Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console sells out as scalpers inflate pre-order price

Following the Nintendo Direct, Best Buy stocked The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2 console. The handheld soon sold out at the retailer, prompting scalpers to flip their pre-orders on eBay. With the Ocarina of Time remake release date approaching, the matching Pro Controller is also a target of resellers.

Amazon, Target, and the Nintendo Store have since listed the gaming system. To the delight of profiteers, it’s either out of stock or available in very limited quantities.

A hit with Zelda fanatics

Some fans appreciate that the company isn’t charging a significant premium for the Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console. Although the base SKU is now $499.99 after a recent price increase, the special edition is slightly more expensive at $519.99. Buyers with pre-orders can expect it to ship on October 29th.

Unfortunately, the reasonable cost has contributed to the shortage. Scalpers have seized on the opportunity, pricing the black gold and green handheld for hundreds above its MSRP. Most eBay sales are in the $730-900 range, which doesn’t mirror the margin of the 25th Anniversary Xbox Series X. Nevertheless, that could change if there are minimal reinforcements before the holidays.

In the long run, the Zelda Switch 2 console may not be a consistent money-maker. The closest comparison is the Tears of the Kingdom OLED Switch when it debuted in 2023. Initially, it was scarce, leading to some lucrative reselling. However, the manufacturer managed to meet demand, and profits declined.

Controller woes

Nintendo hopes that the hype ahead of the November 5th Ocarina of Time remake release date will make its latest system more desirable. The accompanying Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2 Pro Controller could prove even more popular. Also sold out at Best Buy, the $99.99 accessory is closing at $170-$200 on the auction house.

Alternatively, the Nintendo Store offers an exclusive version of the controller with a display stand. Not surprisingly, at only $10 more, pre-order quantities are already spoken for.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.