format that has laid dormant since Galaxy 2, and we just got a huge Zelda title that was delayed by two years... It would be shocking if Oddysey isn't delayed!

@Peach64 experts predicted he Wii U would struggle and experts predict the Switch will do quite well, as long as Nintendo take all the right steps.

If Nintendo can maintain the hype and keep up with demand sells could surpass the Wii. People are really hyped for this game system.

A lot of people are asking me if games like Madden and 2k are coming to it. I know 2k and fifa are coming but unknown about Madden.

If Nintendo can secure more third party games they would be in a very excellent place.

Doomed.

I would say it's gonna be hard without any kind of third party support. Nintendos first party games will be good as usual but that won't be enough (as we saw with Wii U). And you don't go from Wii U to Wii numbers with a couple of extra indie games in the mix.

@JLPick I find comments like yours interested as you do realize that Nintendo doesn't actually manufacture these, right? The Switch is manufactured by Foxconn in China for Nintendo. There's a whole lot more involved here then walking out into your plant and telling a supervisor to increase production.

@PlywoodStick Best Buy got their restock this week and they are holding units for the Sunday ad.

I tried to buy a Switch on the shelf this past Tuesday, and they said it was out by mistake.

Now, this was a big Best Buy in Brooklyn, and they said they got 14 units, so I suspect whatever Best Buy puts out for sale on Sunday will be gone on Sunday!

@PlywoodStick I actually highly doubt it would be delayed. Odyssey has probably been in the works for just as long as Zelda probably. They've even made mention that the new Mario was being worked on a ways back but hinted it would be on next gen hardware. I obviously could be wrong but I have an incredibly good feeling about Mario's release date.

No Price drop this year - BUT - as supply constraints are resolved - Bundles and special editions will provide further incentive.
Also, more new games and accessories will entice existing SWITCH owners to spend more money. ( including me lol)

@SLIGEACH_EIRE PRIce is fine.why don't you jump on xbone for the Scorpio being $499.00 when it's a upgraded xbone one.

Plus side with the Xbox Scorpio being $499 that will help the switch also.

E3 2017 is a Huge Chance for Switch to have Additional color.
Give us White / Blue / Silver / any color but Black for new Switch bundles, Nintendo !

@Slim1999 I couldn't care less about Microsoft or Sony. But they are Nintendo's competition whether they want to admit it or not.

Judging by the two waiters, one waitress, and a manager at Olive Garden (all coming up to my wife and I separately!) asking about the Switch and if they should buy it for themselves or their kids I would say the hype and want is there for people to get a new Nintendo in their house. (I wasn't playing the Switch btw, my wife was just wearing her Skyward Sword shirt, lol.)

I still think a lot of people really are jumping the gun. I'm not considering this thing anywhere near a success until I see what the situation is like maybe six months to a year from now. If the sales are still going strong at the start of next year and it's evident there's going to be a consistent flow of solid titles going forward, then I might be more convinced.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE So, when are they going to make you a salaried employee of this site?

It is WAY to early to predict or assume that the Switch could outsell the Wii. Who knows that the switch will keep its momentum? Sure it would be really awesome if it does but it is to early to say.

Nintendo said they were doubling production so I think it will reach 10m year one which is not bad at all since well WiiU lifetime is 12m.

@Dr_Corndog I was thinking the same thing.

@PlywoodStick
So why is E3 suddenly so important again? Does the importance of E3 merely change on a whim to match the current internet narrative?

BINGO! We have a winner.

@Jessica286

Nintendo says a lot of things.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE I'd expect some of this will be rectified during E3. It's clear that VC and their pay for online service, and everything else connected to the cloud, like save data, updated OS et all. TBH Nintendo doesn't need to wait for E3 and this should have all been sorted out before launch, but my feelings are that it's clearly not ready for prime time (or at least one significant piece isn't), and thus E3 is a great time to reveal all of this info.

I'll be extremely concerned if they don't address any of this by the time E3 has come and gone.

I don't have anything in the way of predicting numbers, I'll leave that to the Psychics and Seers (aka analysts). I know it will sell at least one more by Autumn

@Slim1999 Based off of the recently released specs, calling Scorpio simply an "Upgraded XBOX One" is not even remotely accurate. At least, it's no more accurate than saying the XBOX One is simply an upgraded version of the XBOX 360. The performance jump looks to be huge.

And like @SLIGEACH_EIRE, I'm not too concerned with either MS or Sony. I'm a PC/Nintendo gamer, but it's pretty clear that the primary markets for Nintendo and MS/Sony consoles are different. Sure, there's some overlap, but it's definitely not direct competition.

And even if you or I don't think the Switch is "Overpriced" (I think it's fairly priced, given what you receive) there's no denying that from a marketing standpoint $300 for a portable (Especially if buying for kids) is a tough sell. The sooner they can get the price down, the better.

E3 can be big if they will show docking starion with extra power. . No bothered about Vc. Good marketing from nintendo and now lots of us want a switch.. System create selling by self.. Two systems in one for only 279. If pokemon game will be lunch this is minimum 3 millions unit on beginning.

@Zeargo Here's to hoping those units don't come "warped". I don't think the Switch is overheating in the dock at all. I believe they are coming that way and no one realized this till the internet blew up about it. My brother's came out of the box slight curved on the backside but nothing to worry about. Mine as well when I purchased on day one.

BotW and MK8 need to be pack ins for Xmas.

While I definitely see the Switch becoming a moderate success, there's no way it'll approach Wii-level sales. The Wii was literally everywhere, finding its way into nursing homes, for crying out loud. The Switch is clearly a gaming device and non-gamers (who ultimately made the Wii a huge success) aren't exactly interested in the Switch like they were with the Wii.

@Lysis The Best Buy across the street from where I work sold through at least 30 consoles by Monday evening, they're out by now. (They went from 50+ to 22 copies of BotW, that's how I know.) They probably just kept selling to whoever would buy, no hold backs.

@k8sMum OMG, I won the Nintendo Life Bingo without even trying!? Take that, WiltonRoots!

Considering this was a March release and not a holiday release (like every other console before this) and it's putting up these numbers it seems to be doing really well. Nintendo still has E3 to look forward to along with the holiday sales this year which will allow them to have bundles at that point such as 12Switch or a Zelda one. If they can iron out all the missing features by holiday season I'm sure they'll sell a lot.

@Bruh Well, if they have been, they sure haven't been showing it off much. Historically, Nintendo used to showcase their upcoming games much sooner, and trade shows weren't the only time to showcase them, and regularly updated the public about their progress. Nintendo Directs more or less replaced Nintendo's printed updates, but now that seems to have fallen by the wayside as well. So the next big 3D Mario adventure in the legendary legacy is supposedly releasing at the end of this year, yet we've seen nearly nothing about it by now. Hm...

@subpopz That comment was also a reference to the historical treatment of E3 on Nintendo Life. I was lurking here since the Mr. Driller on DSiWare review back in 2010, before I joined. So I've witnessed a parabolic leap in the NL community-specific general perception going from "E3 is an important event for Nintendo" to "E3 is an outdated relic and Nintendo can handle it by themselves" and now back to "Nintendo will surely knock it out of the park at E3" again. As if there weren't ever a time when a lot of comments on here declared that Nintendo had completely gained independence from the E3 showcase, or even trade showcases in general.

Isn't determining the demand and success estimate of a console based on stock market shifts and valuations like determining the win rate and success of a baseball team because the home opener sold out?

@PlywoodStick To be fair I think Iwata WAS trying to bail out of E3 as a strategy and do it all in house to separate them from the rest of the industry. But it backfired, the Directs all year took the wind out of the expected "big E3 hype" while the rest of the industry was experiencing their big E3 hype and Nintendo fans complained that E3 only had stuff they already knew about from directs.

Bailing from E3 I think was the extension of the Wii/WiiU mentality that "we're not competing in the game industry" which Switch is walking back from.

So "I changed my mind and I'm still right" applies here

@PlywoodStick Good work!

In order to sell units, Nintendo needs to make units. If the company only releases Switches in short spurts throughout each month then there is absolutely no way they can meet their sales expectations. I understand keeping stock lower to build up publicity and a game library, but Nintendo has to make it so, you know, people can actually buy the system.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE
Mario Odyssey will almost certainly arrive during the holiday season, considering that the game is practically complete.

What will be interesting is if the rumored Pokémon Stars and Smash Bros Wii U port arrive by the end of the year.

I predict the Switch will sell 12-13 million units during this upcoming fiscal year, but that is predicated on Nintendo announcing some meaningful holiday titles at E3 to be released this year.

If nothing new is announced (like the rumored Pokémon Stars or Smash Bros Wii u port), and Xenoblade 2 is delayed into 2018, leaving only Mario Odyssey and FE Warriors to carry the Switch during the holidays (with no price cut), then the Switch will likely miss my forecast by a good amount.

And no, I don't think the Switch will outsell the Wii. I'd love to be proven wrong, but I don't see it happening unless the Switch is Nintendo flagship gaming platform for a decade ala the Gameboy/Gameboy Color.

@PlywoodStick The business with E3 not being important anymore is something I see in all gaming forums. For whatever reason, probably just that people are used to getting gaming news 365 days a year from websites as opposed to monthly or just from the big shows, people say E3 will soon be a thing of the past. Until E3 comes around. Then all the talk starts about how this year's show stacks up to past years and who "won" E3 like it's a contest, and all the big trailers and the frame-by-frame analyses on YouTube and Reddit make everyone forget what they said just months earlier.

@Peach64 The Switch is absolutely not tracking behind the Wii U. Where did you get that from? Nintendo said clearly that it is had the best selling launch out of any Nintendo console, including the Wii in most territories. It's still sold out just about everywhere, online and in stores. Yet, you could find the Wii U in stores quickly after launch, especially the 8 GB basic console. There's your proof that sales will exceed the Wii U. And you're kind of a negative nancy and pessimist overall, so while sure, it may be out of line to call it a Wii like success just yet, you're at the opposite end of the spectrum, even doubting that it can outsell the Wii U when it likely will in its first year if the amount Nintendo plans to ship comes true. Just like you said Nintendo couldn't do open world like other companies such as Ubisoft (lol) and you doubted Breath of the Wild. Yet, Nintendo crushed open world and here Breath of the Wild is a top 10 all time Metacritic game. I know you love citing Metacritic, so you have to eat a bit of crow and admit you were wrong. Soon, you'll have to admit you were wrong on Switch sales. But I forgot, you never admit you are wrong even thought you are so frequently. If you are the typical UK Nintendo "fan," then are you shocked that people say the UK hates Nintendo?

@k8sMum don't we all?

@Peach64 "but everyone keeps referring to it as a staggering success, when I think it's still tracking behind the Wii U? "

When you're succeeding the worst console of your company's history, sales wise (home console, mind you), anything appears as a staggering success.

@clevbrowns94
Did you enjoy your rant, what do u mean typical Nintendo UK user. I wonder are you a typical USA Nintendo user, doesn't sound right wouldn't you say

I invest in the markets constantly and I am thinking of plunking down some dough. Shares could surge much higher still. What worries me in the US is the Trump administration putting on a border tax for all products not made in the US. That could drive up prices, if retailers don't absorb the sticker shock.

If course, there's the risk Nintendo totally flubs E3 too. Or the new MARIO is delayed.

That being said, I still believe it's a risk worth taking. Will probably buy shortly.

@PlywoodStick

The stock market is not a gambling ring. I'm a regular guy who's made a killing on it, by getting educated, learning how to invest and working in finance professionally.

When I read comments like this, I shake my head and just feel bad for you and others who avoid one real way to get rich. And I'm not from a rich family, and in fact, I'm the first person to invest in the markets in my family, but boy has it been lucrative. And again, I do it on the side, my regular job is apartment real estate investing for a quasi private equity firm.

I've been at it since college and I'm 40 now, but the wealth I have earned investing in the markets has made me enjoy a great life, afford my own home, and has put a ton of money in my accounts.

So instead of knocking it, learn how it works, learn how to spot a good investment and benefit from it.

@Agent721

" regular guy who's made a killing on it"

"one real way to get rich"

"boy has it been lucrative"

"I do it on the side.... the wealth I have earned"

"has put a ton of money in my accounts"

https://media.giphy.com/media/Fml0fgAxVx1eM/giphy.gif

@gatorboi352
Believe what you want, you're the one missing out. It's your life, live it as you see fit.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE The $299 price tag is fine. Maybe not for most parents looking to buy their kid a new birthday present, but it's not going to break anyone's wallet. The accessories, the dock excluded, are priced fine as well. This one of those situations where you get what you pay for.

I like what Nintendo has done; the Switch is $100 cheaper than the PS4 was at launch, and if you can afford it, you get a quality product that won't be obsolete by the time it goes down in price. And no offense, but expecting a competent console to launch below $299 in 2017 is being unrealistic.

Thanks for supplying the article, by the way.

Silly analysts. Don't they know that you can't predict the market reach of a new concept?

Count me as one of those ready to buy if I can find one. But they're never in stock anywhere near me (US, east coast).

What I get from all this is that the Switch will fail because some random Irish bloke is too skint to buy one because he lives in one of the most expensive countries in the Euro zone. Okay.

And rightly so.

It's a fabulous gaming system. By the end of its first year it's gonna have a better library than Wii U had after two years. By the end of year 2, I fully expect Switch library to surpass Wii U wholesale.

@PlywoodStick
Um, Switch actually did get a BestBuy restock just last week. And today Walmart got a restock (just sold out a bit ago) and TRU is getting another restock Sunday

I believe there is potential to reach the 8-10 million mark. Heavy hitters are yet to be announced like a new Pokemon game, Monster Hunter and Animal Crossing, to name just a few (let alone the summer and holiday bundles with Splatoon 2 and Mario Odyssey respectively). Of course the supply chain is an important variable to take into consideration, hopefully Nintendo will do it right this time around.

@JaxonH Yeah, that was all part of the same restock wave. Best Buy sold out of their restocks by Tuesday. The one across the street from where I work went from at least 51 copies of BotW to 22 copies on Monday. If this trend continues, then no more consoles until Mario Kart 8 Deluxe at the end of April. So in other words, 3-4 weeks of no consoles to sell.

@Agent721 My father tells me the same thing. I tell him to stuff it and get rid of those damn Disney stocks held in my name. He lost us over $100k around 2000 when Microsoft crashed, and squandered $20k of money that was inheritance from my great aunt, meant for my sister and I.

I'm happy you're fortunate enough to have had other people's money fall into your lap like that, but my family wasn't so lucky, and neither are most other families either. The stock market only benefits those who play their games, and even then, only a select few come out on top. If it were a contained competition, no problem. But no, that crap affects how millions of people's lives will play out, even if they don't directly have any skin in it. That's not a type of game I'm interested in.

@NEStalgia I like you more every time you post a reply to me.

@CircuitWrangler3 Yeah only pessimistic comment section posters can predict the success of a system through flawed comparisons with other devices.

@PlywoodStick

I didn't have anyone's money fall in my lap, nor have I ripped anyone off. The money I made is my own, with the money I earned in my full time job. Your family suffered a big financial loss and that is terrible, and it seems to have rightfully affected your views negatively. Can't say I blame you and I'm sorry to hear what happened!

But this site is about Nintendo, so no need on debating the merits of the markets or wade into areas that simply generate negative vibes. This site isn't about that.

So cheers to good times & a great weekend!

@Lysis my store got like 30 units.

What happens if Nintendo win E3 this year?

@electrolite77 glad to be of service...

@Agent721

There are professional gamblers as well.

@gatorboi352

I got a great stock tip from the shoe shine boy just down the road.

Why do Nintendo consistently have production issues? Do they not believe in themselves and not order enough or are they just not good at logistics?

There are two GameStops I frequent. Both have had a few restocks since launch but each time it's merely 5 consoles. The demand is clearly there, I have friends who work at these places so I usually go in and spend an hour or so talking with them and they get tons of calls about the Switch, especially when the days when it's getting close to the next wave of stock. I don't even remember Xbox One or PS4 having the same issue and the PS4 has been selling very well since its launch. Switch set a record for Nintendo in North America and it makes you wonder how much better it could do if Nintendo would meet stock demands but as others have said this is an issue the company has had for a while. It seemed like the Wii was regularly sold out until about late 2009.

@cfgk24
Stock shortages for 3 more years...

I find that hard to believe. First, the console are near impossible to find. Second, they are plagued with hardware issues. Dock and scratch your screen and warp your console. The controllers lose connection all the time. Many units have already crashed and had to be replaced and the game saves are tied to the console and not to any SD Card, game card, or Cloud.

Good luck to it, but a Wii beater NEVER

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Nintendo won't do a price cut in the foreseable future. that's how (mistakenly) they like to roll.

By Black Friday I at least expect them to sell some bundles: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe bundles and Splatoon 2 bundles. Also, a red Switch on X-mas to coincide with Mario Odyssey (which I don't like).

@SmallFryUnify "If they come in with some strong support and fix the missing stuff like Browser/Apps/VC, then this could be huge."

I agree: If that stuff is all addressed by E3, or the end of the year at latest, I think it has about as good a chance as it could have of being a big success (maybe if they drop the price at some point soon too, and by a decent amount). Can't say if it would/will be as big as the Wii—I personally don't think it can really manage that feat at the kind of high price it's selling for (and it's likely Nintendo's going to sell it at that price or near enough for a long time imo)—but it would certainly destroy the sales numbers of most of Nintendo's other home consoles.

But, using the last handful of generations as a measure (and thinking of the Wii success as the outlier), as well as remembering all the stupid mistakes Nintendo made with the Wii U, despite all the fans believing the Wii U could still turn things around pretty much until Nintendo itself announced it was dead, I'm well in the camp of not believing it until I see it basically.

I genuinely want Switch to be all it can be and be a huge success in every way—I always want this for Nintendo's consoles and games in my heart—and it's definitely off to a great start in terms of sales (maybe not so much in some other areas), but I'll cling to hope rather than optimism for now. lol

As per usual, I think it's basically all in Nintendo's hands if this thing ultimately ends up being truly magical or not.

Switch is selling amazingly. And it's fitting. Since it really is an amazing beast. The way everything turns on quickly and runs smoothly and switches between modes seamlessly. Wonderful technical marvel.

@PlywoodStick Yeah, they were really short around where I lived. I owned 3 games for Gamecube, but had no memory card for them...eventually found one when Pikmin arrived, but it was the 59 block ones (not much blocks for the upcoming games). Eventually, I now own 2 of the 4X ones...both almost filled with my collection of 219 Gamecube games (yup, Gamecube was my favorite out of that generation). But, yeah, they were hard to find...even on launch day, they weren't even around.

@Gamer83 Lol
Let's hope they DO win E3 and that they DO ramp up production! Yay!