Nintendo is taking proactive steps to avoid the stock shortages that plagued the original Switch launch, with company president Shuntaro Furukawa stating: "We are making preparations."
During a recent financial briefing, Furukawa addressed concerns about potential Switch 2 availability issues, drawing lessons from the 2017 launch challenges. "We'll implement all possible measures based on our accumulated experience with scalpers and similar issues," he told Nikkei, with VGC providing the translation. "Our preparations are underway."
Furukawa emphasized that mass production will be crucial to combat scalpers. Last year, Nintendo identified manufacturing sufficient units as their primary strategy against resellers.
The original Switch's March 2017 debut suffered from limited supply, enabling scalpers to sell units at outrageous markups. However, Furukawa confirmed in July 2024 that the Switch successor launch will be handled differently.
"Our fundamental approach remains unchanged since last year - producing enough units to satisfy consumer demand is our primary defense against resellers," Furukawa explained. "We're also exploring additional region-specific solutions within legal boundaries."
"While semiconductor shortages previously impacted Switch production in 2022-2023, the supply chain is now stable. Component availability shouldn't significantly affect manufacturing of the new model."
Nintendo has scheduled a Switch 2 Direct presentation for April 2nd to share more details, along with global hands-on events in major cities.
During the February 4, 2025 briefing, Furukawa also addressed declining Switch sales, dismissing speculation about consumers holding out for the Switch 2. "We don't believe purchase hesitation is a major factor," he stated. "For an eighth-year console, performance remains solid though slightly below projections."
Furukawa confirmed ongoing Switch support post-Switch 2 launch "as long as demand persists." Notably, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond remain scheduled as 2025 releases for the current Switch hardware.
