Summary
TheNintendo Switch 2is already being resold at inflated prices on retail websites like eBay. Last week, Nintendo finally revealed when the Switch 2 console will launch and how much it will cost, with its surprisingly high price tag dividing gamers. Pre-orders for theNintendo Switch 2are set to begin on April 9 in territories outside the United States, where Nintendo has delayed them to assess the impact the recent tariffs will have on the console’s production and distribution.
Another potential roadblock to the Nintendo Switch 2’s early console sales is scalpers, who snatch up consoles and other highly sought-after products and resell them at inflated prices. This was a serious issue when the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S launched back in 2020, but Nintendo has made efforts to prevent history from repeating itself with the Switch 2. For starters,Nintendo’s first round of Switch 2 pre-ordersprioritizes Nintendo Switch Online members who have been active for two years and have spent a certain amount of time playing Switch games.
Not every online retailer is implementing these requirements though, and scaplers have reportedly already gotten ahold of some first-wave Nintendo Switch 2 consoles and bundles. According toEurogamer, copies of the standard Nintendo Switch 2 are appearing on outlets like eBay for over £600 (or $656.06), roughly $207 more than the standard retail price. Meanwhile, theMario Kart WorldNintendo Switch 2 bundleis being resold for upwards of £634.02 (or $693.26), about $193.27 higher than its suggested retail cost.
Scalpers Are Already Reselling the Nintendo Switch 2
As noted before, the high price of the Nintendo Switch 2 is already causing commotion among the gaming community, even before factoring in these inflated resale prices. The cost of some of theSwitch 2’s launch titleshas compounded the issue, as the aforementionedMario Kart Worldis being offered separately for a pricey $80 digitally and $90 physically. Buying theMario Kart WorldNintendo Switch 2 bundle could alleviate this somewhat, but Nintendo is reportedly only offering it until Fall 2025.
This limited-edition Nintendo Switch 2 bundle might be even harder to find now that scalpers are targeting the console. Some Switch 2 pre-orders are already live, though the retailers offering them have reportedly sold out of stock almost as soon as they received it. Despite these complications andNintendo delaying the Switch 2 pre-ordersin the United States, the system is still set to launch worldwide on June 5.
