Recently, several Nintendo Switch enthusiasts have found themselves at the center of an unusual crime saga. Instead of unwrapping a new game only to find the expected cartridge, they’ve encountered a cheeky surprise—a solitary googly eye. While it remains uncertain just how rampant this issue truly is, it’s a heads-up for Switch aficionados to exercise extra vigilance when purchasing physical game copies.
The allure of Nintendo properties seems to have drawn the wrong kind of attention over recent months. As a noteworthy example, a whopping $315,000 worth of Pokémon cards was pilfered from a grading company in December 2024. With organized crime syndicates reportedly using these prized collectibles for money laundering, it’s not surprising that even Switch cartridges have become targets, albeit on a smaller scale. Still, the disappointment is palpable for gamers eagerly anticipating a fresh gaming experience.
Over on Reddit, users began to flood the platform with posts showcasing game cases mysteriously containing googly eyes instead of cartridges. At least a couple of individuals claimed their holiday gifts were affected, and one Target employee revealed they discovered the switcheroo when a customer returned a game. Although some Reddit participants expressed skepticism, others vouched for the tales, recalling similar incidents in their retail pasts. The bustling holiday rush, mixed with buzz around the Switch 2’s backward compatibility, might have resulted in a surge in these crafty cartridge capers.
The peculiar ploy of replacing cartridges with rattling googly eyes isn’t without reason. Cleverly, the tactic mimics the weight and sound of a real game cartridge, potentially fooling store staff during returns. Thieves, capitalizing on this trick, could purchase a game, swap it, and secure a refund unnoticed. However, with whispers about major retailers like Target contemplating the cessation of physical media sales, this particular scam might meet its end sooner than its perpetrators expect. Yet, as long as physical games remain prominent on store shelves, retailers may need to develop alternative strategies to combat such deceit.
Naturally, some folks remain dubious about the authenticity of these accounts, suspecting they might just be crafted stunts for internet fame. Whether these tales hold truth or not, with Nintendo’s exciting lineup of future game releases and the impending Switch 2 on the horizon, it wouldn’t be startling to see unscrupulous individuals concocting new schemes to snag games unnoticed. Hence, die-hard Nintendo supporters might want to tap into their cautious sides when hunting for physical game treasures in brick-and-mortar establishments.
