The Nintendo Switch 2 will undoubtedly sell incredibly well, with fans already eager to get their hands on it long before Nintendo even utters its official release date. It has quickly become one of the most anticipated console launches of all time, in large part thanks to the relentless leaks building up hype as well as Nintendo's own expertly crafted reveal trailer. However, as much as it would be great for everyone to get their hands on a Switch 2 at launch, there are fears that stocks will run out fast on launch day.

Luckily, Nintendo has a plan to circumvent this potential problem, which is a relief considering the Switch 2 is already breaking records. This could be enough to see its next console sail through its launch period without a whiff of trouble, but it could also end in disaster. After all, there have been numerous other console releases in recent memories that caused a lot of controversy thanks to their lack of available stock. It is all reliant on Nintendo's hopefully successful plans, which are, ittedly, rather brilliant.

How Nintendo Plans To Combat Switch 2 Shortages

It's Going To Test The Waters With The April Nintendo Direct

Nintendo is keenly aware of the woes of stock shortages at launch and has begun preparing to deal with scalpers as well as ensure that there are enough units available on the market on day one. In a recent Q&A held by Nintendo during its third quarter financial results briefing, it covered how it was intending to handle shortages, especially in the wake of its competitors struggling to meet demand during their next-gen console launches. Naturally, investors and fans are worried about the sheer demand for the Switch 2 and Nintendo's ability to keep up with it.

As reported by Switch 2 public hands-on tests to gauge interest. From there, it will use that information to prepare enough units to meet the expected demand. Additionally, Furukawa also claims that while it won't be easy to increase production if demand goes beyond its expectations, Nintendo has enough experience in this field to respond as quickly as possible. Furukawa explained (translated from Japanese) during the Q&A that:

"We are taking risks and proceeding with production so that we can meet as much demand as possible. We would like to determine the level of initial demand and subsequent demand by observing the reaction after the information was released at the Nintendo Direct on April 2 [...] we believe that it will not be easy to rapidly increase production capacity, but based on our past experience, we will proceed with preparations so that we can respond as quickly as possible."

This seems like the most logical approach to determining demand, although one has to assume that it will be considerably high based on the gargantuan success of the Switch and the hype surrounding the reveal of the Switch 2. Naturally, Nintendo will have been preparing for the Switch 2's launch, and these additional checks in April and during the hands-on tests will be to simply see whether it needs to increase its production if demand seems abnormally higher than it predicted. However, in some cases, no amount of preparation makes a difference, as evidenced by Sony and Xbox's next-gen consoles.

New Consoles Have Been Hard To Buy At Launch

It Was Almost Impossible To Buy A PS5 At Launch

Infamously, during the launch of the Xbox Series X/S and the PS5 in 2020, people couldn't get a hold of either console - outside the Series S in certain regions - due to a drastic stock shortage. This was due to the unavailability of required components, which was a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was impossible to buy a PS5 or Series X in many regions, including the US, for years due to these component shortages. It wasn't until 2022 that stocks began to return to normal and the availability of both the PS5 and Series X became more commonplace.

This stock shortage meant that Xbox and Sony missed sales targets. It was also likely a factor in the continued efforts to last-gen consoles, especially in Sony's case. Major first-party titles like God of War: Ragnarök and third-party games like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor received last-gen versions either alongside the next-gen release or years later due to the difficulty of porting intensive games to the limited hardware of the PS4. However, it was necessary, as the number of people on PlayStation only reached 50% of Sony's entire console player base in 2024, as reported by gamesindustry.biz.

While the conditions surrounding the haphazard launches of both the Xbox Series X/S and PS5 were specific to the pandemic and hopefully not easily replicable, it isn't hard to imagine how the limited availability of a component or a spike in demand due to the announcement of an impressive Switch 2 first-party line-up could see Switch 2 stocks rapidly dwindle and units disappear from storefronts. This was the case with the original Nintendo Switch, as, back in 2017, it sold out in several regions worldwide during its first month, and Nintendo initially struggled to keep up with the demand.

Is Nintendo's Plan Enough To Stop Switch 2 Shortages?

It Might Be Over Ambitious

Nintendo is in a precarious position with the launch of the Switch 2 as it simultaneously doesn't want to overstock too many unsold units or understock and have irate fans unable to purchase its latest hardware. Its plan to gauge interest through the April Direct and hands-on trials is logical, and, depending on when the Switch 2 launches, will give it enough time to pivot its strategy. In reality, this is likely the best that Nintendo can hope for without risking pushing too many units out onto the market and not seeing enough return, or not enough.

However, while Nintendo will undoubtedly do its best to avoid shortages, it feels like an inevitability, especially considering how popular the console seems to be already based on the reveal trailer alone. Additionally, people may not be initially aware of the April Direct or able to access the hands-on trials, which could skew how much interest there is that Nintendo isn't aware of. While it can certainly estimate based on the engagement with both of those events, it can't for word of mouth or the umpteen YouTube video essays explaining why the Switch 2 is the ultimate handheld console.

That isn't to say that people should rush out to pre-order the console the second it goes live, nor should they give in to the temptations of scalpers. While there could very well be shortages during the initial launch window, Nintendo will surely recover quickly. It is highly unlikely that the Switch 2 will suffer the same fate as the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S and be unavailable for years. Fans will definitely get their Switch 2 eventually, but hopefully, Nintendo's preparations will ensure that it happens sooner rather than later.

Source: Famitsu, gamesindustry.biz