It appears that some individuals have managed to get their hands on the Nintendo Switch 2 console ahead of its official release, despite Nintendo's efforts to prevent early leaks. Unfortunately for those eager to see more, the console is reportedly unusable without a day-one patch, and the brief video evidence was quickly hit with a copyright strike.
The evidence comes from an eight-second YouTube video, initially viewed by IGN but subsequently removed due to a copyright claim. The video, posted by user Ali Almarzooqi, showed what appeared to be the unboxing of a Nintendo Switch 2, revealing the console wrapped in plastic. The video contained no further details, just the hardware inside a box.
If this is a fake, it's a remarkably convincing one. The swift copyright strike by the anti-piracy firm Web Capio lends credibility to the notion that the console is real. However, according to the poster, the legitimacy of the console cannot be confirmed until June 5, as it allegedly requires a launch day update to function:
"Nintendo locked the switch 2 it needs update to function so I am waiting for June 5th to unlock it" https://t.co/vNT0AHHX3F pic.twitter.com/gNwJL8JhPT
— Wario64 (@Wario64) May 27, 2025
Popular deals poster Wario64 also reported that another person reached out with photos of a Nintendo Switch 2 in their possession. This individual received a message when attempting to boot a Switch 1 game: "Please connect to the internet and update your system."
While these could be elaborate fakes, their authenticity might soon be verified if either owner conducts a full unboxing or shares the system message prompting an update. Until then, these glimpses may be the only early looks we get at Nintendo's new console.
Until the official launch on June 5, we'll have to rely on the information Nintendo releases to piece together the full Nintendo Switch 2 experience. So far, we've had the opportunity to play Mario Kart World on the system, and recent updates have included details about free performance upgrades for Switch 1 games, variable refresh rate support requirements, and more about GameChat, which will require a phone number for verification. Despite pre-orders selling out quickly last month, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser has assured that there will be enough systems to meet demand through the holiday season.
