Now that we have a release date and tech specs for the eagerly awaited Nintendo Switch 2, along with insights into the cost of first-party Nintendo games on the new console, the focus shifts to the price of the system itself.
Although no prices were announced during the Nintendo Direct presentation, regional pricing has surfaced on Nintendo's country-specific websites, revealing that the most cost-effective way to own the new hardware is in Japan.
In a humorous tweet, Duolingo — the educational app that teaches languages, including Japanese — pointed out that Japan offers two versions of the Switch 2: a multi-language model priced at 69,980 yen (approximately $477), and a Japanese-only version for 49,980 yen (about $341).
Gamers, learn Japanese to save $133! https://t.co/misNmSstIf
— Duolingo (@duolingo) April 3, 2025
Since Japan is the only country offering a single-language console at a lower price, players willing to play in Japanese can save over $100 compared to the international version, which retails for $449.99 in the U.S.
Some experts' opinions suggest that the higher international price might be influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump's recently announced international tariffs.
"Nintendo likely considered potential tariffs, the global inflationary environment, and the $700 Sony charged for the PlayStation 5 Pro last year," stated Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games.
Additionally, Japan's importance as "a key market for Nintendo" cannot be overlooked. In 2024, Japan accounted for a quarter (24%) of the Nintendo Switch installed base, compared to just 2% for Xbox Series X/S and 9% for PlayStation 5.
"If Switch 2 pricing in Japanese Yen were to match the U.S. Dollar price, it would significantly undermine Nintendo's position in Japan, effectively doubling the price from the classic LCD Nintendo Switch model," explained James McWhirter, analyst at Omdia. "However, maintaining region-specific pricing that is much cheaper in USD terms could lead to grey imports to other regions."
Even if you're fluent in Japanese, there are still hurdles to acquiring the more affordable system."The Japanese-Language System (Japan only) is intended for use in Japan only," according to Nintendo's website. "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 through 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 industry experts.
To stay updated on all things Nintendo Switch 2, you can review everything showcased at this week's Nintendo Direct right here.
