The Nintendo Switch has been difficult to find in stock as of late, but it’s not the only key Nintendo product you might have trouble buying right now. Joy-Cons, the system’s standard controllers, are seemingly sold out everywhere, at least in the US–and that’s a real problem if you’re one of the many Switch owners dealing with drifting issues.
The video game industry has seen incredible sales in the first half of the year, as the coronavirus drove people indoors and in need of ways to pass the time. The NPD Group reported that video game industry sales in the US during April were up a whopping 73% compared to the same period last year, which is all the more remarkable when considering that a new generation of consoles will soon be here. Switch has been a particularly hot item, with NPD saying its year-to-date hardware sales through April are the highest for any console ever.
Accessory sales were also way up: The April record for controllers was almost doubled, with PS4’s DualShock 4 and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller leading the way. But whereas you can pick up a PS4 or Xbox One controller with little issue, the same can’t be said for Switch Joy-Cons. Head to the online retailer of your choice, and you’ll find one of two things: a “sold out” notice or exorbitant prices from third-party resellers. It mirrors the same thing we’ve seen with Switch itself, as we’ve been tracking for the past few months.
