Nintendo Japan Limiting Switch 2 Sales Based On Switch 1 Console Playtime

In order to combat scalpers, Nintendo Japan has implemented some restrictions for purchasing the Switch 2 via its official stores.

In an announcement on social media, Nintendo Japan said they identified several purchases of the Nintendo Switch 2 Multi-Language System suspected to be related to scalping activities. As a result, several restrictions have been implementing on the sale of this version of the console via Nintendo Japan:

• Buyers must own a Switch 1
• Playtime of paid software on the Switch 1 must be 50 hours or more, excluding demos and free software
• Only one Switch 2 can be purchased per Nintendo Account

Similar restrictions were placed on the sale of the Switch when the console was first launched, also to combat scalping. It is believed that these restrictions are returning due to the upcoming global price increase for the Switch 2. While this price increase is already implemented in Japan, it is still apparently cheaper to import the Japanese Switch 2 Multi-Language System due to the weak Japanese yen, making it an enticing target for international scalpers. Supporting this theory is the fact that the Japanese Language exclusive Switch 2 is not seeing any changes in its sale methods.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.