Nintendo Switch 2 Scalping Surges on Mercari and Rakuma After Japan Launch

Published on: June 04, 2025

Nintendo Switch 2 Scalping Surges on Mercari and Rakuma After Japan Launch The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan has sparked a surge in scalper activity on prominent Japanese online marketplaces, Mercari and Rakuma.

Mere minutes after the official release earlier today, both platforms experienced an influx of listings from sellers attempting to resell the in-demand console at significant markups.

This phenomenon highlights both the immense popularity of Nintendo's latest hardware and ongoing challenges related to resale markets in Japan. As of June 5, 2025, at 2:00am Tokyo time, third-party monitoring by NintendoSoup revealed 19 sold listings for the Nintendo Switch 2 on Mercari and 7 sold on Rakuma.

In addition, dozens more unsold listings appeared, underscoring the anticipation of further resale activity as more consumers become aware of the product's availability throughout the morning.

Price comparisons highlight the profits being made by resellers: The Mario Kart World bundle, one of the most sought-after sets, has been selling for between 75,000 yen (approximately USD 525) and 85,000 yen (USD 595) on these platforms.

In contrast, the standalone Nintendo Switch 2 console is fetching between 65,000 yen (USD 455) and 75,000 yen (USD 525).

To provide perspective, the original retail price for the Mario Kart World bundle stands at 53,980 yen (USD 378), and the base console retails for 49,980 yen (USD 350) in Japan.

The difference translates to scalpers earning a substantial profit margin over the official price. Reaction from the Nintendo fan community in Japan has been mixed, but frustration is palpable.

Numerous users have expressed disappointment at the prevalence of scalper listings, suggesting that Nintendo’s current measures are not sufficient to curb opportunistic reselling at launch.

"The sheer number of scalped consoles online is disheartening, and clearly, not enough is being done to protect genuine customers," one user summarized in a sentiment echoed across social channels. Meanwhile, both Mercari and Rakuma have publicly reiterated their cooperation with Nintendo regarding fraudulent sales.

However, both marketplaces clarified that listings for Nintendo Switch 2 consoles in the legitimate possession of the seller will remain active, as they fall within current platform policies.

The overwhelming demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 upon release further cements Nintendo’s reputation for delivering blockbuster hardware launches and games that resonate with players globally.

As the rollout continues, retailers and platform operators face increasing pressure to balance consumer access with efforts to deter scalping, especially during the critical launch window. For continued updates on Nintendo Switch 2 sales, official statements from Nintendo, and insights into the Japanese gaming hardware market, stay tuned to our Nintendo news section.