Coronavirus Delays Nintendo Switch Production & Shipment

Nintendo has informed consumers that production of its popular Nintendo Switch consoles and several of its accessories will experience delays due to the advancement of the coronavirus outbreak.

Nintendo Switch console shipments to Japan and China, along with production of Joy-Con controllers and its new Ring Fit Adventure game, are confirmed to be some of the products affected. The recently announced Animal Crossing-themed variant of the Switch console, which Nintendo was already taking pre-orders for, has also been pushed back to an unspecified date.

In a statement published on its website, Nintendo said that due to the advancements of the outbreak delays in production and shipment of these products were now unavoidable for both markets.

Despite Nintendo moving some of its production out of China and into Vietnam last year due to the current trade war with the US and tariffs on imported goods, most of its hardware and components are still made in China.

Foxxconn, who are responsible for majority of the Switch console production, have announced that they will be keeping its Chinese factories closed for at least another week in response to the deadly outbreak.

This is a major hit for the global gaming giant, considering the company recently hit a major milestone with the Switch consoles – cracking over 52 million units in sales and surpassing one of the oldest and most beloved gaming consoles of all time in lifetime sales, the Super Nintendo (SNES).

As of writing, it is not clear whether the delays will affect shipments to other markets, including Australia. Nintendo has not put a timeframe on the delays.

To date, the coronavirus has killed over 500 people and infected over 28,000.