A peculiar crime wave has targeted Nintendo Switch game purchases. Reports from several users detail finding a single googly eye instead of a game cartridge inside brand-new game cases. While the extent of this issue remains unclear, Switch owners are urged to exercise caution when buying physical games.
This incident follows a series of high-profile Nintendo-related thefts. In December 2024, thieves stole $315,000 worth of Pokémon cards from a grading company, highlighting the increasing criminal targeting of Nintendo properties. While the googly-eye scam may be smaller in scale, it’s equally frustrating for consumers expecting a new game. The initial reports surfaced on Reddit in late December, with users posting images of the unexpected contents. Some accounts claimed to have purchased the affected games as Christmas gifts, while another user, a Target employee, reported finding a similar substitution in a returned game. Although some Redditors initially expressed skepticism, others corroborated the stories, with one former Walmart employee claiming to have witnessed similar incidents frequently. The busy holiday season and anticipation for the backward-compatible Switch 2 may have further fueled demand, creating an opportune environment for this type of crime.
The cleverness of the googly-eye substitution lies in its deceptive simplicity. The rattling googly eye mimics the feel of a game cartridge within the case, allowing thieves to return the empty case for a refund without raising immediate suspicion from store employees. This return scam, however, might be short-lived. Rumors suggest Target may discontinue sales of physical media, effectively ending this particular fraud. Until then, retailers will likely need to implement more robust anti-theft measures to combat this new trend.
The authenticity of these reports remains debatable. While some dismiss the stories as attention-seeking hoaxes, the increasing value and desirability of Nintendo products, coupled with the imminent launch of the Switch 2, make it plausible that criminals are exploring innovative methods to steal games undetected. Therefore, Nintendo fans purchasing physical games from brick-and-mortar stores are advised to remain vigilant.