It's Really Hard to Be a Nintendo Fan Right Now

Opinion
By published

Between supplies issues with the Nintendo Switch and NES Classic Edition, it can be a hard time to be a Nintendo fan.

You might think it's the best time in the world to be a Nintendo fan. The excellent new Nintendo Switch console just released, and it launched with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, one of the best-reviewed games of all time. Talk about perfection...

Credit: Shaun Lucas / Tom's Guide

(Image credit: Shaun Lucas / Tom's Guide)

MORE: Nintendo Switch vs. PS4 vs. Xbox One: Which Console Should You Get?

The eager Nintendo fan has two options: go to eBay or Craiglist and spend well over the MSRP for their hardware, or wait it out for their turn to get the system they want, which could be weeks or even months.

So if you got your system, this is indeed a great time to be a Nintendo fan. Zelda's here, Splatoon 2 is around the corner and Super Mario Odyssey is coming this fall. But if you you're just trying to get a device, well, it really stinks.

We can relate, Mario. Credit: Nintendo

(Image credit: We can relate, Mario. Credit: Nintendo)

In fact, it's all reminiscent of when Nintendo launched its NFC figures, amiibo. Several characters were immediately out of stock and hard to find, and the aftermarket pricing was insane. Surely, some kids who just wanted a Marth amiibo to play Super Smash Bros. for Wii U with were disappointed last holiday. Even now, it's difficult to get the new figures for Breath of the Wild.

Nintendo has an extremely loyal fanbase. They'll wait in the cold and set up browser alerts to get the company's hardware. But people get tired. Some will stop waiting, the way they did for Amiibo, the way they did for NES Classic Edition and now the way they're waiting for the Switch.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is known for his mastery of supply chain management. Sure, you may miss out on an iPhone the day it launches, but you'll be able to order one soon after, whether its from your carrier, a store or Apple directly. Apple makes it easy to feel like a part of something.

The Big N, though, seems like it can't figure out how to make enough of its systems. I often wonder if anyone at that company has heard the phrase "supply chain management" before. Because pulling a product that a ton of people still want with no good reason sounds like nothing is being managed at all.

Yes, eventually everyone who wants a Switch will get one. Patience is a virtue. But amiibo and now the NES Classic Edition are incidents some won't forget, and they may give up on the Switch, or whatever Nintendo releases next to critical acclaim, because the company just makes it too damn hard.

Andrew E. Freedman
Andrew E. Freedman

Andrew E. Freedman is an editor at Tom's Hardware focusing on laptops, desktops and gaming as well as keeping up with the latest news. He holds a M.S. in Journalism (Digital Media) from Columbia University. A lover of all things gaming and tech, his previous work has shown up in Kotaku, PCMag, Complex, Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag among others.

4 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Siendra
    >The Big N, though, seems like it can't figure out how to make enough of its systems.

    They shipped approximately as many Switch units in March as the PS4 and XBO did in their first month and doubled production going into April. They did commit more units to Japan, but they also outsold the PS4 launch by ~16% there. There is no artificial scarcity, production, or supply issues with the Switch. Nintendo has produced and shipped a completely reasonable number of units, it's just popular.
    Reply
  • AndrewFreedman
    19563090 said:
    >The Big N, though, seems like it can't figure out how to make enough of its systems.

    They shipped approximately as many Switch units in March as the PS4 and XBO did in their first month and doubled production going into April. They did commit more units to Japan, but they also outsold the PS4 launch by ~16% there. There is no artificial scarcity, production, or supply issues with the Switch. Nintendo has produced and shipped a completely reasonable number of units, it's just popular.

    And hopefully that means more people can get their Switches soon! But when you can't get that, or NES Classic Edition, or amiibo, it kinda stinks. Patience is a virtue. Switches will come around. But the initial experience for amiibo and the fact that they're pulling the NES Classic Edition compounds into a bigger perceived issue.

    Reply
  • Mac Fly
    Nintendo deliberately shorts the supplies of their new systems and accessories to inflate the perceived value. This way they manipulate the market and create a superficially high demand for the product. It's a disgusting practice that they do to minimize risk and mitigate potential loss in case the new fails.They do not care that it screws over their fans and customers by forcing them to pay premium prices on the gray market.
    Reply
  • onimusha759
    Not 2 mention the majority of nintendos games r still preschool games. Im sry but nintendo needs 2 grow up. Zelda on n64 was cutting edge as real 2 life as it got back in the day. After the n64 its been a cartoon joke. I luved nintendo and miss them being on top but they destroyed their own kingdom. Theres only 2 games on the wii and switch i would want atm and its not enough 2 buy 1. Zelda and super smash. Wen the GC was released it was like the old man that ran the company died and a 2 yr old took over
    Reply