The Switch's success has given Nintendo a real boost in 2017, but the high demand does cause one headache - there simply aren't enough units to go around, and that means unhappy customers.
Speaking to The Verge, Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime admitted that not being able to meet demand isn't something he's particularly happy with:
Whenever we launch a system, we place very high expectations on ourselves. I wish we would have more hardware. Our inability to meet demand is not something that is satisfying in any way, shape, or form. And we’re working hard to satisfy as much demand as possible. I expect that our chief executive Mr. Kimishima will comment on this.
Meeting demand for Switch is one thing, but that's not the only piece of Nintendo hardware that's in short supply. The NES Classic Mini and SNES Classic Mini are both big sellers that have subsequently been re-sold online at inflated prices due to low stock, but Nintendo has committed to bringing more units to market, something Reggie is pleased about:
We know that there are many consumers who want that system and have not been able to purchase it. Certainly we’re not happy to see the re-seller prices on that system. And so bringing it back, and bringing it back in significant numbers, is something that’s important to us.
What's the Switch stock situation like where you are? Do you think Nintendo can meet demand in the run-up to the console's first Christmas - surely a time when sales are going to skyrocket? Let us know with a comment.
[source theverge.com]
Comments 41
In Mexico the situation is fine with the Switch but dreadful with the Classics.
Seems like a sincere response to me.
At the beginning, they were hard to find. But at the Walmart I work at, we have tons. But I don’t expect there to be many left after this weekend.
At least he is honest on the situation. But on the positive side, I have been seeing Switch's more frequently in Wal Mart and Target
Hhm, and with that I think I'll have a Kitkat after this.
Referring to Reggie. Such a, I can't think of the exact right word, at the moment, but funny the timing. People, you'd better buy the Switch now if you want to be guaranteed a purchase in 2017. It's a familiar story. The English speaking puppet has been quiet for so long, pretty much since E3, but he's been rolled out by NOJ to get his Christmas marketing message out early in the West. "Buy it now, or else, because there's limited supply". Why is there limited supply? How long have you got? The Switch is in stock pretty much everywhere now.
What a jerk. They do this on purpose people. I mean sheeple. Sheeps are blind to this. Nonetheless Mario gonna be good.
Poor Reggie...
Still, it is the better problem to have. Despite the internet pitchforks it is better to have to scramble to meet demand rather than having piles of unpurchased product.
With a system as hot as the Switch I'm surprised that Nintendo is so cool while handling the situation. They'll manage fine imo.
decided not to keep my SNES classic. Realized i have carts for most of them, and could trade or sell it to buy those i don't........ but does that make me a scalper? like if I trade it for an Earthbound cart straight up? hm....
@Samus7Killer or course it has nothing to do with Apple out bidding them on components during a shortage. I mean we would have to be sheepie to believe a provable fact.
Not entirely Nintendo's fault, especially if there is a component shortage that is being made worse by new iPhone models. In hindsight they should have manufactured more ready for launch, but sales have been beyond expectations.
Stupid Apple! Let Nintendo have the parts they need!
Switch stock has been much better the past month or so here, but I imagine it'll get bad again over the holidays.
@Samus7Killer Obviously. Every non-sheeple knows that Nintendo hates money. \sarcasm
When you chant an old rant that has roots in pre-internet ignorance from early Nintendo cartridge shortages, it’s probably a good idea to check your defense. Is there more to it than “other people are blind?” Or is there some logic and thought put into this?
I’m not sure the group you’re emulating has considered how awful that is for Nintendo in every way but a brief news spike that is half negative. A group that seems ignorant of the challenges in keeping small inventory and predicting consumer demand in a volitile market. A group that maybe didn’t notice just how badly the last Nintendo console sold, and how a company like Nintendo, accustomed to heavy profits might make conservative estimates. @faint mentioned the component shortages that also factor into this.
The way I see it, there’s plenty of good reasons for unintended shortages, and no convincing reasons for Nintendo to create long-term shortages.
Switch stock seems quite decent here right now. But we'll see for the holiday season.
@aaronsullivan remember when there was a splatoon amiibo shortage in Europe due to mobsters robbing a lorry? 😂
Having done the shopping rounds this past week, the Switch is actually in pretty good supply in the heartland US where I live. That'll probably change tomorrow though.
That's a weirdly formed sentence. Only PR folk talk like that.
You might have to try 2 or 3 stores but you'll find one here if you want one.
Still can't find a switch where I live.
Bought mine off eBay. Had to
Yeah, this is probably the greatest weak point among all of the downsides to the NS- most people can't buy one even if they wanted to! You still hardly ever see these things out in public, either. I've still only seen a single person using one since launch, and I frequently take public transportation in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. The 3DS was more common around here even in it's first year, despite having been overpriced for most of it. Not to mention there's almost no NS demo kiosks anywhere. It's a wonder so many people even know about this thing. Word of mouth is strong with this one!
@Samus7Killer https://secure.marketwatch.com/story/nintendo-battles-apple-for-parts-as-demand-for-switch-console-soars-2017-05-30
http://fortune.com/2017/05/31/apple-iphone-nintendo-switch/
http://www.investopedia.com/news/nintendo-race-acquire-key-switch-components-ntdoy/
The reason for the console shortage is old news, lol
(lack of NAND flash memory, LCD's, accelerometer motors for JoyCons, etc)
Not to say Nintendo hasn't been guilty of planned scarcity in the past. (The NES and NES Classic Mini being two very prominent examples. Console Wars by Blake J. Harris and Game Over by David Sheff go into detail on the methodology, philosophy, and history of this. No company can escape their roots.) They aren't guilty this time, though.
I have seen Switches pretty much every time at Walmart, Target and Best Buy ever since mid-August.
On the other hand, I have never seen the Twilight Princess, Majora's Mask, or Skyward Sword Link amiibo and I've been searching forever for them. I would also like to purchase a SNES Classic but have never seen one of those either.
Not that difficult to find. Even in stock online for a bit past couple of months.
Switch Stock is fine where I live at Walmart, Target, and Best Buy for a while now. Just wish they would get some SNES Classic in stock so I can actually purchase one.
The Switch is consistently in Stock on amazon.com now, and I've actually seen some in stores the last week or two. Seems like Nintendo made good on its pledge to increase production.
Supply seems better than it was a few months ago. I’ve actually seen multiple units (all grey joycon ones) on store shelves like Target & Best Buy here in Ft. Lauderdale. Also see Amazon has had the grey, red/blue & Mario bundle available pretty regularly. Be interesting what happened come mid/late November through the holidays.
Hey Reggie, how about your inability to meet our demands for basic necessities in a gaming device from 2017 ie: system level messaging and party chat, cloud storage and not having our games saves TETHERED to a single device. This has been said a thousand times but your online app is a joke and it's only real purpose is to tie in with Splatoon 2 currently which is a shame considering there are other worthy games that could be featured
I’ve seen Switches in stock at Walmart where I’m at pretty often since July.
Guess it depends on location, I've been seeing Switches in GameStop for months. Now Nintendo...about those Classics...
In Canada, stock situation is fine. All major retailers have them in the brick and mortar stores or online.
@Al_Godoy yeah the Switch situation is fine because Latamel sells the freaking thing at $500usd!!
Latamel is the freaking cancer of video gaming in Mexico
I could go out and find one within 30min of trying in this area, probably the first stop, if not the second or third. I can't say if it would be the first color of joycons of choice first, but finding one is not an issue.
Reggie always talks a lot but does little
I believe him. Nintendo loves money. Surely they want mine!
So this is essentially Reggie saying "Make sure to get a Switch for christmas kids!", right?
They've been available on Amazon UK for at least a month now...
There was never really a shortage in the UK. I pre-orderered mine from Nintendo UK a few days after the presentation in January and bought peripherals either through Amazon or Argos quite easily (but that's because UK is never a big Nintendo market.
@Al_Godoy Your statement is correct. It is very easy to find a Nintendo Switch in any department store or video game store in Mexico. But the price at any of these places is close to $ 400 USD even on Amazon.mx. But in December it is likely that the entire stock will run out.
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