Nintendo Switch output to be boosted as console out of stock across world

Company has been suffering from shortages as demand from players in lockdown surges

People wait in line for a chance to sample new games for Nintendo Switch at the 2019 Electronic Entertainment Expo, also known as E3, opening in Los Angeles, California on June 11, 2019 (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Nintendo is looking to increase output of its Switch console as supply runs out across the world.

The company has been hit by a stock shortage just as people across the world turn to consoles to keep themselves entertained during lockdown.

Stores around the world have been out of stock and prices for the consoles have continued to climb amid strong demand and limited supply.

Now the Japanese developer is looking to produce about 10 per cent more units of the console in 2020, according to a new report from Nikkei, up from around 20 million last year. That is despite the console now being more than three years old.

Nintendo does not actually make the Switch itself. But it has put in extra orders for more consoles through the upcoming quarter, according to the report.

"We hope [suppliers] will be responsive to the production increase, but for procurement of some parts, the outlook remains uncertain, and we can't forecast exactly how many Switches can be supplied," a Nintendo representative told Nikkei.

The Switch was first released in March 2017, and has seen strong sales since. Those sales have increased in recent months as gamers have been forced to stay at home, and alongside the release of the hugely popular new Animal Crossing: New Horizons game.

Even in February, Nintendo was forced to push back the release of a special edition of the console because of difficulties making enough of the consoles. In a statement on its website, it said that coronavirus was causing delays in the production of both consoles and accessories like the Joy Con controllers in China.

In that same statement, it apologised for the delay and committed to do what it can to deliver the product as soon as possible, while focusing on safety amid the ongoing pandemic.