Nintendo Issues Switch 2 Replacements, GameStop Jokes Over Stapler Ban

Nintendo and GameStop have addressed the launch-day issue of customers receiving Switch 2 consoles with damaged screens, which occurred when staples were used to attach receipts directly to the console boxes.

According to affected fans who spoke with IGN, GameStop has started replacing these damaged Switch 2 units with consoles brought in from other nearby stores.

The retailer also released a brief official statement — which Nintendo later referenced when IGN reached out for comment — emphasizing that the incident was isolated. It involved only a few dozen consoles at a single store location.

"We've resolved a unique situation where staples were found to have scratched Switch 2 screens at one specific store," GameStop explained in a social media post.

The company confirmed that replacement consoles have been offered and humorously noted: "Staplers have been confiscated." The post was accompanied by a short video clip from the 1999 comedy Office Space, depicting an employee having their stapler taken away by a manager.

We’ve addressed a unique case of staples damaging Switch 2 screens—isolated to one store.

Replacements have been offered. Staplers have been confiscated. https://t.co/w6eOEDtCeK pic.twitter.com/8UUeS7mx8i

— GameStop (@gamestop) June 5, 2025

Several fans who attended the midnight launch event at the Forest Avenue GameStop location in Staten Island reported discovering staple-induced screen damage after unboxing their new consoles.

While some criticized the store’s choice to staple receipts to the Switch 2 boxes, others pointed to a potential design flaw in Nintendo’s packaging — the console is positioned with its screen facing outward, protected only by a thin layer of cardboard.

"I expected something like this might happen," one fan commented online. "It was an odd design choice by Nintendo to place the screen right at the top of the box with minimal cardboard shielding. I’m not surprised we're hearing about damaged screens — even stacking them during shipping could pose a risk."

IGN has reached out to Nintendo and GameStop to inquire whether other locations have been advised against using staples, and if packaging modifications are being considered to better protect the Switch 2 from damage during handling.

"GameStop handled the situation well," one customer shared after receiving a damaged Switch 2 at the midnight launch. "They swapped it for a brand new system. It looks like they arranged for extra stock to be sent to that store specifically to resolve the staple issue."

Another customer who also received a replacement console mentioned being told that GameStop promptly gathered spare inventory from surrounding stores to ensure affected buyers could exchange their devices.