In an unexpected twist, the Switch 2 will cost more than the PS5 in its native Japan when its price increases on 25th May.
Nintendo, like all console manufacturers, has been under intense pressure to retain the price of its hardware.
It cites “changes in market conditions” as the reason for the increase, which include soaring memory prices caused by AI and the global economic impact of the US and Israel’s war with Iran.
But the big surprise here is that its Japan-only language locked Switch 2 model will jump ¥10,000 (~$63), from ¥49,980 (~$320) to ¥59,980 (~$383).
While Sony increased the price of all PS5 models worldwide last month, it retained the MSRP of its own Japan-only language locked console at ¥55,000 (~$351).
This means that starting 25th May, the PS5 will technically be ¥4,980 (~$31) cheaper than the Switch 2, excluding any deals or retailer promotions.
Will the Lower Price Improve PS5’s Fortunes in Japan?
The PS5 has been struggling against the Switch 2 in its home territory.
In the most recent Famitsu report (via Gematsu), covering the week-long period ending 26th April, the Switch 2 sold 45k units compared to the PS5’s 13k units.
It’s worth noting that the PS5 is several years older than Nintendo’s hybrid at this point, so that will be having an affect on its overall performance.
But the real problem for PlayStation is that it simply doesn’t have the games Japanese gamers want to play.
In the aforementioned Famitsu sales report, the best-selling game was life sim Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, which added a further 178k units to its total. Since its release in mid-April, it’s sold almost 750k units domestically.
In second place? The Switch 2 exclusive Pokémon Pokopia, which is also nearing one million units sold since its introduction in early March.
While Tomodachi Life can also be played on the original Switch, the Japanese sales charts are absolutely dominated by Nintendo titles, including Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World and its updated re-release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Out of the top 30 games for the week mentioned above, only two PS5 games made the list: Pragmata and Crimson Desert.
While free-to-play games, like the newly released gacha game NTE, will prove popular titles for Sony in Japan, they can also be played on PC and mobile, limiting their impact on the PS5 overall.
Thus, we reckon Nintendo’s newly announced price increase is more likely to reduce Switch 2 sales than improve PS5’s performance.
The reality is, even if it is set to become more affordable by comparison, Japanese consumers can’t play Tomodachi Life or Pokémon Pokopia on a PS5 – and for Sony, in its home market, that’s a problem.
