It seems unlikely that Nintendo will release a new console this year as ongoing supply issues stop production on its current hardware.
Following the release of the Nintendo Switch and its successor Nintendo Switch OLED, fans are eager to see an enhanced version of the console hit shelves. But the likelihood that the speculated Nintendo Switch Pro will launch in the coming months seems slim as Nintendo continues to grapple with the current global chip shortage.
As described by Nikkei (opens in new tab) in a new report, the video game giant is struggling to acquire the components and semiconductors needed to make its consoles. “Usually we stock up in the summer to prepare for the peak sales season at the end of the year,” said Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa (translated by Google). He added that he is unsure whether the company can currently source the necessary manufacturing components.
The Nikkei suggests that given the insufficient amount of Switches that have been produced, Nintendo is unlikely to announce any new models until the end of the fiscal year (March 2023). Instead, it will look to do what it can with its current hardware to meet its aggressive sales targets.
There are not enough semiconductors to circulate
Furukawa doesn’t seem very confident about either side of this. “I’m not optimistic if I’m asked if I can sell them all, even if I can produce the amount I expected,” he said. Don’t expect the Switch Pro to appear anytime soon and prepare to wait longer as global semiconductor supply issues continue to plague the industry.
Regardless of production issues, Nintendo may be in no rush to replace current Switch models. According to GamesIndustry.biz (opens in new tab), the Nintendo Switch is the best-selling home console Nintendo has ever produced. It will make a point of extracting as much value from the hardware as possible and not shutting down the console prematurely.
This is disappointing news for any fan eager for an update, although there are plenty of upcoming games for the system to get excited about. When the Nintendo Switch Pro or Nintendo Switch 2 finally appears, some fans think it just needs to make a few changes to be brilliant.