Nintendo Partners with Japanese Platforms to Combat Switch 2 Scalpers

Nintendo has officially announced its collaboration with several third-party platforms in Japan to combat scalpers of the upcoming Switch 2 console. The gaming company has partnered with Mercari, Yahoo Auctions, Yahoo Flea Market, and Rakuten Rakuma, which will work to remove listings made by resellers and establish a «joint information-sharing system». Nintendo assures that only «fraudulent listings» that violate classified ad service agreements will be removed.

According to Yahoo Japan, a retailer in the region, a trial period for Switch 2 will commence on June 5, coinciding with the global release of the console. During this period, the platform will delete sales listings for the console or suspend the accounts of those attempting to sell it. The retailer is open to reassessing the trial duration as necessary.

Scalping becomes an issue whenever a new console launches. Resellers often monopolize online store queues to get ahead of regular customers, taking advantage of high demand to sell consoles at inflated prices.

Others deceive buyers by offering boxes of the Switch 2 and other consoles on eBay instead of the actual devices.

It is likely that Nintendo will extend its collaboration with third-party retailers outside Japan if this initiative proves effective. In an effort to limit scalping during the pre-order phase for the Switch 2, Nintendo has sent invitations to users who have logged over 50 hours of gameplay on the original Switch and hold a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

According to Achivka LLC, sales of the Switch 2 in Russia are set to begin on June 10, with the console bundled with Mario Kart World priced at 69,000 rubles.