If you tried to preorder the Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition this month, you already know how the story ended. The console sold out within minutes of going live, and eBay listings popped up almost immediately asking $700, $900, even over $1,200 for hardware that retails for $519.99.
Nintendo built real anticipation around this release. The dedicated Nintendo Direct on September 8 paired the anniversary console announcement with the reveal of an Ocarina of Time remake, giving both collectors and everyday Switch owners a reason to pay attention to the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda. That combination of nostalgia and new hardware is exactly why demand outran supply so fast.
Chasing a scalper’s asking price is rarely the smartest move when a restock is possible and your current console still has resale value. Rather than competing with resellers on eBay, you can use the same wave of Nintendo demand to turn an older Switch, Switch OLED, or Switch Lite into cash toward a future MSRP purchase. That approach keeps you out of the bidding war entirely.
What Happened to the Limited Edition Console?
The Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 sold out almost everywhere within hours of preorders opening, and the gap between retail price and resale price widened fast. Understanding what shipped, what it costs, and why it vanished so quickly helps you decide whether to wait for a restock or look elsewhere.
What Is Included in the Anniversary Hardware?
The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition bundles a Zelda-themed Switch 2 console with custom Joy-Con and dock design, alongside a matching Switch 2 Pro Controller and carrying case featuring Triforce branding. According to reporting from Eurogamer, the set draws direct visual inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, tying the hardware to the remake Nintendo revealed at the same Direct.
How Much Does It Cost at Retail?
Nintendo priced the console at $519.99 in the US, with the Pro Controller listed separately at $99.99 and the carrying case at $39.99, as confirmed by IGN. In the UK, the official price landed around £435, according to one reseller market analysis. Those are the only prices worth trusting; anything higher reflects markup, not manufacturer value.
Why Did Pre-Orders Sell Out So Quickly?
Limited allocation met outsized demand from two directions at once: Zelda’s 40th anniversary milestone and the console tied to a new Switch 2 generation. Retailers including Target, Best Buy, and GameStop opened preorders shortly after the Direct, and stock disappeared in minutes, with Amazon and Walmart still catching up on listings, per IGN’s coverage. Japan-based demand added further pressure on global allocation, since Nintendo’s home market has historically absorbed a large share of anniversary hardware runs.
What Are Resellers Asking on eBay?
Asking prices on eBay have ranged from roughly $700 to $900 according to IGN, with some listings reported as high as $1,200 by gamingbible. Kotaku documented listings at $900, while other trackers put early asks closer to £520 to £700 in the UK market. These are asking prices, not completed sales, and they fluctuate hour to hour as scalpers test what buyers will tolerate.
A second risk has emerged alongside inflated pricing: outright scams. gamingbible reported sellers listing what amounted to a photograph of the console rather than the actual product, capitalizing on buyer urgency. Treat any presale or “guaranteed” listing with caution, especially from unverified sellers.
Why Waiting for a Restock Is Safer Than Paying a Markup
Nintendo has confirmed a restock is coming, though it has not published a firm date. CBR reported that Nintendo acknowledged the sellout and committed to bringing more units to market. IGN similarly noted that Amazon and Walmart preorders had not yet gone live as of their report, suggesting additional retail windows are still ahead.
Paying $700 or more for a $519.99 console locks in a loss the moment a restock happens at MSRP. Setting up alerts through retailer wishlists or auto-buy tools, as IGN suggested for Amazon, costs nothing and avoids that risk entirely.
Turn Your Current Switch Into an MSRP Upgrade Fund
Selling the Nintendo Switch you already own is a practical way to fund a future Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition purchase at its actual retail price. Instead of stretching your budget to match a scalper’s number, converting existing hardware into cash lets you stay patient without losing purchasing power.
Why Limited Hardware Can Lift Demand for Used Switch Consoles
Limited-edition announcements tend to push buyers toward the used market for standard consoles, since not everyone wants to pay anniversary pricing or wait for scalpers to lose interest. When a new Nintendo Switch generation gets attention, demand for original Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite units often follows, because shoppers priced out of limited stock look for any working console at a reasonable price. That shift works in your favor if you’re holding an older model you no longer use daily.
What Is Your Original Switch, Switch OLED, or Switch Lite Worth?
Resale value depends on model, storage, and condition rather than a single fixed number. An original Switch, a Switch OLED, and a Switch Lite each carry different baseline values, and functional accessories or original packaging can move that figure further. Getting a specific quote for your exact model and condition gives a far more useful number than a general estimate, which is why checking your device against a current buyback listing matters before you decide to sell.
How Condition, Accessories, and Model Affect a Sale Price
Screen condition, joy-con drift, battery health, and box contents all factor into what a buyer will pay. A console with working joy-cons, its original dock, and minimal cosmetic wear sells for more than one with visible scratches or missing charging cables. Special editions carry their own value curve too. If you’re holding a themed console rather than a standard model, that heritage can matter: a Switch Lite Hyrule Edition or a Switch OLED Tears of the Kingdom Edition often draws stronger interest than a plain black unit in similar shape.
When to Sell Before a Potential Nintendo Restock
Selling before a confirmed restock date gives you cash in hand before Zelda 40th Anniversary demand shifts again. Once Nintendo announces new inventory, attention and urgency around the anniversary console will spike a second time, and that’s a reasonable moment to have your funds already secured rather than scrambling. Listing your current Switch now, while interest in Nintendo hardware is elevated, means your device sells into an active market instead of a quiet one.
Timing matters less than preparation, though. Back up your save data, deregister your Nintendo Account from the console, and do a factory reset before shipping anything for sale.
Get Fast Cash for Any Nintendo Switch Model With Gizmogo
Gizmogo buys any Nintendo Switch model in any condition, including original Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite units, with a quote based on your device’s specific details. The process avoids the uncertainty of eBay auctions or marketplace back-and-forth: you get an offer, ship the console, and receive payment without negotiating with strangers over inflated pricing. For step-by-step guidance on preparing a console for resale, this breakdown of trade-in options for an older Nintendo Switch walks through what to check before you ship.
That cash goes directly toward a Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition purchase at its real $519.99 retail price, whenever Nintendo opens the next restock window. It’s a more grounded plan than refreshing eBay for a listing that might not even be genuine.