OPINION: Nintendo may be delaying the Switch’s release to stop scalpers from tampering with the hardware and jacking up prices for gamers, according to reports. That would be a great first step in combating a practice that shouldn’t be legal in the first place.
The latest information surrounding the Switch 2 release suggests that its launch may be pushed back to March 2025. A new report over the weekend may explain why.
Nintendo’s trusted Nikkei distributor in its home country of Japan says Nintendo wants to make sure it has enough consoles in stock to meet demand when the console is eventually released. Reporting.
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The idea behind it, according to the report, is to deter scalpers who would take advantage of the shortage to jack up prices on the secondary market.
I’m all for it, even if it means we might have to wait a lot longer for the Switch 2 to launch (maybe 6 months longer than originally planned). Scalping is a real disaster and has been out of control for years now.
This problem has been prevalent for the first few years of the current generation of Xbox and PlayStation, with scalpers using bots to quickly churn out batches of online inventory to sell for well above MSRP. I had obtained it.
Especially during the early months of the pandemic, Nintendo fans looking to get their hands on a Switch console were particularly hampered by predatory practices.
unrestricted capitalism
Nothing is being done about it, mainly because the US welcomes unrestricted capitalism at all costs. It is shameful that simple “supply and demand” rationale is being applied to these scammers.
This situation isn’t as bad as discounting concert tickets, where scalpers don’t even need to acquire the physical product to scam genuine fans and make big bucks, but it’s not that bad.
So it would be a very welcome development for Nintendo to try to solve this problem by simply building as many Switch 2 consoles as possible to ensure that everyone who wants one can get one. .
This would represent real change. Historically, Nintendo has had no problem fostering enthusiastic demand for its consoles. For example, the original Wii was notoriously difficult to obtain for several years. The company was often accused of intentionally under-producing to keep demand high.
But it wasn’t until the Switch’s launch in 2017 that the problem really started, with scalpers hoarding the supply that Nintendo was able to put on the market and jacking up prices by up to £400 to £500.
Thankfully, Nintendo has already made comments suggesting it will do its best to keep scalpers from messing with its next-gen consoles.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said in July last year, “When releasing new hardware, we recognize that the most important thing in terms of resale measures is to first produce and ship a quantity that meets customer demand.” , Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said in July last year when asked how they would ensure sales. Consoles are purchased by people who want to play games on them. “We will then consider whether there are any other possible measures.”
Of course, Nintendo could also adopt a strategy that Sony did well with the PS5 and invite gamers for the chance to buy the console directly from the manufacturer.
But far beyond the post-launch scramble for hardware, the company relies heavily on third-party retailers to stock its consoles and games, and these sellers have a lot of trouble deciding who will buy the consoles and what will happen to them once they ship. I’m not concerned about that at all.
There’s only so much Nintendo can do, but in most cases securing enough Switch 2 consoles to ensure the asking price remains the selling price would be a huge step forward.
