In Japan, players are reserved the choice between two different models of the Switch 2. However, as a survey shows, one console would have been completely sufficient.
Which consoles can Japanese players choose from? Players in Japan have the option to choose between two models:
- The console, which is also available in the rest of the world, is not bound to a specific region. It costs around 429 euros in the Japanese market.
- The second console is a Switch 2 that only works in Japan. The language settings are only available in Japanese, and the Nintendo account linked to the console must be created in Japan. The eShop also only includes Japanese games and accepts only Japanese credit cards and PayPal accounts.
The advantage of the second Switch 2 is that it is, presumably due to the limited access, significantly cheaper than the first variant. It costs only about 306 euros, making it over 100 euros cheaper than the Switch variant that is also available in the rest of the world.
A survey among the Japanese shows which variant players from the country tend to prefer. A clear favorite is emerging.
Japan particularly prefers a Switch 2
Which console is more popular? About 60,000 people participated in an unofficial survey conducted by Japanese content creator R_GameTV on X. All participants are interested parties who have applied for a Switch 2. In Japan, pre-orders were handled like a lottery, where luck determined who would receive a pre-order for the Switch 2.
The survey clearly shows which console is more popular (via X):
- 69.7% of all participants applied for a Switch 2 that only works with a Japanese account and includes Mario Kart World as a bundle.
- 27.5% only applied for the Switch 2 with a Japanese account.
- Only 2.9% wanted the Switch 2 that is also available in the rest of the world.
This means that a total of 97.1% opted for the variant of the Switch 2 that is only available in Japan. Presumably, the lower price and possible language barriers have led to a lack of interest in games outside Japan.
Why should one get the more expensive console in Japan? The Switch 2 that is sold worldwide offers the advantage of having a larger selection of games that are not available in Japan. Due to cultural differences, licensing agreements, or market strategies, certain titles may not appear in the eShop in Japan, including Celeste or The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+.
Furthermore, the chances of getting the multilingual Switch 2 were higher. Since fewer people applied for the lottery, one could have gotten a Switch 2 more easily.
MeinMMO has also started a survey. We want to know from you which games the Switch 2 must have for you to buy it. At the moment, two clear favorites are emerging. Share your opinion in the following article: Which games must the Switch 2 have for you to get it?
