For gaming enthusiasts, the launch of a new console often brings a wave of anxiety. Securing a pre-order amidst intense bot activity and overwhelming internet traffic can feel like a battle, and many find themselves bracing to camp out at stores. This frustrating scenario has worsened, largely due to scalpers who buy consoles with the sole intent of reselling them at inflated prices.
While veteran gamers have adapted to these challenges, it doesn’t have to be this way. A notable example is Nintendo’s newly developed anti-scalping strategy for the Switch 2, which appears to be quite effective. Unfortunately, this strategy is currently limited to Japan.
Nintendo disclosed this initiative on Tuesday via a detailed announcement on its website. The company is collaborating with platforms like Mercari to combat fraudulent listings for the Switch 2. In fact, these platforms will proactively block any listings for the console, even after its official release, in a move aimed at reducing consumer confusion.
In contrast, a quick glance at eBay here in the U.S. reveals numerous listings for the Switch 2, typically at prices significantly higher than the retail value. It’s a disappointing trend.
While those of us outside Japan remain at the mercy of opportunistic resellers, Nintendo hasn’t completely left us empty-handed. The company introduced a reservation program where fans could secure a console based on certain criteria. Users needed to have a Nintendo Online membership for at least a year, logged a minimum of 50 gameplay hours on their console, and consented to share gameplay data with Nintendo.
This was a commendable initiative that rewarded dedicated fans, but it didn’t fully alleviate the issue. As a result, Nintendo had to apologize to those who were unable to secure a pre-order through this system. Fortunately, those affected will have the opportunity to participate in the next wave of pre-orders.
It doesn’t have to be this way. In the music industry, some artists implement measures that prevent ticket reselling through platforms like Ticketmaster, or establish limits on resale prices. This is effectively what Nintendo is doing in Japan. Hopefully, it won’t be long before similar measures are adopted globally by Nintendo.
