Nintendo Teams with Japanese Sites to Fight Switch 2 Scalpers

When Nintendo launches the Switch 2, the excitement will be palpable—but so will the scalping frenzy. In Japan, Nintendo is taking a proactive stance by partnering with major third-party retail websites such as Mercari, Yahoo Auctions, Yahoo Flea Market, and Rakuten Rakuma to tackle fraudulent listings that exploit eager buyers.

Scalpers often use bots to snatch up consoles immediately after launch, then resell them at inflated prices or post deceptive listings that trick buyers into purchasing worthless items. Nintendo’s collaboration with these platforms aims to "proactively remove listings" that violate terms of service and establish a system for sharing information to identify fraudulent sellers quickly.

Starting June 5th, Yahoo Japan will implement a probationary period during which listings for the Switch 2 may be removed and accounts suspended if suspected of fraudulent activity. This approach is designed to protect genuine consumers and reduce the impact of scalpers during the critical preorder window.

Nintendo also incentivized legitimate preorders by inviting users with over 50 hours of gameplay and active Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions to participate early. This strategy helps prioritize dedicated fans over opportunistic resellers.

While this initiative currently applies only in Japan, its success could inspire global efforts to curb scalping and fraudulent sales in gaming and beyond. For companies launching high-demand products, partnering with marketplaces and leveraging technology to monitor and remove fraudulent listings is becoming essential.

Nintendo’s approach highlights the importance of collaboration between manufacturers and online marketplaces to protect consumers and maintain fair access to new technology. As scalpers evolve their tactics, continuous innovation in detection and enforcement will be key to keeping launches smooth and equitable.