With the much-anticipated release date and tech specs for the Nintendo Switch 2 now public, along with insights into the pricing of first-party Nintendo games on the new console, attention shifts to the cost of the system itself. Although no prices were disclosed during the Nintendo Direct presentation, regional pricing has surfaced on Nintendo's country-specific websites, revealing that the most cost-effective way to purchase Nintendo's new hardware is in Japan.
A witty tweet from Duolingo, the language learning app, highlighted this fact — Japan offers two versions of the Switch 2: a multi-language version at 69,980 yen (approximately $477) and a Japanese-only version at 49,980 yen (about $341).
Gamers, learn Japanese to save $133! https://t.co/misNmSstIf— Duolingo (@duolingo) April 3, 2025
Japan's unique offering of a mono-language console at a lower price means that players willing to use a Japanese system can save over $100 compared to the international version, which is priced at $449.99 in the U.S.
According to experts' opinions, the higher international pricing might be influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump's recent announcement of international tariffs. Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, noted, "Nintendo probably factored in possible tariffs, the current inflationary climate in the world, and the $700 Sony charged for the PlayStation 5 Pro last year."
Additionally, Japan is a crucial market for Nintendo, accounting for 24% of the Nintendo Switch installed base in 2024, compared to just 2% for Xbox Series X/S and 9% for PlayStation 5. James McWhirter, an analyst at Omdia, explained, "If Switch 2 pricing in Japanese Yen was aligned with the U.S. Dollar price, it would dramatically weaken Nintendo's position in Japan, representing a doubling in the list price over the classic LCD Nintendo Switch model. Yet, if Nintendo continued to rely on region-specific pricing that is significantly cheaper in USD terms, they would face an issue with grey imports to other territories."
Even if you are fluent in Japanese, there are still hurdles to acquiring the more affordable system. Nintendo's website clarifies, "The Japanese-Language System (Japan only) is designed for use in Japan only. Only Japanese is available as the system language, and only Nintendo accounts with the country/region set to Japan can be linked to this system." With these restrictions and the fact that the Japanese-only variant is exclusively available from the Japanese My Nintendo Store, Nintendo is effectively region-locking the console to maintain lower prices for Japanese consumers.
For a deeper understanding of why the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games are priced so high, check out our in-depth analysis as we consult with industry experts.
To stay updated on the Nintendo Switch 2, you can review everything showcased at this week's Nintendo Direct right here.
