Demand For Nintendo Switch Keeps Growing, More Production Boosts Reported

Recently, Nintendo reportedly had to double its production of the Switch hybrid console in order to keep up with demand from eager gamers. Unfortunately, it seems the company sorely underestimated how much it would need to make. Now, reports are coming that Nintendo might be ramping up production even more in preparation for the holiday season.

The news came first via the Financial Times, where sources revealed that up to 18 million Switch units are now the target for this year. That’s two million more than what The Wall Street Journal had previously reported, which was already more than what Nintendo expected in the first place.

As to why the company is doing this, the supply chain sources are saying that Nintendo was anticipating shortage once the winter shopping season arrives, which would then lead to “customer tantrums”. Wanting to prevent such an outcome, the company decided that it was best to play it safe and crank up production of its highly sought after product.

On that note, it seems Nintendo’s concerns are actually worthy of note because Super Mario Odyssey is scheduled for release in November. As Engadget points out, the Japanese video game publisher would rather avoid shipping the game if there are not enough consoles to actually play them on.

For the company’s part, the official statement still puts the total number of consoles produced this year at 10 million. Nintendo has, so far, declined to comment on the recent reports that it might be eight million over that figure, which might be for the best.

Analysts expect that the company is intentionally being reserved in its own announcements in order to avoid disappointing investors who were just promised the stars. When Pokémon Go came out, investors jumped on the hype train and significantly boosted Nintendo’s shares before the company decided to burst their bubble. A repeat of that incident would not bode well for the company’s shiny new image.