Taiwanese Memory Chip Supplier Reports Stronger Than Expected Demand From Nintendo

Can we stop this already? If Nintendo announce a mini then they announce it, if they don't then they don't. What is the point of this endless speculation?

Can’t dispute that The mini cometh! My left and/or right pocket is ready!

Give it a rest already. How many article do you post about it daily?

@Rhaoulos @Ooccoo_Jr The problem is the aftermath of E3, there is no news so they have to report something, otherwise people will also complain that there is no news.
Guessing that's why they are re-posting things from years ago

@Ooccoo_Jr That’s part of the fun of a video game blog: keep track of signs that something new is coming. Maybe you would be better served by instead visiting www.Nintendo.com, 100% rumor/leak/shenanigans/fun-free

@NinChocolate My point is that a mini would not change anything. The existence of a pro console would be more interesting to speculate on as that could open up new opportunities for new games/ports/features. Does anyone reading this website really not currently own a Switch because they are waiting for a Mini?

Also there is a difference between speculation and rumour and we have already drowned in speculative articles based on nothing so my appetite for rumours, even if there is something to them, is somewhat depleted at this point.

People do realise they can just... not read the articles?

I'm thinking September announcement of a pokemon bundle for the mini and witcher 3 bundle of the pro, so about 10 weeks time.

@DockEllisD scientifically, both can be true: sell more switches to Mario Maker/after summer big game release fans, and sell Switch minis.

hopefully means they plan to sell a lot on china

Sick of this article about switch mini.

@Ooccoo_Jr This. You beat me to it. They are building up so much hype for something that might never happen. Something Nintendo has denied.

It's going to be like Pokemon Sword and Shield. People are just assuming something is going to happen, but if it doesn't they are going to be really angry, even though that something was never promised in the first place.

All these rumours....
I play 90% docked, so a mini is of no interest. However, I think it's a good idea now that the 3DS is on its last legs. They need a console at a cheaper price point going forwards...
A Switch Pro on the other hand does interest me...... Time will tell.

Nintendolife is forcing me to read articles and then comment

@Ooccoo_Jr There is a very strong argument for a Switch mini in the market, especially in Asia. Absolutely.

If speculation wasn’t fun then every video game content focused blog, stream, video and podcast wouldn’t talk about things like E3 predictions and hardware revisions, but they do. Absolutely.

@1UP_MARIO seeing people’s brains pucker at these articles adds to the eventual reveal, so we must allow them this

Cover something that actually known! Nintendo open its second store in the world today! Cover it!

@Heavyarms55 This is my point exactly. I have no problem with speculation based on evidence, inside knowledge, etc but so much 'news' these days is just guessing. Since the Switch was announced people have been speculating on a Pro version for example - this is not a rumour it is just pure speculation. I could start a rumour right now about Mario Kart 9 coming to the Switch, it may well end up happening but that doesn't mean I was ever right.

Write opinion pieces about why it would/wouldn't make sense by all means but let's please raise the burden of proof level somewhat.

Again, I don't believe it until announced by Nintendo.

@Tantani guaranteed this article will attract more interest than a story about a glorified Nintendo kiosk most people will never see. That said, guaranteed that article is coming too for you

I may be a little bit convinced, if you would show some slighty bit of evidence, that a Switch Mini is coming. Where is your evidence, Nintendolife, where is it?🤔
And no, some crap like "I heard it from hik, who heard it from their neighbors" doesn't count.

Could also have something to do with the wallet apocalypse in September and the fact no holiday bundles have been announced yet.

@Heavyarms55 has Nikkei, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and Eurogamer all corroborated an unconfirmed report about a Nintendo thing according to their own information, and it didn’t happen in some form? I just don’t recall that precedent. You’d have to have that precedent to reasonably, flat out discount this rumor

@BANJO
A Switch Mini doesn't make sense! The Switch is selling (even though all this Switch Mini rumor thing is looking more and more like market manipulation) and even if selling numbers begin to decline, Nintendo can just lower the price for the Switch and release a "Pro" version.

@MrBlacky PlayStation has made smaller versions of all their consoles and they definitely aren’t marketed to children and adults who like to play on-the-go

I don't care about a Switch Mini. I want the beefed up spec Switch revision 🥴

@Ooccoo_Jr,

A cheaper model would not change anything?,I think a cheaper model would fly off store shelves,certainly more than a Pro model would.

Gearing up production for the holiday season is the most likely explanation. Nintendo had a strong showing at E3 with some great games scheduled for release in the second half of the year, and they want to ensure there are enough Switch units in production to meet anticipated demand. That's a more likely explanation than a brand new model.

@NinChocolate "Nikkei, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and Eurogamer all corroborated an unconfirmed report..."

Corroborated an unconfirmed report?

@MrBlacky Lets just wait and see

@Mountain_Man Nikkei of Japan reported that Nintendo would release a Switch mini mid-2019. Other business outlets supported that published report which hasn’t been confirmed by Nintendo. Nintendo only commented that there would be no new hardware shown at E3 (despite these outlets not having mentioned an E3 reveal)

Either way, Nintendo will need to have a LOT of Switch units on shelves for the holiday season across the planet.

@Pod periodically Nintendo has needed to have a lot of units of something on store shelves: Wii, Amiibo, NES classic, etc., hasn’t stopped them from letting demand outpace supply all throughout their game-making history

@Mountain_Man i can't stop laughing, he basically said "confirmed an unconfirmed report"

@NinChocolate
True, but this one they can see coming, and since what we're hearing supports the idea that they intend to meet demand as best they can, talking about the times they DIDN'T might be irrelevant.

Concerning you specific examples, they did everything they could to meet Wii demand. This was the first time they'd ever seen this kind of demand, coming off of a system selling about 22M across a whole generation, and they still managed within a year to ramp up and produce 25 million Wiis every year for several consecuitive years.

Concerning the Amiibo, these are standalone trinkets, on which Nintendo stand to gain nothing from excerting themselves with meeting demand.

And the NES Classic is a special case in which they'd negotiated software licensing and production for exactly one million units, for use in a one-time brand awareness effort. There were not supposed to ever exist any more of them, and they only made more alongside the SNES mini because people were so upset.

With their home systems and handhelds, it stands to reason that they would always make an effort to meet demand, as these are the vessels for software sales, their primary source of income.

Software is cheap to mass produce and sold at high profit margins, (considerably higher than Amiibo and mini consoles) and you can sell MANY pieces of software for every one system you sell. It's just good business.

@Ooccoo_Jr

If you want to stop it.. don't comment it and ignored it. It will go away. And you know what ? Nintendolife and other links loved the rumours and gossips. What can you do about it ? LOL!

I will ignored mini because I have one and I am waiting for PRO. This mini is perfect for kids. Not for me. Not interested and not ever. Wait for Pro next year, I bet.

@NinChocolate
What are you talking about? A mini version of some Playstation is the same like the older, bigger versions (maybe with one or two never used I/O less). This alleged Switch Mini on the other hand, would be a completely different thing basically and shouldn't even be called Switch.

@NinChocolate
So Switch Mini has to come in July at the latest. Good to know, so we can lay these rumors to rest coming end of July.💃🕺

Macronix makes the ROM for Switch cartridges, not the memory in Switch hardware.

@Pod I don’t know the extent of the market information Nintendo has had in every instance of short supply, but it’s happened numerous times since NES, and I will never believe (or ever truly know) that they always did everything to never have short supply at any hardware launch, because, like Apple, I believe, there’s no need to expedite manufacturing when that short supply won’t hurt total sales, indeed the scarcity helps grab the attention of those who are considering a purchase, it triggers a natural brain response and merchants have known it. It’s a safe bet Nintendo will again put out that courageous PR about diligently meeting the challenge of supplies shortage again in their future

@Rhaoulos When you click, NintendoLife is more likely to post similar stuff in the future. If you find it annoying, better not to interact!

@MrBlacky if PlayStation sees sales in downsizing a home console meant to sit under a TV, then Nintendo has almost infinitely more justification in downsizing a portable one.

@MrBlacky I have recently anticipated a June announcement for the fun of it, and you may certainly expect others to retire the notion after June is past, however, it’s not unreasonable to accept “mid-2019” as having been an approximate statement by Nikkei, so better wait till July is over too

@Ooccoo_Jr there is nothing wrong with speculation with some poignant information to back it up.

No one is forcing you to click.

@NinChocolate
The myth of short supply for the sake of marketing does not add up in the case of Nintendo. They stand to gain nothing from not having a product available when people want to buy it.

With hardware in particular, Nintendo are not Apple, and don't make their money on the sales of the hardware itself, so they cannot afford to recklessly overproduce. Each unsold unit is a loss to Nintendo that they'd rather avoid.

Nintendo themselves are not the ones playing it up as something cool or impressive when their physcial merch is in short supply. To them, this is an embarrassment, and they're usually out apologizing for it.

You don't make money on NOT selling units, by underproducing on purpose, as you can't sell something you don't have to those few people that genuinely become enticed by the promise of something scarce.
Besides, actual artificial scarcity tactics involve purposefully driving up the prices, and Nintendo can't ever charge more than their own MSRP. So they have no use for this.

At the outset Nintendo are usually conservative with initial production shipments of ANYTHING, and when they run out of something people want, they always have to make the consideration of whether it's actually a profit deal to make more (it isn't always,) or if they rather deal with the audience being a little upset.

It's always a cost/benefit analysis.

@Heavyarms55 Or hell look at the Persona 5 Switch anger. Hyped up on speculation and nothing else. So when it was shown to be a Muso game (which I'm more excited for tbh) people got mad.

@westman98 They've also got a flash in the dock and flash in the joycons. Sounds more to me like Nintendo is getting enough units ordered for the expected seasonal rush.

Thank u, Nintendo Life, for keeping up with this. My wallet needs all the heads up it can get. Please continue. 😁

@Pod Actually, Nintendo Switch units are NOT sold at a loss. Nintendo makes money on each one sold: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/10/nintendo_switch_wont_be_sold_at_a_loss_two_million_units_to_ship_in_time_for_march

That was at launch, so you can bet they're making even more now due to technology's natural drop in cost over time. I would imagine they're making anywhere from ~$50 to ~$100 on each one sold.

No interest in a mini version, just give me the Pro already.

@Pod You say they have nothing to gain by reports that their hardware has largely sold out nation-wide, thus fans can’t give business to retailers, which in turn isn’t profiting Nintendo. That’s reasonable, sure.

But, like Apple, Nintendo famously isn’t a discount-happy, loss-leader brand (example: the Wii U). I’m personally just certain that Nintendo prefers to miss out on a few interim sales (within reason, I’m not saying they’re always scheming) periodically, in order for retailers to go through the exercise of buying more of the same product, advertising availability, and sell it again at the original price as dictated by the built up demand and interest. You just can’t be a sale-averse brand and not have any tactics and always sell everything in abundance. You have to take some notes from luxury product companies that do famously employ the scarcity principle and sell will exclusivities (Nintendo did this with store-exclusive amiibo as an example).

So with Nintendo’s reputation in the industry for “never” going on sale, always striving for profit for every unit when it’s two competitors don’t live by that philosophy, I just can’t believe they never employ tactics to maintain that value perception, just like any so-called luxury consumable

Priced right with some nice colour variations, yeah I'd buy a mini. It's not like I don't have every iteration of the 3ds. Might as well keep throwing my money at nintendo

Macronix makes mask-rom chips that Nintendo uses in Switch/3DS cartridges? I fail to see how that is about a Switch mini.

@HobbitGamer Wallocalypse? Wallageddon?

I never play docked, so if they make a pink or Pokemon themed mini, I will buy the hell out of it. Let me give you my money, Nintendo.

The tiny bezels will make me buy one of these ASAP.

NINTENDO, please reduce the damn bezels on the switch.

@Ooccoo_Jr "Does anyone reading this website really not currently own a Switch because they are waiting for a Mini?"

Actually, that's pretty much the case with me, so yes. But more specifically, I've held off getting a Switch largely because Mario Maker 1 has kept me so busy all by itself, for years, so I've had no need. Now that Mario Maker 2 is coming, I of course plan to get a Switch in the near future. But with such extensive rumors from so many reputable sources, I'm now waiting to see just what the new SKU(s) might look like / feature before forking over lots of money. For instance, ideally I'd like a white Switch of some sort. So in addition to seeing what features a new model might have or not have, that would be a nice bonus for me if that ended up being an option.

@Rob3008
Yes, thank you - that's what I've said to people many times in the past.

I think there’s a lot of people in my boat as well. I own a switch already but I would love to have a much smaller variant that’s easier to travel with. I would be purchasing my 2nd switch console should a mini be true and quality made because my current switch is bulky as hell when traveling.

@nintendork64
I'm not saying they take a loss on the hardware. I'm saying their business model isn't selling the hardware, and that an unsold piece definitely constitutes a loss in multiple regards.

I'm sure they make a bit on each Switch sale, but I do find it rather optimistic, that they should be making $100 every time, after shipping and retailer royalties are accounted for. Even $50 sounds unlikely to me.

@NinChocolate
I'm totally with you on the strategies for maintaining the perception of value. Even though, it's less of an issue for Nintendo than for consumable luxury brands like clothes and handbags, that wear out over time, and tend to go out of style, or perfumes and make-up, that literally run out through daily use.

Nintendo only ever has a few important SKUs in rotation, that are liable to "run out" with any consequence to them doing so, and it's only really a new product every five years. Furthermore, people rarely buy more than one. Even if Nintendo attempt to incentivise that they do (trickle-down of used systems from older siblings and cousins seem to be an important recruitment strategy for them.)

Nintendo also sticks to their "no discounts" even when their products are NOT attractive to people. Only a few first party titles were ever actually marked down officially during the Wii U's steady spiral into oblivion, never the system itself. And the really big discounts were only ever digital. Insane as this practice may seem, I'd argue Nintendo's reputation for never going on sale BY ITSELF is part of what affords them an air of value. People KNOW a Zelda title won't drop in price, so they pony up and pay the full price on launch.

I would not expect retailers to act on reports on what is or isn't selling out. Whether these reports are from the manufactuer, the specialized media, or the sensationalist press. They predominantly care about what they themselves can shift, and happen to shift a lot of, and then they buy more. It is NOT a good position for Nintendo iof they need to tell major retailers they gotta wait a long time, or than they can only get very small shipments, when they're ordering something they know they can shift immediately.

It's difficult though. Not a lot of other consumer products are in a similar position as games consoles.

Y'all are mad for real. Please join me in chilling out and playing some video games.

Spawnwave made the point this morning that with as heavy as the second half of the year is for switch games it could just as easily be for cartridges. Just a thought.

these rumors are getting out of hands unless nintendo confirms it then this is just another bs rumor.

@graysoncharles

LOL! I know what you mean. Thank you.

@NinChocolate THEY MAKE THE JOY CONS CHIPS AND DOCKS. SWITCH RUMOR BUSTER.
https://www.tweaktown.com/news/66391/nintendo-chip-surge-point-new-switch-hardware/index.html

That company makes the Joy-Cons and docks chip set, they have more demand for those because they want to have a good number of supplies for the manufacturers. Learn to report stuff Nintendo Life, you suck balls at this. Here's a link where everyone can get better information:

https://www.tweaktown.com/news/66391/nintendo-chip-surge-point-new-switch-hardware/index.html

@Edu23XWiiU Macronix makes a range of memory chips. That article’s info is based on teardown of current models. Chip supplies are subject to change for new hardware as much as the manufacturing is. Manufacturing has been reported as changed for Switch. Need more current info on what if any change to flash memory

@NinChocolate Have you actually read what I shared? They only make the chip sets for the Joy Cons, for the docks, and for the game cartridges, and Macronix was talking about the current chip sets they built for Nintendo. What this means is that Nintendo wants to keep manufacturing of the Switch steady, and to produce more cartridges, since they have a little game called Super Mario Maker 2 coming up at this time of year, actually, it launches next week. There's no worse blind than the one who doesn't want to see. Nintendo Life should rectify this, and should change their name to Nintendo LIE.

@Edu23XWiiU I read it. It has no inside information and only states what’s going into the current Switch model. This article is about a Switch Mini, a hardware variant. Not a successor or a replacement but a variant. The current Switch will continue alongside a rumored Switch mini. It’s not clear from the initial news story what exactly is being supplied to Nintendo. It’s all possibility, not lies.

This "article" that Nintendo LIE did, is based on the one I provided you, and they're using to speculate about a "Mini" variant, as well as other game sites. If they would report accurately, they'd have said that they're supplying more chips for the current Switch model. How's that not false "news"?

@Edu23XWiiU
Thanks man, this is the bit of behind-the-curtain-news that makes me feel more calm and assured that any new Switch model coming up still, in all likelihood, uses detachable JoyCon.

@Pod Nintendo won't change the model. It's selling better and better as it is.

@Edu23XWiiU
If anything, for many good reasons, the chipset will stay exactly the same, but the outer configuration of buttons and plugs on the main unit might shift around, and stuff like screen, batttery, and casing material might receive an upgrade.

This was at least the case with the DS lite.

@Pod The DS Lite was only a design change, everything stayed the same, even the screen size. The didn't remove anything from it as well.

@Edu23XWiiU
That's what I'm saying though.

Buttons were moved around, the shell material changed, and the screens were better and brighter, even if they were the same size and resolution. Battery charged faster and lasted longer as well.

It was a QoL upgrade where everything stayed exactly the same on the inside. At least the chipset did. Print was likely a different layout. Same as the GBA-SP. That's what I would want for Switch, personally.

@Pod The design of the Switch is as slick as it can get. Screen size is good, controller proportions are adequate, and it's selling like hot Willy Wonka Chocolates right now.

@Edu23XWiiU
I don't really disagree with you.
But personally I'd like an improved model. Sturdier, slimmer bezel, brighter screen, better kickstand, separate charger plug NOT located on the bottom. There are a few more small things on my wishlist.
I wouldn't ask for the proportions to change, though. It needs to work with all the existing JoyCon.

Finally, the system could stand to LOOK a little better as well. It's selling pretty well, but not compared to how the DSlite and Wii were selling in 2008. And those were selling at the same time. Nintendo shifted over 50 million pieces of hardware that year.

If they want to lean on the Switch for reviving their glory days from ten years ago, they might well need a cheaper version for the kids, like many are arguing. I'd argue they also need a sleek looking one that just FEELS up-to-date and much more thoroughly considered.

@Pod It's already selling well with the kids, and LABO is a huge part of that appeal. Sell a cheaper version with no Joy-Cons, LABO will be incompatible with it, even with a larger screen Switch. And, they're making more money now than they did with the Wii/DS during the same spot on their life span, and that's because of digital sales.

@Edu23XWiiU
Oh I'm not asking for a system without JopyCon. Heavens no.

I'm asking for 2 JoyCon included as always, but on a sleeker, more technically contemporary solution. The edition I'm asking for is allowed to cost a bit more than the current one, even.

Though as I'm saying, I'd appreciate (and recommend) a replacement at the same pricepoint as the original. With all the same functionality, but a bit better and a bit more comfortable. Just ike they did with the DS.

This way, they could keep the price the same as now for longer, without people expecting drops, and stock of the older version could be sold off slightly cheaper if it didn't move on it's own fast enough (which it likely would, though.)

@Pod Yeah, they Joy-Cons are the key feature of the console, without them, it won't be the Switch. I'm happy with the current design. My only complaint is the drift that occurs with the sticks, in ALL the controllers.