Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has publicly apologized for the ongoing shortages of the highly anticipated Switch 2 console. Despite the overwhelming demand, Nintendo is struggling to keep up with the sales of their latest gaming platform.
The Switch 2 has set impressive records, becoming the fastest-selling video game console in the United States within just a week of its launch, and its associated game, Mario Kart World, has consistently dominated sales rankings. Shortages of game consoles have become a common challenge in the industry, as recent launches of platforms like the PS5 and Xbox Series X also faced difficulties in meeting customer demand.
Similar to those launches, the Switch 2 has been susceptible to resellers, with Yahoo Japan issuing warnings about inflated prices from scalpers. Nintendo is now directly confronting the limited availability of the Switch 2 and acknowledging its impact on fans.
During a recent shareholder meeting, Furukawa revealed that the response to the initial lottery for Switch 2 sales far surpassed expectations, with over two million applicants vying for the opportunity to purchase the console. Since the launch, Nintendo has conducted additional lottery sales, but they continue to apologize for their inability to meet the initial demand.
The console has already sold over a million units in Japan in less than a month. Alongside the success of the Switch 2, Mario Kart World is also achieving remarkable sales, having sold one million physical copies in Japan.
Looking ahead, Nintendo plans to expand its offerings with major game releases, including the 3D platformer Donkey Kong Bananza next month, as well as upcoming titles featuring beloved franchises like Metroid and Kirby. Exciting third-party games like Borderlands 4 will also make their debut on the Switch 2, giving fans hope for increased availability soon.