Overview
- Nintendo is actively implementing strategies to combat scalpers prior to the launch of the highly anticipated Switch 2.
- The company aims to have a larger inventory at launch, learning from the challenges experienced during the original Switch’s release.
- In a statement from 2024, CEO Shuntaro Furukawa indicated that Nintendo may pursue legal actions against scalpers in specific regions to ensure the Switch 2 remains accessible.
As the eagerly awaited Nintendo Switch 2 approaches its release, Nintendo has taken proactive steps to discourage scalpers from monopolizing the market. The company faced significant challenges with scalpers during the 2017 launch of the original Switch, which limited access for many eager consumers. With this new console, Nintendo is determined to prevent similar issues and believes it is well-equipped to handle anticipated high demand.
Currently, an official launch date for the Switch 2 has yet to be announced, but excitement around the upcoming console continues to soar. While analysts suggest that it may be challenging for the Switch 2 to surpass the original’s monumental sales figures, meeting those standards would still be a considerable feat. Nevertheless, Nintendo is optimistic and prepared for a potential rush of consumers eager to purchase the new device.
In an interview with Nikkei, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa expressed the company’s commitment to ensuring an adequate supply of Switch 2 consoles upon launch. He acknowledged that the limited stock during the first console’s release allowed scalpers to thrive, negatively impacting consumers. By applying lessons learned from that experience, Nintendo plans to significantly increase stock levels before the official launch, allowing more consumers the opportunity to buy the console without relying on secondary markets or waiting for restocks. This approach seems to confirm prior speculation regarding an increase in production rates leading up to the Switch 2’s release.
Nintendo Aims for Higher Inventory at Switch 2 Launch
While the exact number of units available for launch remains unspecified, Furukawa has emphasized that Nintendo will implement “all possible measures”to mitigate scalping activities. In a statement made in 2024, he mentioned that the company is contemplating legal avenues against scalpers in certain areas to facilitate consumer access to the Switch 2. However, he underscored that their foremost strategy lies in ramping up initial production significantly. This thoughtful planning indicates that Nintendo has been preparing for this release well in advance, putting them in a stronger position compared to their preparations for the original Switch.
This issue of scalpers isn’t unique to Nintendo; other tech companies have faced similar difficulties. For instance, Nvidia’s RTX 5090 and 5080 GPUs sold out instantly upon release, with scalpers listing them prior to their availability, highlighting the ongoing challenge within the gaming sector. Nintendo is aiming to avoid such scenarios with the Switch 2, but the true effectiveness of their anti-scalping measures will only be realized once the console is released.
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