Nintendo fans are fighting back against scalpers by flooding auction sites with fake listings for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. As pre-orders for the console have surfaced on sites like eBay, ranging from $500 to $2,000, fans are united in their frustration over the pre-order delay and the presence of these overpriced listings. With the Nintendo Switch 2 set to launch on June 5, scalpers are now able to list their pre-orders with a promise to ship within 40 business days of purchase.

In a clever move to combat these scalpers, Nintendo fans are posting fake listings at or below retail prices, pushing the scalpers' auctions further down the page and making them harder to find. A notable example is a listing titled "Nintendo Switch v2 video games console PREORDER" for $450, which at first glance seems reasonable. However, the description clarifies that buyers are purchasing a screenshot of the console, not the console itself, aimed at thwarting bots and scalpers with no refunds or cancellations.

These fan-made listings are easily identifiable as they often include "read description" in the heading. For instance, a $550 listing warns buyers not to purchase unless they are bots or willing to donate, promising only a laser-printed image of the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle with an emphatic "NO REFUNDS" policy. Another $499.99 auction offers a printed picture of a preordered console, folded and sent in a standard envelope, with the same no-refund stance and a clear message against bots.

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Originally set for a June 5, 2025 release, the Nintendo Switch 2 was meant to start at $449.99. However, due to delays in the United States caused by import tariffs enacted by President Trump, pre-orders were postponed. They eventually went live on April 24 at the same price, and as expected, were met with high demand. For more details, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.

In related news, Nintendo has clarified compatibility concerns about its new GameCube controller, noting potential "issues" when used with modern Nintendo Switch games.