Japanese manufacturing giant Nintendo is all set to launch its new console, the Switch 2, on June 5. According to a report from Nikkei, the company will be adopting a new pricing strategy to discourage resellers from taking advantage of high demand. There will be two versions of the new Nintendo Switch 2. One will be for the Japanese market marketed as the “Japanese · domestic dedicated version,”. This model will be compatible with only Japanese language content. The other model will support English and other languages, described as the “multilingual support version.” This model will be suitable for global users.
Significant price gap between models
While both consoles will be similar, this dual strategy will allow Nintendo to implement distinct pricing. The global version is more pricey than the Japanese model. According to reports, the Japanese version will retail for 49,980 yen (about $343). The global version, on the other hand, will cost 69,980 yen (about $480).
Some may wonder why there is a huge price gap of 20,000 yen (about $137) between the two models. This is likely a way to stop resellers from buying up stock in Japan and then exporting it for profit. This could increase the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 outside Japan.
Although Nintendo has not confirmed this policy as a resale prevention tactic, industry observers believe it aligns with past efforts by gaming companies to combat grey market activity.
Nintendo began selling the Switch 2 through a lottery system on its official website starting April 4. Both the Japanese and global versions will be distributed via this method. This will likely make the sales process fairer amid the anticipated high demand.
However, the Japanese model will be the only version available at retailers and e-commerce platforms within Japan. The global version, on the other hand, can only be purchased directly through Nintendo’s website.
This dual pricing and limited sales approach may help Nintendo maintain better control over early supply issues. It will help the company avoid a repeat of shortages and inflated resale prices.
Source: Giz China
