With the release date and tech specs of the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 now public, along with the pricing details for first-party Nintendo games, the focus has shifted to the cost of the console itself. While the Nintendo Direct presentation didn't confirm any prices, subsequent listings on Nintendo's regional websites have shed light on the matter, revealing that the most economical way to purchase the new hardware is in Japan.

A playful tweet from Duolingo, the language learning app, 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 language-only edition for 49,980 yen (about $341).

Gamers, learn Japanese to save $133! https://t.co/misNmSstIf

— Duolingo (@duolingo) April 3, 2025

Japan stands out as the only country offering a mono-language console at a lower price, allowing gamers comfortable with Japanese to save over $100 compared to the $449.99 price tag in the U.S. for the multi-language version.

According to experts' opinions, the higher international prices may be influenced by recent international tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. "Nintendo probably factored in possible tariffs, the current inflationary climate in the world, and the $700 Sony charged for the PlayStation 5 Pro last year," noted Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games.

Japan's significance as a key market for Nintendo, accounting for 24% of the Nintendo Switch installed base in 2024, compared to just 2% for Xbox Series X/S and 9% for PlayStation 5, also plays a role. "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 if you are fluent in Japanese, obtaining the cheaper system is not straightforward. Nintendo's website clearly states, "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." The Japanese-only variant is exclusively available from the Japanese My Nintendo Store, 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 deep dive as we talk to industry experts.

To stay updated on everything related to the Nintendo Switch 2, catch up on everything shown at this week's Nintendo Direct right here.