Leaked Nintendo Switch 2 offered to accessory maker for a $40,000 price tag

Despite Nintendo's efforts to keep its new console under wraps, the January 16th Switch 2 reveal wasn't a complete surprise. A Chinese individual had already leaked photos of a CAD model months earlier. Nintendo's video confirmed many of the design choices in the images, including the magnetic joy-con. Now, the same person claims to have a Switch 2 in hand and is offering access to an accessory maker for an exorbitant price.

The alleged Switch 2 leaker frequents the Chinese Xiaohongshu forums. After reporting that he acquired a Switch 2 several days earlier, a conversation was posted with a manufacturer anxious to test the console. The interested buyer was told he/she could experiment with the Switch 2 dock, joy-con, and tablet for a price that converts to nearly $40,000. The Xiaohongshu forum user mentioned that Pro controllers would become available next week, potentially Nintendo's follow-up to its official Switch Pro peripheral.

$40,000 may seem like a ridiculous price to pay, with a Switch 2 release date expected later this year. However, third-party accessory manufacturers see huge profits in bringing products to market first. At CES 2025, Genki caused a commotion by showcasing Switch 2 accessories based on leaked mockups of the console. Nintendo's lawyers visited the booth, but other sellers have continued to try to get a head start on the competition.

Gamers who are not willing to pay above MSRP are waiting for official confirmation of the Switch 2 price. A Canadian Costco employee recently shared a photo of a placeholder card with a $499 price tag. That equates to roughly $350 in USD and gives some hope that the Switch 2 will be reasonably priced. Still, buyers should wait until the Nintendo Direct on April 2nd, when the world may learn exactly how much the console will cost.