Report Claims Nintendo Switch 2 Appears on Black Market Priced at $40,000

In an intriguing development, a well-known Chinese leaker has leaked CAD images of what is believed to be the Nintendo Switch 2, and they’re now claiming possession of a working unit for sale. This shadowy figure is offering this highly coveted, unreleased console to an accessory manufacturer for approximately $39,800, a revelation that surfaced on Reddit.

The design, revealed through those CAD files, appears to have been instrumental for companies like Dbrand, which are already making accessories for the anticipated Switch 2. This leaker looks like a credible source, as the console’s design shown in the launch video aligns perfectly with what was leaked and backed by Dbrand. However, one must still approach this information with a healthy dose of skepticism.

The leaker, active on the Xiaohongshu forums, has informed a potential buyer that they would have the opportunity to try out the Switch 2’s docking station, joystick, and tablet. What’s more, he mentioned the potential for Pro controllers to become available the following week, suggesting a continuation of Nintendo’s Switch Pro peripheral line.

Over on Reddit, a post includes a snapshot of the leaker’s direct messages with a black market vendor, revealing that the combined cost for the Switch 2’s dock, joy-cons, and tablet is near that $39,800 mark. With these prices, one might wonder if our buyer will indeed invest so heavily just to gain early access to this new hardware. Such access could greatly benefit case and accessory manufacturers, who would relish an early start on creating compatible products.

Handling transactions of this magnitude on the black market naturally means that our CAD leaker would likely demand a substantial fee from any company looking to develop unofficial peripherals or flash carts for the Switch 2 ahead of its official launch.

A first-look trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2 is already making waves, raising the stakes for early development and potential pre-release adaptations. There’s also potential for enhanced games that need specific updates for compatibility, though no official Switch 2 games will hit the shelves until the console nears its release. With its rumored design and features, the console appears ripe for early exploitation and development based on the leaked details.

As enthusiasts wait eagerly for an official launch date, it would be quite a tale if the console’s release were so distant that our early adopter’s investment ends up in vain. Until Nintendo makes a formal announcement, we watch and speculate, hoping for clarity sooner rather than later.