Nintendo Collaborates with Japanese Marketplaces to Combat Switch 2 Scalping Ahead of June 2025 Release

Nintendo has announced a significant initiative to combat Switch 2 scalping ahead of its highly anticipated release in Japan.

In a move to ensure fair access and minimize fraudulent resale activity, the company is partnering with three leading Japanese marketplace platforms—Mercari Inc., LINE Yahoo Japan Corporation, and Rakuten Group, Inc.—to actively prevent unauthorized and fraudulent listings of Nintendo-related products, notably the Nintendo Switch 2.

This strategy comes as part of Nintendo's broader approach to facilitate a smoother product launch and safeguard consumer interests. The Nintendo Switch 2, the upcoming successor to the enormously successful Nintendo Switch, is slated for release in Japan on June 5, 2025.

The original Switch, launched in March 2017, has sold over 125 million units worldwide, cementing its status as one of Nintendo's most successful hardware platforms.

Anticipation for the new model is extremely high, leading to concerns over potential scalping and supply shortages similar to prior high-profile launches. In its official statement, Nintendo revealed: "Nintendo Co., Ltd.

has agreed to cooperate with three flea market site operators—Mercari, Inc., LINE Yahoo Japan Corporation, and Rakuten Group, Inc.—to prevent fraudulent listings of Nintendo-related products, including the Nintendo Switch 2, in advance of its June 5, 2025 release." Marketplace platforms are taking a proactive role in this partnership.

LINE Yahoo Japan has instituted a comprehensive ban on all Nintendo Switch 2 listings, warning that user accounts will be suspended for violations.

The company has yet to specify an end date for this ban but plans to provide further updates.

Rakuten Group mirrors this action, banning Switch 2 listings until the official June 5 launch date.

Meanwhile, Mercari will collaborate closely with Nintendo, sharing relevant information and increasing enforcement to remove any products that breach its guidelines. These measures augment other steps introduced by Nintendo to manage demand and reduce the secondary market impact.

Notably, Nintendo has released two distinct models of the Switch 2 in Japan, including a higher-priced multilingual version, and has implemented a lottery system for pre-order allocations through select retailers.

These actions are designed to make the launch process fairer and less susceptible to bulk purchasing by scalpers. The issue of scalping is not confined to Japan.

In North America, pre-order demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 has been overwhelming, causing technical difficulties at major retailers such as Walmart and Target.

According to a recent Nintendo Life poll, approximately 26% of respondents in the United States are still seeking a secure pre-order, illustrating the global magnitude of demand. With its coordinated efforts with major marketplace operators, Nintendo demonstrates a commitment to equitable access for fans and a secure ecosystem for the Switch 2 launch.

As the June 2025 release approaches, these preventative strategies aim to help legitimate customers obtain the new console while minimizing the impact of fraudulent resellers.

For continued updates on the Nintendo Switch 2, stay tuned to official Nintendo channels, the eShop, and major gaming news outlets.

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