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[CityHunter1981]

Do we have already any concrete information, what the restrictions are? I live in Japan and also speak some Japanese, so I don't really mind if the system language is only Japanese or if I need to use a Japanese account, but does this also mean that imported games will not work on it?

I mean I am sure most games will still have multi language support, but I am more concerned about censorship here. Often games (e.g. Resident Evil) are not uncut here, even if they get an adult rating, so I would still like the option to import games.

And no, no way I am paying 20,000 JPY more just to get a multi language console…

 

[near]

From what I understand, Japan is getting a language locked console and a more expensive multi-language console. I don't think either are region locked, but if your Japanese isn't very good then I suggest you pick up the multi-language version, which can only be purchased from the Japanese My Nintendo Store. 49,980 yen for the Japanese only console and 69,980 yen for the multi-language version. Choose wisely, good luck and have fun lmao.

 

[XXL]

I've just read conversations online about it, but it seems to be completely region locked.

No clue if that just speculation or not.

 

[near]

I've just read conversations online about it, but it seems to be completely region locked.

No clue if that just speculation or not.

I don't think it is at all. It's just language locked. More than likely to stop importers abusing the weak yen or to reduce international scalpers.

Edit: It is only region locked in the sense that you Nintendo account has to be a Japanese account, so if you have a EU/US Nintendo account with digital purchases it won't work on the language locked system.

 

[cripterion]

I don't think it is at all. It's just language locked. More than likely to stop importers abusing the weak yen or to reduce international scalpers.

Edit: It is only region locked in the sense that you Nintendo account has to be a Japanese account, so if you have a EU/US Nintendo account with digital purchases it won't work on the language locked system.

They're fucking over people who had previous Nintendo Switch accounts from other regions. You wanna keep the account with having full privilege of multilanguage? Pay up.

Fucking hell this is embarassing.

 

[AeonGaidenRaiden]

Its a region locked console like back in the day so yes, you cant play at least phisical games from another region. Digital i have no clue.

 

[AeonGaidenRaiden]

They're fucking over people who had previous Nintendo Switch accounts from other regions. You wanna keep the account with having full privilege of multilanguage? Pay up.

Fucking hell this is embarassing.

No, they are protecting their lower YEN and scalpers buying up all the Switches and selling it on eBay for massive profits to overseas foreigners. This way they adjusted the price to match their YEN situation for locals because they still have the same earnings which arent the same in US dollars back a few years back. The "international" package is basically for foreigners living there, that have a US/UK account instead. Thats like 0.1% of Nintendo fanbase so I really dont think Nintendo give a shit about some gaijin having to pay up or can wait and go for a holiday to an English speaking country and buy his Switch 2 there.

 

[March Climber]

Its a region locked console like back in the day so yes, you cant play at least phisical games from another region. Digital i have no clue.

Nintendo bringing back a form of region lock was not on my bingo list.

However it doesn't surprise me.

 

[AeonGaidenRaiden]

Nintendo bringing back a form of region lock was not on my bingo list.

However it doesn't surprise me.

It is weird. Next thing we gonna go to 50hz vs 60hz games again lol.

 

[NanaMiku]

AFAIK it's only Japanese system language and Japanese account only. The console should still be region free. The problem is that some multilanguage games don't have language option in the settings; it follows the system language. Xenoblade X was like this.

 

[Ritsumei2020]

Switch Sega/Atlus games often don't have English language options in JP version,

I think it may be for the same purpose, to stop people importing cheaper from Japan

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

I swear each time i open GAF i read more bad or at least weird news about this thing.

 

[Ritsumei2020]

I swear each time i open GAF i read more bad or at least weird news about this thing.

Can you imagine if Nintendo sold the console for $300 in Japan without any regional lock?

Scalpers would be making millions lol

 

[Porcile]

It's a big backwards step unfortunately, but scalpers crippled PS5 for years in Japan.

No one cared about Japan for purchasing stuff back when Switch came out but now Japan is the go to place in Asia for cheap stuff like Hong Kong and Singapore used to be.

I have a launch Japanese Switch and most of my games are on the Japanese eshop. I can read Japanese no problem too but I often use the European eshop so this is quite annoying.

 

[NanaMiku]

It's a big backwards step unfortunately, but scalpers crippled PS5 for years in Japan.

No one cared about Japan for purchasing stuff back when Switch came out but now Japan is the go to place in Asia for cheap stuff like Hong Kong and Singapore used to be.

I have a launch Japanese Switch and most of my games are on the Japanese eshop. I can read Japanese no problem too but I often use the European eshop so this is quite annoying.

Not just PS5, gunpla too

 

[Porcile]

Not just PS5, gunpla too

Yeah. I thought I would take a trip to Odaiba and hit up the Gundam Factory but checked online prior to going and found out that just entering the store on that day required applying into a lottery system WTF.

I also remember walking past Yodobashi one random evening a couple years back and there was a massive queue outside. Some Japanese, but mostly Chinese and a couple Westerners. What were they queueing up for? Pokémon cards.

Without restrictions this thing might be scalped to hell and back same as the PS5 and do some serious damage to the Japanese game industry. Just look at PS5 and see how dogshit software sales are on that in Japan.

 

[pulicat]

Nintendo is actually serious when taking action against scalping in Japan. Nintendo Switch sold around 37m. They don't want to jeopardize their home turf with scalping issues like Playstation hardware.

 

[cripterion]

No, they are protecting their lower YEN and scalpers buying up all the Switches and selling it on eBay for massive profits to overseas foreigners. This way they adjusted the price to match their YEN situation for locals because they still have the same earnings which arent the same in US dollars back a few years back. The "international" package is basically for foreigners living there, that have a US/UK account instead. Thats like 0.1% of Nintendo fanbase so I really dont think Nintendo give a shit about some gaijin having to pay up or can wait and go for a holiday to an English speaking country and buy his Switch 2 there.

There are already articles talking about the price gouging in France so it's not just the "gaijin" in Japan bitching about the prices.

Imo the console and software are overpriced and Nintendo is just fucking greedy at this point.

I hope at least their joycons are not shoddy as last generation.

 

[LordOcidax]

A Japan language locked system exclusive for the Japanese market for cheap, that's smart. At that price this thing is going to sell a shit ton and is going to avoid being scalped for others market at the same time. Nintendo is taking care of their more important market with that price. BTW, looks like the console is not region locked for games, is only system language locked.