A display for the gaming company Nintendo is shown during opening day of E3, the annual video games expo revealing the latest in gaming software and hardware in Los Angeles
A poll conducted by the Japanese education ministry says 17% of kids between the ages of six and 12 game for more than four hours per day (Photo: Mike Blake/Reuters)

A fair amount of sites recently reported about a free Nintendo Switch trade-in program. Earlier reports claimed that the customer support of Nintendo allegedly said that the company would upgrade Nintendo Switches that were purchased after July 17 to the latest model for free. But, owners have to shoulder the shipping cost of sending the unit back to the Japanese hybrid console maker.

The Nintendo Switch trade-in program is just too good to be true, and while some users like it, others began to question the authenticity of the reports. In a statement released by the company to The Verge through a spokesperson, the report was considered fake news. The Japanese hybrid console maker clarified that they do not have any exchange program for the Switch.

The Nintendo spokesperson also said that all other questions and inquiries are to be directed to Nintendo support channels. The trade-in program could have been a positive PR for the Japanese hybrid console maker, but if you look at it from a business perspective, it just doesn't make any sense at least as far as profits are concerned.

Although there is no official exchange or trade-in program, Nintendo is welcoming Switch exchange requests, if you take this into consideration, all is not lost. Reports that the hybrid console maker allows exchanges have been validated by many users who have benefited from the said program. In fact, Polygon reached out to Nintendo and confirmed that the company is indeed welcome to such exchange requests.

In the statement of the company's spokesperson to The Verge, it appears that it hints to unofficial exchange policy. According to the spokesperson, the Nintendo Switch maker always want players to enjoy the Nintendo Switch systems and if anything gets in the way, they should simply visit the support page of the company or reach out to the customer support team.

There is actually no glaring difference between the previous version of the Nintendo Switch and the latest version except for the improved battery life based on several reviews. If you think more than three hours' worth of battery is worth paying the shipping costs and the chance for the unit to be held by the support for a long time, then go for the exchange program. As for other concerns, Nintendo would like Switch users to channel their concerns to the customer support department of the company.