Amazon in the UK is drawing attention for listing several highly anticipated Nintendo preorders at prices substantially above their recommended retail price (RRP). This practice has been noted on products revealed following recent Nintendo Direct presentations, including items related to The Legend of Zelda's 40th Anniversary and the forthcoming Metroid Ravenous Special Edition.
The most notable discrepancy involves the 40th Anniversary Zelda Switch 2 console. While Nintendo's UK price was listed at £434.99 and most other major retailers offered it at £429.99, Amazon's preorder price was set at £499.99, exceeding the lowest listed prices by £70.
Similar price inflation is apparent with other Zelda-themed accessories. The special edition Switch 2 Pro Controller, with an RRP of £79.99, is listed on Amazon for £89.99. The accompanying carry case, which has an RRP of £29.99, is being sold by Amazon for £39.99.
The Metroid Ravenous Special Edition is also affected, with Amazon listing it at £119.99, a £20 increase from its RRP of £99.99. This particular edition has already proven difficult to secure, with preorders selling out rapidly despite the elevated price point.
While Amazon has not provided an official explanation for these price differences, speculation suggests the retailer may be pricing these sought-after items based on anticipated demand. This strategy has been observed previously with other high-demand products, such as certain Pokémon Trading Card Game items in the US, where prices on Amazon can surge above MSRP when demand is high.
A potential mitigating factor is Amazon's preorder payment policy. For most physical products, customers are not charged until the item is preparing for dispatch. This means Amazon could theoretically adjust prices downwards before final payment, potentially aligning them with RRPs before release. However, there is no guarantee this will occur.
Alternative interpretations suggest Amazon might be attempting to deter scalpers by increasing prices, though this has not prevented products from selling out quickly. The more direct interpretation is that Amazon is capitalizing on the strong demand for these specific Nintendo products. As of now, Amazon's listed prices remain significantly higher than those offered by other major UK retailers and Nintendo's own recommendations.