Approximately 3,000 Nintendo Switch 2 consoles were reported stolen from a delivery truck en route between Nintendo of America's headquarters and a GameStop store in Texas. According to local ABC News affiliate Denver 7, the total value of the stolen goods is estimated at $1.4 million.

The theft was discovered while the driver was still on the road in Colorado. Authorities are currently investigating the incident but have yet to pinpoint the exact location along the 1,332-mile journey where the crime occurred. This uncertainty complicates efforts to identify those responsible.

Initial findings suggest the operation may have been planned, with thieves possibly tracking the truck from its departure point in Redmond, Washington. Investigators noted that multiple pallets of Switch 2 units were removed from the trailer, indicating some level of coordination. However, it’s unclear whether this was a targeted attack or an opportunistic robbery.

If identified and arrested, the perpetrators could face multiple felony charges related to grand theft. Meanwhile, the truck driver reportedly stated he was unaware he was transporting Nintendo Switch 2 units at the time of the theft.

Local law enforcement has urged anyone with information regarding the theft to come forward. Tips can be submitted via the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office at 720-874-8477.

This incident comes shortly after the global launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, which sold over 3.5 million units in its first few days on sale. Despite Nintendo’s strong supply chain management ensuring relative availability of the console, such thefts threaten to disrupt stock distribution and impact consumer access.

Theft of high-demand gaming hardware isn't new. In 2020, during the launch period of the PlayStation 5, similar large-scale thefts occurred in the UK using a method known as the "rollover." Criminals used vehicles to box in moving trucks while another accomplice, attached by rope, boarded the vehicle at speeds up to 50mph to break into the cargo.

Nintendo products have also been targeted in the past, including a 2015 incident where a truck loaded with Splatoon game copies and rare amiibo figures was stolen outright.

This latest theft also adds to a string of public relations issues for GameStop surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 release, including the widely criticized decision to staple receipts directly onto the console’s screen during a midnight launch event.