Nintendo is rolling out a fresh account-history rule for Switch 2 purchases in Japan. The goal is to block resellers from snapping up the multi-language edition sold via the official Japanese Nintendo Store. Scalpers have targeted this version because it sells for less in Japan and can be flipped abroad at a profit while global stock stays tight.

Price gaps drive the interest. The multi-language Switch 2 costs notably less in Japan than in many other markets, creating room for importers to add markups. The Japan-only model limited to Japanese text stays outside the new restrictions.

Nintendo applies account history as a gate

The firm posted on X that it spotted repeated orders tied to suspected resale and paused sales of the multi-language model. When orders reopen, buyers must show at least 50 hours of playtime on the original Nintendo Switch by 11:59 PM on May 31, 2026. Time spent on demos or free titles will not count toward the total.

Purchases are also capped at one console per Nintendo Account. This step reduces repeat orders and makes newly created accounts far less useful to bulk buyers.

Nintendo follows Valve example

The Switch 2 stands out as a practical handheld choice, particularly after Valve raised Steam Deck prices and made PC handhelds more costly. Nintendo is still expected to adjust its own pricing upward in the near term.

Scalpers have long frustrated gamers. Valve dealt with the same problem during the Steam Controller launch when stock vanished and units reappeared on resale sites at higher prices. Valve countered with a reservation system, purchase checks, and a one-unit-per-account cap.

Nintendo is now using a comparable filter for the Switch 2. New accounts will struggle to meet the playtime threshold, which should cut down on large-scale purchases through the Japanese store.