GameStop nixes Switch 2 'infinite money' loophole

• Customers used a trade-in loophole to generate hundreds in store credit by repeatedly trading a Switch 2 paired with a game purchase.
• GameStop has shut down the exploit, closing the path that allowed repeated trade-ins to yield large credit amounts.
• The incident highlights vulnerabilities in trade-in and receipt-based credit systems and risks for both retailers and shoppers.

What happened

GameStop shut down a trade-in glitch that customers were exploiting to get what some described as “infinite money.” The loophole let shoppers receive hundreds of dollars in store credit by trading in a Switch 2 and pairing the trade with a game purchase, then repeating the process multiple times.

The retailer moved to close the pathway after the pattern became apparent, stopping further repeated trade-ins that produced outsized credit returns.

How the loophole worked

At its core the exploit combined a legitimate trade-in credit for a Switch 2 with an associated game purchase to trigger additional credit issuance. By repeating that sequence, customers were able to accumulate substantially more store credit than the value of the devices or games involved.

The exact technical details of the underlying system vulnerability aren’t provided in the source material, but the behavior points to a logic gap in how trade-in credits and promotional or bundled credits were applied.

Why this matters

For GameStop, unchecked abuse of trade-in systems can translate to real financial loss and inventory inconsistencies. Retailers that offer device trade-ins and bundled credits face incentives for fraud if safeguards aren’t airtight.

For shoppers, exploiting such a loophole can carry risks including reversal of credits, account sanctions, or even criminal investigation in extreme cases. Even when rewards look harmless, they can violate terms of service or store policies.

What shoppers should do now

If you participated in the trade-in sequence, check your GameStop account and transaction history for any sudden credit additions or reversals. Hold on to receipts and document communications if you need to dispute adjustments.

Going forward, avoid attempts to game trade-in systems. Use official trade-in channels and read store terms to understand what credits are refundable or reversible.

This incident underscores the need for companies to monitor promotional logic and for consumers to steer clear of exploits that can have unintended consequences.