Despite all the chatter about pricing and delays, the Nintendo Switch 2 appears poised for commercial success. Thousands of eager fans have rushed to secure a unit as soon as preorders went live, but unfortunately scalpers have also been quick to grab their share.
Earlier this month, when preorders launched in the UK and parts of Europe, opportunistic resellers quickly bought up units and began listing them on eBay at outrageous prices.
A similar scenario is now unfolding in the United States, with scalpers snatching up preorders and players concerned about how tariffs might affect availability. Even though launch-day shortages seem all but inevitable, the Switch community isn’t letting this slide and is coming up with creative ways to counter.
Switch 2 Listings with Ridiculous Prices
Following delays linked to U.S. trade tariffs, American fans finally got their shot at the Switch 2 on Thursday, April 24. As predicted, the process was chaotic. Sites crashed, orders were canceled, and inventory vanished almost instantly.
It didn’t take long for reports to emerge that many buyers had begun relisting their reservations online. According to outlets like Eurogamer and Kotaku, Switch 2 units were showing up on eBay for as much as $700, nearly twice the suggested retail price. Some sellers claimed they would send updates before the release, though there’s no guarantee they even secured a console.
Most fans will likely wait for restocks at official retailers, but some might be tempted to pay the inflated prices and assume the risk just to secure the console.
Gamers Strike Back
Can you beat resellers at their own game? A few Nintendo fans think so, and they’ve decided to fight back.
A group of gamers began posting fake listings for the Nintendo Switch 2, selling only printed photos of the console. These listings aren’t meant to trick other fans, as each clearly states in the description that buyers will receive nothing more than an image.
The goal is to flood the market with decoys and make it harder for bots and those cashing in on the hype to operate effectively. One listing reads: “Don’t buy this unless you’re a bot or want to donate $550. I’ll send you a printed picture of the Mario Kart World bundle and nothing more.” Another adds: “Warning: You are buying a photo of the Nintendo Switch 2.” A third one clarifies: “This is a fake listing to throw off resellers.”
This strategic answer comes after reports of gamers in Europe trying to get inflated listings removed entirely.
But what do you think of these tactics? Share your thoughts in the comments below.