Just weeks after theNintendo Switch 2became available, nearly 3,000 consoles were stolen in a heist with an estimated value of over one million dollars. Nintendo’s latest hardware has been incredibly successful as anupgrade to the already popular Switch, and the theft will likely affect consumers who may already be struggling to get their hands on the system.
As reported byDenver 7, 2,810 Nintendo Switch 2 consoles were taken from a semi-truck’s trailer during its trip between Nintendo of America’s offices in Redmond, Washington and a GameStop location in Grapevine, Texas. The theft was discovered when the driver inspected their trailer in Bennett, Colorado, andthe missing Switch 2 systems are estimated to be valued in excess of $1.4 million. The driver was unaware of his exact cargo before “several pallets” were found missing from his trailer. Investigators are still trying to determine where the heist occurred between Redmond and Bennett.
Nintendo Switch 2 Consoles Are Already Hard To Come By
Consumers Are Waiting On Restocks
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office toldDenver 7thatthe theft carries multiple felony charges, though the perpetrators remain at large. Following a wide range of pre-order disasters and release day incidents, likeSwitch 2 consoles having holes punched in them, the system has remained difficult to purchase. The original Nintendo Switch barely trails the Nintendo DS as the company’s best-selling hardware, and is the third best-selling gaming console of all time. Its successor has been highly anticipated for years.
While the Switch 2 wasn’t a victim of the chip shortage that made the PlayStation 5 difficult to acquire in 2020 and 2021,the demand still far exceeds the supply. Many who were unable to secure a pre-order or find a Switch 2 on launch day are watching various retailers for restocks. New Switch 2 systems become available regularly, but very quickly sell out again. Multiple pallets disappearing from the truck somewhere between Washington and Colorado will only exacerbate the issue.
The Heist May Impact Console Availability In Texas
Sorry Nintendo Fans In The DFW Area
Bennett, Colorado, a town just east of Denver, is roughly two-thirds of the way from Redmond, Washington to the truck’s destination in Grapevine, Texas, which is in the greater Dallas-Forth Worth area. It’s unclear if all 2,810 stolen units were meant for that one GameStop location, butthe heist will likely affect the availability of the Switch 2 in the DFW area, at least for the time being.
The Switch 2 has launched with a noticeable lack of first-party exclusives;Mario Kart WorldandNintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tourbeing the only two. There are, however, manygames that received Switch 2 upgradesto run with higher performance benchmarks on the new hardware. The console has proven popular both with Switch owners, and those who skipped Nintendo’s last console. A million-plus dollar heist is perhaps the most significant development in theNintendo Switch 2saga thus far, and it will certainly be tough to top.
Source:Denver 7
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to Nintendo Switch, scheduled for release in 2025. Confirmed as backwards compatible, it will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games. A full reveal is pencilled in for July 06, 2025.
