Not only that but the Japanese-only(region lock) Switch 2 is cheaper than your standard Switch 2 console, thus more affordable than usual and is better deal overall
idk what kind of games the average Japanese likes to play, but it seems they def like more animated styles based on the best selling games. But I won't sit and say they dont play realistic shooter games too. It's just I think those kinds of games people play on steam at cyber cafes as that is probably more affordable. while the switch is more cozy to snuggle and play on.
Anytime I watch a cozy camper from Japan 9/10 times they're playing Mario Kart/Super Smash or Monster Hunter.
Animal Crossing, Zelda, Final Fantasy etc etc
Of the some 125 million people in Japan 34+ million of them bought a Nintendo Switch, more than a quarter of the Japanese population own a switch lol. (2024 info but a brief look seems to reveal 2025 is much the same in terms of platform favorability and games) - IIRC the OLED switch outsold the PS5.
Interestingly Metal Gear Solid Delta was also hugely popular (can't say i blame them, GOAT series) i just figured it wouldnt trump some titles.
The Japanese language only version is 49,980 yen (around $318.68), while the international version is 69,980 yen (around $446.20). Imagine getting a region-locked Switch 2 at a $120 discount, one might start to think the tradeoff is worth it.
The only limitation is the console language; the language can be changed within the game. This has virtually no impact on long-time Japanese ESHOP users.
Cheap games is the answer. I very recently worked at Gamestop and people would bring PEGI rated games in to trade all the time (GS only took ESRB rated games) that they didn’t even realize weren’t American copies because they just bought the cheapest option on Amazon.
Ahh fair enough. I once accidentally bought the German animal crossing cuz it was the cheapest option on Amazon haha, but nowadays I mostly buy second hand if I'm not in a hurry
that was in the west though, the west combined is bigger than the japanese market. also playstation hits more regional areas than nintendo who still to this day doesnt have more languages for games and its UI
People are very bad with large numbers…
Maybe it helps to visualize getting 50% more salary (nice right?) to getting 10 times their salary (fuck you money, making nearly your former yearly salary in a month…)
It IS berserk too. 10 to 1 is insane for two consoles occupying the same competitive landscape. If I'm not mistaken as well, consoles tend to sell better into maturity as a result of a greater library of games and increased awareness.
You should take a bit of time to look at other consoles in their first years and how well they did against the "5 year old consoles". It's not as "berserk" as you are trying to convince yourself.
Although it has only been released for six months, the number of exclusive games for the NS2 has already surpassed that of the PS5.
Nintendo is still winning.
They weren't bad. They were just not as good as originally predicted. (They stocked up for great sell-through; the sales they got were not quite good enough.) So there were plenty of units leftover to sell through, and that's where the sub-MSRP deals came in during the November sale days (Black Friday/Cyber-Monday timeframe).
I blame the price of the system during bad economic times, and the lack of enough compelling games to leave the Switch 1 behind just yet.
This is like comparing a hydrogen bomb to a coughing baby. PS5 is 6 years old now and Japan historically has been a Nintendo centric country. Might as well say the switch is outperforming the Xbox 100:1 because both metrics are essentially the same
This data does not mean that they can be sold cheaper everywhere else. Nintendo in all likelihood is taking a significant loss on these units, but is doing it either to maintain what they consider their most important market, some kind of national obligation, or a mix of both.
A robust Japanese audience is huge for attracting development and publishers. It's more of a traditional videogame market as opposed to the GAAS gorillion-dollar chase that western developers are focused on.
When you have a big Japanese audience, you can expect good games and a variety of games. It has been this way forever.
The business model of consoles has in the past always been to sell the hardware at a compelling price, even if there is some loss, in order to quickly create a large userbase which will then buy the highly profitable software (games). "Give away the razor to sell the blades." But Nintendo isn't doing that anymore, if they ever did. Now that costs are higher, they still demand some profit on the hardware, and that's costing them the rapid adoption that would eventually make them much greater profits.
I guess we'll see. Right now, one of their focuses is getting the Switch 1 over the PS2. If they get to that point, their strategy with the Switch 2 may change
Right now, one of their focuses is getting the Switch 1 over the PS2
And how exactly do you know that is part of Nintendo's current strategy? Have they publicly said that anywhere? Or are you just saying that because the Switch has had a lot of sales?
Nobody has called Nintendo a charity, please don't put words in my mouth.
It can be true that Nintendo has historically sold their hardware at cost or profit, but due to the current economic situation in their largest market they have decided to implement strategies to secure their long term dominance in it at the cost of short term losses.
Nobody has called Nintendo a charity, please don't put words in my mouth.
You said they're taking a "significant loss" on their Japanese units. For a company with their history with pricing (past and current) that definitely qualifies as being a charity.
....because the cost of business is cheaper for a Japanese company in Japan, hence lower prices for Japanese consumers. It isn't that difficult to understand? The console is region-locked because they don't want people buying cheaper Japanese console in other regions.
Oh so now it's a cost of business? Not tariffs? Because tariffs are an import tax which an importer would have to pay if they buy one from Japan.
Consoles produced in Japan are sold specifically in Japan. No tariffs, no additional shipping costs. Cheaper prices for the Japanese.
For sure none of the parts are made in Japan. Is Japan the only country with no tariffs on parts? Where is the Japanese factory?
Makes sense, truly - the ps5 has been out for what feels like forever, and the switch 2 is Japan’s biggest video game companies’ brand new console.
the PS5 does also appear to have been outsold by the Switch OLED
Wow
Not only that but the Japanese-only(region lock) Switch 2 is cheaper than your standard Switch 2 console, thus more affordable than usual and is better deal overall
I mean Sony has Japanese-only (Region Lock) PS5, which is cheaper than the standard PS5.
idk what kind of games the average Japanese likes to play, but it seems they def like more animated styles based on the best selling games. But I won't sit and say they dont play realistic shooter games too. It's just I think those kinds of games people play on steam at cyber cafes as that is probably more affordable. while the switch is more cozy to snuggle and play on.
Anytime I watch a cozy camper from Japan 9/10 times they're playing Mario Kart/Super Smash or Monster Hunter.
Animal Crossing, Zelda, Final Fantasy etc etc
Of the some 125 million people in Japan 34+ million of them bought a Nintendo Switch, more than a quarter of the Japanese population own a switch lol. (2024 info but a brief look seems to reveal 2025 is much the same in terms of platform favorability and games) - IIRC the OLED switch outsold the PS5.
Interestingly Metal Gear Solid Delta was also hugely popular (can't say i blame them, GOAT series) i just figured it wouldnt trump some titles.
How much cheaper?
The Japanese language only version is 49,980 yen (around $318.68), while the international version is 69,980 yen (around $446.20). Imagine getting a region-locked Switch 2 at a $120 discount, one might start to think the tradeoff is worth it.
its not even really region locked is it? its just language locked
I'm not sure. I'd have to do more research. I used the region-locked example just for comparison.
You also need a Japanese Nintendo account to tie to it. International accounts will not work.
The only limitation is the console language; the language can be changed within the game. This has virtually no impact on long-time Japanese ESHOP users.
What trade off is there even? Like what benefit would an unregionlocked switch have to the normal user?
Cheap games is the answer. I very recently worked at Gamestop and people would bring PEGI rated games in to trade all the time (GS only took ESRB rated games) that they didn’t even realize weren’t American copies because they just bought the cheapest option on Amazon.
Ahh fair enough. I once accidentally bought the German animal crossing cuz it was the cheapest option on Amazon haha, but nowadays I mostly buy second hand if I'm not in a hurry
Buying Hong Kong or Taiwan versions of Nintendo Switch games will be cheaper. Sometimes, brand new games can be up to $20 cheaper.
[deleted]
I love capitalism
Thanks!
Excellent point
Also all the kids are pestering their parents for one, whereas not so many care about home consoles that aren't portable.
Also the Switch/Switch 2 has like 90% market share in Japan anyways cuz no one has cared about Playstation there in a decade
[removed]
Hey there!
Please remember Rule 1 in the future - No hate-speech, slurs, or harassment, or violent content.
Read more about Reddit's Site-Wide Rules here. Thanks!
Forever, also known as 5 years
I mean, what are all of the major events that have happened since the PS5 released? It have felt like forever
2020 you know those times you act like it’s 2030 ps5 still being sell
i don't think this is shocking to anyone
10:1 is actually berserk though.
Playstation is not popular in Japan, they only have ~15% of the market
New console during its first holiday season outsells 5 year old console. Truly berserk.
I mean the PS5 outsold the switch 2 during BF in the states. Such a stark difference is kinda crazy.
The PS5 is BIG.
Yes it is, hardly fits in my TV cabinet
that was in the west though, the west combined is bigger than the japanese market. also playstation hits more regional areas than nintendo who still to this day doesnt have more languages for games and its UI
I guess. Not like PlayStation ignores Japan though
The PS5 is being outsold by a nearly 9 year old console
You are ignoring what they wrote. The ratio is what’s crazy, not that the Switch 2 is outselling the PS5.
People are very bad with large numbers… Maybe it helps to visualize getting 50% more salary (nice right?) to getting 10 times their salary (fuck you money, making nearly your former yearly salary in a month…)
The OG Switch is outselling the PS5 lmao.
It IS berserk too. 10 to 1 is insane for two consoles occupying the same competitive landscape. If I'm not mistaken as well, consoles tend to sell better into maturity as a result of a greater library of games and increased awareness.
More importantly this makes switch 2 LTD in japan hit 50% of ps5.
Looks like switch 1 outsold it too
You should take a bit of time to look at other consoles in their first years and how well they did against the "5 year old consoles". It's not as "berserk" as you are trying to convince yourself.
Hey it’s shocking to me, that this is news.
Additionally, Switch 2 already sold more than half of PS5's Japanese lifetime sale.
Although it has only been released for six months, the number of exclusive games for the NS2 has already surpassed that of the PS5.
Nintendo is still winning.
Did they do away with the lottery system?
Because if they did, then that’ll cause a rush of purchases.
For the switch 2? No. Ps5 no lottery for years now.
The rush of purchases is constant which is why they still have the lottery system.
Okay.
Switch 1 is also outselling PS5, as an FYI. It's also in the article.
The original Switch (which will be 9 years old in a few months) outsells the PS5.
*Checks May 2021*
Averaging 86K Switch to 18K PS5.
PS5 is over half a decade old, and Japanese people love mobile devices. I’m not too shocked by this.
Everyone already owns a ps5
PS5 outsold Switch 2 2:1 worldwide though the most recent month (nov 2026)
No shit. The Switch 2 is new, Japan loves portability, and they have a way cheaper region locked version
I think PlayStation is in serious trouble and will go fully third party eventually
The Switch 2 is being absolutely CARRIED by Japan right now.
The holiday sales numbers in other markets were so bad that retailers were discounting the console below the MSRP.
They weren't bad. They were just not as good as originally predicted. (They stocked up for great sell-through; the sales they got were not quite good enough.) So there were plenty of units leftover to sell through, and that's where the sub-MSRP deals came in during the November sale days (Black Friday/Cyber-Monday timeframe).
I blame the price of the system during bad economic times, and the lack of enough compelling games to leave the Switch 1 behind just yet.
Ps5 is half a decade old, what even is this comparison? I bet it heavily outsold the colecovision too.
This is like comparing a hydrogen bomb to a coughing baby. PS5 is 6 years old now and Japan historically has been a Nintendo centric country. Might as well say the switch is outperforming the Xbox 100:1 because both metrics are essentially the same
Switch 1 also outsold the ps5
I mean, sure, but Switch 1 is also outperforming PS5, so the age argument is moot here.
Doomed
Well it is more expensive but I do wonder how the pay portable will affect Japan when it is released, considering it is dedicated to play natively.
this does show that if Nintendo wanted to, they could sell Switch 2 cheaper in other markets too. This is a card they could play if they had to
This data does not mean that they can be sold cheaper everywhere else. Nintendo in all likelihood is taking a significant loss on these units, but is doing it either to maintain what they consider their most important market, some kind of national obligation, or a mix of both.
A robust Japanese audience is huge for attracting development and publishers. It's more of a traditional videogame market as opposed to the GAAS gorillion-dollar chase that western developers are focused on.
When you have a big Japanese audience, you can expect good games and a variety of games. It has been this way forever.
The business model of consoles has in the past always been to sell the hardware at a compelling price, even if there is some loss, in order to quickly create a large userbase which will then buy the highly profitable software (games). "Give away the razor to sell the blades." But Nintendo isn't doing that anymore, if they ever did. Now that costs are higher, they still demand some profit on the hardware, and that's costing them the rapid adoption that would eventually make them much greater profits.
I guess we'll see. Right now, one of their focuses is getting the Switch 1 over the PS2. If they get to that point, their strategy with the Switch 2 may change
And how exactly do you know that is part of Nintendo's current strategy? Have they publicly said that anywhere? Or are you just saying that because the Switch has had a lot of sales?
lol Nintendo does not care if the switch passes the ps2 or not
Some fans: Nintendo never sells hardware at a loss.
Other fan: Nintendo is actually a charity and paying a significant portion of the bill for you.
Nobody has called Nintendo a charity, please don't put words in my mouth.
It can be true that Nintendo has historically sold their hardware at cost or profit, but due to the current economic situation in their largest market they have decided to implement strategies to secure their long term dominance in it at the cost of short term losses.
You said they're taking a "significant loss" on their Japanese units. For a company with their history with pricing (past and current) that definitely qualifies as being a charity.
Tell me you know nothing about business....
[deleted]
Regions other than Japan and USA exist.
[deleted]
"Regions" being everywhere except Japan... which also happens to be the only place with hardware that is region locked.
[deleted]
Oh so now it's a cost of business? Not tariffs? Because tariffs are an import tax which an importer would have to pay if they buy one from Japan.
For sure none of the parts are made in Japan. Is Japan the only country with no tariffs on parts? Where is the Japanese factory?