Struggling to find a Nintendo Switch? You’re not alone, as stock has dried up for the portable console across the globe.
We’ve been keeping tabs on Switch stock daily, but no major retailer is currently selling it. The shortage has been caused by a number of factors, with the Covid-19 pandemic slowing down the supply chain and the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons boosting demand to new heights.
The Nikkei Asian Review reports that “Nintendo seeks to raise output of the Switch video game device this year”, but it’s not clear when these units could arrive in stores – it’s unlikley to be anytime soon.
Despite the shortage, we recommend you don’t buy a second-hand Switch, as prices are inflating to ridiculous heights as people take advantage of the current situation. Fortunately, the Switch Lite is still available to buy and at a far more affordable price – you just have to be content with the Lite’s inability to connect up to a television.
To help you find the best options, we’ve rounded up the best places you can still buy Nintendo’s portable, and will update regularly to keep up with the ever-changing stock status. If you can’t find anything you fancy right now, come back to Trusted Reviews at a later time to see if your perfect Switch deal has emerged.
Related: Best Nintendo Switch Deals
Where can you purchase a Nintendo Switch?
The standard Nintendo Switch is unfortunately sold out in all major retailers.
We’ve noticed stock has returned to Game on a number of occasions, but then sells out in a matter of minutes. Reports of “reselling Switch bots” are not helping things either. This unfortunately means you’re unlikely to get the standard Nintendo Switch anytime soon.
There is the option to get it pre-owned through the likes of Amazon and eBay, but then you’ll have to spend upwards of £450 which is more than £100 over the official retail price.
As hard as it is to hear, we recommend you just wait the shortage out. Or alternatively, if you’re happy to forgo the Switch’s capability to hook up to a television in favour of a more portable form factor, you could opt for a Nintendo Switch Lite instead.
Related: Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Lite
Where can you purchase a Nintendo Switch Lite?
The Nintendo Switch Lite is still available to buy, and while it’s selling quicly, Nintendo appears to provide adequate units to consistently replenish stock.
You can still buy the Nintendo Switch Lite (in any colour) on the official Nintendo Store for £199.99. You get free standard delivery with a Switch Lite purchase, which should see your new gaming device arrive within 2-3 working days.
If that’s not soon enough, you can opt for ‘Next Day Delivery’, but that will cost you £3.99. Nintendo offers free ‘Next Day Delivery’ if you spend over £200, so it might be worth buying a case, stylus or game too so you can make use of that offer.
You can also find the Switch Lite in stock at Very, Currys and Game, with the latter selling the new pink (officially called Coral) Switch Lite too.
There are also a couple of bundle options available now, seeing you bag select games with the portable console. One of the best we’ve seen sees you get a Switch Lite bundled up with Animal Crossing: New Horizons for £244. You’re admittedely not saving a lot of money with this deal, but you’re getting one of the most popular games currently avaialble.
Very’s best bundle options include a Nintendo Switch Lite with Pokemon Sword, with the bundle costing £239.99.
How much does the Switch really cost?
The standard Nintendo Switch has an official retail price of £279.99, so if you’re see a list that is anything more expensive than that (unless it’s a bundle), you’re being over charged.
Meanwhile, the Switch Lite has an official £199.99 retail price. You’re less likely to find inflated Switch Lite prices, as the dinkier model of the console hasn’t completely sold out just yet. However, with demand high, it’s probably only a matter of time until it doe sell out.
Related: Animal Crossing: New Horizons review
When will the Nintendo Switch be back in stock?
It’s difficult to know when the Nintendo Switch will be back in stock.
When the Switch has previously sold out, stock returned within a month or two. However we’re in a unique situation right now, so it’s possible we’ll have to wait even longer.
Several factors seem to be responsible for the shortage: the increased demand due to lockdown and the launch of the hugely popular Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and also the impact of Covid-19 on factories in China.
Bloomberg reported back in February that a global Switch shortage would likely occur due “a production bottleneck caused by the coronavirus outbreak”. This likely means we’ll have to wait quite a bit for the Nintendo Switch to become available again. You can at least buy a Switch Lite for now.
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Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
