It was easy to assume that Nintendo’s new console, the Switch, would be popular, but this was unexpected. According to this article from IGN, the major video game retailer GameStop has sold out of preorders for the console. This comes just a few days after Nintendo gave its Switch presentation, showcasing the console and teasing some of its games. Bob Puzon, GameStop’s senior vice president of merchandising, stated that GameStop is working to get more Switchs and will let customers know when preorders will become available again.
Additionally, Reggie Fils-Aime, the president of Nintendo of America, told GameSpot recently that the Switch will not include any bundled games. Many people thought that the game 1-2-Switch would be included with the Switch since its main purpose seems to be to showcase the Switch’s capabilities, as well as introducing casual gamers to the console. It’s easy to draw comparisons between 1-2-Switch and Wii Sports, which seemed to fulfill similar functions, but came bundled with the Wii system upon its release just over a decade ago.
Fils-Aime explained that the decision to not include any games with the Switch came largely from trying to keep the console financially accessible. He described how Nintendo of America decided on a $299 price point for the system and how after the necessary inclusions of all the cables and the Joy-Con controller (which is essentially two controllers in one), the inclusion of a game with the console wouldn’t make financial sense for the company if they wanted to stay in that $299 price range. Clearly, the decision to not include any bundled games did not harm preorder sales.
Preorders for the Switch are still available from other retailers, such as Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Target, and is available in both Gray and Neon.