As the midnight release of the Nintendo Switch 2 approaches in the US, players are resorting to eBay in a last bid. With preorders all but impossible to get, resellers have swamped the online marketplace with listings, some charging as much as $750 for the yet-to-be-released console.
Is it worth the gamble, though, to pay top dollar?
Switch 2 Hype Hits eBay Early: Listings Top 100 Before Launch
Just hours ahead of the Switch 2 US launch on June 5, over 100 eBay listings have already surfaced, according to Mashable. Some sellers say they have confirmed pre-orders, and then there are the majority of Australia-based sellers, who could already have physical copies because of the time difference.
The majority of these listings are priced between $650 and $750, an enormous markup above the expected retail price. And many of them don’t even provide immediate shipping, relying instead on promised delivery dates.
Read more:
Nintendo is Changing the Way We Play and Share Digital Games Through Virtual Game Cards
Nintendo’s Global Launch Plan and Stock Shortage
Nintendo anticipates selling 20 million Switch 2 units worldwide over the next 12 months, but its supply chain launch has not been smooth. Preorders have been elusive, leaving many long-time fans without one to call their own.
For the first quarter alone, an analyst predicted that the new console would sell six million units.
Gamers in Australia were among the first to get consoles, with not many units already shipped. Most US buyers, meanwhile, have to wait days or even weeks, depending on where they ordered.
Your best hope of an authentic purchase? Keep reloading the official retailers below:
- Nintendo
- Walmart
- Best Buy
- Target
- GameStop
- Costco
Are eBay Listings Legit? Buyer Beware
A few sellers on eBay are attempting to establish legitimacy by showing preorder receipts or tracking information from large-box retailers. These guarantees, however, come with no assurances and no protection for buyers if the sellers don’t come through.
Mashable contacted eBay to ask if early Switch 2 listings were against any of their policies, but haven’t heard back officially yet.
Japan’s Crackdown on Scalping and Why It Hasn’t Reached the US
In Japan, Nintendo already has deals in place with such platforms as Mercari and Rakuten to shut out resellers and prevent the Switch 2 from getting scalped after launch. Sadly, such protections don’t exist currently in the United States.
That leaves American consumers open to price gouging and dodgy preorder commitments, frequently made by vendors who haven’t even received the console yet.
Here’s Why You Should Just Wait It Out
Unless you’re purchasing through a reputable, verified seller, resist the eBay urge—at least for now. Only review units have been officially shipped in the US as of this date.
Nintendo will surely restock post-launch, and purchasing directly guarantees you circumvent the pain of scam auctions, extended shipping times, or worse—nothing at all.
In short, bookmark your favorite retailers and check often. Patience might save you hundreds.
Related Article:
Nintendo Switch 2 Quietly Introduces New Security Feature for the Console—Do You Need It?