gaming
Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 sold out everywhere, retailers go in-store only
Nintendo's $519.99 themed console with gold Joy-Cons and Triforce dock sold out online at every major retailer. Best Buy held midnight openings. The Ocarina of Time remake launched the same week at $69.99.
The Nintendo Switch 2: The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition is sold out online at every major U.S. retailer, with Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and GameStop all pivoting to in-store-only drops, IGN reported.
The $519.99 bundle includes a custom black-and-gold Switch 2 console, themed Joy-Con 2 controllers and a matching dock embossed with a gold Triforce. It does not include a game.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake launched on Switch 2 the same week, sold separately at $69.99. Best Buy held midnight openings for the anniversary console. Target said it would have in-store stock starting Nov. 5.
Preorders sold out within minutes of going live. Scalper bots were a problem, with listings appearing on resale sites at double the retail price before the console shipped.
What the coverage missed
IGN’s report focuses on where to buy. It does not address why the supply is so thin.
Nintendo has a history of limited editions selling out fast. The Breath of the Wild Master Edition in 2017 sold out in preorders and resold at triple the price. The Super Mario Odyssey Red Joy-Con bundle the same year was gone in hours. The pattern is consistent.
The Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 is not a new console. It is a standard Switch 2 with different paint and packaging. The hardware inside is identical. Nintendo could produce as many as it wants. The scarcity is a choice, or at minimum a forecast decision that underestimated demand.
The Ocarina of Time remake is the bigger story for players. The 1998 original is one of the most reviewed games in history, with a 99 on Metacritic. A remake at $69.99 on Switch 2 gives Nintendo a high-margin title to sell alongside the hardware bundle. Buyers who want both spend nearly $600 before tax.
Retailers moving to in-store-only sales is an admission that their online systems cannot keep bots out. In-store drops require a person to show up, which slows resellers who buy in bulk. It also excludes anyone who does not live near a participating store.
What I think
The console will be back in stock. Nintendo is not going to leave money on the table. The question is when, and how many units.
The in-store-only strategy is the right call for now. It is not a permanent fix. Resellers hire people to stand in line. But it slows them down and gives actual customers a chance.
The Ocarina of Time remake at $70 is the test. If it sells well, expect more full-price remakes from Nintendo’s back catalog. If it struggles, the company will know that nostalgia has a price ceiling. My guess is it sells. Ocarina is the game that taught a generation what 3D adventure games could be. That generation has disposable income now.