Now that the release date and technical specifications for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 have been officially revealed — along with insights into the pricing of first-party Nintendo games on the new console — attention naturally shifts to one key question: How much will the console itself cost?
Although no official price was announced during the Nintendo Direct presentation, recent discoveries on Nintendo’s region-specific websites suggest that the most affordable way to own a Nintendo Switch 2 may be by purchasing it in Japan. This revelation has sparked interest among global gamers who are now considering how regional pricing could impact their purchase decisions.
As noted in a humorous tweet from Duolingo — the popular language-learning app — Japan is offering two distinct versions of the console: a multi-language edition priced at 69,980 yen (approximately $477), and a Japanese-only version available for 49,980 yen (roughly $341).
Gamers, learn Japanese to save $133! https://t.co/misNmSstIf
— Duolingo (@duolingo) April 3, 2025
Japan remains the only country offering a single-language variant at a reduced price point, meaning players comfortable navigating the system in Japanese can potentially save more than $100 compared to the globally available model, which is listed at $449.99 in the United States.
Some industry experts speculate that the higher international price could stem from a combination of factors, including potential tariffs introduced by former U.S. President Donald Trump, global inflationary trends, and even the precedent set by Sony’s $700 price tag for the PlayStation 5 Pro last year.
“Nintendo probably factored in possible tariffs, the current inflationary climate in the world, and the $700 Sony dared to charge for the PlayStation 5 Pro last year,” said Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games.
Additionally, Japan's role as a critical market for Nintendo cannot be overlooked. In 2024, Japan accounted for 24% of the Nintendo Switch installed base, significantly higher than the 2% for Xbox Series X/S and 9% for PlayStation 5.
“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,” explained James McWhirter, analyst at Omdia. “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 for those fluent in Japanese, acquiring the lower-cost variant isn't straightforward. According to Nintendo’s website:
“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.”
These restrictions, combined with exclusive availability through the Japanese My Nintendo Store, effectively region-lock the console to ensure the discounted pricing benefits only local consumers.
For further insight into why the Nintendo Switch 2 and its titles come with a premium price tag, read our detailed analysis featuring commentary from industry professionals.
To stay up to date with everything related to the Nintendo Switch 2, review all the latest announcements from this week’s Nintendo Direct right here.
