The Nintendo Switch Is Still Sold Out; Switch Lite In Stock

The Nintendo Switch has been sold out almost everywhere online (and in-store at many popular retailers) for more than a month, even as some of its biggest games continue to gain popularity. With global supply chains reacting to the rapid spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, stock shortages of numerous goods are expected. If you've been tempted by the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you might be out of luck already, as stock of Nintendo's handheld console has become almost impossible to find beyond third-party sellers--and the prices for those are surging up to $600. According to Daniel Ahmad, a senior analyst at Niko Partners, supply won't return to normal until the "end of Q2," and we're already reaching that point rapidly. The Nintendo Switch Lite comes back in stock periodically, but those also sell out quickly, and you won't be able to connect them into a TV.

With demand high and supply low, people have been forced to go for limited (and pretty pricey) Nintendo Switch bundles, like the ones regularly springing up at GameStop that can sell out quickly, or consider even pricier third-party sellers. Ring Fit Adventure has been facing shortages for a while as well, as many scramble to find a way to stay active and occupied while stuck inside. To make matters worse, a new Nintendo Switch lawsuit is trying to pull the console off shelves altogether--meanwhile, Switch shipments have been halted in Japan due to the coronavirus. That might not affect international stock just yet, but we'll keep you updated.

One recent report also suggested that an auto-purchasing bot built specifically to watch for Nintendo Switch stock could be exacerbating the issue, as resellers are using it to nab units quickly and flip them.