Nintendo struggles to make Switch consoles due to parts shortage

Nintendo is struggling to make enough copies of its Switch console due to a shortage of parts. That reports business newspaper The Wall Street Journal. Screens, flash storage and vibration motors are difficult to get for the Japanese manufacturer.

Nintendo is struggling to source enough parts due to high demand and because smartphone makers want the same components, claims The Wall Street Journal. This includes flash storage from Toshiba in the Switch. The Japanese manufacturer confirms the shortages. “Demand for our flash storage has overwhelmingly outpaced inventory and is likely to remain that way for the rest of the year.”

In addition to flash storage, it concerns the LCDs for the Switch and the vibration motors of the Joy-Con controllers that would be difficult to get. Nintendo has the disadvantage that it places orders for fewer copies than large smartphone makers do. Large orders usually have priority, because they involve larger amounts.

Nintendo says it wants to sell 10 million units of its Switch next year, but according to the business newspaper, the company estimates that it could sell 20 million if it could make all those Switch consoles. The manufacturer has not yet spoken about how long it thinks the shortages will last. The Japanese manufacturer released the Switch in March.