The debut of the Nintendo Switch OLED model has been relatively unimpressive in its home territory of Japan. According to Famitsu’s sales tracker, the console only sold 138,409 units in the domestic market over its launch weekend, a number that’s significantly less than the 330,637 units that the original Switch sold during its launch in 2017. The Nintendo Switch OLED model also managed to sell less than the Switch Lite, which sold 177,936 units in 2019. The poor sales is being blamed on component shortages.
From Bloomberg’s report:
The instant popularity of the new Switch is causing a pair of inventory problems for Kyoto-based Nintendo. On the one hand, the company is finding it tough to produce enough Switch OLED units to satisfy demand, with Japanese retailers implementing lottery draws to determine who gets to buy one. That includes Nintendo’s own flagship store in the trendy Shibuya district of Tokyo. The thin availability of the new device is set to extend at least until early next year, according to an official at a major Japanese retailer, who asked not to be named because they’re not authorized to speak publicly.
Supply issues aside, Nintendo fans around the world seem extremely impressed with the greater image quality that the OLED model’s display provides. Many of them have apparently never seen an OLED screen before, which is odd, considering that the displays are pretty common in smartphones and LG’s TV line.
No picture could ever do this justice, but I promise all the Switch OLED hype I’ve seen from others has definitely been warranted. This screen is just amazing IRL.
— Tyler (@Nanogenix) October 10, 2021
OLED on bottom for some form of comparison. pic.twitter.com/AarYA3ekv0
“The OLED model will become more popular than the standard or Lite models, supported by existing owners who would upgrade from older models or add another unit to their households,” Tokyo-based industry consultant Serkan Toto said. “Nintendo is similar to Tesla in terms of offering unique products, and just like the car company, it has a rabid fan base.”
Source: Bloomberg