Expect Low Production On Nintendo Switch Units Due to Continuing Chip Shortage

If you’re planning to get a Nintendo Switch, be sure to get yours sooner as low production of Nintendo Switch units will continue until next year due to ongoing chip shortage.

In a report by Nikkei Asia, Nintendo said that it will only produce 24 million Nintendo Switch units than their previously-planned target of 30 million units for the fiscal year ending in March 2022. This also includes the productions of their latest OLED Switch and Switch Lite models.

The popular handheld console uses semiconductors and other electronic parts. Unfortunately, there has been a growing shortage of semiconductors on the market since the COVID-19 pandemic that began last year. Not only are gaming consoles affected, but other sectors of the industry like automotive and appliances.

Nintendo of America recently announced that it is officially closing its two North American offices in Redwood City, California and Toronto, Canada. The company stated that would be moving their employees in their satellite offices in Redmond, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. In addition, the company’s Senior Vice President for sales and marketing Nick Chavez has also stepped down. Devon Pritchard, its current Executive Vice President of Business Affairs and Publisher Relations, will be taking over the leadership.

An estimate of 100 employees is displaced due to the closure of the two offices. No further details have been given on the fate of the displaced employees if they will be transferred to the satellite offices or be laid off.

The Nintendo Switch has also paved the way for game developers and publishers to rerelease previous popular titles for the delight of old and new fans. The popular games released for the Nintendo Switch are Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Fire Emblem: Three Houses, to name a few. The first version of the Nintendo Switch was released in 2017, selling 89.04 million units worldwide. The number of units sold has already surpassed its previous handheld consoles (the 3DS, Game Boy Advance, DS, Wii, Game Boy), and it is the fourth best-selling console for the company.