Why did Nintendo decide to create two variations of the Switch 2?

[War5oldier]

There's actually 2 variations of the same console, it's weird since they physically look the same. The Japanese version is region locked (as in it only accepts Japanese Nintendo accounts while reading Japanese switch cartridges) and only supports Japanese as the default language, meaning you can't revert it to English.

The Switch 2 elsewhere in the world (outside Japan, like USA, EU) is multilingual as you can change the language and can read cartridges from everywhere hence it's region free. It's strange as to why Nintendo decided to separate the versions of literally the same console.

[Black Blade]

Maybe they plan to release some more adult oriented content in japan and want to avoid having bad rep or legal issues in other country as of the "age" part of it?
This is completely speculate, I don't follow Nintendo much, so cant really think on much of a reason for them to do that this days, even more to a single country

[Wolfgang]

Probably due to scalpers and price difference.

[War5oldier]

Originally posted by Wolfgang:

Probably due to scalpers and price difference.

The Switch 2 in Japan is quoting around ¥49,980 (308€) but priced at 510€ in Europe, so do you deem that expensive?

[Wolfgang]

Originally posted by War5oldier:

Originally posted by Wolfgang:

Probably due to scalpers and price difference.

The Switch 2 in Japan is quoting around ¥49,980 (308€) but priced at 510€ in Europe, so do you deem that expensive?

That is already a 200€ difference. So if you buy enough of them and ship them here you can certainly sell them for like 700€ on Ebay and whatnot. So these scalpers would make a pretty big bang per console. Even if they were to sell it at launch price.

And from what I see the 510€ is the one with Mario Kart World bundled. The base model is 470€.

[War5oldier]

Originally posted by Wolfgang:

And from what I see the 510€ is the one with Mario Kart World bundled. The base model is 470€.

There is a MK World bundle too in Japan which sits at around ¥53,980 (333€) while the console only is ¥49,980 (308€). Even if scalpers were to buy it from Japan there is one caveat it doesn't support English as the console is region locked in the JP version.

[Wolfgang]

Originally posted by War5oldier:

Originally posted by Wolfgang:

And from what I see the 510€ is the one with Mario Kart World bundled. The base model is 470€.

There is a MK World bundle too in Japan which sits at around ¥53,980 (333€) while the console only is ¥49,980 (308€). Even if scalpers were to buy it from Japan there is one caveat it doesn't support English as the console is region locked in the JP version.

Which is exactly why Nintendo region locked it. So that scalpers can't make a quick buck by just mass ordering these from Japan and selling them here for probably 600-700 bucks.
Due to the region lock that won't work without buyer protection kicking the scalpers back in the face.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by War5oldier:

There's actually 2 variations of the same console, it's weird since they physically look the same. The Japanese version is region locked (as in it only accepts Japanese Nintendo accounts while reading Japanese switch cartridges) and only supports Japanese as the default language, meaning you can't revert it to English.

The Switch 2 elsewhere in the world (outside Japan, like USA, EU) is multilingual as you can change the language and can read cartridges from everywhere hence it's region free. It's strange as to why Nintendo decided to separate the versions of literally the same console.

well in Japan they sell both versions. The Yen is weak atm so that and reselling because of the weak yen is the reason why they are offering a domestic only console at a lower price point.

[Princess Luna]

For more money?

[HuskyDynamics]

Region locking isn't a new thing for the Switch 2, either. I know the Wii had Japanese, North American, and European region-locked versions, and I think the GameCube did too. Grey market imports, different copyright and rating laws, and unauthorized distribution are probably some of the main factors for why they do it, but I don't work for Nintendo so I can't say for certain.

I don't recall the Switch 1 being region-locked, though (but I might be mistaken on that).

[real time gcp dot]

same reason why soylent (which you must LOOOVE) makes different flavours

[KharnTheKhan]

Originally posted by Black Blade:

Maybe they plan to release some more adult oriented content in japan and want to avoid having bad rep or legal issues in other country as of the "age" part of it?
This is completely speculate, I don't follow Nintendo much, so cant really think on much of a reason for them to do that this days, even more to a single country

Nintendo would never make "Adult" games again. The only people who play Nintendo games these days are kids and 30+ year olds trying to relive the nostalgia days

[Black Blade]

Originally posted by KharnTheKhan:

Nintendo would never make "Adult" games again. The only people who play Nintendo games these days are kids and 30+ year olds trying to relive the nostalgia days

I don't think they will, I am talking about the 3rd party
And if they want to get into the mass market, they may start getting into that with the virtual novals and the like
Like said did not follow them for a while, it was completely a guess the reasons given above seem more likely then it anyway