Fans in the United States worried about Switch 2 shortages can breathe a sigh of relief. Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser recently confirmed that the company expects its U.S. production and distribution pipeline to support strong consumer demand through 2025.
“As we look at our plans here in the U.S., we do believe we’ll have production and supply that will allow us to meet consumer demand,” Bowser told IGN in a recent interview.
This reassurance follows a wave of anxiety among gamers after early pre-orders for the Switch 2 sold out nationwide in late April 2025. Scalping concerns also resurfaced, mirroring past issues seen during the original Switch launch in 2017.
Learning from Past Mistakes
Nintendo has faced notable challenges with console availability in the past. At the Switch’s original launch in March 2017, only about 2 million units were available in the U.S. for the first month, and they were quickly snapped up. Availability didn’t stabilize until mid-July, prompting Nintendo to issue a rare public apology for the extended shortages.
Again in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and related stay-at-home mandates drove demand sky-high, once more outpacing Nintendo’s U.S. supply and pushing resale prices well above retail.
A New Strategy for a New Generation
With the release of the Switch 2 in 2025, Nintendo appears committed to avoiding a repeat of history. The company has reportedly refined its logistics, invested in supply chain resilience, and adjusted its production strategy for a smoother global and domestic rollout.
Although temporary shortages may still occur — especially around the holiday season — Nintendo’s confidence in maintaining consistent supply in the U.S. market is a positive signal for consumers.
While the high demand for the Switch 2 is undeniable, Nintendo’s proactive stance and updated supply chain strategy may finally close the gap between hype and availability. If the company delivers on its promise, gamers in the U.S. might enjoy one of the smoothest next-gen console launches Nintendo has ever managed.