In contrast to the rest of the world, Japan will be receiving a special region-locked Switch 2 console that will be available at a lower price, with the caveat that it can only play Japanese games and access the Japanese eshop.

Speaking to Polygon, Nintendo vice president of player & product experience Bill Trinen commented on this move from Nintendo. According to Trinen, the region-locked Japanese Switch 2 is the result of Nintendo looking at the “market circumstances in different territories”, and accounting for the “unique circumstances” in the Japanese market.

“An average consumer may not be fully aware of the varying market differences between the different territories. So globally, Nintendo takes an approach of looking at: What are the market circumstances in different territories, how are things impacting those market circumstances, and what options do we have to try to appropriately price the product based on the local market circumstances? And I think that’s an example of one where because of some unique circumstances in the Japanese market, [Nintendo has] tried to find a way to essentially create an opportunity that satisfies that market, but without having broader impacts.”

Although Trinen does not mention any specifics, it is likely that he is referring to the the weak Japanese Yen and high inflation in the country, which sharply reduced the purchasing power of local consumers. True enough, Nintendo’s move has been well-received by fans living in Japan, with many being happy that the Switch 2 is “cheaper than expected”.

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