GameStopis poking fun at itself by auctioning off the infamous Nintendo Switch 2 stapler, and the proceeds are going to a very worthy cause. Though the retail chain caught some initial flak for the stapler incident,GameStopis now using the office supply implement’s infamy to raise money in support of a major charity dedicated to improving the health of sick children across the United States and Canada.
Therelease of the Nintendo Switch 2on June 5 has been one of the most-talked-about subjects in the gaming world this year, and for good reason. Now more than a month after its launch, the hybrid console is still a hot commodity, with many retailers struggling to keep it in stock, and its internal component upgrades over the original Switch and new features like GameChat and mouse controls have been drawing the attention of a lot of gaming fans.
But GameStop suffered a PR disaster on the console’s launch date after it was discovered thatone location damaged Switch 2 consoles with a stapler, perforating their screens while attaching receipts to their boxes. Though a nightmare for customers who received the damaged products, GameStop is now putting a positive spin on the incident by auctioning off the notorious stapler oneBay, and proceeds will be used to fund Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the largest organization of children’s hospitals in North America. The non-profit organization operates 170 different hospitals in the United States and Canada and reportedly provides more than 32 million treatments a year to more than 10 million children.
GameStop’s Infamous Switch 2 Stapler is Up for Charity Auction
The auction will be running through July 16, and it’s already attracting a lot of attention. At the time of this article’s writing, more than 125 different bids have been placed, and the current price stands at $16,900. That’s more than 37 times theprice of a Switch 2 console, not counting the ones bundled withMario Kart World, and the winner of the auction will be getting a Switch 2 as well. Both the stapler, which is listed on eBay as “used,” and the Switch 2 are displayed on the auction page in a decorative, transparent case, along with a receipt that is wisely and cheekily not stapled to the box.
Along with the recent charity announcement, GameStop has vowed to do right by the customers affected by the stapler incident from June, stating it would replace every Switch 2 console that was damaged before being delivered. That’s not an easy order to fill, as multiple professionalanalysts have predicted Switch 2 supply shortageswill persist through spring 2026.
