Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 are beginning soon, as early as April 9 for some retailers, and Nintendo is targeting scalpers with strict requirements for customers who wish to preorder directly from the My Nintendo Store. Scalping has unfortunately been a growing problem for new console releases in recent years, with people purchasing multiple systems and reselling them at higher prices.
The "How To Buy" Nintendo Switch 2 page on the Nintendo website has an FAQ with a list of multiple "priority requirements" for receiving an "invitation" to buy the console. Nintendo Switch Online who have been a member for at least 12 months, have 50 or more gameplay hours total, and opted to share gameplay data will receive priority for invitation emails for buying the Switch 2. As pointed out by Tom Warren of The Verge, the fine print adds that these invitations for preorders on My Nintendo Store are "prioritizing those with more playtime."
A Nintendo Switch Online Is Required To Preorder From Nintendo's Store
Nintendo Is Reserving Its Earliest Invitations For Loyal Players
Essentially, Nintendo is giving first dibs to its loyal paying customers with actual game time to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo had already promised last year that the company had a plan to combat scalpers, long before officially revealing the console itself. The first batch of invites from Nintendo is going out May 8.
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Keep in mind that these restrictions only apply to My Nintendo Store, and preordering the Switch 2 at other retailers like Target or Best Buy will probably be more straightforward. Going through a different retailer might work better for those who are early fans of Nintendo and don't have that amount of playtime on the first Switch, but these other stores might be more prone to scalping if they don't have similar restrictions.
Will This Actually Stop Nintendo Switch 2 Scalpers?
It Will Definitely Be Difficult For Many to Pre-Order The Console
The list of requirements for pre-ordering the Switch 2 through Nintendo itself is definitely quite strict, and scalpers will probably have a harder time pre-ordering the console in bulk. These requirements only appear to affect anyone looking to preorder the Switch 2 on Nintendo's own store, so it's unclear how they will affect scalping overall.
This method may not eliminate scalping entirely, but it's definitely one step to massively reducing the severity of the issue. Unfortunately, though, many players who genuinely just want to own the console could be negatively and unfairly impacted.
If I were looking to preorder the Nintendo Switch 2, I probably wouldn't be able to do so through Nintendo's store. I haven't had a Nintendo Switch Online hip for long, but I've otherwise put in a lot of hours into multiple paid games. Many other players are probably in a similar boat and don't want to be take chances with other retailers.
Source: Nintendo, Tom Warren/X
