Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch went live last week and the console has already gone out of stock. Pre-orders for the console have been closed on all major online retailers. Given the hybrid console will launch in March it is a bit of a worry that it is rapidly going out of stock but Nintendo has assured that there is plenty of Nintendo Switch stock to go around.
Speaking with Wired, Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime said that 2 million units of Nintendo Switch will be shipped for the worldwide launch essentially through one month.
What we’ve said publicly is that there will be 2 million units that will be shipped worldwide for the launch, essentially through month one.
Two million for essentially the first month is a huge number, especially when you look and see that this is not peak seasonality. This is essentially the first three weeks of March. Our focus is making sure that the consumer who wants to buy a Nintendo Switch can buy a Nintendo Switch. That’s how we build our supply chain, that’s how we think through the amount of product that’s available.
He also acknowledged the supply issues with the NES Classic but said that it is a different situation. He explained that Nintendo did not expect this level of demand for the NES Classic as the company was excepting it to be sold on nostalgia basis rather than it becoming a runaway hit.
Nintendo Switch will be available on March 3, 2017, and will be priced at $299.99. Also, the preorders for the console in Japan will start from January 21, 2017.
