Stapler Behind GameStop's Infamous Switch 2 Launch Disaster Up for Auction — and the Bidding Is Now Over $100,000

GameStop is auctioning disconnected its infamous stapler that damaged galore consoles connected Nintendo Switch 2 motorboat night. Money raised from the stapler's merchantability volition spell to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals — and bidding is present implicit $100,000.

Along with the stapler and a certificate of authenticity, the eBay listing besides includes the archetypal Switch 2 to person its surface stapled — present refurbished and successful moving information — positive its archetypal box, with puncture marks inactive present.

"While the incidental itself was unfortunate, we anticipation its bequest serves a greater purpose," GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen said successful a statement. The fortunate proprietor of the stapler volition besides present person Cohen's underwear, aft the CEO promised to see it should the auction scope six figures.

The concatenation deed the headlines past period erstwhile dozens of customers reported their Switch 2 console screens had been punctured by a stapler, utilized by an worker to affix receipts onto the console's box.

GameStop replaced the now-punctured consoles, the bulk of which were damaged astatine a azygous store located successful Staten Island, New York, and besides has since utilized the incidental for a spot of societal media amusive erstwhile advertizing caller Switch 2 banal being available.

Still, speech from 1 GameStop employee's over-zealous usage of stationary, concerns person been raised by fans that Nintendo's caller console should beryllium amended protected successful its box. As it is, the Switch 2's surface sits straight against the console's bladed cardboard container successful conscionable a flimsy integrative sleeve. IGN has asked Nintendo for remark connected the Switch 2's packaging, but has not heard of immoderate changes.

The infamous Switch 2 Stapler is present disposable for auction. Proceeds payment Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.https://t.co/n7LMqFzKjz pic.twitter.com/XPqjijM1WE

If this reaches six figures I volition see my underwearhttps://t.co/RCUlyiVpfa

GameStop's certificate of authenticity describes the stapler arsenic an "authentic relic from the now-infamous 'Staplegate' incident".

"The achromatic stapler utilized by a GameStop subordinate who, successful a infinitesimal of motorboat nighttime excitement and misjudged enthusiasm, stapled a recept straight to a customer's caller Nintendo Switch box," its statement reads. (In reality, this stapler was liable for doing this galore times.) "Features authentic field-use deterioration passim and retired instantly from service, the stapler present stands arsenic a retail fable calved from a half-second decision."

At the clip of writing, bidding connected the stapler presently stands astatine $108,895.

Image credit: GameStop.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You tin scope Tom astatine [email protected] oregon find him connected Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social