Nintendo Switch 2 allegedly available to buy on the Chinese black market
Apple leaker Kang reshared a Weibo post from the IGN Editorial Department, where they suggested that the Nintendo Switch 2 console has been available in China's black market. They boasted about having access to it despite not being affiliated with Nintendo in any way — indicating the device's availability via seemingly illicit means.
In other words, those with means can potentially get their hands on Nintendo's next-gen console already. With so many rumors circulating the industry recently, it is almost unsurprising that real hardware has seemingly become available at under-the-table dealers.
The console maker has yet to unveil the system, making this all the more interesting. Here are the full details.
Read more: Nintendo Switch 2 leaks have apparently made Nintendo wary, still sticking to original launch plans
Real Nintendo Switch 2 hardware reportedly already available on the black market in China
A user on Famiboards reported Kang saying:
"In recent days the real console is available for trying on accessories. I dare not try."
Kang is an executive of an accessory company, so that statement makes sense as they could use the real thing to test their peripherals on. However, the fact that it is on the black market has seemingly given them pause according to the latter half of their statement. This is why they have not got one themselves as any Nintendo Switch 2s in that position are undoubtedly stolen.
This also lines up with the claims from the CEO of another accessory manufacturer Genki, who were the first to leak full-fledged renders allegedly based on the actual console. This last fact is something the CEO reiterated, claiming that they have access to a real unit which the renders are seemingly based on.
In other words, if Nintendo Switch 2 consoles are out in the wild, it does not seem infeasible that Genki has them. Furthermore, even though they are not affiliated with Nintendo in any capacity, boasting about owning a retail console seemed to have backfired for them as Nintendo allegedly approached their booth at CES 2025. This was the same booth where they were showing off mockups of the console.
According to people at the site, including journalists, this was why Genki quickly closed its show floor booth and even went on to retract its statement. An interesting turn of events for sure, but here's hoping fans gain some clarity soon, directly from the publisher.