Nintendo's Zelda 40th anniversary edition console sees scalpers profit as eBay prices soar in hours

Well, who could've seen this coming? Within hours of Nintendo releasing its 40th anniversary The Legend of Zelda Switch 2 console, it's flown off shelves both physical and virtual, with gamers scrambling to get their own limited edition version before the scalpers do.

Unfortunately, with Nintendo's big three of Mario, Pokemon, and Zelda continuing to be some of the biggest IPs in the gaming world, it seems scalpers are once again emerging victorious here.

Nintendo confirmed a special anniversary Zelda showcase was coming on September 8, giving us our best look yet at The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, locking in a November 5 release date, and showcasing a shiny emerald Switch 2 to celebrate this major milestone.

The standard Switch 2 has already seen a price hike thanks to the ongoing RAMageddon crisis in 2026, but threatening our wallets further, we were told the Zelda is coming for a cool $520.

Scalpers send Zelda Switch 2 prices through the roof

The OG Switch lineup celebrated plenty of limited edition consoles, with the likes of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Aloha Lite, Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, and Mario Red + Blue. There were also a couple of Zelda-themed consoles, with collectors able to snatch the Hyrule Edition Lite and Tears Of The Kingdom OLED if they were quick enough.

That's just the problem, though. With the Dead Internet Theory in full flow and the internet apparently filled with bots, getting Zelda's 40th anniversary Switch 2 has proved even more difficult than usual.

Not everyone is sold on the console, and as this is a 40th anniversary version instead of one specifically for the Ocarina of Time remake, it doesn't even come with a copy of the game.

Like we've equally seen stocks of the $100 anniversary Pro Controller run dry in record time, it's a hunt across Hyrule for genuine gamers to get hold of the console.

Unfortunately, a quick scan of eBay shows the scalpers have gotten their first, with numerous listings reselling the console before it's even released on October 29.

Although a listing doesn't necessarily mean a sale has gone through, jaws are on the floor at auctions listing the console for over $1,000.

These are just for the console on its own, while others are promising bundles with the Pro Controller, Ocarina remake, and carry case, as well as a mix of all the above.

We know you might be desperate to honor four decades of Zelda, but be careful you're not dancing to the tune of scalpers.

Nintendo fans complain about Zelda Switch 2 release

As you can imagine, social media was full of complaints about scalpers getting there first. Although various accounts on X have kept people updated about when new stocks trickled in or other retailers went live with their pre-orders, getting your Zelda Switch 2 seems harder than collacting all the bits of the Triforce.

One glum gamer wrote: "Preorders are already sold out within less than a day? Please fix this so actual Zelda fans can get your console instead of just scalpers, do you not want my money??"

Another added: "Honestly im really depressed about the Zelda switch 2 being sold out and most likely scalpers. Like this series means so much to me and it ruined my mood for the day."

Replying under Nintendo America's official post about the console, someone else called for the company to sort it out and concluded: "Like scam the scammers. Make Pre-Orders only a very small number then add the actual quantity in batches with no announcements. Ebay should also be removing 'pre-order' items from their site. Make them take the cost hit for this."

Unfortunately, it's a tale as old as time in the gaming world, and one that companies like Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony still struggle to deal with.

If McDonald's can't even stop people scalping free Happy Meal Pokemon cards, then what chance do we really have of saving $500 consoles for those who are actually going to play?