Buzz
Even after nearly five years in the gaming market, the Nintendo Switch continues to be highly sought after. All three versions—the classic model, the Switch Lite, and the OLED Switch—are selling out rapidly, with the OLED variant particularly hard to find. If you're hoping to gift one this Christmas, it's time to act fast and start your search immediately.
Chip shortages are limiting Switch availability this holiday season
As you may know, the world is facing a significant semiconductor shortage. This crisis is impacting nearly every industry reliant on computer components. For instance, you might have seen reports of countless cars left incomplete, stalled due to the lack of chips needed for their onboard systems.
The video game industry is also feeling the impact of this shortage. Nintendo's president, Shuntaro Furukawa, stated on Thursday that semiconductor chip shortages have hindered the company's ability to manufacture new Switch consoles. Initially, Nintendo projected shipping 25.5 million units, but this figure has now been reduced to 24 million, marking a 6% decline.
This means there will likely be 1.5 million fewer Switches available this holiday season than originally planned. If you thought securing one for your child, friend, or even yourself would be tough, consider the added competition from over a million more potential buyers. It’s a daunting scenario.
Sadly, there’s little hope for a holiday miracle. Nintendo’s president further explained that there’s no indication the production challenges will ease before the peak holiday demand:
We’re unable to manufacture enough units to meet the anticipated holiday demand ... At present, there’s no improvement in sight, and the situation remains critical. I can’t predict when this will change.
Experts are divided on how long this shortage will persist. Some offer a grim outlook, suggesting a return to normalcy may not occur until 2023 or 2024. Others remain optimistic, believing demand could stabilize by 2022. Regardless, the situation won’t resolve in time to boost Switch availability this holiday season.
How to secure a Switch for the holiday season
Your best strategy is to begin your search immediately. Open your browser and start hunting without delay.
The most sought-after version is the new OLED model, priced at $350—$50 more than the standard Switch—and featuring a larger OLED screen. Due to its popularity, you’ll often encounter “sold out” notices when searching for this model. Consider using tracking tools like Restockify, Stock Informer, or HotStock (or all three) to receive notifications when the OLED Switch becomes available.
If you have the time, visiting stores in person can also be beneficial. A store might claim to be out of stock online but could have recently received a shipment that hasn’t been updated in their system.
At the time of writing, finding a standard Switch or Switch Lite doesn’t seem too challenging. However, Amazon isn’t a reliable option currently due to limited stock and inflated prices. Retailers like Best Buy or Target appear to have better availability, though this may vary depending on your location.
If your local stores currently have Switches in stock, don’t assume they’ll stay available for long. Once the current supply is gone, there’s no guarantee when or if more will arrive. If you’re set on getting a Switch and spot one today, make the purchase—it could mean the difference between a joyful Nintendo-filled holiday and a disappointing IOU.
