Nintendo Launches Budget-Friendly, Japanese-Only Switch 2: Even Duolingo Joins the Roast!

With the unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch date and technical specifications, along with details on pricing for first-party games for the device, the discussion now shifts to the cost of the console itself.

Although the recent Nintendo Direct event did not confirm any pricing, subsequent updates on Nintendo’s regional websites have revealed that purchasing the console is most economical in Japan.

A playful tweet by Duolingo — the language learning app that includes Japanese — noted that Japan offers two versions of the Switch: one multi-language model priced at 69,980 yen (approximately $477), and a Japanese-only model priced at 49,980 yen (around $341).

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

— Duolingo (@duolingo) April 3, 2025

As Japan is the sole market offering a mono-language version at a reduced price, gamers who are fluent in Japanese can save over $100 compared to the international version, which costs $449.99 in the U.S.

In the view of some analysts, the higher price outside of Japan could be due to the international tariffs recently imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“The pricing strategy may include considerations for potential tariffs, the global inflationary environment, and the precedent set by Sony’s $700 pricing for the PlayStation 5 Pro last year,” stated Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games.

Additionally, Japan is a critical market for Nintendo, which accounted for 24% of the Nintendo Switch’s installed base in 2024, compared to just 2% for Xbox Series X/S and 9% for PlayStation 5, according to James McWhirter, an analyst at Omdia.

“If the price in Japan were aligned with the U.S. Dollar, it would significantly undermine Nintendo’s market strength in Japan, essentially doubling the price from the original Nintendo Switch,” McWhirter explained. “However, maintaining significantly lower prices in Japan could lead to an increase in grey market imports to other regions.”

Even for those proficient in Japanese, obtaining the cheaper variant presents challenges.

These additional hurdles, combined with the fact that the Japanese-only model is exclusively available through the Japanese My Nintendo Store, indicate that Nintendo is effectively implementing regional restrictions to maintain lower prices for Japanese consumers.

To understand why the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games come with a high price tag, explore our in-depth discussion with industry professionals.

For further details on the Nintendo Switch 2, catch up on all the announcements from this week’s Nintendo Direct right here.

Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She’s also known as a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and consistently High Chaos. Discover her work at BlueSky.