The Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been revealed after a long period of anticipation and rumours, and the promises already made regarding its offerings have built up considerable hype around the upcoming console. It will be released just months after its announcement this year and seems poised to address the most prominent flaws of its aging predecessor. With the inevitable high demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, however, the risk to retailers taking advantage of its release is a looming threat.
As a persistent issue in the gaming industry as a whole, scalping has seen increasingly absurd aftermarket prices associated with new systems when inventory falls short of consumer expectations. This problem has hardly been helped by the limited availability of major consoles around their launches in the past, but Nintendo is reportedly aiming to change this pattern. With only one simple method outlined for this goal so far, several measures may be necessary to protect the Nintendo Switch 2's accessible status as a product for the general public.

Family
Why these Nintendo Switch games likely won't be compatible with Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 will reportedly be backwards compatible with most Nintendo Switch 1 games, with the exception of a few games that gamers can expect.
Nintendo seems to have been preparing to combat scalping from the start of the Nintendo Switch 2
Mass production is intended to reduce demand
According to company president Shuntaro Furukawa, plans to avoid scalping the Nintendo Switch 2 have been in place long before its recent reveal. This comes in the form of the straightforward intention to produce a “sufficient number” of units to fulfill all potential orders when the console is released. While this may require a massive investment in terms of having these products pre-manufactured, following this tactic can lead to a drastic decline in the resale market.
The potential benefits of being a successor console
A core challenge with console production is the cost of parts and large-scale construction, which has led to several large systems in particular being sold at a loss for a period after their initial launch, or potentially even throughout their lifetime. Examples are apparently PS3 and PS5, Wii U and possibly all Xbox systems, as these companies generate profit through other media.
If the Switch 2 is focused on being an evolution of the first Nintendo Switch instead of an entirely new device from the ground up, perhaps Nintendo will be able to refine the manufacturing process by using similar parts and familiarity to reduce its initial cost. This would help ensure that a large inventory remains, but it may not be enough to stave off resale alone.
Making sure scalpers don't take advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2's popularity may require more strategies
Responsibly managing the console market during a massive launch is essential
Ultimately, it's still entirely possible that demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 will exceed supply at some point despite Nintendo's efforts to match its hype. The company is more likely to ensure accessibility by having a more direct hand in regulating the market – a perspective that Nintendo can by limiting the number of consoles that can be purchased by each individual. By working to maintain strong relationships with retailers, or even focusing more on direct-to-consumer sales, circumstances where stores sell out of the console due to some retailers hoarding orders can be prevented.
Retailers have historically taken advantage of the lack of communication with consumers
While efforts to influence Nintendo Switch 2 demand by better controlling its inventory may be effective in their own right, being more transparent about availability may be most useful above all. By keeping buyers as informed as possible about the status of stock or limited units, the acute sense of scarcity that has driven people to overpay at the hands of console scalpers would only be further mitigated.

Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to the Nintendo Switch, scheduled for release in 2025. Confirmed as backwards compatible, it will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games. A full disclosure is scheduled for April 2, 2025.
- Stamp
-
Nintendo
- Original release date
-
2025-00-00