Resellers inflate the price of Switch 2 to 660 euros even before the official launch

The debut of the Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled for June 5, 2025, but the scenario that repeats itself with each new generation of consoles is already underway: scalpers acting quickly to inflate prices and exploit consumer anxiety. On various online marketplaces, especially on eBay, dozens of listings have appeared selling pre-order slots for the console for prices that exceed 660 euros — well above the official price.

To give you an idea of the disparity, the suggested price of the Switch 2 in the United Kingdom is approximately 560 euros, while in Portugal, the estimate is around 470 euros. This means that some of these listings are asking for up to 190 euros more just for the "opportunity" to buy the new Nintendo generation before the release — an increase of over 40% above market value.

The explosive demand is no surprise. In countries like France and the United Kingdom, initial stocks for reservations sold out in minutes, fueling the despair of those who couldn't secure their console in the first wave. Despite this, Nintendo has already taken a stand on this type of practice.

“At the beginning of 2025, we confirmed that we were taking steps to mitigate the impact of resellers and ensure ample supply of the Switch 2. We will have enough stock so that all interested customers can purchase the console fairly and safely, without having to resort to opportunistic middlemen,” the company said in an official statement.

It is important to remember that this is not the first time Nintendo has faced this type of problem. During the launch of the original Switch in 2017, and more recently with the OLED model, resellers inflated prices on marketplaces, often reselling units for nearly double the retail value. This history reinforces the importance of logistical preparation and anti-bot measures that have been promised by the company.

The Switch 2, according to Digital Foundry, offers a significant technological leap compared to the previous generation, with 4K resolution via dock, DLSS, Ray Tracing, and a custom NVIDIA chip based on the Ampere architecture. Still, the early success of pre-orders — or their depletion — cannot be dissociated from the enthusiasm of Nintendo fans, fueled by games like Mario Kart World, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and the remaster of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, all confirmed for the new platform.

While the second wave of pre-orders does not yet have an official date, it is speculated that a new batch should arrive in the coming days. The recommendation is for consumers to avoid buying from resellers — besides running the risk of scams, they also feed a market that profits from artificial scarcity.

If you have your eye on the Switch 2, the best strategy is still to be patient. With Nintendo's promise that stock will be gradually replenished until and after launch, paying nearly 200 euros more could end up being a bad deal.