The second-hand market is where most of us fill gaps in a collection, and for Switch it is a fairly safe one. Counterfeit cartridges do exist, though they are nowhere near as common as they were for Game Boy or DS. The more likely problems are dull ones: a used game sold as new, a case holding the wrong cartridge, or a home-printed cover on a loose cart. This checklist follows the order in which you would actually use it.
Before you buy: what the photos should show
- The actual item. Stock images on a used listing are a reason to ask for real ones.
- The cartridge, front and back. The label should be sharp and centred, and the back should carry a printed code. A seller who will not photograph the cart may not have checked that it is in the case.
- The spine and both covers. You are looking for sun fade, water ripples and print quality. Reprinted cover sheets tend to show slightly soft text and colours that are a touch off, and the paper is often the wrong weight, which a photo taken at an angle can reveal.
- For limited editions, the number, the card or certificate, and the contents laid out. It is common for parts to be missing.
“New and sealed”
Factory seals differ between publishers, regions and print runs, so there is no single correct pattern to memorise. What you can spot is a poor reseal: thick, cloudy film, melted seams along the edges, or wrap loose enough to slide around. A price label under the wrap is another giveaway. If a game is only valuable when sealed, buy it from a seller with a history and a returns policy, or accept that you are paying extra on trust.
When it arrives
- Open the case and check that the cartridge matches the cover, including the region. A European cart in a US case is a common mix-up, and it affects both value and DLC.
- Put it in the console. The icon and title should appear on the HOME Menu within a few seconds.
- Start the game and let it load past the title screen.
- Check whether an update is offered. That confirms the console recognises it as the genuine title.
A newer risk: cartridges that were copied
Every game card carries a unique identifier. In 2025 there were reports of consoles being restricted from online services after running second-hand Switch 1 cartridges that a previous owner had dumped and shared, because Nintendo’s servers saw the same card in two places. In the cases that were reported, Nintendo lifted the restriction once the buyer showed proof of purchase. So keep the listing, the order confirmation and the seller’s photos until you have played the game online without trouble. The habit takes thirty seconds and can save a long support conversation.
Where the risk is lowest
Dedicated game shops test what they sell and will take it back if something is wrong. Marketplaces with buyer protection come next. Cash deals with no comeback are fine for a ten-dollar game, but they are a poor idea for a three-hundred-dollar collector’s edition. The rarer the item, the more you should pay for the ability to return it.