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[finalflame]

You're banking your whole premise on them being able to produce enough Switches for anyone to walk into a store during this holiday season and just grab one off the shelves? All forecasts I've heard have pointed to the likelihood that shortages will continue.

I'm betting they have supply chain specialists working with their manufacturing partners to figure out how to make the Switch less supply constrained for the holidays, yes.

No, I don't think everyone will be able to walk in and buy one throughout the holidays, but I expect shelves across the world to be stocked far more frequently with far more switches than they are now, unless there is something absolutely out of Nintendo's control.

 

[jmizzal]

I appreciate the sentiment but there is no timeline where the SNES classic wasnt going to be sold out.

Exactly they could have made a million and it would have sold out today

Only way is if they took preorders and made them based on those, but I dont know any company that does that outside of custom items.

 

[Salmonax]

Basically. I have zero sympathy for Nintendo at this point. People emulating games? Whatever. People spoofing Amiibos? Whatever. Hackers cracking the Switch. Eat shit, Nintendo. Nintendo makes great games, but goddamn, they're up there with my least favorite companies in gaming thanks to their astounding incompetence in every other facet of the industry.

Well said. I've come to realize that while I love their games to death, I loathe their open hostility to consumers. They're a horrible company that happens to make really amazing stuff.

 

[Hasney]

I'm not rewarding them for how they're doing pre-orders. I'm handing over an agreed amount to get an item I want.

 

[Audioboxer]

Nintendo said its limited, they put out a press release saying its only thru this year, if someone says something is limited I take them at their word.

What sort of ass backwards company decides to make a highly sought after product "limited" for no good reason other than fucking YOLO!

This isn't a pure gold limited edition Tag Heuer watch. As I said on the last page (edit: 2 pages ago now) it's a 10$ Chinese shipped plastic miniature games console Nintendo should have some pride in selling to as many fans as they can because... that's what other companies would be doing.

 

[JABEE]

The amazon thing was unfair, did they seriously post it under a different name so they wouldnt have to send out alert emails? Were they scared of the site crashing?

No. Amazon put up a sku early like they do on other preorders. Usually people don’t notice them. It was some sneaky Amazon diversion.

Edit: I meant it wasn’t some diversion

 

[Nydius]

I am not a scalper, just a guy in PST who happened to be on the internet last night to snag a Best Buy pre-order. Just because Patrick Klepek couldn't find one does not mean they went solely to scalpers.

Klepek didn't say they went solely to scalpers just that the way Nintendo is handling this profits the scalpers more than anyone else. For everyone like me or you who got one for our own legitimate uses during these tiny preorder windows there's probably several dozen, if not hundreds, of bots hammering the sites for the sole purpose of people buying them to scalp them. Especially since most places didn't put a limit-per-household/person on orders.

Although Amazon screwed people over by doing it in the dead of night, at least they TRIED to counteract bots by putting in on a completely separate page. I'll give them credit for that although it did clusterfuck the situation even more, overall. And I'm not at all sure it worked in regards to keeping scalpers at bay. Time will tell.

Late Edit:

Did Nintendo fire their supply chain people after Wii U? It's been amateur hour ever since Amiibo.

This has been an issue with Nintendo for a LONG time. Their supply chain had issues with N64 accessories in North America back in the 1990's and was under extreme duress during the mega-popularity of the Wii in the mid 2000's. Their ability to reliably get hardware products to market was fraught with problems, we just didn't notice it during the Wii U period because it flopped so hard. Had the Wii U been even half as popular as the Wii had been it would have been just as bad as the Switch is now, largely due to the supply chain components for the gamepad. Amiibo highlighted all of their problems all at once.

 

[New002]

Nintendo said its limited, they put out a press release saying its only thru this year, if someone says something is limited I take them at their word.

I was asleep during the Amazon and Bestbuy preorders the two stores I wanted most so I was upset when I woke up.

I had Walmart and Target in my cart secs after preorders went up and it went out of stock.

Then I got the gamestop info and got one, I played the game struck out 4 times and then hit a home run on the 5th time

I mean, you really shouldn't have to go through all that shit though. Glad it worked out for you, but it's still dumb as hell. Nintendo releasing these like they're limited, numbered and signed pieces of unique handmade artwork. It's a cool emulator machine in an SNES shell. Why not make a fuck ton of them so that they are available within reason?

 

[daman824]

Preorders are sold out, so I'd say they did an excellent job selling through every single unit they currently plan to produce (minus whatever is allotted for the shelves).

People just need to understand that yes, this is an intentional marketing move by Nintendo, and no, you do not have a constitutional right to be given an opportunity to buy any product.

People who are able to rationalize and understand Nintendo's business move in doing this are not "corporate ball washers", they're just able to look over their emotions and knee-jerk reaction to understand why this is the right move for Nintendo as a business, and that it's tough shit for those who can't get one. It's effective, and will continue to be, for as long as Nintendo does it in a planned and calculated manner.

I'd put money on Switch production ramping up just in time for the holiday season and breaking record sales, and Klepek's article and GAF's outrage doing absolutely nothing to thwart it.

Or... you know... Nintendo could actually communicate this with fans and instead of saying stuff like:

"the demand of the nes classic was something we never could have expected, we will significantly increase production next time and do our best to ensure everyone who wants the next mini console can get one."

They should say:

"The mini console line is meant to be an limited time AND limited quantity item. We cannot guarantee all of our fans will be able to get one, but we are looking at what we can do to release requested nes and snes games including star fox 2 on the switch in the near future"

 

[LegendofLex]

What sort of ass backwards company decides to make a highly sought after product "limited" for no good reason other than fucking YOLO!

It's almost like Nintendo would rather dedicate their warehouse/shelf space to products that actually need to recoup development expenses and that actually lead to recurring revenues.

Their priority will always be to focus on their new stuff, not to just sell you their old stuff and be done with you.

They're using this product as a means to generate interest in Nintendo IP and get people to consider all the stuff they're currently investing their millions/billions into.

 

[Mrbob]

Well to be fair, I don't think Nintendo is the one coming up with those stupid bundles that Gamestop/ThinkGeek have.

Unfortunately the bundles are happening because Nintendo is under shipping again.

 

[chrono01]

*Nintendo after the NES Classic Mini*

"Sorry for the shortage, we underestimated demand. Don't worry, though! For the SNES Classic Mini we will be more prepared to handle stock and make sure those that want one will be able to secure themselves a system!"

*Nintendo after the SNES Classic Mini*

"Sorry for the shortage, we underestimated demand again. Rest assured however that we are taking all of the pre-order data into account, and will be positive to have sufficient stock for the upcoming N64 Classic Mini. You can believe us!"

*Nintendo after the N64 Classic Mini*

(You can probably guess what goes here)

 

[Salmonax]

I'm not rewarding them for how they're doing pre-orders. I'm handing over an agreed amount to get an item I want.

Hope I'm typing okay... my eyes just rolled out the back of my head onto the floor.

 

[Coxy100]

What?!

It's not click bait bullsht, it's the absolute goddamn truth. Nintendo totally screwed the fucking pooch on this, and given the stranglehold control they have over distribution and their supply chain it was absolutely unnecessary. If you somehow think they can't dictate how retailers presell their product you're only fooling yourself.

Couldn't have put it better - perfect.

 

[gondwana]

dumbass brain - walmart is a bit disorganized
pleb brain - artificial scarcity
that guy brain - "bsnes.exe"
deepak brain - the entire experience of actually successfully placing an order in the face of thousands of dudes running bots and rube goldberg setups 24/7 is actually an unfolding AR game itself. this is another rehash from nintendo

 

[joms5]

They also restocked every Amiibo line without a problem, including removing the retailer exclusivity. I never paid more than retail and have a whole collection without preorders.

The NES Classic was a clusterfuck of epic proportions but Amiibos ended up being ok.

Boo amiibo was impossible to find so I had to pay more for it on Amazon.ca from a scalper. So not all amiibo's are in good supply.

On topic, Klepek is right. But if he wants one that badly, do what you gotta do.

 

[Pupperbabysassy]

I completely agree with Patrick here, but I hope he also recognizes that his peers in the press (because we already know he's not letting this slide) need to hold Nintendo accountable for this by holding their feet to the fire on their front pages and in interviews conducted with reps. There's not much we can do as consumers when quantities are limited enough that our wallets won't be heard because scalpers will buy leftover units anyways.

The problem actually stems from people using bots and websites not using security to catch them. This isn't Nintendo's problem. The same crap happens when buying Jordans.

 

[8byte]

You're banking your whole premise on them being able to produce enough Switches for anyone to walk into a store during this holiday season and just grab one off the shelves? All forecasts I've heard have pointed to the likelihood that shortages will continue.

Of course there will be shortages. Scalpers will be a big part of the problem this holiday season, but that doesn't matter to Nintendo.

If Nintendo is the "hot shit" this holiday season (and they will be, they're going to crush everyone), then parents will find a way to get one. Very few people are going to say "welp, guess I'll just get this Xbox instead!" when they can't get a Nintendo product this holiday season.

Nintendo isn't "artificially" holding back stock or under producing on purpose, etc. But they are very much making choices that impact the availability of the product (only producing it through 2017) in order to create hysteria and have a limited supply to go around, which will great buzz, thus, mind share (which you honestly can't buy).

This is brilliant. It's shitty, but it's pretty smart on their part, especially if their Switch rental service stuff pans out.

 

[catbrush]

If Nintendo "wanted your money" they'd jack up the price to $200 a pop and still sell out. There's no way to not reward Nintendo for making a product that you want and selling it for a low price. If you don't get one, someone else will. I'm salty too that people who don't have to wake up in the morning got most of the stock, but I can understand this from a business perspective. In the long term the product works best as a marketing tool.

 

[Audioboxer]

It's almost like Nintendo would rather dedicate their warehouse/shelf space to products that actually need to recoup development expenses and that actually lead to recurring revenues.

Their priority will always be to focus on their new stuff, not to just sell you their old stuff and be done with you.

What? Is Nintendo's warehouse camped out in your back garden? Getting a bit tight for space?

As I said this will probably be made from cheap-ish components for next to nothing in China and shipped around the world. The markup on these devices will probably be quite profitable. Why would any company with sense turn down money?

Once something slows dramatically in sales then you reduce your output, or eventually can the line and stop making them. Nintendo stops making their own products BEFORE they even go on fucking sale.

 

[Justified]

Why didnt they open pre-orders earlier in the year, and took the time to build stock base on that number?

 

[Majima Everywhere System]

I've barely touched these roms in 2 decades. I shall persevere. I only care because i had the walmart preorder in July.

Edit: damn word

 

[Hasney]

Hope I'm typing okay... my eyes just rolled out the back of my head onto the floor.

Probably shouldn't have stared at that eclipse my friend.

 

[KingBroly]

Why didnt they open pre-orders earlier in the year, and took the time to build stock base on that number?

Pre-orders 8+ months in advance aren't a good idea

 

[Raylan Targaryen]

dont reward waypoint for this clickbait bullshit
blame retailers for holding preorders at random times or holding back stock for overpriced bundles

weird how the sneaker industry doesn't have this problem. my brothers know the exact time and date an anticipated release comes out so they can try to buy them.

i guess sneaker retailers just have more honor than gaming retailers

 

[Otheradam]

The walmart and target preorders were up for less than a combined 30 seconds. This means they will probably vastly undership these things. I was on a computer all day and got to those pages the second they went up and still wasn't able to put an order in. A better way to do this would be like in Japan with a lottery system to be able to buy one but noooooooo.

I will just have to go to the Nintendo Store in NYC since I live here but not everyone will be so lucky.

 

[johnny505]

Nintendo successfully got me to get a Pi finally, thanks guys!

 

[Yohane]

Too late already ordered.

 

[Hasney]

Nintendo successfully got me to get a Pi finally, thanks guys!

If this one doesn't get hacked like the NES did, I'm getting a Pi and using the awesome shell. Sure someone will throw a decent guide up for that!

 

[Chindogg]

Boo amiibo was impossible to find so I had to pay more for it on Amazon.ca from a scalper. So not all amiibo's are in good supply.

On topic, Klepek is right. But if he wants one that badly, do what you gotta do.

Which ones? I waited it out and they made more Roselinas, Marths, Ness's, Wii Fit Trainers, etc.

I don't think they've ever gone a wave without redoing one (for the popular ones anyways.)

Even the new Zelda guardians just got restocked.

 

[Stairouais]

*Nintendo after the NES Classic Mini*

"Sorry for the shortage, we underestimated demand. Don't worry, though! For the SNES Classic Mini we will be more prepared to handle stock and make sure those that want one will be able to secure themselves a system!"

*Nintendo after the SNES Classic Mini*

"Sorry for the shortage, we underestimated demand again. Rest assured however that we are taking all of the pre-order data into account, and will be positive to have sufficient stock for the upcoming N64 Classic Mini. You can believe us!"

*Nintendo after the N64 Classic Mini*

(You can probably guess what goes here)

After N64 Mini Debacle : In the meantime, you're looking on a way to somehow bring Virtiual Console to Switch. We'll talk more about that on a later date.

 

[Justified]

Pre-orders 8+ months in advance aren't a good idea

I can see if it was an was an item they were taking a leap of faith on, but base off of the NES Classic demand, and the low cost to make these, it should have been a risk worth taking

 

[DeuceGamer]

So Nintendo got roasted for not doing pre-orders on NES Classic, but they do pre-orders on SNES Classic and get roasted for that as well.

I know it's a hot item, but there have been several opportunities to get a pre-order in and with a cell phone it's easier than ever. Obviously there are going to be some that don't get it for a variety of reasons, but not sure we can fault Nintendo for that.

I also think it's a bit premature. Let's see how many times it's restocked before Christmas. If they don't significantly increase production over the NES Classic, than he has a point. I'll bet there will be more up for pre-order before launch, and several restocks over the coming months though.

Edit: Not 2 minutes after posting this and I got an alert that it's available at Target, lol. There have been plenty of chances to pre-order and it seems clear they have upped production over the NES Classic.

 

[thepenguin55]

Sounds like he wasn't able to get a pre-order.

Yeah, I like Patrick but he basically just got paid to make a GFAQs thread.

Let's see how many times it's restocked before Christmas. If they don't significantly increase production over the NES Classic, than he has a point. I'll bet there will be more up for pre-order before launch, and several restocks over the coming months though.

^^^This. I could even see there being multiple waves of preorders before launch.

 

[oti]

Why didnt they open pre-orders earlier in the year, and took the time to build stock base on that number?

This kind of direct demand production plan is the last thing I'd expect a conservative company such as Nintendo to do.

 

[Salmonax]

Probably shouldn't have stared at that eclipse my friend.

I'm certainly looking at something dim.

 

[spectator]

*Nintendo after the NES Classic Mini*

"Sorry for the shortage, we underestimated demand. Don't worry, though! For the SNES Classic Mini we will be more prepared to handle stock and make sure those that want one will be able to secure themselves a system!"

*Nintendo after the SNES Classic Mini*

"Sorry for the shortage, we underestimated demand again. Rest assured however that we are taking all of the pre-order data into account, and will be positive to have sufficient stock for the upcoming N64 Classic Mini. You can believe us!"

*Nintendo after the N64 Classic Mini*

(You can probably guess what goes here)

Yeah, it reminds me of that one company that keeps promising better third-party support every time they release a new console.

 

[Jofamo]

Nintendo let retailers put up preorders at whichever time they want -> sell out in 15 seconds

Nintendo dictate exactly what time preorders will go live at retailers, tell consumers -> sell out in 5 seconds

So what's the answer here? More stock? At what point do you realise that they literally cannot produce enough to meet demand.

I know it might blow some minds, but limited edition shit sells out, and manufacturers want to sell you as much of that shit as possible. Has anyone ever tried to preorder a new iPhone on launch? It's fucking impossible. But fuck Apple right?

 

[rackham]

I wonder what the story would have been if he got one

Yes I'm completely with a #FuckNintendo hashtag. Can GAF make it trend?

 

[Sami+]

I can't believe people are still defending Nintendo on this after it already happened last year. "They couldn't have known how popular it would be" became "it isn't intended to be that widely available". lmao.

 

[LegendofLex]

What? Is Nintendo's warehouse camped out in your back garden? Getting a bit tight for space?

As I said this will probably be made from cheap-ish components for next to nothing in China and shipped around the world. The markup on these devices will probably be quite profitable. Why would any company with sense turn down money?

Once something slows dramatically in sales then you reduce your output, or eventually can the line and stop making them. Nintendo stops making their own products BEFORE they even go on fucking sale.

I think a company like Nintendo, whose current value is largely derived from the value people attach to its legacy, might actually be acting in its own best interests by making sure its legacy-focused product line never gets discounted.

 

[Shpeshal Nick]

Nintendo is one of the most unfriendly gaming companies to their fans. The do this crap on purpose to force scalpers to buy them all up.

The strange thing is though, what does that achieve for Nintendo?

The units sell at retail price regardless. Nintendo gains nothing from scalpers making money.

 

[Marcel]

I will probably reward them if I can get one at MSRP, Pat. Sorry pal. The pre-order situation is a disaster but moralizing about it will just makes me the person without SNES Classic.

I might have to wait for the Amazon Treasure Truck or something though.

 

[Murkas]

I can assure you, I only have 8 SNES classic consoles preordered for truly genuine reasons.

Spoiler

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

 

[Memorabilia]

Agree 110%! Fuck Nintendo.

(Be right back...pre-ordering 5 of them for...uh...my personal collection...)

 

[watership]

I don't understand how selling fewer products makes Nintendo more money than selling more products, assuming the price of the product remains unchanged.

Demand. It means that any units they produce, will sell. It's the best position to be in.

 

[oti]

The strange thing is though, what does that achieve for Nintendo?

The units sell at retail price regardless. Nintendo gains nothing from scalpers making money.

Of course not. Scalpers are just an undesired side effect of the market. To suggest Nintendo uses them in any way to their advantage, just like the eternal artificial scarcity conspiracy theory, is nonsense.

 

[RecRoulette]

Not sure why people thought things were going to be different this time.

The fever pitch wouldn't have been as crazy if you could just pick up an NES Classic at the store today.

 

[jholmes]

dont reward waypoint for this clickbait bullshit
blame retailers for holding preorders at random times or holding back stock for overpriced bundles

I mostly agree with this. I don't love the system but the retailers aren't helping customers out here and just because something annoys you and you have a platform doesn't mean every rant that springs to mind needs to have the company masthead attached to it.

With that said, I don't really like this industry need to have customers frothing at the mouth when new hardware hits. Obviously limited hardware like the SNES Classic is a bigger problem, but why complain about this but give a pass to the way the Switch launch, PS4 launch, XBX Scorpio launch went?

 

[Marcel]

Not sure why people thought things were going to be different this time.

The fever pitch wouldn't have been as crazy if you could just pick up an NES Classic at the store today.

Yeah acting like Nintendo of America knows what the fuck they are doing was the mistake all along. Did people here actually believe them when they said they would have better allocation of units? Have their constant inventory fuckups taught them -nothing-?