Did you ever wonder when the Nintendo Switch released? In this guide, I will tell you about the Nintendo Switch’s release date, its introductory price, and more. All info you need-to-know if you are at all interested in the Nintendo Switch, and I know you are!

The Nintendo Switch launched in the Spring on March 3, 2017. It released in two variations alongside a host of games, controllers, screen protectors, protective cases, decals, and wealth of other accessories.

Just knowing the Nintendo Switch’s release date is just the start of your Nintendo Switch journey.

Congratulations!

But wouldn’t you like to know more about the Nintendo Switch? Such as, what is the Nintendo Switch? Or in what countries the Nintendo Switch released?

I know I was curious about all of these details before I purchased my first Nintendo Switch.

I put my thinking hat on, performed extensive research, and came up with an informative guide just for you.

Nintendo Switch 101: What is the Nintendo Switch?

What is the Nintendo Switch, exactly, you might be asking? Let’s do a quick overview of the device before we delve into more details.

The Nintendo Switch launched March 3, 2017 as a successor to Nintendo’s Wii U home console.

Nintendo described the Switch as a “hybrid” gaming system that can be played anywhere with anyone.

HYBRID DEFINITION (via Google):

A thing made by combining two different elements; a mixture.

A hybrid console by design, the Nintendo Switch can be played on a television or be played in handheld mode away from a big screen.

If you want to know more about what the Nintendo Switch is, I wrote a detailed guide covering the basics just for you.

Continue reading this guide and you will find the answers to even more Nintendo Switch questions including

• Is the Nintendo Switch available in my country?
• How much does the Nintendo Switch cost?
• How much does the Nintendo Switch cost in Canada, Japan, etc?
• What are Nintendo Switch game prices?
• Is the Nintendo Switch readily available?
• Is Nintendo going to release a new Switch?

I have packed a lot of information into this one guide. Your road to becoming a Nintendo Switch pro starts here.

Let’s continue, shall we? Onward!

Is the Nintendo Switch available in my country?

Now that you know what the Nintendo Switch is, wouldn’t you like to know what countries Nintendo’s hybrid gaming machine is available?

Good news: the Nintendo Switch launched globally meaning it was instantly available to most countries throughout the world.

The Nintendo Switch is available in a wealth of regions:

• Argentina
• Australia
• Austria
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• Columbia
• Finland
• France
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• Japan
• Korea
• New Zealand
• Other American countries
• Peru
• Poland
• Russia
• South Africa
• Taiwan
• USA
• And a host of other countries located in Europe.

That’s a lot of places!

By no means is this an exhaustive list, but it provides a perfect picture of where the Nintendo Switch is available.

How much does the Nintendo Switch cost?

Before I even purchased a Nintendo Switch, I knew I wanted to know what the introductory price would be so I could budget accordingly.

Keep in mind, the introductory price is a value based on the manufacturer’s suggested retail pricing (MSRP).

The MSRP is the price Nintendo recommends stores use.

Thankfully, the system’s price was comparable to other gaming systems at the time.

Check out the Nintendo Switch’s current price at this Amazon link.

Retail stores, however, can charge different prices for the Nintendo Switch.

Stores such as Walmart, GameStop, and BestBuy have done store-exclusive bundles that combine a popular game and the Nintendo Switch system (and perhaps an accessory or two) in one package.

These store-exclusive bundles usually don’t provide any cost savings, but it can be a good way to get everything together at one place, at one time.

There is no shortage of ways or places to purchase the Nintendo Switch at its introductory price, at a bundled price, or even for a discount (Nintendo Switch deals are plentiful during the Holiday months at the end of the year).

Always keep an eye out for the best Nintendo Switch deal.

What does the Nintendo Switch cost in Canada, Japan, etc?

The Nintendo Switch’s price differs around the world.

I recommended checking with your local retailers, or with your local Nintendo branch, to find the current Nintendo Switch price and any promos available in your country.

Additionally, find the best deals in your region by going to local stores, visiting big chain retailers, and by searching online.

You never know what Nintendo Switch bargain you may stumble across.

What are Nintendo Switch game prices?

Nintendo Switch game prices range from low to relatively standard for the market place, but there is a standard range of game prices most games release within.

Common Nintendo Switch Game Price Categories

• $$$$$ Standard Priced
• $$$$
• $$$
• $$ Budget Priced
• $ Small Digital-Only

Most blockbuster titles—such as Mario and Pokemon—are released at the Standard price. Although, many games are released at this price point and lower.

Let’s look at examples of Nintendo Switch games released at various price categories.

$$$$$ Standard Price

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

$$$$

• Super Mario Party
• Go Vacation
• 1-2 Switch

$$$

• The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame
• Just Dance 2019
• Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection

$$ Budget Priced Games

• Minecraft
• Sega Genesis Classics
• Mega Man 11

Also keep in mind that games often drop in price within a year of release.

Some games, such as Nintendo games, rarely drop in price.

Examples of games that do drop in price include

• annual releases such as sports games
• games that are about to get a sequel
• or games that did not sell well

Examples of games that keep their price point include

• Nintendo games
• games that have sold well
• and games at lower price points

Also, Nintendo Switch digital games—that can be purchased on the Nintendo Switch digital store (called the Nintendo Switch eShop)—are available at even lower price than physically released titles.

These less expensive games are usually much smaller in scope and are equivalent to games you might find on your phone, but are just as fun on a Nintendo Switch.

Popular Nintendo Switch games, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Pokemon, are priced the same physically and digitally.

Because of this price parity, I suggest picking the best format that works for you.

Keep games prices, digital game prices, game formats, and the likelihood of game price-drops in mind when purchasing Nintendo Switch games.

Is the Nintendo Switch readily available?

What good are release date and price information if the Nintendo Switch is sold out? Popular products often sell out fast and the Nintendo Switch was no exception.

The original launch allocation sold out, but no worries: we are far away from the Nintendo Switch’s release date, and Nintendo has made sure their hybrid console is readily available at stores around the world.

So, to answer the question “is the Nintendo Switch available” in one word, yes!

You should have little to no problem securing a Nintendo Switch at retail or online as Nintendo is constantly producing millions of units for anyone who wants a Nintendo Switch.

To further alleviate any fears you may at acquiring Nintendo’s system, Nintendo itself has stated multiple times that they project to produce over 20 million Nintendo Switch consoles on an annual basis to satisfy customer demand.

That’s a lot of consoles! More than enough for most people who want one.

Is Nintendo going to release a new Switch?

But, should you buy a Nintendo Switch now? You may also be asking, is Nintendo going to release a new Switch anytime soon?

At this point in time, no. Nintendo is not going to release a new Switch.

The popular video game company has yet to confirm a “Nintendo Switch 2” or a new iteration of the Nintendo Switch, because the current Nintendo Switch is selling very well.

But, there have been rumors and speculation that Nintendo may be releasing an updated version of the Nintendo Switch sometime in 2019 or 2020.

Based on Nintendo’s past, Nintendo releasing a new Nintendo Switch is feasible to believe. Nintendo has been known to release updated, slimline, or updated versions of its past gaming systems within 2 years or so after launch.

A new Nintendo Switch (a hypothetical Nintendo Switch 2) would be announced whenever Nintendo is ready to which may be some time away.

If you are looking to jump in today and play over 1,400 games available for Nintendo home console you can take anywhere, you should pick up a Nintendo Switch as soon as you can.

You are now a Nintendo Switch Graduate

I hope I made learning about the Nintendo Switch fun and informative.

With this guide under your belt, you now know the Nintendo Switch launched worldwide on March 3, 2017 at a retail price comparable to other video game systems on the market with games available at different price points in digital and physical formats.

If you are interested in the Nintendo Switch, now is as good a time as ever to hop in and play.

By Wally

(Screenshots taken by me. Images sourced from product pages on the Nintendo website. Logos, characters, and images are owned by their respective owners)