The pandemic's impact on console supplies is now old news, but it's also not going anywhere. As countless people have learned during the holidays, finding a game console is a Herculean task at the moment, as strained supply lines and scalpers ravage what should be readily available hardware. For those looking to buy a Nintendo Switch, the supply issues likely won't be going anywhere any time soon.
According to Nintendo of Japan President Shuntaro Furukawa, the games industry giant is expecting Switch supply to remain strained into 2022. The issue stems from the limited supply of semiconductor chips, an issue that has affected game consoles, vehicles, and other electronics. There's also the problem of logistics, as shipping is globally impacted by the coronavirus, especially as the Omicron variant spreads. The Switch supply will reportedly be "stagnant after the beginning of 2022."
Nintendo has previously warned investors that such shortages could affect sales, even going so far as to lower its forecast for Switch production to 24 million units through March in a financial report released early last month. However, demand for the console remains high, especially following the release of the Switch OLED model earlier this year. While the OLED model wasn't the upgrade many were expecting, it's been considered a compelling entry point for those without a base Switch or anyone that needs to upgrade.
In spite of the supply issues, the Switch has performed admirably, selling well since its debut in 2017. The console is currently on track to outsell the Wii – Nintendo's best-selling home console – next year, which would be a deciding indicator for the Switch's impact. The feat is made all the more impressive by the limited supply, oddly enough.
Elsewhere, other consoles are experiencing similar issues. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X remain elusive for countless gaming enthusiasts, with most supply drops selling out mere minutes after becoming available through retailers. PC gamers have even greater odds to overcome for things like new graphics cards, which are competed for by not just gamers, but also bots and cryptocurrency miners.
Despite the supply line problems, Nintendo still has a lot of life left in the Switch. While it's now been long enough that some have speculated a new console is on the horizon, it'll likely be a few years before Nintendo is ready to discuss a new generation of hardware. In the meantime, the Switch has a full plate of new games landing in the next year or two.
Source: WCCFTech