During the coronavirus pandemic, entertainment has become vital to keep both kids and adults busy and distracted, allowing many to not become overly preoccupied with the ongoing epidemic. It hasn’t only been essential items like toilet paper, diapers, wipes and hand sanitiser that have been in short supply. Many other products have sold out as people across the United States have increased their online shopping.
One such item, the Nintendo Switch, is currently unavailable due to high demand. Major retailers are struggling to restock supplies of their bestselling items. The $299 console, a hybrid console that can be used as a home console and portable device, was originally released in 2017, yet has seen an increased demand as most of the country is stuck inside during the lockdown.
According to Nintendo, regular Switch consoles will soon be restocked. "Nintendo Switch hardware is selling out at various retail locations in the US, but more systems are on the way. We apologize for any inconvenience," Nintendo told GameSpot in an email statement.
Online, the Nintendo Switch has sold out within minutes when it’s been restocked. Some retailers, like GameStop and Best Buy, allow customers to check availability at their local stores, and if it is available, then they will schedule a curbside pickup. GameSpot has been updating its buyers on availability often. Currently, the Nintendo Switch is sold out of both colours at the retailer.
Meanwhile, at Amazon, the console is sold out of both colours at Amazon, however, third-party sellers are marketing the console at a higher price. At Best Buy, Walmart and Target, the Nintendo Switch is sold out of both colours, yet third-party sellers are offering the console for $400-$500, even though the manufacturer suggested retail price is $299.
The Nintendo Switch, which is an eighth-generation console, competes with Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4. The console shipped almost three million units within the first month of its release, surpassing Nintendo's initial projection of two million. Within a year of its launch, more than 14 million units had been sold worldwide.
By the beginning of 2018, the Switch became the fastest-selling home console in both Japan and the United States. As of March 2020, the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite have sold more than 55 million units worldwide.