Reports Emerge of Nintendo Switch 2 on Black Market for $40,000

A Chinese leaker, known for revealing CAD images of the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, is reportedly offering a functional unit for sale. This elusive seller, as shared on Reddit, is allegedly trying to sell the unreleased next-gen console to an accessory maker for a whopping $39,800.

The design glimpsed in these leaked CAD files appears to have inspired Dbrand and other manufacturers to jump the gun on creating Switch 2 accessories even before any official unveiling. This leaker seems to have some credibility since the final design shown in the console’s reveal video matched the Dbrand-supported leak quite closely. However, it’s always wise to take such information with a grain of salt.

Using the Xiaohongshu forums, the leaker reportedly told a potential buyer that they could test out the Switch 2’s dock, joystick, and tablet features. Additionally, they hinted that Pro controllers might be available next week, possibly as Nintendo’s next step after the official Switch Pro accessory line.

A post on Reddit showcased a screenshot of a conversation revealing the leaker’s interaction with a black market seller. According to the exchange, the prices for the Switch 2 dock, joycons, and tablet could ultimately cost $39,780.

Will the buyer decide to invest in this early access to a pre-release Switch 2? That probably hinges on how much profit can be wrung from this venture. Having an inside look at the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware ahead of time could give a significant edge to peripheral and case manufacturers, whether they’re operating above board or not, allowing them to develop compatible accessories early.

It stands to reason that this leaker would demand a pretty penny from anyone looking to manufacture unofficial accessories. Access to such a high-value piece of early hardware doesn’t come cheap on the black market.

Given the ongoing intrigue, it’s clear that getting your hands on a pre-release Nintendo Switch 2 has its attractions. Upcoming games optimized for this new console will likely need special patches to make full use of its features—yet, such games won’t hit stores until closer to the actual launch. The console itself, potentially shipping with its final operating system, seems ripe for some pre-release tinkering, according to this unfolding saga.

We’re all eagerly waiting for Nintendo to announce the official release date. It would be quite amusing if the launch ended up being so far off that this early purchase turns out to be pointless!