(Image credit: Nintendo)
Nintendo has been making strategic moves to prevent scalpers from snatching up Switch 2 consoles and reselling them at inflated prices, reminiscent of the previous PS5 launch. However, the gaming giant might find its efforts supplemented by a passionate fanbase determined to fend off scalping on their own.
With Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders becoming available worldwide—except in the USA due to ongoing tariffs—scalpers have been eagerly awaiting their chance to buy up stock and mark up the prices. Enthusiastically anticipating features like a playable Moo Moo Cow in Mario Kart World, fans are mobilizing. Across the Nintendo subreddit, users are sharing tactics on battling scalpers, particularly by leveraging eBay’s policies. As a rule, eBay prohibits selling items that can’t be shipped within 40 days—a restriction rendering many Switch 2 presales as rule-breaking since the official release is on June 5. Many fans are actively reporting these listings, and encouraging others to take similar actions.
“Not all heroes wear capes,” remarked one fan in support of another user who successfully removed several scalper listings. “You’re doing god’s work,” praised another, highlighting the communal effort to purge over 20 listings.
Among the leading figures in this anti-scalping initiative was a fan providing others with a ready-to-use template citing eBay’s terms: “Presale listings must clearly state ‘presale’ and assure shipping within 30 days of purchase.” Applying this rule is crucial, given the console’s launch timeline.
Interestingly, last year, Nintendo disclosed one of their own strategies to counteract scalping: increasing production. This month, they expanded on this by restricting pre-orders to users who have invested significant gameplay hours on their original Switch consoles—a move ensuring dedicated fans get priority.
If you’ve managed to secure a pre-order, you might want to check out the upcoming titles for the Switch 2, which promise an exciting array of gameplay adventures.