Nintendo to Tackle Scalping Issue With its Next Console Launch

Nintendo has revealed its intention to address the issue of scalping with the launch of its next console. This announcement came during the Q&A session at Nintendo’s recent General Meeting of Shareholders when a participant inquired about measures to prevent reselling and ensure the console reaches genuine players.

In response, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa stated, 

With regard to resale measures when launching new hardware, we recognize that the most important thing is to first produce and ship in numbers that can meet customer demand. We will then consider whether there are any other possible measures that can be taken.”

Scalping has Become a Major Issue in Recent Years Without Any Effective Solution

Scalping has emerged as a significant problem in the video game console market, particularly with highly sought-after consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Scalper bots have targeted these consoles, exacerbating the issue. The scalping problem has plagued both the pop culture merchandise market and the gaming industry for some time. However, it became more pronounced in the game console market during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Supply chain disruptions and chip shortages contributed to the scarcity of new gaming consoles, such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. These consoles were already being produced in limited quantities due to chip shortages. Consequently, scalpers took advantage of the situation, reselling the consoles at inflated prices on platforms like eBay. 

This created a major obstacle for genuine gamers who wished to experience the latest hardware from their favorite manufacturers. Their only options were to pay exorbitant prices or hope for uncertain restocks.

Has Scalping Really Ever Affected Nintendo Hardware?

While scalping has not impacted the Nintendo Switch to the same extent as the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, it has still been present to some degree within the Nintendo ecosystem. Scalpers have targeted exclusive or special edition Nintendo games. 

However, the situation may change with the next Nintendo console, as the Switch is nearly six years old, and its successor is highly anticipated. This anticipation could fuel scalping, given the basic principles of supply and demand. It will be intriguing to see how Nintendo combats scalper bots and safeguards the distribution of its next console.

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