It's not due for release in Ireland - or anywhere in the world, for that matter - until March 3rd, but players are so desperate to see what's in store for the Nintendo Switch that they've resorted to criminality to get their hands on the console.
A statement released by Nintendo of America confirmed that a video circulating YouTube and gaming forums of a Nintendo Switch being examined was genuine - and that the console itself was stolen. "Earlier this week, individuals claimed to prematurely purchase a small number of Nintendo Switch systems from an unspecified retailer."
"Nintendo has determined these units were stolen in an isolated incident by employees of a U.S. distributor, with one system being illegally resold. The individuals involved have been identified, terminated from their place of employment and are under investigation by local law enforcement authorities on criminal charges."
A video surfaced on NeoGaf forums on Thursday that showed the unboxing of a Nintendo Switch and its setup. The user who uploaded the video claimed that a retailer shipped the console to him ahead of time, but declined to name the retailer specifically.
The video, seen below, shows a run-through of the various specifications involved in the Switch, such as memory and the graphic interface.