Nintendo fans are fighting back against scalpers by flooding auction sites with fake listings for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. This strategic move comes in response to the rampant scalping of the console, with pre-orders appearing on sites like eBay at prices ranging from $500 to $2,000.
As the Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, scalpers have taken advantage of the situation by posting overpriced listings, claiming they will ship within 40 business days of purchase. Frustrated by the pre-order delay and the high prices, U.S. Nintendo fans have banded together to combat these scalpers.
To push the scalpers' listings down the page and make them harder to find, fans are posting their own fake listings at or below the retail price. For instance, a listing titled "Nintendo Switch v2 video games console PREORDER" for $450 seems legitimate at first glance. However, the description reveals it's a fake listing: "PRE-ORDER SCREENSHOT Please note: 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 often include "read description" in the title, helping buyers differentiate them from real scalper listings. Another example is a $550 listing that humorously warns buyers: "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."
A third listing at $499.99 further emphasizes the tactic: "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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The Nintendo Switch 2 was initially slated for a June 5, 2025 release with a starting price of $449.99. However, the pre-order date was delayed in the United States due to import tariffs enacted by President Trump, causing financial market fluctuations. Pre-orders eventually went live on April 24 at the same price, and as expected, they sold out quickly. For more details, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.
This week, Nintendo addressed compatibility concerns with its new GameCube controller, noting potential "issues" when using it with modern Nintendo Switch games.
