The Nintendo Switch N64 controller released in conjunction with the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership will seemingly remain sold out until 2022 in the US.
After selling out quickly following release late last month, the US Nintendo Store now displays a notice saying, "More controllers will be available in 2022." It's not clear if that applies worldwide – while also sold out in the UK, that regional store doesn't include the same notice.
It's more of a problem than you might expect – the difference in layout between the N64 controller and Joy-Cons means that some N64 games released on Switch have seen unusual button mapping, which can't currently be remapped. In essence, players may find it hard to play the games they're subscribing for without the appropriate controller.
We've contacted Nintendo for comment on the controller shortages.
N64 games were added to Nintendo Switch as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, which adds the benefits of the original Nintendo Switch Online service as well as N64 and Sega Genesis Games, as well the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise DLC – albeit at a $30 price increase per year.
The Expansion Pack, particularly its price and problems with the games upon release, have made it a controversial addition by Nintendo. Our own Nintendo Voice Chat podcast said that its N64 emulation leaves a lot to be desired.
Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.