Nintendo and Amazon US: Understanding the Ongoing Direct Sales Restrictions

Nintendo and Amazon US: A Closer Look at Direct Sales Restrictions and Official Responses Nintendo has long held a unique position in the video game industry, both for its hardware innovation with systems like the Nintendo Switch and for its strong control over its retail channels.

One especially notable aspect has been the complex relationship between Nintendo and Amazon US, which has resulted in periodic limitations on the availability of Nintendo hardware and software sold directly by Amazon to consumers. For some time, observers and consumers have noted that Nintendo products, including the Nintendo Switch and its successor, Switch 2, are not always available directly from Amazon US.

While third-party sellers frequently stock Nintendo items, Amazon’s ability to sell Nintendo consoles directly has often been restricted.

Currently, Amazon is permitted to offer Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 software on a direct sales basis, but not the Switch 2 console itself. A recent report from Bloomberg has shed light on possible reasons behind these restrictions.

According to Bloomberg, the issue arose from a disagreement related to third-party resellers on Amazon’s marketplace.

An anonymous source suggested that Nintendo became concerned when third parties began undercutting the company's set prices by selling imported goods acquired in bulk from Southeast Asia.

This practice disrupted Nintendo’s pricing controls and led to unauthorized products appearing on Amazon’s US platform. Bloomberg’s report further indicated that Amazon attempted to address the issue by proposing a system to clearly label 'authentic' Nintendo products, aiming to combat both counterfeiting and price discrepancies.

However, the initiative was reportedly declined by Nintendo during negotiations, leading to the current state of restrictions. Since the publication of the Bloomberg article, both Nintendo and Amazon have publicly responded, categorically denying the details presented in the report.

Nintendo stated, "There is no such fact.

We do not disclose details of negotiations or contracts with retailers." Meanwhile, Amazon commented, “The claims made by Bloomberg regarding our relationship with Nintendo are inaccurate.

Amazon is pleased to offer Nintendo products directly to our customers as part of our commitment to providing an exceptional shopping experience with the widest selection possible." Despite these official denials, restrictions on direct hardware sales remain in place, while software like Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 titles continue to be available on Amazon US.

Both companies have declined to disclose further specifics about their negotiations or the nature of their partnership. As one of the world’s leading video game hardware producers, Nintendo’s distribution strategies continue to shape the retail landscape, affecting not just Amazon but also the wider network of authorized and third-party resellers.

With no direct confirmation beyond official statements, the future of Nintendo’s partnership with Amazon US remains under close industry scrutiny. For ongoing coverage and updates on Nintendo, Amazon US, and the Nintendo Switch platform, continue following industry-leading game development news.

Nintendo US Amazon Xbox Series X|S Amazon US Bloomberg Nintendo Switch Switch 2