Nintendo has confirmed the release of two versions of the Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan, highlighting an exclusive Japanese model that will be sold for 49,980 yen — approximately R$1,880 at the current exchange rate, excluding taxes. The other version, multilingual, will cost 69,980 yen – approximately R$2,697. The price difference has caught the attention of gamers outside of Japan, but the language and account lock prevents full use of the console by those who do not speak Japanese.
- Mario Kart is announced exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2
- Discover all the features of the Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo's strategy responds to the devaluation of the yen against the dollar, which puts pressure on the prices of electronic products in the domestic market. With the Switch 2, the company is trying to offer a more affordable price to Japanese consumers without harming its profit margins in other countries.
To achieve this, they locked the system language and limited its use to Nintendo accounts linked to Japan. In practice, this is a way of returning to regional locking, something the company had abandoned on previous consoles. Despite the language lock, the Japanese model of the Switch 2 maintains compatibility with games from any country.
This makes the product attractive to foreign buyers looking for savings. However, the system restriction may frustrate those who do not understand the language, as menus and settings will only be available in Japanese, with no option to change.
The lottery system in Japan and the invitation-only pre-sale in the West mark the global launch
To manage high demand, Nintendo will use a lottery system in Japan. Those interested will need to register for a chance to buy the console at launch. This practice is already common in the country, adopted for highly competitive launches such as video cards and limited edition consoles. The rules for participating in the lottery will be released on April 4th.
In the United States and Europe, the company will adopt an invitation system for pre-sales through its official website. This initiative aims to prevent mass resales at inflated prices and ensure direct access to the end consumer. So far, there is no information on how the process will work with major retailers or whether Brazil will adopt a similar strategy.
In the North American market, the Switch 2 will arrive for US$449.99, while in the United Kingdom it will cost £395. These prices place the console among the most expensive in its category. In Brazil, there is still no official price definition, but experts estimate that the value will be between R$4,000 and R$4,500, considering the brand's history and taxes on electronics.
Japanese version of Nintendo Switch 2 may put pressure on prices
The existence of a cheaper version of the Nintendo Switch 2 raises questions about its impact on prices in other markets, especially in Brazil. Nintendo's strategy, however, seems designed to avoid this pressure. By limiting the language and region of use, the company hinders the interest of importers, reducing the chance that the Japanese model will directly affect sales in other countries.
Nintendo sells the Switch OLED in Brazil for R$ 3,899, a price that already includes taxes and resale margins. The expectation is that the new console will surpass this price, which could make the Japanese model tempting for those more tech-savvy. Even so, the language barrier remains a decisive factor when making a purchase.
With this new approach, Nintendo signals a shift in its stance regarding regional lock-ins. At the same time, it seeks to protect itself from market distortions caused by currency fluctuations and logistical pressures. The Switch 2 arrives promising high performance, but also with a more controlled and restrictive launch—at least in the initial phase.
