As the gaming industry's increasing popularity drives up the demand for consoles, manufacturers have struggled to keep up and are subsequently experiencing worldwide distribution issues due to a number of factors. We have been reporting on the semiconductor shortage for some time now, detailing Switch assembly issues and the company's uncertainty concerning future Switch production numbers. Now, it seems like Nintendo is trying another tactic to reduce costs and keep up the shipment of consoles as best it can.
As reported by Nikkei (thanks, Next News Report), Nintendo will be reducing the size of its Switch packaging by 20% in order to increase the efficiency of its console transportation services. The reduction in packaging will allow Nintendo to make more of the available space when shipping and transporting Switch consoles worldwide, with retailers theoretically being able to fit more items on the shelves subject to supply.
Such an approach is a logical step for Nintendo. Considering the Switch OLED's already reduced packaging size (coming in a taller, thinner, box), the move to do the same with the original Switch console makes a lot of sense in terms of uniformity as well as improving efficiency in its shipping pipeline.
The company used a similar approach with the distribution of the 3DS when it removed the bulky power supplies in later editions of the console to create a smaller box (and obviously also saved on the modest production costs of new AC adapters).
Of course, a reduction in packaging does not solve the shortage of semiconductors and assembly issues overshadowing the electronics industry right now; but such a move should mean that Nintendo can maximise efficiency and shift the maximum number of Switch consoles globally for the time being while waiting for the supply situation to improve.
Do you like the idea of a new dinkier box? Let us know in the comments!
Further reading:
[source nikkei.com, via nextnewssource.com]
Comments 51
I never understood why it was ever so big in the first place. Sure, it's more noticeable in stores, but most retailers would have the consoles themselves tucked away in storage beyond the reach of sticky fingers and display dummy boxes instead.
So I was pleasantly surprised that the OLED box was a good deal smaller.
Also, might be better for the environment?
❓️So will the old V1/V2 📦 be worth 💷?
@NeonPizza An INCREDIBLE WASTE of plastic.
There are tiny but cute keyring-stylecases on E-Bay/Etsy, maybe a bit too small.
🤣 real consoles are struggling because of semi conductors and the switch is struggling with cardboard, sounds about right
Last time Nintendo decided to shrink a box, they removed the 3DS charger in the process, but they kept the AR cards. Priorities I guess.
@NeonPizza : They could have opted for DS/3DS sized cases, which probably would have been ideal, but seeing as Nintendo are competing with the big boys now, I think the cases are sensibly sized. At least they're as thin as they need to be.
I only wish that every other game didn't have some stupidly overpriced and oversized limited edition (some of which don't even include the whole game on the cartridge, and in some cases, no cartridge at all!).
Surely if they’re struggling to get semiconductors, then being able to ship more consoles at the same time will just mean they run out of semiconductors quicker, making the gaps between new stock arrivals bigger?
@abdias : The AR cards would cost a few cents as opposed to a few dollars for the A/C adapter. Plus, its absence also allows Nintendo to ship units in smaller boxes, and minimising their shipping expenses per unit, and thus maximising their profits.
As an existing 3DS owner, I was indifferent to their omission, but I understand that it would have been an annoyance for new customers to have added expenses for an accessory that really should have been included by default.
"combat supply issues"
Just looks like they are trying to save money to me.🤷
@rjejr actually, there is a cardboard shortage and it has been going on for about a year.
I’m not surprised. Cardboard has been causing delays of CD (digipaks, special editions, art books, etc) and vinyl record releases. Even though there’s still an ongoing shortage of the material to make vinyl.
Quite a few of my art book editions of albums have been delayed from 3-6 months due to it
I’d be ok if we could just buy a switch console and not a dock. I have 2 extra docks not being used, 3 in use, and I will need to get another switch this year for one of my kids.
Is the cardboard shortage the reason they discontinued the Nintendo Labo series?
The Switch OLED box is the ideal size for a Switch box, though. There's no need to have it in such a huge box, especially when it doesn't even have a printed user manual.
In regards to the Switch game cases, maybe if they were as tall as a DS/3DS box or a Japanese Gamecube one.
@HammerGalladeBro Labo didn't meet sales expectations. A large portion of units shipped to stores were sold at a substantial discount.
Nintendo, you should have done that 20c years ago.. carbon footprint et al.
@gaga64
Thank you. I was wondering the same.
I think they try to have the box a certain size so it catches the eye on a retail shelf. But Nintendo know people are aware of the Switch and are going to buy it, so that doesn’t matter so much.
Let’s say you can fit 300 Current Switch boxes on a pallet. If you reduce the size of the boxes by 1/3, you can get another 100 Boxes on that pallet. By doing so, you’ve reduced your shipping overheads, which means if the prices of the semiconductors go up, you can pay for some of it with the money you save on the shipping.
@rjejr damn ik you probably don't care but I just saw a comment from you on an article here from 4 years ago, it's pretty cool to see you're still active here
W sigma grindset
They need to make a mini-dock for the Switch instead of that huge chunk of plastic that hardly had anything on it. Doing that would also help reduce packaging size too.
I think price reduction would be more affordable to Nintendo Buyers. Packaging long term won't do much.
@Serpenterror, mini....try Switch Lite. Some people just make themselves look not so smart here.
countries should produce there own chips and stop relying on taiwan which makes 90% of the chips needed..
If Nintendo takes a leaf from Valve's book, they might consider shipping Switch in a case. Not only is that better value for the customer, the case protects the console so well that less packaging is needed.
@Donutman if they excluded the dock, it would probably drop the price down. Around $75 USD would be my guess.
@Silly_G
I'm pretty sure Switch cases are smaller than DS/3DS cases.
@Silly_G Japan used to be legendary for their ability and obsession with packaging. There used to be numerous business articles on it decades ago. I'd argue all of Apple's packaging was influenced by Japanese packing 15-20 years ago. In Europe/US good looking packaging is common today; but this was not the case 2 decades ago.
It was an era of more is more...like unwrapping a present. Where the unwrapping was just as enjoyable as the present itself. Much less of a concern today; if not detrimental. A shift so to speak.
@Sonos : I fondly remember the days when PC games usually shipped in giant boxes (the typical size of a collector's edition today), and quite often, they contained nothing more than a jewel case (or floppy disks) and manual, with a big chunk of cardboard inside the box to help keep its shape.
At the time, I was quite bummed to see boxes becoming smaller and smaller, but on the other hand, given just how many games/movies I now have in my collection, it's been more of a blessing.
But the novelty of marveling at a large box is certainly not the same as it used to be.
@MichaelP : Switch cases are thinner, narrower, but taller. 3DS/DS cases are thicker, wider, but shorter.
@SwitchForce Switch Lite isn't compatible with the television though. People who buy Switch bought it for the convenient factor meaning to have it hook up to the telly when at home and be able to take it with them on the go. They don't want just one of those privilege and those that do are not the majority.
@johnedwin countries should produce there own chips and stop relying on taiwan which makes 90% of the chips needed..
Called OutSourcing everyone didn't want to pay worker living wages so this is how company ended up where they are at. So it not the countries fault but the consumers and politicians short sightedness. Country can do it but would they invest in their own workers is the question.
@Serpenterror You have a choice OLED isn't getting any smaller. v2 Switch is just fine for portable gaming and that comes at a cost. What your asking is to sell v2, OLED at Lite prices and that will never going to happen. One can cry til they are blue but that won't change. Even if we get a 4K Switch the price of v2, OLED will never go under current v2 prices. They will undercut their own return.
@SwitchForce If they're planning to reduce packaging size making a mini dock with the console instead of including that huge dock would help. I didn't say anything about reducing the price of the actual product. They can still sell that thing at $300-$350 but with an actual smaller package instead of that huge box it currently came with.
Reducing packaging is good but why not do Switch,Lite XLs they where popular 3,DS days
@arnold337 no scratch that it would require more packaging my bad
@Titanium_Brainium I've been active on here for 14 years now, back before it was Nintendo Life it was vc_reviews or something like that. Sad really, but as a stay at home dad I had a lot of down time when the kids were little. At 1 point I was probably posting like 100 comments a day. Still to this day haven't been banned yet though I probably came close a couple of times, damo and I butt heads. If there is a behind the scenes comment counter I'd guess I have like 25,000 or something ridiculous like that.
Just looked, 22,889 comments. Guess this will make 22890. Pretty good guess on my part. 😁 I wonder where I rank all time? There's only a couple of people still around from that long ago, and most of them had better things to do than post on here all day. 😂 Some people are really active in the forums though, I always stayed away from there, was afraid to get sucked in, my kids had to eat. They still do actually, I probably should have taught them how to cook. 🤷♂️
@progx Thanks, that's news to me. I wonder if hat's why my Elden Ring book got delayed out of July until October? Will discuss w/ my wife, she's in publishing, they literally can not get paper for books. I mean semiconductors are 1 thing, but paper, paper?, that's just weird. And cardboard is kinda paper like so it makes sense.
Edit: Spoke to the missus, she concurs, corrugated cardboard is out 12 weeks to order, hard to come by, so shrinking the boxes does help w/ the supply.
I'd be curious to see if they're gonna pull a New 3DS and remove the charger and market it as a "cheaper" Switch.
Does any usb C charger work with the Switch?
The timing would be perfect for when the new EU law gets in force according to which Apple products will have to use USB C meaning that more households will have one lying around.
I wouldn't be against this personally.
I prefer the OLED's more petite, minimalistic packaging anyway, so this will make the boxes look even more fun.
@rjejr we take it for granted often. If Nintendo went for something standard, then it could help to put more Switch units in the wild. The supply chain is burping up bubbles currently, so we all have to be patient with everything.
@SwitchForce Exactly and agree - The concept of free trade assumes that jobs are not traded, just the manufactured goods or services. Hence globalisation actually runs counter to the concept of free trade. I do wish Nintendos were still made in Japan!
Whichever way we see it, most consoles and games are made by a slave labour force without any rights nor environmental regulations that indirectly supports an authoritarian government that has little to no respect for human values and life.
My Switch was made in Vietnam (not China) which I am happy about. I will not buy any physical games unless they are made in Japan. I am happy to pay more for these criteria. Deku is great for snaring digital bargains too as an offset.
I have only recently been clued up on this subject as in the past, I had not clue!
Some ways to encourage manufacturing back to a country that has outsourced is:
1) Government subsidies
2) Banning certain imports/higher Tariffs
3) Societal stigmas/shaming of buying certain goods
4) Promoted respect for the country of origin
Would be happy not to receive any packaging outside of something that protects the item itself.
Smart Move! Glad they're doing it.
Now if sony would make ps5 slims, I Might actually invest in one. Ps5 is way too oversized for my liking.
@a_brave_new_geek
hate to break it to you but slave labour exists in all countries not just China
But yea I agree with everything else
@Serpenterror On the one hand, I agree with you. The dock as it stands takes up quite a bit of space considering that you can transplant the innards into a casing the size of two decks of playing cards.
On the other hand, I think I can theorize why Nintendo went with this particular design. The fact that it has physical barriers in the front and back makes it more difficult to unintentionally (and probably intentionally as well) remove the Switch. A phone cradle-style dock doesn’t have the kind of surface area that could keep the switch fully immobile.
@Donutman imagine this. You cant afford multiple switches. You just got a switch for christmas. Now you have to share it with your entire family. You would want to be able to play it on the TV would you? So, you know, you can PLAY split-screen. But theres no dock so you essentially cant play the game with your family without having to crowd around a small screen. That would kinda suck. Also, how destructive are your children? I have owned my switch for 6 years, and its still fine. Im a child. I’m not one to give parenting advice, but i feel you should NOT get them new stuff whenever its breaks. They should really learn there are consequences to there actions. Im assuming you have multiple children, so maybe make it so they have to share their switch until your son completes enough chores around the house. That would probably only make it better. DONT GIVE YOUR KIDS EVERYTHING THEY WANT! If you still love getting your kids stuff make them do chores, than after like two months bring them to your local walmart and give them 20$, or if your feeling generous 100$, and let them get what they want. Sorry for going off on a tangent but just please. don’t get your children everything they want.
@Bomberman64 if you use any other usb charger than the official one you could brick your switch
@Ferdinand_Von_Aegir Thanks for the heads up then. I didn't know. I wonder how many have bricked their switches like this
@rjejr 33,525
@Ferdinand_Von_Aegir I have 4 kids and myself. My launch switch is the only one that has actually died. maybe before giving parenting advice, have some kids. They get older, learn how to play games, we need more systems:
@NeonPizza They should have been the size of Vita cases.
@WhiteUmbrella Exactly. When I got mine I was shocked at the minimalism. Not ideal for collectors. No fancy box to display on a shelf, but a lower carbon footprint is nice. I highly doubt Nintendo would ever do anything like that. Especially include a case.
@antdickens That sounds like a challenge.😉
I work in a retail warehouse and I’ve found it odd for a while that the OLED model fits six in a case and the original switch only fits five. That big packaging looked nice on its own but just ugly next to the OLED packaging.
My only problem is that I can spot these full cases on the receiving line from far away despite the fact that they don’t have any identifying features as Nintendo product and now I’m going to have to get an eye on the new type to make sure they’re handled correctly.
@progx "The supply chain is burping up bubbles currently, so we all have to be patient with everything."
Wife and I had a long discussion - car ride thru an area w/ no decent radio stations - about when things might get back to "normal" and we decided on never, never going back, there's just too much behind. Now we will probably at some point in a few years get a new normal, when you can count on things that used to take 3 weeks taking 12 weeks w/o any hiccups, but the hiccups are here for awhile. Long road trips expose you to a lot of things, and we had 2 back-to-back. Everything is broken everywhere.
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