Nintendo Launches Budget Japanese-Only Switch 2, Duolingo Reacts

With the eagerly awaited release date and tech specs of the Nintendo Switch 2 now public, as well as insights into the cost of first-party Nintendo games on the new console, attention has shifted to the pricing of the system itself. Although the Nintendo Direct presentation didn't confirm any prices, regional pricing details have surfaced on Nintendo's country-specific websites, revealing that the most affordable way to get your hands on the new hardware is in Japan.

A witty tweet from Duolingo, the educational app known for teaching various languages including Japanese, pointed out that Japan is offering two versions of the Switch 2: a multi-language model priced at 69,980 yen (approximately $477), and a Japanese-only version for 49,980 yen (about $341).

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

— Duolingo (@duolingo) April 3, 2025

As Japan is the only country offering a mono-language console at a reduced price, this means players willing to game in Japanese can save over $100 compared to the global version, which is priced at $449.99 in the U.S.

Some experts' opinions suggest that the higher international price could be influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump's recent international tariffs. Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, commented, "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."

Another factor could be Japan's importance as a market for Nintendo. In 2024, Japan accounted for a quarter (24%) of the Nintendo Switch installed base, significantly higher than the 2% for Xbox Series X/S and 9% for PlayStation 5. James McWhirter, an analyst at Omdia, explained, "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. 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 poses challenges. Nintendo's website 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." With these restrictions, and the fact that the Japanese-only variant is exclusively available from the Japanese My Nintendo Store, Nintendo is 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 all things Nintendo Switch 2, you can review everything shown at this week's Nintendo Direct right here.