"Nintendo Fans Flood eBay with Fake Switch 2 Auctions to Combat Scalpers"

Nintendo fans are taking matters into their own hands to fight back against scalpers, using a clever and humorous tactic—flooding auction sites like eBay with fake listings for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. As genuine pre-orders remain scarce and demand remains sky-high, passionate gamers are creating mock auctions that mimic real ones but deliver nothing more than screenshots or printed images of the console.

With Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders appearing on secondary markets at inflated prices ranging from $500 to as high as $2,000, fan-made spoof listings have become a grassroots countermeasure. By posting fake offers at or below the official retail price, supporters aim to bury overpriced scalper auctions further down in search results, making it harder for opportunistic buyers to find legitimate deals.

While U.S. Nintendo fans have already organized online to protest both the pre-order delay and rampant scalping, this latest wave of digital activism has gained momentum as the June 5 launch date draws closer. According to current eBay policies, sellers can legally list pre-orders for items not yet released—as long as they specify that the product will ship within 40 business days of purchase.

To combat this loophole, fans are flooding the platform with humorous and clearly marked false listings. One such example is titled “Nintendo Switch v2 video games console PREORDER” priced at $450, which explicitly states in the description: “You are ordering a picture of the Nintendo Switch 2. This listing is to combat bots and scalpers.”

Many of these listings include phrases like “read description” in the title to distinguish themselves from actual scalper auctions. Another $550 listing sarcastically warns: “DO NOT BUY this unless you are a bot or just wish to donate $550 to me,” adding that buyers will receive only a laser-printed image of the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle—“NO REFUNDS” included.

A separate $499.99 auction similarly clarifies: “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.” These tongue-in-cheek postings reflect the frustration many feel toward scalpers and automated bots hoarding limited stock.

Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Details

The Nintendo Switch 2 was originally scheduled for a June 5, 2025 release, with an MSRP of $449.99. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date faced delays in the United States due to ongoing economic pressures, including import tariffs initially enacted during the Trump administration that disrupted financial planning for international logistics.

Eventually, official pre-orders launched on April 24 and sold out quickly, leaving many consumers turning to third-party platforms—where scalpers capitalized on the shortage by inflating prices dramatically.

Controller Compatibility Update

In other recent news, Nintendo addressed concerns regarding the compatibility of its newly unveiled GameCube-style controller, confirming that while designed primarily for classic titles, there may be “issues” when using it with modern Nintendo Switch games. The statement serves as a heads-up for retro enthusiasts eager to use legacy hardware in newer game environments.

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