Retailer Doesn't Know When Nintendo Switch Will Be Back In Stock

Though the launch of the Nintendo Switch has been a successful one for the Japanese publisher, it seems the console is now faced with low stock worldwide.

The device experienced a record-breaking opening few days, but at least one retailer isn't sure when the hybrid device will be back in stock. "We are in communications with Nintendo, but there is not a confirmed date as of yet," one anonymous UK manager told MCV. "With Mario Kart coming in April, I would hope there would be more [Switch console] stock before then but that's not been confirmed."

Fellow UK retailer GameSeek told the magazine that stock levels had already hit "zero." The online shop wasn't able to sell any more units of the console over the weekend as it simply "wasn't on sale," according to the store's managing director, Stephen Staley.

In the US, Amazon is currently out of Nintendo Switch stock, with third-party sellers advertising the console for upwards of $400 (its MSRP is US $300 / £280 / AU $470). GameStop, meanwhile, is also out of stock; only a $600 bundle launching on April 16 is available to purchase.

Australian stores such as EB Games do seem to have Switch stock, but the console is a little harder to come by in the UK. Both the gray and neon color variants are currently unavailable at Game and Amazon UK, with the latter saying it will receive stock on March 31. On its website, Game states, "At this time we have not received official confirmation of the next stock delivery of this product from Nintendo. Please pre-order and we will notify you of your delivery date once the delivery of stock has been confirmed."

In addition, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has suffered stock shortages at some retailers--its boxed version for Nintendo Switch is currently unavailable on Amazon UK and US, as well as Game, though it can be found at EB and GameStop. Following universal acclaim, the open-world game debuted at No.2 in the UK sales chart, though it dropped to No.4 this week.

As inconvenient as low stock is, it is encouraging for Nintendo that consumers are snapping up the company's new products at such a pace. The Switch is apparently Nintendo's fastest-selling console ever in the Americas, Europe, and Australia.

The challenge remains, however, to maintain the flow of units throughout 2017 as the console's games lineup improves. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe launches on April 28, before Arms arrives at some point in spring and Splatoon 2 in the summer--these will likely drive further interest in the hybrid console.

GameSpot has contacted Nintendo for comment on the stock shortages; we'll update if we hear back.