Switch 2 kraft paper is being auctioned and its reservation is to the highest bidder
Nintendo’s Switch 2 Global launches are underway. The console will be officially released on June 5, meaning buyers in earlier territories have already obtained it. As midnight spreads across North America, players here do the same. Many fans have booked their Switch 2, allowing them to skip the face-to-face line of planning for midnight sales at retail stores. Currently, others are bidding for casting paste.
Sellers on sites like eBay and Mercari have created their own pre-order sales ecosystem, taking advantage of fears that ongoing tariff drama and possible stock shortages will make the Switch 2 scarce. The console retails for $450 and costs several hundred dollars at resale locations. A list that is expected to ship on June 6 will be priced at $849 or the “best offer.” Other lists are actively bidding. On Mercari, the console is sold for $600 and above.
There are good reasons for people to feel anxious. Nintendo has a history of supply shortages, including its predecessor of the Switch 2; in Japan, the company has warned customers that demand may outweigh supply. Nintendo is ready to scalp before the pre-order period of the console; buyers who want a unit directly from the store can only purchase one system per account and must meet specific requirements, including 50 hours of playback time on their switch accounts.
Buyers who want to grab multiple switches can still place multiple orders through other retailers such as Amazon or Walmart. According to the online message board, some people did; others admitted to failing to find their own kraft purchases. “I have no shame,” wrote on the GameFAQS forum. “About 700.00 [USD]. Including the next day’s priority air freight…no Mario Kart bundles. I can’t wait. ”
Nintendo was wired and would not comment immediately. Earlier this month, the company announced it would work with Mercari, Yahoo Auctions, Yahoo Fleamarket and Rakuten Rakuma to remove the listings and bans, but only in Japan. The crackdown on resale locations will begin on June 5 as part of the probation period. It is not clear whether these measures will be implemented in other regions.
Global markets may also play a role. Nintendo temporarily postponed bookings after the console was unveiled in person after President Donald Trump issued an extreme tariff announcement. Although the price of the console itself has not yet been affected – many accessories are now more expensive than previously announced. As older gaming consoles grow more and more expensive, the Switch 2 price isn’t impossible after it is released.
Still, buyers who turn to second-hand sellers may become irrelevant due to booking delays and cancellations. Earlier this week, some retailers were reportedly canceling reservations due to system errors or shortages of inventory.
