In a captivating exploration of online shopping, an Oregon resident decided to purchase four ‘refurbished’ video game consoles from the marketplace Temu. What began as a simple acquisition quickly turned into a quest for truth: were these consoles genuinely refurbished or merely a clever marketing ploy?
The consoles under scrutiny included a Nintendo Switch Lite, a Nintendo Switch OLED, a PlayStation 5, and a classic Nintendo 64. YouTuber TronicsFix was determined to uncover the reality behind these purchases, posing a critical question: could these Temu consoles be trusted, or were they just another scam in the vast landscape of online marketplaces?
If you’re not familiar, Temu is an online platform that offers a wide variety of products, sometimes even at astonishingly low prices. Previously, we highlighted instances of outrageous items like fake luxury cars on this app. But video game consoles? That’s a different story entirely, as evidenced by one man's surprising acquisition of a Nintendo Switch for just $0.01!
Starting with the Nintendo Switch Lite, which the buyer picked up for $178.54, it arrived in a less-than-pristine box but seemed to be in good physical condition aside from a minor blemish. Upon opening it, the internal components and metal casing appeared nearly flawless, leading TronicsFix to believe it was likely not so much refurbished as it was just a well-maintained secondhand unit. He concluded this purchase was a success, although he hinted that savvy shoppers might find a similar deal at a lower price on eBay.
However, the situation took a downturn with the $104.99 Nintendo 64. This console came with a grimy controller and showed signs of wear—specifically, a discolored door and visible scratches. It turned out to be a Japanese variant that had been modified to accommodate U.S. game cartridges using a 3D-printed cartridge tray. Inside, it was dusty, and the motherboard was far from clean. In essence, this device seemed more like an incomplete refurbishment than a quality-controlled product.
Next was the Nintendo Switch OLED, purchased for $282. While it didn’t arrive in the expected retail packaging, which the Temu listing had suggested, the console itself was mostly in good shape apart from some light scratches on the screen. TronicsFix deemed it simply a used unit, again questioning the authenticity of its ‘refurbished’ label.
Lastly, the $427 PlayStation 5 showcased a consistent theme—though it was in reasonable condition, there was noticeable hair and debris inside, suggesting it required a thorough cleaning to avoid potential overheating due to dirty power supply vents. Despite these issues, the system functioned well.
In summary, all four consoles operated as intended, which is already a commendable outcome. However, it became clear that the term ‘refurbished’ was being applied loosely, equating to ‘used and reset’ rather than undergoing any professional servicing or deep cleaning. This raises intriguing questions about consumer rights and the definitions of refurbishing in online markets.
TronicsFix's investigation isn't isolated; it mirrors previous efforts by tech reviewers like Linus Tech Tips, who have examined various gaming consoles, even diving into some of the lesser-known products in gaming history. If you want to see the detailed breakdown of these refurbished devices, check out TronicsFix's YouTube channel for the full review.
