[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Long lines have formed since early dawn. Behind faces covered with masks due to concerns over the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), eyes filled with earnestness are visible. Number tickets are distributed in the order of arrival, and sighs escape from those who fail to receive a ticket.
This is not a scene from a government-supported loan site for small business owners and self-employed individuals affected by COVID-19. Rather, it is the scene that has continued since last month in front of large marts and other sales outlets to purchase the recently popular ‘Nintendo Switch’ and the game ‘Animal Crossing’.
According to the related industry on the 11th, the Japanese game company Nintendo’s game console ‘Nintendo Switch’ is so popular that it is called a ‘craze.’ The game 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons,' released last month, has attracted not only the usual gaming enthusiasts but also those who were not interested in games, all eager to purchase the console.
In particular, due to the COVID-19 impact causing the Chinese factories producing the game consoles to halt operations, a shortage of supply has led to a phenomenon where people pay premiums to buy them. The price of the Switch, which was 360,000 won, has risen to 600,000 to 700,000 won, and the special edition packaged with Animal Crossing characters has jumped to 800,000 to 900,000 won.
Recently, news that a small quantity of stock was arriving at Emart’s electronics specialty store ‘Electromart’ caused crowds to gather from early morning. In response, Emart distributed number tickets and sent customers away due to concerns over COVID-19 infection. Currently, dozens of calls inquiring about stock come in daily.
Popularity continues online as well. On this day, when 11st announced the sale of ‘Nintendo Switch’ at 4 p.m. through its ‘Monthly 11th Day Sale,’ an online ‘click war’ began to emerge. Also, since the release of ‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ last month, the ‘Gift’ section on SSG.com has held the number one spot for three consecutive weeks.
‘Coordinates’ have also appeared on online communities. These provide real-time updates on the stock status of ‘Nintendo Switch’ at stores nationwide, and with the appearance of these ‘coordinates,’ the products at the respective stores quickly sell out. Consumers who succeed in purchasing the ‘Nintendo Switch’ are quick to post boasting messages, and comments expressing envy such as ‘Koreans of willpower’ flood in.
Criticism has been raised regarding the ‘Nintendo Switch craze.’ It is pointed out that this behavior ignores concerns about COVID-19 infection and the boycott movement that began last year in the second half due to Japan’s export restrictions on semiconductor materials. Professor Seongkyung Suk of Sungshin Women’s University wrote on his Facebook on the 8th, “Boycotts can never be forced. I also respect individual choices. But I hope we can think about it one more time.”
However, the shortage of ‘Nintendo Switch’ is expected to continue for the time being. Nintendo Korea announced, “It is unavoidable that shipments of Nintendo Switch consoles and Joy-Con controllers produced in China for the Korean market are delayed.” Nintendo has stated that additional supplies will be provided in early April.
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