Cheapest Countries to Buy Switch Games (eShop Region Prices)

Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games are not region-locked, and the same game is priced differently in each country's eShop. That means you can often buy a game cheaper from another region's store — sometimes far cheaper. This guide explains how regional eShop pricing works, how to find the cheapest country for a given game, and what to watch out for.

The fastest way to compare is the eShop by country page, which shows prices across every region we track, each converted to your currency.

Why eShop Prices Differ by Country

Nintendo prices games per currency rather than applying one global price. Combined with exchange-rate movements and regional income levels, that creates real gaps: a game at full price in one region can cost noticeably less in another. The differences are largest on full-priced new releases and during region-specific sales.

Because NTPrices tracks the same game across 40+ regional eShops, you can see these gaps at a glance — on any game page, or in the all-region deals feed, which surfaces the cheapest current price for each discounted game across every store at once.

How to Find the Cheapest Region for a Game

1. Open the game on NTPrices. Each game page lists its price across the regions we track.
2. Compare in your own currency. Every regional price is converted automatically, so you are comparing like for like.
3. Check the discount, not just the base price. A region that is normally average can become the cheapest during one of its local sales — see our eShop sale calendar.
4. Use the store hub. The eShop regions page ranks countries and shows how many games are on sale in each one.

How to Buy From Another Region

Because the games are not region-locked, a game bought from any region's eShop will play on your console. To buy from another country's store you generally need:

• An account set to that region. You can create an additional Nintendo Account for another country.
• A way to pay. The simplest and safest method is a prepaid eShop gift card for that region, since foreign cards and wallets do not always work across regions.

We cover the full step-by-step process — including the safest payment method and the common pitfalls — in the dedicated guide: how to buy Switch games from another region.

Things to Watch Out For

• Gift-card region matters. An eShop gift card only works in the region it was bought for, so match it to the account's country.
• Wallet funds are region-bound. Money added in one region's wallet stays in that region.
• Respect the terms of service. Treat region buying as an occasional way to save on a specific game, not a routine workaround. Use the regional data first to judge whether your home price is fair.
• Sales beat region-hopping for most people. Often the easiest saving is simply waiting for a discount in your own region. Check the live eShop deals and the game's price history before going further.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Nintendo Switch games region-locked?

No. Switch and Switch 2 games are not region-locked, so a game bought from any country's eShop will play on your console. This is what makes buying from a cheaper region possible.

Which country has the cheapest Switch eShop?

It varies by game and by exchange rates, and the cheapest region changes during local sales. Rather than relying on a fixed list, compare the specific game you want on the eShop by country page, where every regional price is converted to your currency.

How do I buy a Switch game from another region?

Create a Nintendo Account set to that country, then pay with a prepaid eShop gift card for that same region. The game will work on your console because Switch games are not region-locked. See the full walkthrough in our how to buy from another region guide.

Is it safe to buy Switch games from another region?

Buying with a region-matched prepaid eShop gift card on a correctly set-up account is the lowest-risk method. Foreign credit cards and mixing wallet currencies are where problems arise. Treat it as an occasional saving on a specific game, and use the regional price data on NTPrices to decide whether it is worth it.