Nintendo has teamed up with three of Japan’s biggest online marketplaces to combat the scalping of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. You’ll now see tighter rules on Mercari, Yahoo! Japan, and Rakuten as they try to control fake listings and inflated prices ahead of the highly anticipated console’s release.
On May 27, Nintendo announced its new partnership with Mercari, Inc., LINE Yahoo Japan Corporation, and Rakuten Group, Inc. This collaboration aims to crack down on listings that go against marketplace policies, especially those related to unauthorised or dishonest sales of the Nintendo Switch 2 and related products.
Platforms working together to stop fake and overpriced listings
The online platforms—Mercari, Yahoo! Auctions, Yahoo! Flea Market, and Rakuten Rakuma—will now remove listings that break the rules and take action against those responsible. Sellers violating the rules could face penalties such as suspension of their accounts. Yahoo! Auctions has banned all Switch 2 listings to prevent misuse.
This new system isn’t just about deleting listings. The companies are also working closely with Nintendo to share information and develop a joint system to help them respond faster and more effectively. The focus is stopping sellers who don’t have the product in hand but still post listings, often based only on pre-orders. This has become a major concern as some sellers try to exploit the hype.
With the official release of the Switch 2 approaching on June 5, the demand in Japan is already intense. That’s when scalpers usually move in—reselling consoles, accessories, and games at inflated prices. But with this new partnership in place, it should now be harder for dishonest sellers to fool buyers or take advantage of the excitement.
Warning issued to both buyers and sellers
In an unusual move, Yahoo! Shopping warned the public about what to expect when the Switch 2 becomes available. According to Game*Spark, this is the first time the platform has made such an announcement. Buyers are being asked to stay calm and keep a close eye on their purchases, while sellers have been reminded to stick to the rules.
The warning also mentioned that the shopping environment could become chaotic when the product launches. Yahoo! Shopping clarified that they will not tolerate anyone posting products they don’t have. Sellers who try to buy from other online shops and send those items directly to customers—without first securing stock themselves—could be punished.
By cracking down early, Nintendo and its new partners hope to create a safer and fairer shopping experience for everyone. If you plan to get a Switch 2, this should give you more confidence that you’re buying the real thing from a trusted source.
Strong measures aim to protect loyal fans
Nintendo’s move shows that it wants to protect fans from the disappointment and high costs of scalping. By working with these major platforms, Nintendo is making it harder for scammers to take advantage of people who just want to enjoy their favourite games.
So, as the Switch 2 release nears, remember to stay alert, buy only from trusted sellers, and avoid suspicious listings. Thanks to this partnership, you’ll likely have a better and safer buying experience.
