Nintendo now sells a cheaper Switch bundle without the dock

Want to get a Nintendo Switch, but don’t have $300? Good news! Nintendo is now selling a cheaper Switch package that trades the TV dock for a lower price tag. There’s a small catch, though: the bundle is currently only available in Japan.

The bundle, which Nintendo is marketing as the “Switch 2nd Unit Set,” is obviously aimed at gamers and households that want an additional Switch unit and already have the TV dock. The 2nd Unit Set also drops some other niceties, including the Joy-Con Grip controller, HDMI cable, and power adapter.

While the first two items are obvious omissions, the power adapter is a curious sacrifice. Nintendo made a similar move with the New 3DS a few years back; the improved 3DS console was sold sans AC adapter, which caused a bit of an uproar as new buyers had to separately purchase the proprietary adapter. It’s less of a problem with the Switch, though; the tablet-esque console charges via USB Type-C, which is a universal standard. Gamers in need of a charger can purchase a standard USB Type-A wall adapter and a USB Type-A to Type-C connector.

So how much can be saved by foregoing these hardware pieces? According to Nintendo’s listing, JPY ¥5,000, or about USD $45. There is a small catch, though. Currently, the Switch-only bundle is exclusive to Japan, and there’s no word on whether or not it will leave the island. Considering the cost of shipping and importing the console will likely outweigh the savings, there’s little reason for Western gamers to consider this deal. Throw in the fact that buying Nintendo’s official Switch dock and power adapter runs ¥9,700 (~$88) and this deal becomes less appealing outside of the Land of the Rising Sun. Still, if you’re in Japan and want to pick up an extra Switch, you can save some cash.

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