A cheaper Nintendo Switch without bundled TV dock may be coming soon

Want to buy a Nintendo Switch but don't like the price tag? You may be in luck as Nintendo has just started selling cheaper Switch bundles in Japan. However, there are a few key parts of the package missing.

It doesn't include the TV dock, and it's thought this is intended for those in a household that already have a Switch and the dock setup on their TV but still want to have two consoles.

It may also suit you if you only plan to play the Nintendo Switch as a handheld game system as well.

Is the saving worth it?

In Japan - the only country where the bundle is currently on sale - it originally cost 29,980 yen for the full Switch package, while the new dockless bundle comes in at 24,980.

There's currently no word of this package coming to other countries, but we've put together a rough estimate in the price difference for Western countries if Nintendo did plan to launch it elsewhere.

It'd be a saving of around $45 / £34 / AU$60, so if we were to see this package come to other countries it may mean the price of the switch would drop from $300 to around $255 in the US, £280 to £245 in the UK and AU$470 to AU$410 in Australia.

The package only offers you the Switch game system, two Joy-Con controllers and the Joy-Con straps. There's no Joy-Con grip controller, HDMI cable or AC adapter.

That means there won't be an easy way to charge your Switch as soon as you open the box, so you'll need to find a third-party solution if you don't already have a charger, or you're hoping to become a two-Switch household where the first owner already has a dock.

It's worth noting only some third-party USB-C chargers are powerful enough for the Switch too, so you'll have to do some research to know you're getting the right type.

By the time you've bought a separate charger for the Switch, the price cut isn't as significant as it may first seem.

There's no official word if the console will come to other countries around the world yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Via The Verge

James Peckham

James is the Editor-in-Chief at Android Police. Previously, he was Senior Phones Editor for TechRadar, and he has covered smartphones and the mobile space for the best part of a decade bringing you news on all the big announcements from top manufacturers making mobile phones and other portable gadgets. James is often testing out and reviewing the latest and greatest mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, virtual reality headsets, fitness trackers and more. He once fell over.

Latest in Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Odyssey played on a Nintendo Switch in portable mode
YouTuber seemingly reveals the first hands-on look at the Nintendo Switch 2 and its new magnetic Joy-Cons
Nintendo Switch Pro
To the surprise of absolutely no one, another new look at the Nintendo Switch 2 has seemingly leaked
Nintendo Switch 2
If the Switch 2 can't perform at the same level as the Z1 Extreme Asus ROG Ally even with Nvidia's DLSS, then Nintendo is in trouble
Nintendo Switch 2
New Nintendo Switch 2 leak may have revealed the first look at the new handheld
Nintendo Switch Pro
Nintendo Switch 2 accessories have reportedly appeared for sale online, but I've seen Bigfoot photos that are more believable
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo finally confirms that the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible
Latest in News
Fujfilm GFX 50R
First Fujifilm GFX100RF images leaked in build-up to expected reveal – here’s what they tell us about the unique premium compact camera
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 in blue
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 could have a Motorola Razr-style full-sized cover screen – and I think it’s about time
Spotify logo on a mobile device
Had Spotify problems recently? It's clamped down on Premium APK 'modded' apps – here's what's happening
An AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT made by Sapphire on a table with its retail packaging
Last-minute AMD RX 9070 XT stock rumors are making me hopeful for a much better launch than Nvidia’s RTX 5000 GPUs – with just one snag
eSIM
Global eSIM shipment volume surpasses half a billion units as demand keeps on growing
Samsung Galaxy Buds in white
Samsung may be working on new cheap wireless earbuds – will the Galaxy Buds FE 2 beat Sony's next value earbuds to the punch?