Someone Got Their Hands on a Nintendo Switch 2 Early, and the Video’s Already Been Taken Down

It looks like some folks have gotten their hands on a Nintendo Switch 2 console early, despite Nintendo’s best efforts. But unfortunately for leak-enjoyers, not only is it unusable without a day-one patch, but also the video was copyright struck almost immediately.

This comes from an eight-second YouTube video, viewed by IGN but now struck over a copyright claim, from user Ali Almarzooqi, which showed what convincingly seemed to be a Nintendo Switch 2 box being opened to reveal the console inside, wrapped in plastic. That’s it. Just the hardware in a box.

If it’s not real, it’s a convincing fake, and the speedy copyright claim from anti-piracy firm Web Capio suggests it’s likely real. But per the poster, they won’t be able to confirm its legitimacy until June 5, copyright or not, as it allegedly needs a launch day update to work:

Popular deals poster Wario64 followed up on the above post by saying a second person had gotten in touch to show photos of a Nintendo Switch 2 in their possession, but who also received a message when they tried to boot a Switch 1 game: “Please connect to the internet and update your system.”

It is of course entirely possible that these are elaborate fakes, though their veracity may soon be confirmed if either Switch 2 owner does a full unboxing or shows the system message telling them to update. In that case, videos like these will seemingly be the only early look we get at Nintendo’s new console.

Until June 5, then, we’re reliant on the steady trickle of information from Nintendo directly to piece together the entire Nintendo Switch 2 experience. So far, we’ve played Mario Kart World on the system, and more recently we’ve gotten all sorts of new bits of info like free performance upgrades for Switch 1 games, variable refresh rate support stipulations, and more details about GameChat, which will require your phone number for verification in order to work. Though pre-orders flew off the digital shelves when they dropped last month, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser reassures that Nintendo will have enough systems to meet demand through the holidays.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.