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Joined 2 months ago
Cake day: August 19th, 2026

I remember when the 3DS was region locked (cartridges can only be read if the console is bought in the same country those games are from) meaning it’s a headache having to switch between two variants of the handheld (I had a Japanese 3DS XL and an American 3DS regular back then, alternating on each one depending on which game I wanted to play). The switch alleviated this by making the cartridges / console region free.

The same can be said in reverse for Japanese people on how they see the Western world: Do they assume the USA is like Hollywood or the UK being like British Television? They perhaps assume that all Americans live in a large home with a white picket fence depicting a nuclear family as if its 1950.

All they talk about US is California or New York since most movies and TV shows use either as their main setting. Is the US in real life similar to Hollywood (everyone having a nice car, big home & white picket fence)? That’s the kind of response from non-Japanese assuming Japan is like anime.

They’re not even the same currency at all, yet Steam or any other digital storefront decides to price a 80€ ($91) game the same as a $80 (69€) one when the conversions in reality are different to what the algorithm suggests. It’s reflected on Steam DB that Euro has a higher markup in comparison to US Dollar because of this, since I hear EU players nagging about paying 80€ at launch the same as US players don’t like paying $80.

There’s a special edition of the Switch 2 in relation to commemorating the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, which is expected to release around October 29 2026. Keep in mind this is discussing the Region Locked version of the console rather than the Global Switch 2 everyone else owns. I mean, you can import it upon release but comes with caveats (must have a JP Nintendo Account and speak / understand Japanese).

Prices will differ based on region upon release for the same thing, which is like why:

  • US: $519.99 (excl. Sales Tax)
  • EU: 519,99€ (inc. VAT)
  • UK: £419.99 (inc. VAT)
  • AU: A$799.95 (inc. GST)

Will you buy the console when it releases?