It appears that some individuals have managed to obtain a 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 taken down due to a copyright strike.
The evidence comes from an eight-second YouTube video, initially viewed by IGN but later removed due to a copyright claim by anti-piracy firm Web Capio. The video, uploaded by user Ali Almarzooqi, showed what appeared to be a genuine unboxing of a Nintendo Switch 2, revealing the console encased in plastic. However, the video only showcased the hardware and did not provide any further details.
The swift copyright action suggests that the console might be authentic, but the poster, Ali Almarzooqi, stated that they cannot confirm its legitimacy until June 5, as the console 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
Adding to the intrigue, popular deals poster Wario64 reported that a second person contacted them with photos of a Nintendo Switch 2 in their possession. This individual also received a message when attempting to boot a Switch 1 game, indicating that an update was required: "Please connect to the internet and update your system."
While these could be elaborate fakes, their authenticity may soon be verified if either owner conducts a full unboxing or displays the system message prompting an update. Until then, these glimpses might be the only early looks at Nintendo's new console.
As we await the official launch on June 5, we must rely on the information released by Nintendo to understand 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 provided details about free performance upgrades for Switch 1 games, variable refresh rate support, and the GameChat feature, which will require phone number verification. Despite the rapid sell-out of pre-orders last month, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser has assured that the company will have sufficient stock to meet demand through the holiday season.
