Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck earlier this year, the Nintendo Switch console has been hard to find for many gamers across the world. The shortages were especially seen in Japan. Many factories in China that produced the console were temporarily shut down while the country tried to stop the spread.
During a recent shareholder meeting, Nintendo’s President Shuntaro Furukawa had some good news to share concerning the Switch shortages. President Furukawa stated that production recovered in June and should be producing the console at a normal rate again this Summer.
President Furukawa mentioned that since China was reopening back up, now factories that produce the consoles have begun to operate at full capacity again.
Nintendo produces some Switch components in Vietnam, but most of the manufacturing is done in China. There was no mention on if Nintendo plans to change production locations in the future.
The meeting itself had a few changes, such as reducing the number of attendees significantly compared to last year. Three proposals were approved during the meeting, along with appointing five directors.
The Nintendo Switch console was initially launched in March 2017. The console has been highly successful with may exclusive titles, including Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The console was difficult to find at launch for a few months but gradually became more available on store shelves. Nintendo then released the Switch Lite, which came in multiple color options.
For several weeks, players who were staying home but wanted a Nintendo Switch were out of luck. A brand new Switch online was likely being sold for double or triple the retail price as some buyers tried to cash in on the shortages.
Some physical games, such as Ring Fit Adventure, were also hard to find, but there were some celebrities willing to pay thousands to pay for the game. Ring Fit Adventure has to be played with physical accessories to enjoy the full game. Others were turning to Fitness Boxing, a downloadable game from the Switch eShop, that also provides active play but doesn’t require any additional accessories.
Specifically, in Japan, the Switch was mostly out-of-stock since Nintendo temporarily suspended shipments of the console domestically. It may take some time for stores across the world to restock again, so players wanting a Switch will have to be patient.
