Nintendo reportedly ups Switch production ahead of new Zelda game launch

23 January 2023 , 14:24

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Nintendo Switch production is increasing ahead of the release of Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Image: Nintendo)

Nintendo is reportedly increasing production of the Nintendo Switch ahead of the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

Several sources close to the big N have said the company is increasing production of the Nintendo Switch in their next fiscal year (from April), according to a report from Bloomberg. Nintendo is said to have increased production despite the console being almost six years old, ahead of the launch of what is likely to be one of this year's biggest games, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom, which is set for release on May 12, 2023.

The Breath of the Wild sequel could also be the next game to headline a Switch OLED special edition if leaked images released earlier this month are to be believed (they're probably not). The other reason cited for the increase in production is that the semiconductor shortage has reportedly come to an end.

This previously hamstrung the production of gaming hardware, including the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as graphics cards from AMD and Nvidia. This shortage has led Nintendo to reduce sales forecasts over the last few years. Despite this, the Nintendo Switch was once again the UK's best-selling console in 2022.

It prints money

Like the Wii and DS before it, the Nintendo Switch has been another runaway success for the Kytoto-based console manufacturer. Nintendo's gift for coming up with new hardware concepts that strike a chord with both hardcore and casual gamers is one of its greatest strengths. However, it makes sense that the company wants to ride this particular wave for as long as it possibly can, especially considering that the Switch is on course to be one of the best-selling consoles of all time.

Nintendo Switch 2 release set for next year as Zelda ushers in the end of Switch

But, just because production is reportedly ramping up, it doesn't necessarily mean that we might not see a new console by Nintendo hit shelves next year. It is hard to deny that the hardware is starting to show its age – you only need to look at the state of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet to see that a refresh of some kind is in order.

With Switch Pro rumours put to rest, for this year at least, will Tears of the Kingdom see off the Nintendo Switch with a bang? Either way, I don't think any of us will be going out much, or getting a lot of work done, this May.

Gareth Newnham