GameStop Slammed for Damaging Switch 2 Screens with Stapled Receipts – Replacements Now Underway

GameStop finds itself in hot spot after reports of customers' new Switch 2 consoles suffering screen damage, seemingly caused by receipts stapled directly to the devices.

Video game retailer GameStop confirmed it was looking into customer claims about receiving damaged Nintendo Switch 2 consoles following the issue that triggered anger among buyers, leading to GameStop beginning a replacement programme.

The Staple Blunder: How Receipts Led To Damaged Consoles

Numerous social media posts from customers on platforms like X and Reddit described a problem: it appeared a GameStop in New York had stapled receipts to their Switch 2 packages, puncturing the console screens.

Another X user, Oadhan Lynch, shared images of their opened product, writing, 'GameStop stapled the receipt for me and my friends Switch 2s to the box, FML.' They added, 'Genuinely insane now I'm gonna have to wait 3 months for the restock. And yes we were there for the midnight release so I bet everyone in this line is gonna have this same issue.'

Customer Outcry: Social Media Lights Up Over Damaged Switch 2s

Many photos of the issue feature receipts from the same GameStop outlet in Staten Island, suggesting this particular store stapled receipts to a significant portion of their Switch 2 stock during the midnight launch.

A video shared by one person who attended the midnight launch clearly shows a lengthy queue of eager customers at this specific GameStop branch — many of whom now appear to have been affected similarly.

On Reddit, another customer affected by the issue, whose console screen also had staple punctures, wrote, 'Midnight release went bad for me.' They added, 'It's seeming like everyone there had the same thing done to their boxes as well. Over 100 people were there tonight.'

A third fan, whose console was also damaged, wrote on social media, trying to reach GameStop and Nintendo, 'Hello! My Switch 2 has staple holes in the screen.' They went on to say, 'They stapled the receipt to the box at 1756 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10303 and it damaged the screen.'

'Me and my homie here (we never met before) were unfortunately at the same GameStop and this happened to me and another buddy!' another fan wrote on Reddit. 'Think the entire pre-order batch is completely f***ed.'

GameStop's Response: Apology And Replacements Underway

Following a GameStop spokesperson's assurance to IGN that 'We are investigating the matter and will make customers whole,' affected buyers have informed IGN that GameStop has now begun replacing the Switch 2 consoles damaged by staples.

'GameStop did right by me,' one fan told IGN. 'They traded it in for a new system. They must of sent a shipment of Switch 2's to that location today to fix the staple problem.'

Another customer, whose Switch 2 was also replaced, mentioned they were told GameStop quickly pulled extra stock from other nearby stores to offer immediate replacements.

In a lighter vein, GameStop posted: 'We've addressed a unique case of staples damaging Switch 2 screens—isolated to one store.' The retailer then added, 'Replacements have been offered. Staplers have been confiscated.'