It seems unlikely that Nintendo will release a new console this year, as ongoing supply issues are disrupting production of its current hardware.
After the release of the Nintendo Switch and its follow-up, the Nintendo Switch OLED, fans were eager to see an improved version of the console on tablets. But the likelihood of the Nintendo Switch Pro going on sale in the coming months seems slim as Nintendo continues to battle a global chip shortage.
As Nikkei (opens in a new tab) pointed out in a new report, the gaming giant is struggling to source the components and semiconductors needed to make its consoles. "Normally, we stock up in the summer to prepare for the year-end sales spike," said Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa (translated by Google). He added that he was not sure if the company could currently obtain the necessary manufacturing components.
Nikkei suggests that given the insufficient number of Switches that have been produced, Nintendo is unlikely to announce a new model by the end of the fiscal year (March 2023). Rather, it will be looking to do what it can with its current hardware to meet its aggressive sales targets.
There are not enough semiconductors to go around
Furukawa doesn't seem very confident on either side. "I'm not optimistic if they ask me if I can sell them all, even if I can produce the amount I expected," he said. Don't expect Switch Pro to emerge any time soon, and prepare for a longer wait as global semiconductor supply issues continue to plague the industry.
Regardless of production issues, Nintendo may not be in a rush to replace current Switch models. According to GamesIndustry.biz (opens in a new tab), the Nintendo Switch is the best-selling home console Nintendo has ever produced. You'll be interested in extracting as much value as possible from the hardware and not dismantling the console early.
This is disappointing news for any fans desperate for an update, though there are plenty of games to come for the system to get excited about. When the Nintendo Switch Pro or Nintendo Switch 2 finally appears, some fans feel that it just takes a few changes to be brilliant.