The value of the yen compared to other currencies has fallen through the floor since 2022, so this isn't unexpected - Nintendo had to do something to equalize prices somewhat. The dollar's global value has also weakened noticeably since (checks notes) April 2, 2025 and Canada has had currency struggles as well the last few years.
Hardware is just one aspect of sales though. I assume they have much higher margin on software, especially rereleases of existing games on whatever the next platform is.
If you consider the jump in price of DRAM due to hyperscalers to not be a considerable factor in this increase, please state so. Your comment leaving this out makes it harder to trust.
You can still 100% get a great 2nd hand gaming pc for that amount. That will play all games, including all console games from every era, and will last for 10 years at least. Also you can use it to make music / art / software and also do most jobs.
A lot of sellers will even throw in the peripherals for free.
I might buy up a few now while they are left.
Also never buy 1st hand desktop hardware, total waste of money, the price drop from 1st hand to 2nd hand is insane, but desktop components dont degrade that much, theyre still mostly following IBM's sane design pattern, so you're getting a massive price drop with no downside.
You can't play Pokopia, DK Bonanza or Mario Kart World on PC. Even with a 5090. You also can't play Cyberpunk 2077 on the plane or train with a 2nd hand desktop unlike the Switch 2.
I can see why you thought it was, but "Open Price" in Japan means that the manufacturer has forgo setting the price themselves, unlike the previous policy that the price is dictated by Nintendo (in this case). The wholeseller's price... is simply not disclosed here, there's an NDA on that one (even with other companies such as Sony).
They showed some good will towards protecting the local market against blatant currency manipulation but it is an important market for them and at this point it doesn't look like the JCB is going to react. They just "intervened" the Gopher back to what it was a few weeks ago.
Yes, there is no OLED version like they later released for the original Switch.
OLED is probably better overall but it can be harder to use in bright sunshine and you have the risk of burn-in if you accidentally leave the screen turned on for hours or something.
Really? They released a second generation with screen being worse than installed in the first generation (even non-oled version)?
We have two switches in our family, both first gen, one usual and one oled. Standalone, usual screen is bearable, compared to oled it is quite bad, but if the new screen is even worse?? I can’t find any explanation for this except of greediness from Nintendo
I have the switch 2 and an OLED steam deck and it's not even close - the switch 2 screen is just not very good. To a point where if you have grey on grey movement you can see visible smearing like it's some old LCD from 20 years ago. When an OLED version comes out I'll definitely upgrade(so I guess the joke is on me, because I'll end up buying the same console twice just to have the screen that it should have had from the beginning)
A parenting opportunity... "Sorry, you can't have it this year, it's too expensive right now"
The value of the yen compared to other currencies has fallen through the floor since 2022, so this isn't unexpected - Nintendo had to do something to equalize prices somewhat. The dollar's global value has also weakened noticeably since (checks notes) April 2, 2025 and Canada has had currency struggles as well the last few years.
> The value of the yen compared to other currencies has fallen through the floor since 2022...
That would normally allow them to keep prices of export goods low...
It totally depends on if you need to import things to transform them or if you source mostly locally in your supply chain.
The truth is that you can increase prices by 50% and if you loose 50% of sales you are still in a good place as your costs also drop.
They have little uncertainty to work with, they don't need their consumers as much.
They're continuing their anti consumer policies
Hardware is just one aspect of sales though. I assume they have much higher margin on software, especially rereleases of existing games on whatever the next platform is.
Hang on, halving your sales means doubling your price to stay even (ignoring your own cost), right?
I have a bridge to sell you …
If you consider the jump in price of DRAM due to hyperscalers to not be a considerable factor in this increase, please state so. Your comment leaving this out makes it harder to trust.
£385 in argos and smyths at the mo for any UK folk!
Picked mine up last week, they had a deal with a game too which dropped £20 off Mario Wonder.
You can still 100% get a great 2nd hand gaming pc for that amount. That will play all games, including all console games from every era, and will last for 10 years at least. Also you can use it to make music / art / software and also do most jobs.
A lot of sellers will even throw in the peripherals for free.
I might buy up a few now while they are left.
Also never buy 1st hand desktop hardware, total waste of money, the price drop from 1st hand to 2nd hand is insane, but desktop components dont degrade that much, theyre still mostly following IBM's sane design pattern, so you're getting a massive price drop with no downside.
You can't play Pokopia, DK Bonanza or Mario Kart World on PC. Even with a 5090. You also can't play Cyberpunk 2077 on the plane or train with a 2nd hand desktop unlike the Switch 2.
....and how are you going to carry that gaming PC onto a plane?
Like, it's a portable console, it's not a competition for a desktop PC in any way.
And new prices for playing cards not even set yet... TIL nintendo still makes cards in japan.
I can see why you thought it was, but "Open Price" in Japan means that the manufacturer has forgo setting the price themselves, unlike the previous policy that the price is dictated by Nintendo (in this case). The wholeseller's price... is simply not disclosed here, there's an NDA on that one (even with other companies such as Sony).
The price increases aren't massive though, I think I'll still wait for a mainline Mario game.
For adults, sure. For kids saving for the console it may be problematic.
It's relatively mild for EU and US, but for JP it's a 20% increase. Finally going to get one after the announcement.
They showed some good will towards protecting the local market against blatant currency manipulation but it is an important market for them and at this point it doesn't look like the JCB is going to react. They just "intervened" the Gopher back to what it was a few weeks ago.
I remember reading that the screen is worse than v1, is that still true ?
Yes, there is no OLED version like they later released for the original Switch.
OLED is probably better overall but it can be harder to use in bright sunshine and you have the risk of burn-in if you accidentally leave the screen turned on for hours or something.
Really? They released a second generation with screen being worse than installed in the first generation (even non-oled version)?
We have two switches in our family, both first gen, one usual and one oled. Standalone, usual screen is bearable, compared to oled it is quite bad, but if the new screen is even worse?? I can’t find any explanation for this except of greediness from Nintendo
The Switch 2 screen is way better than Switch 1 non-OLED.
So, they are not soo greedy, but greedy enough to not make it an OLED and later add a separate pricier OLED version.
I have the switch 2 and an OLED steam deck and it's not even close - the switch 2 screen is just not very good. To a point where if you have grey on grey movement you can see visible smearing like it's some old LCD from 20 years ago. When an OLED version comes out I'll definitely upgrade(so I guess the joke is on me, because I'll end up buying the same console twice just to have the screen that it should have had from the beginning)
I'll buy it once Winds and Waves comes out. The increase isn't THAT much.
Is Mario Kart on the switch 1 still $70?
I paid like $10 for a used copy of the Wii U version
It's €80 digital and €90 physical here in Spain. :(
Does this exclude Australia?
No - https://www.vooks.net/nintendo-raising-switch-2-switch-and-s...
Never buy a switch later. Nintendo prices don't fall and if, it takes ages.
Lol, keep buying it. Investor profits must be protected at any cost.