[Vyse]

Nintendo has explained today's original Switch model price change in Europe, and said it is a reflection of both currency exchange rates and the upcoming launch of Nintendo Switch OLED.

Officially, Nintendo does not set hardware pricing in Europe - but the new £259.99 price mark for the console is seen by Nintendo as "appropriate for its own store" and is likely a price other retailers will now follow.

"Nintendo of Europe is changing the European trade price of the Nintendo Switch console to retailers," a company spokesperson told Eurogamer this morning. "More than four and a half years after its first release, Nintendo Switch continues to have strong sales momentum in Europe. After carefully weighing up a variety of factors, including currency exchange rates in Europe and the upcoming launch of Nintendo Switch - OLED Model, we decided that now was the appropriate time to change the European trade price of Nintendo Switch.

"The trade prices of Nintendo Switch Lite and the upcoming Nintendo Switch - OLED Model are not affected.

"The final price to consumers is determined by retailers. As a guide, we recommend that consumers check with local retailers to find out their prices. In My Nintendo Store, which is Nintendo's own retail channel, the price of each Nintendo Switch family console is now:

• Nintendo Switch Lite: £199.99
• Nintendo Switch: £259.99
• Nintendo Switch - OLED Model: £309.99

"We made the price change before the launch of Nintendo Switch - OLED Model so that the price differences between each model in Nintendo's own retail channel, My Nintendo Store, would be what Nintendo judges to be appropriate for its own store."

There's no word yet on whether the original Nintendo Switch will see a pricing change in other regions.

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ORIGINAL STORY 9.15am UK:

Nintendo's basic Switch model is now cheaper in the UK and mainland Europe by around £20.

That makes it £259.99/€299.99, down from £279.99/€329.99. For comparison, the upcoming Switch OLED is set to launch at £309.99, while the Switch Lite is £199.99.

Official pricing for the console has updated on Nintendo's own store, though is not yet reflected on other retailers, such as Amazon.

Nintendo lowers price of base Switch model in Europe

UPDATE 11.45am UK: Nintendo has explained today's original Switch model price change in Europe, and said it is a reflec…

www.eurogamer.net

 

[Mickmrly]

Now they just need to cut the price by at least a quarter or more. Are they going to wait until the switch is discontinued to have a serious price drop? I feel as if the gamecube/playstation 2 generation had much faster price cuts but I can't remember how fast.

 

[Rock And Roll]

Now they just need to cut the price by at least a quarter or more. Are they going to wait until the switch is discontinued to have a serious price drop? I feel as if the gamecube/playstation 2 generation had much faster price cuts but I can't remember how fast.

With how hard the Wii U tanked I'm not surprised Nintendo is milking the Switch for all its worth. Until sales slow significantly I doubt they'll have a price drop.

 

[cryptoadam]

Now they just need to cut the price by at least a quarter or more. Are they going to wait until the switch is discontinued to have a serious price drop? I feel as if the gamecube/playstation 2 generation had much faster price cuts but I can't remember how fast.

We entered the era of the price INCRASE not drops.

They will just release "Pro" versions now instead of price drops.

Yes the PS/Gamecube/PS2 era had price drops, GC was 99$ at one point FFS.

 

[Stilton Disco]

The WiiU and 3DS really burned them, so I agree it's not a surprise to see them being so very mercenary about the Switch, but sheesh, a 20 quid drop after 4 years is bonkers.

I don't think we'll see a Switch Pro now though. The current gen Switch 2 can't be more than a couple of years away, and a simple minor spec bump wouldn't shift enough units to make I worth developing any games just for it of any significance.

Look at the n3DS for instance. It's exclusive's were either small indie titles, or downscaled ports from the Wii or WiiU, like Hyrule/Fire EmblemWarriors and Xenoblade Chronicles 3D. Since there's no more powerful system for them to bring games over from this time, all it would have to sell it would be a slight spec bump and a handful of smaller games, so why expend all that money, time and resources when the system is still selling just fine and they can instead focus on making a bigger splash with their current gen replacement?

 

[Soodanim]

I was in the group waiting for a Switch Pro, and now it's not coming it's too late for me to care. It's not like there's a wealth of exclusives I'm interested in, and the price hasn't dropped to the point where I would want to play catch up.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Lol. Still 299 Euro here, for a 4 years old console with like 2 games I'd like to play that I cannot play elsewhere (and many of them on my Wii U ).

 

[Nush]

I think they are just clearing stock so they only have to focus on two production models.

 

[HariSeldon]

Why would they drop the price any further when they're shifting a fuck-tonne of units? I certainly wouldn't.

 

[ExpandKong]

Aren't they at nearly a hundred million sold now? Plenty of people buying switches without you holdouts lol

 

[Mickmrly]

Aren't they at nearly a hundred million sold now? Plenty of people buying switches without you holdouts lol

And all first party games will only get a $2 discount in 2022, after the 5th year anniversary as well. If you like games you can pay full price.

 

[HariSeldon]

And all first party games will only get a $2 discount in 2022, after the 5th year anniversary as well. If you like games you can pay full price.

People are paying it so why drop it? Part of it of course is that the habit of price drops creates the expectation of price drops, so let's face it we all see an Indie game on Steam and know it'll be in a humble bundle soon enough for dirt cheap so why bother? That's not a sustainable business model frankly so I can see why they protect the value of their products. To me it's good business sense for long-term sustainability (for them, not necessarily for us).

 

[Stilton Disco]

And all first party games will only get a $2 discount in 2022, after the 5th year anniversary as well. If you like games you can pay full price.

It's not like there's many big name franchise games left to release. A second Splatoon and Zelda, Metroid Prime 4 and Bayonetta 3 eventually, but the bulk of the Switch's library is already out. If you've not bought in yet, I doubt a slight spec bump would suddenly make you rush out. It's definitely in the autumn years of it's run.

 

[HariSeldon]

Btw for the consumer there is one benefit of the pricing policy - the games hold their value. So if you buy physical you can get the game, enjoy it, and sell it, without losing much as even second hand these games hold their value well. As a bonus they don't even have much DLC usually so you get the whole game for your money (and if you do as I do and use dekudeals to keep an eye on prices you can save a bit there too).

 

[DonDonDonPata]

I'm tempted to pick up a second Switch as a family gift this Christmas. We'll see if prices also drop in the USA.

I already have plans to upgrade the kids' 3DSs to a Switch over the next few years but in the meanwhile...

 

[Mickmrly]

People are paying it so why drop it? Part of it of course is that the habit of price drops creates the expectation of price drops, so let's face it we all see an Indie game on Steam and know it'll be in a humble bundle soon enough for dirt cheap so why bother? That's not a sustainable business model frankly so I can see why they protect the value of their products. To me it's good business sense for long-term sustainability (for them, not necessarily for us).

I guess I am too impulsive to wait for price drops. When I want to play a game on steam I usually buy it after making sure its a good port, regardless of if its on sale or not.

 

[HariSeldon]

I guess I am too impulsive to wait for price drops. When I want to play a game on steam I usually buy it after making sure its a good port, regardless of if its on sale or not.

And there's nothing wrong with that approach either - if you've got the money why not?