Nintendo fans are cleverly fighting back against scalpers by flooding auction sites like eBay with fake listings for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. This tactic aims to make it harder for buyers to find the scalpers' overpriced listings, which have been popping up since pre-orders became available, ranging from $500 to $2,000.
The frustration among U.S. Nintendo fans has been palpable, especially with the pre-order delay and the abundance of over-priced pre-orders on eBay. With the Nintendo Switch 2 set to launch on June 5, scalpers have been quick to list their pre-orders, promising delivery within 40 business days of purchase. In response, fans are posting fake listings at or below retail price to push these scalper auctions down the page.
For instance, a listing titled "Nintendo Switch v2 video games console PREORDER" at $450 might seem appealing at first glance. However, the description reveals it's a pre-order for a screenshot of the console, explicitly designed to combat bots and scalpers with a clear warning: "You are ordering a picture of the Nintendo Switch 2. This listing is to combat bots and scalpers. No refunds. No cancels. > You will receive an png image of a switch 2. No console."
These fake listings are easy to spot, often featuring "read description" in the heading to alert potential buyers of the ruse. Another example is a $550 listing that humorously states, "Do not, I repeat DO NOT BUY this unless you are a bot or just wish to donate $550 to me. I will be shipping a laser-printed image of the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle and that will be all you get. NO REFUNDS. NO. REFUNDS. NO REFUNDS. You will NOT BE REFUNDED you will be receiving the picture whether you like it or not."
Similarly, a $499.99 auction clarifies, "This listing is for a printed picture of my Nintendo Switch 2 console confirmed preorder. You will receive a printed picture, folded, and sent in a standard letter envelope. This is NOT for the console itself. No refunds, No returns. F the bots."
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Originally slated for a June 5, 2025 release, the Nintendo Switch 2 was set to start at $449.99. However, due to delayed pre-orders in the United States caused by import tariffs enacted by President Trump, the pre-order date shifted to April 24, maintaining the same price point. For detailed information, check out IGN's comprehensive Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.
This week, Nintendo also addressed concerns regarding the compatibility of its new GameCube controller with modern Switch games, noting potential "issues" that users might encounter.
