Nintendo's upcoming next-generation console, the Nintendo Switch 2, is causing a stir, not because of its specs or game library. The console retails worldwide for US$450, but players in Japan can buy it for just US$340. It’s a huge discount, and it comes with some conditions.
The ¥49,980 (around US$340) Switch 2 Japan version is the same as the international model when it comes to hardware and performance. However, the company has region-locked this version with limitations. The restrictions are as follows:
Supports only the Japanese language.
Needs a Japanese Nintendo account.
Locks online features outside of Japan.
This Cheaper Nintendo Switch 2 is designed for local customers. So, anyone buying the device will discover it's restricted unless they are fluent in Japanese and own a Japanese account.
The Japan-only variant is raising eyebrows due to its high markdown against the global model. The US$110 difference in price shows that the $450 tag is nowhere near the actual Switch 2 price, which overseas players have criticised. This raises questions about the company’s pricing policies, especially in regions where price sensitivity affects sales volume.
Nintendo has also refused to bundle free games with the Switch 2. Fans were expecting a bundled experience like Wii Sports. Instead, they got the “Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour,” broadly seen as a tech demo available separately for more than US$6.
Although not a huge sum, the thought of being charged an introductory fee for the new Nintendo Switch 2 features has put off fans further. Players have noted that past console generations used to include free titles to highlight new features.
Even though it's a major hardware improvement, the Switch 2 has already become the subject of criticism for other design elements, like an allegedly dull redo of the UI. The price difference further adds to the long list of fan grievances. However, as games like Mario Kart World and Super Mario Party Jamboree are prepped for launch, enthusiasm towards the console's gameplay continues.