Nintendo Switch 2 'discriminating' anti-scalper plan leaves fans divided

Nintendo has revealed a rather unique method to combat scalpers hoping to cash in on Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders, but the implementation of said method has resulted in some muddled feedback.

In a bid to prevent a repeat of the same scalping issues that befell both the Nintendo Switch and the PlayStation 5, Nintendo has announced that pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 will initially be limited to those with Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions.

It sounds like a great idea in theory, and it’s certainly better than having no plan in place, but the issue lies in exactly how Nintendo is calculating people’s Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions.

As stated on the official Nintendo UK website, only those who have been a “Nintendo Switch Online member for at least two years continuously by 31/03/2025, with an active membership on the day that the pre-order is placed” will be eligible.

It also doesn’t help that there’s a bit of misinformation out there due to how said plan varies from country to country.

For instance, while those in the United Kingdom have to have been Nintendo Switch Online members for “at least two years continuously”, the restriction is different for those in the United States.

Mario Kart World is one of the Nintendo Switch 2's launch titles.

The US Nintendo website states that pre-orders will be offered to those who have been a Nintendo Switch Online subscriber “for a minimum of 12 months” instead.

Over in a thread on the r/Games subreddit, those looking to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2 have mixed opinions about Nintendo’s plan.

“Why do you need to have a two year continuous NSO subscription to be eligible to order a Switch 2 on Nintendo UK website but only need 12 months NSO subscription on your US website?” commented user Mammoth_Bullfrog_561.

“It feels like you are discriminating based on where Nintendo fans live.”

“So I guess I'm f**ked because I've had NSO since launch but let it lapse and resubbed like a month ago,” replied user Psykoknight65.

Also, this only seems to apply to those looking to pre-order through the Nintendo website directly, where the console will set you back £395.99.

Other retailers will presumably be unaffected by these limitations, although Amazon is asking users to request an invitation to pre-order the console which you can do so via the Switch 2 listing page.

Great idea from Nintendo, but I’m not sure how effective it will be long-term.