Nintendo has hinted that a Switch shortage could be coming. The company predicts that consoles could soon be scarce due in part to a lack of production parts such as semiconductors.
The current semiconductor shortage has led to production issues with both theXbox Series X and PlayStation 5since their launch. In speaking withNikkei(as translated byVideo Games Chronicle), Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa says that the issue may prevent the company from keeping up with increased demand.
“We have been able to secure the necessary materials for the immediate production of semiconductors for Switches,” says Furukawa. “However, in Japan and other countries, demand has been very strong since the beginning of the year, and there is a possibility of shortages at some retailers in the future. It is difficult to say how we will deal with this, but in some cases, we may not be able to prepare enough for orders.”
Players have already experienced Switch shortages over the past year as demand for the system has shot through the roof during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the many reasons for the growth of the Nintendo Switch has to do with the release ofAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, a game that hasshipped over 31 million unitsas of June 20, 2025. It’s already the system’s second-bestselling game, trailing onlyMario Kart 8 Deluxe(which sits at over 33 million units shipped).
“Even though (Japan’s) state of emergency is over, people are spending more time at home than before,” Furukawa added. “As games with long life spans likeAnimal Crossingbecome more accepted, we believe this will have a significant impact on future development. We want to provide games that can allow communication between friends and families.”
This is particularly worrisome for Nintendo, as the company reportedly has plans to launchan upgraded Switch systemsometime at the end of 2021, or possibly in early 2022. It’s said the new Switch system will include a 7-inch OLED screen, support 4K output, and offer better battery life.
