Nintendo is adding a new account‑history condition for Switch 2 purchases in Japan to keep the consoles out of the hands of resellers. The policy applies to the multi‑language Switch 2 sold via the official Japanese Nintendo Store, which scalpers have been buying in bulk because it is cheaper there and can be flipped abroad.
The price gap makes the Japanese version attractive to arbitrage. The multi‑language model is considerably less expensive in Japan than in many other regions, giving resellers the margin to import units and sell them at a premium while official stock stays limited. The Japan‑only edition that only supports Japanese text is not subject to the new rule.
Nintendo is using account history as a filter
Nintendo announced on X that it had detected several orders linked to suspected resale activity and temporarily halted sales of the multi‑language version. When sales restart, buyers will have to satisfy tighter criteria. Their Nintendo Account must show at least 50 hours of gameplay on an original Nintendo Switch by 11:59 PM on May 31 2026. Playtime earned from demo titles or free software will not count.
Nintendo StoreにおけるNintendo Switch 2（多言語対応）の販売につきまして、買い占め等の疑いがある注文を複数確認しましたので、一時的に販売を停止しておりました。…
— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) June 11, 2026
The company also limits each Nintendo Account to a single console purchase, helping to curb repeat buying and making newly created accounts less useful for scalpers.
Nintendo takes a page from Valve’s playbook
The Switch 2 has become one of the most viable handheld gaming options, especially after Valve’s Steam Deck price increase made PC handhelds more costly for many. Still, Nintendo’s console won’t stay insulated from higher pricing for long, as a price rise is expected soon.
Scalpers have plagued gamers for years. Valve faced a comparable problem with the recent Steam Controller launch, where units sold out quickly and resurfaced on resale sites at inflated prices. Valve responded with a reservation queue, purchase‑history verification, and a one‑controller‑per‑account limit.
Nintendo is now applying a similar approach to the Switch 2. Fresh accounts will find it much harder to pass the check, which should curb bulk buying through the Japanese store.