Nintendo enthusiasts are taking a stand against scalpers by flooding auction sites with fake listings for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. This creative tactic aims to obscure scalper listings and make it harder for buyers to stumble upon overpriced pre-orders.

On platforms like eBay, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 are surfacing, with prices ranging wildly from $500 to $2,000. As the console's launch date of June 5 approaches, scalpers are legally able to list their inflated pre-orders, provided they specify that the item will ship within 40 business days of purchase.

In response, Nintendo fans are posting fake listings at or below the expected retail price to push these scalper auctions down the page. Take this listing, for example: titled "Nintendo Switch v2 video games console PREORDER," it's listed at a seemingly reasonable $450. However, the description reveals the truth: "PRE-ORDER SCREENSHOT Please note: You are ordering a picture of the Nintendo Switch 2. This listing is to combat bots and scalpers. No refunds. No cancels. > You will receive an png image of a switch 2. No console." Such listings often include "read description" in the heading to differentiate them from genuine offers.

Another $550 listing humorously warns potential buyers: "Do not, I repeat DO NOT BUY this unless you are a bot or just wish to donate $550 to me. I will be shipping a laser-printed image of the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle and that will be all you get. NO REFUNDS. NO. REFUNDS. NO REFUNDS. You will NOT BE REFUNDED you will be receiving the picture whether you like it or not. I'm just gonna make sure to state this again, there will be NO REFUNDS, and you will be getting a laser printed image of a Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle. That is all you will be getting. Oh, one last thing. Did I mention NO REFUNDS? Ok but actually though, it will ship after you order instead of after it releases so you should be getting it before Switch 2 release date."

A $499.99 auction similarly states: "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. No refunds, No returns. F the bots."

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The Nintendo Switch 2 was supposed to arrive on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date faced delays in the United States due to import tariffs imposed by President Trump, which caused financial market turbulence. Consequently, pre-orders commenced on April 24 at the same price of $449.99, and the response was as chaotic as anticipated. For more details, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.

This week, Nintendo also clarified compatibility concerns surrounding its all-new GameCube controller, noting potential "issues" when using it with contemporary Nintendo Switch games.