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

Reports are circulating about Nintendo Switch 2 units being sold on the Chinese black market at an astonishing price of nearly $40,000 each. It appears these sales are not aimed at your average gamer, but rather at accessory manufacturers.

According to details shared by a leaker on Xiahongshu, the Nintendo Switch 2, which has been anticipated by fans for what seems like an eternity, is now causing quite a stir as it emerges on the black market in China. With the official reveal of the Switch 2, excitement has reached new heights, but the hefty price tag on these black market units might be too high even for devoted Nintendo fans.

After years of speculation and rumors swirling around Nintendo’s next big console, the gaming world can finally gear up for the Switch 2. Though a melting pot of guesses about its features and capabilities preceded the official announcement, many details were fiercely guarded by Nintendo until the big reveal. Now that the console’s existence is official, certain individuals are trying to get ahead by securing early units by whatever means.

A Reddit user named Icy-ConcentrationC shared a post highlighting screenshots from a seller claiming to have the Nintendo Switch 2 in stock. This seller, operating via Xiahongshu, seems to set the price for these precious units—inclusive of the dock, Joy-Cons, and tablet—at nearly $40,000. This leaker might be a familiar name to followers of console rumors, as they’re the same person who leaked the CAD model for the Switch 2 back in 2024.

This tantalizing price point has led fans across various platforms to theorize about who might be willing to pay such a sum. It seems the seller may not be interested in regular consumers at all. Instead, they could be aiming to attract companies that produce accessories like cases and screen protectors. Having access to the actual system, rather than working off renderings, provides these manufacturers a clear competitive edge.

Nintendo has officially outlined that its next console will retain a design resemblance to the original Switch but will be upsized. The Switch 2 will sport a sleek black finish, appealing to a more mature demographic. While significant upgrades in power are expected, the hinted enhancements to the Joy-Cons have enthusiasts buzzing about the fresh gaming experiences that might be on the horizon.

As wild as the black market tales about the Switch 2 might be, they underscore the hype surrounding Nintendo’s latest console. While the gaming community eagerly sifts through the snippets of information already shared, more revelations about the Switch 2 are likely just around the corner, potentially in the upcoming Nintendo Direct.