Amazon and Nintendo’s not-so-secret beef continues to get messier

Amid all of the Nintendo Switch 2 release window hoopla, one of many extra peculiar developments has been the shortage of unit availability over on Amazon’s US storefront. The place the likes of GameStop, Greatest Purchase, Walmart, Goal, and even Costco offered pre-orders and day-one stock for fortunate in-store purchasers, the e-commerce large has remained conspicuously absent from the Swap 2 launch cycle.

This lack of Swap 2 {hardware} goes past the console itself: other than the soon-to-be-released Donkey Kong Banaza title, first-party and third-party launch video games are largely absent from Amazon.com, as are official peripherals just like the Switch 2 Pro Controller and the Swap 2 Digital camera.

Hypothesis of a falling out between Amazon and Nintendo has been mentioned within the days for the reason that console’s June 5 launch, and a new Bloomberg report has managed to muddy the waters much more. Based on the report, Nintendo intentionally selected to not permit the stocking of Swap 2 consoles on Amazon, with a view to neutralize the specter of third-party retailers importing worldwide models and promoting them within the US at discounted charges.

Additional, Amazon reportedly provided Nintendo a compromise within the type of a ‘bought instantly by Nintendo’ disclaimer label on Swap 2 merchandise, which by no means materialized. As such, the prevailing product pages for the Swap 2 on Amazon merely show a 404 error message on display screen when accessed, with no additional clarification of timeframe on attainable availability.

Right here comes the complicated half: In a statement to Tom’s Hardware, a Nintendo consultant acknowledged that “there isn’t any such truth,” and that “we don’t disclose particulars of negotiations or contracts with retailers.” Amazon, for its half, has since pushed again in opposition to the Boomberg report as effectively, with a spokesperson saying that “Amazon is happy to supply Nintendo merchandise on to our prospects as a part of our dedication to offering an distinctive purchasing expertise with the widest choice attainable” (via IGN).

4K Functionality

Sure

Model

Nintendo

Display

7.9-inch 1920 x 1080 pixel decision LCD, HDR, 120Hz refresh fee (4K/60fps 3840 x 2160 pixel decision when docked)

Sport assist

Swap 2, Swap 2 Version, Swap

Storage

256GB (expandable with microSD Specific playing cards)

CPU

Customized NVIDIA processor

Nintendo’s Swap 2 encompasses a extra highly effective chip, the next decision display screen, and upgraded Pleasure-Cons.

The Swap 2 is promoting effectively, regardless of not being obtainable within the US by Amazon

Who is aware of what is going to change sooner or later

On the floor, no less than, each firms seem like enjoying it cool, with no outward animosity or dangerous blood on show for the general public to bear witness to. In due time, I am positive extra (and probably very juicy) particulars will emerge. I additionally presume that it is solely a matter of time earlier than the Nintendo Switch 2, full with video games and equipment, lands on Amazon’s US on-line storefront in full drive.

If nothing else, the shortage of Amazon availability throughout the Swap 2’s launch interval does not seem like impacting gross sales negatively. The truth is, Nintendo has confirmed that its second-generation Swap gaming hybrid is shattering gross sales data. The product reportedly sold 3.5 million units in its first 4 days of availability, making it the fastest-selling Nintendo console of all time. With Prime Day 2025 simply across the nook, here is hoping the Swap 2 makes its Amazon debut sooner quite than later.

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