Nintendo Switch 2 Staple Disaster Turns into $250,000 Charity Win

The Nintendo Switch 2 Staple Saga Ends with a $250,000 Charity Auction

The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 was nothing short of chaotic, especially at a GameStop in Staten Island, New York. Employees accidentally stapled purchase receipts directly onto the console boxes, resulting in staples piercing through the packaging and damaging the screens of several new Switch 2 units. Thankfully, affected customers could exchange their consoles, but the incident left a mark on GameStop’s reputation.

What happened during the Nintendo Switch 2 launch at GameStop
The charity auction of the infamous stapler and damaged console
The surprising final bid and its impact
GameStop CEO’s quirky auction twist

Staples Through Screens: A Launch Night Oops

During the hectic launch, some GameStop employees stapled receipts onto the Nintendo Switch 2 boxes. Unfortunately, this caused the staples to pierce the console screens inside, leaving small but noticeable holes. Customers quickly noticed the damage and were able to swap out the stapled consoles for new ones without staples. Despite the quick resolution, this mishap became a memorable part of the launch night.

Turning a PR Nightmare into Charity

To turn things around, GameStop decided to auction off the very stapler used in the incident, along with the first stapled Switch 2, its box, and the staple itself. The auction began on July 9, with all proceeds going to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. You can check out the auction details on eBay.

$250,000 Raised for a Good Cause

After 282 bids, the auction closed on July 16 with a winning bid of an impressive $250,000. This amount far exceeded the console’s retail price of around $450, turning an unfortunate incident into a meaningful donation. The eBay listing summed it up nicely: “While the incident itself was unfortunate, we hope its legacy serves a greater purpose.”

GameStop has not yet confirmed whether it will match the winning bid’s donation. Considering they might have more stapled Switch 2 units, there’s a chance for another “Staplegate” auction in the future.

GameStop CEO Adds a Quirky Twist

GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen couldn’t resist adding some humor to the situation. After announcing the auction, he tweeted, “If this reaches six figures I will include my underwear.” He later shared a “sneak peak” of the promised item. Fair warning to those who clicked!