Days Before Switch 2’s Release Date, Nintendo Ships Official ‘Out of Stock’ Signs to Retailers
Mario Bautista
Nintendo has reportedly begun shipping Switch 2 branded ‘Out of Stock’ signs to retailers, before the console has even gone on sale.
Switch 2 is set to arrive in just two days — on Thursday, June 5 — and Nintendo is planning for demand to outstrip console availability.
As posted on reddit (thanks, VGC), official Switch 2 ‘Out of Stock’ signs are now turning up at stores in the U.S., alongside the usual advertising for the console and launch game Mario Kart World. “Got these signs in from Nintendo,” wrote a reddit user who works at a store with plans to host a midnight launch for the console. “They got jokes.”
Nintendo has already issued warnings over Switch 2 availability, with stock particularly limited in Japan versus overwhelming customer demand. In the U.S., meanwhile, Nintendo has attempted to navigate ongoing uncertainty over tariffs on goods based in China by prioritising Switch 2 consoles instead made in Vietnam.
That said, nearly all successful consoles suffer stock issues upon launch, and Switch 2 customers have already had to scramble in order to lock down their pre-orders. In other words, Switch 2 selling out seems something of an inevitability.
Nintendo’s ‘Out of Stock’ signs are of practical use, then, for store staff likely set to be fielding endless queries about whether they have any Switch 2 consoles still available.
“Every retail worker knows they’ll have 10 people a week, maybe more, stand in front of that sign and yell at them about going to get the extra consoles from ‘the back’ like the stock room is Narnia for electronics,” one user replied.
At the same time, telling customers that something is out of stock is a common tactic for conveying the fact that it is popular, and in demand. In other words, it’s good advertising.
“This is type of advertising so consumers will want to get it,” another fan wrote. “It shows there is high demand and psychologically you feel you need to get it.”
Ahead of Switch 2’s launch, Nintendo has updated the original Switch and the beloved Animal Crossing: New Horizons in preparation for its new hardware. Last night, we also got our first look at the souped-up Pokémon Scarlet and Violet running on Switch 2 as well.
If you are lucky enough to get a Switch 2 this week, Nintendo recently revealed some important information on not removing the console’s plastic film covering its screen.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
Source: Days Before Switch 2’s Release Date, Nintendo Ships Official ‘Out of Stock’ Signs to Retailers
