With the official release date and detailed tech specs now confirmed for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 — along with insights into the pricing of first-party titles on the new console — attention naturally shifts to one burning question: how much will the system itself cost?
While no official pricing was revealed during the recent Nintendo Direct presentation, regional pricing details have surfaced on Nintendo's localized websites. These listings reveal an interesting truth: the most affordable way to own a Nintendo Switch 2 is to be in Japan.
As pointed out in a playful tweet by language-learning platform Duolingo, Japan will offer two versions of the console: a multi-language model priced at 69,980 yen (approximately $477), and a Japanese-only variant available for 49,980 yen (roughly $341).
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Japan is currently the only region offering a single-language version at a reduced price. This means players who are comfortable navigating the system in Japanese can enjoy a discount of over $100 compared to the standard global price of $449.99 in the U.S.
Some industry experts suggest that the higher international price could be influenced by several factors, including recently introduced tariffs under former U.S. President Donald Trump, global inflationary pressures, and even the premium set by Sony with its PlayStation 5 Pro at $700 last year.
“Nintendo likely accounted for potential tariffs, the current economic climate, and the precedent set by Sony,” said Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games.
Another key reason for the disparity lies in Japan’s importance as a core market for Nintendo. In 2024, Japan represented 24% of the Nintendo Switch installed base, significantly higher than the 2% for Xbox Series X/S and 9% for PlayStation 5.
“Aligning the Switch 2’s yen price with the USD equivalent would effectively double the retail price in Japan compared to the original LCD model,” noted James McWhirter, analyst at Omdia. “However, maintaining a lower local price risks encouraging grey market imports to other regions.”
Even if you’re fluent in Japanese, accessing the more affordable version isn’t straightforward. According to Nintendo’s website, the Japanese-only model is intended for use exclusively within Japan. It supports only Japanese as a system language, and requires a Nintendo account set to Japan.
Furthermore, the Japanese-language edition is only available through the My Nintendo Store in Japan, effectively region-locking the device to prevent international buyers from taking advantage of the lower price point.
For deeper insight into why the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games come with a higher price tag, read our full analysis featuring commentary from gaming industry experts.
To catch up on everything announced during this week’s presentation, check out our full coverage of the latest Nintendo Direct.
