Reports Emerge of Early Nintendo Switch 2 Units Being Sold on the Black Market

Reports have emerged from the Xiahongshu platform about early units of the Nintendo Switch 2 being sold on the Chinese black market with a price tag nearing $40,000. This news has caught the attention of fans eager for the latest console, but even the most devoted enthusiasts would hesitate at such a steep price.

For years, gamers have speculated about Nintendo’s next move in the console market. After much anticipation and swirling rumors, the company finally unveiled the Switch 2. Prior to Nintendo’s official reveal, the gaming community was rife with speculation about its capabilities and design. While some leaks were spot on, many details remained closely guarded by Nintendo. Now that information is becoming more concrete, some individuals are looking to capitalize on the fervor surrounding the launch.

Adding fuel to the fire, a Reddit user named Icy-ConcentrationC shared that someone posted screenshots on Xiahongshu, claiming they could soon procure the Switch 2. This leaker cited a seller offering the entire package—dock, Joy-Cons, and tablet—at a staggering price of $39,780. Notably, this leaker had previously divulged CAD models of the Switch 2 last year.

The gaming community is abuzz with speculation about the motivations behind listing the console at such an exorbitant price. Speculation is growing that the seller’s true target is accessory creators rather than general consumers. By having access to the console ahead of time, manufacturers could develop and test cases, controllers, and screen protectors with the actual hardware, avoiding potential discrepancies from using mere renderings.

Nintendo has kept official information under wraps, but what is confirmed is that the new console will retain a similar design to the original Switch, albeit on a larger scale with a sleek black exterior. Fans are also excited about potential enhancements to the Joy-Con controllers, which were teased to have new features that could unlock fresh gameplay possibilities.

Whether these reports about the black-market sales are entirely accurate is still debatable, but they underscore the buzz surrounding the Switch 2. As Nintendo releases more details and fans continue to speculate, more concrete information is expected in upcoming Nintendo Direct presentations.