Upcoming events for the Switch 2 will help Nintendo with its plans to rapidly increase production and ensure there are enough consoles for everyone.
With so much anticipation surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2, there’s naturally some trepidation that the new console will be difficult to acquire at launch, especially since it will be a popular target for scalpers.
Last year, Nintendo assured it was aware of the possibility, saying it planned to deal with scalpers by simply making enough Switch 2 consoles to meet demand.
Recently, Nintendo reiterated this with investors though company president Shuntaro Furukawa has warned such plans won’t be easy and invite some risk.
‘As of now, we are taking the risk and proceeding with production to meet as large a demand as possible,’ said Furukawa as part of a Q&A session in Nintendo’s latest earnings call (as translated by GamesIndustry.biz).
Furukawa also referenced how the company had to deal with the original Switch selling out when it launched in 2017 and how this experience should help prepare Nintendo for the Switch 2’s launch.
‘As was true with the Switch, we believe it will not be easy to rapidly increase production capacity, so based on our prior experience, we are making preparations to respond as quickly as possible,’ continued Furukawa.
He didn’t go so far as to explain the exact steps needed to ramp up production, but Furukawa did add that Nintendo will be using the Switch 2 Experience events (where select members of the public can go hands-on with the console) and the April Nintendo Direct to gauge how much interest there will be.
Speaking of Nintendo Directs, one focused on the original Switch has been rumoured to air at some point this month, which would make sense as Nintendo typically holds new showcases in February.
Over the weekend, though, insider Nate the Hate (who accurately leaked the Switch 2’s official reveal date) said he hadn’t heard anything about a February Direct, sparking some doubt that it’s actually happening.
He didn’t necessarily rule it out completely, only saying, ‘I’m currently in the dark on whether a February Direct will come to be or not,’ adding that the only upcoming gaming event he’s aware of is a new State of Play from Sony.
Sometime afterwards, insider PH Brazil, who was the one to make the claim that a February Direct is happening, doubled down on his assertion via Famiboards: ‘As far as I’m aware I was the only person who knew and talked about the August Direct last year all the way to the day it was announced, so from my perspective what’s happening now isn’t enough to make me doubt my sources yet.’
At the moment, Nintendo only has a few games left that are scheduled for the original Switch: the Xenoblade Chronicles X remaster, Pokémon Legends Z-A, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Considering Nintendo has said in the past it intends to keep supporting the original Switch even after the Switch 2’s launch, it’s likely it still has some projects planned for it.
In fact, while he’s unsure about the February Direct, Nate the Hate has reiterated on X that a Switch port of 3DS game Kirby: Planet Robobot is still happening later this year.
Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter.
To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 price will be ‘affordable’ for consumers says exec
MORE: Metal Gear Solid Delta trailer leak confirms PS5 State of Play is soon
MORE: New Nintendo Switch 2 controller revealed by patent as mouse control confirmed
