How Much Was the First Switch? | Launch Price Facts

If you’re trying to price a used console, compare old receipts, or settle a debate, you want the launch MSRP for the first Nintendo Switch model (the 2017 system with detachable Joy-Con). That number is easy to repeat, yet easy to mix up with later models and later price changes.

This article pins down what the first Switch cost at launch, what that price did (and didn’t) include, and how to compare MSRPs across regions without tripping over taxes, currency, and retailer bundles.

What “The First Switch” Means In Plain Terms

When people say “the first Switch,” they usually mean the original model that went on sale on March 3, 2017. It’s the base Nintendo Switch that can dock to a TV and also run as a handheld. It shipped with two Joy-Con, a dock, and the usual cables.

It’s not the Switch Lite (handheld-only, released later). It’s not the OLED model (bigger OLED screen, released later). It’s also not a bundle that includes a game.

MSRP vs. Street Price

MSRP is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. It’s the number used in announcements and price comparisons. Stores can sell for less, and resellers can ask for more. During the Switch launch window, demand spikes made “what people paid” drift away from MSRP in some places.

Tax Can Change The Number You Saw On Your Receipt

In many U.S. states, sales tax is added at checkout, so the sticker price stays $299.99 and the receipt ends higher. In other regions, consumer pricing is often shown with tax baked in. That’s why two buyers can both be “right” while quoting different totals.

How Much Was the First Switch? Launch MSRP And Regional Pricing

At launch, the Nintendo Switch system set carried an MSRP of $299.99 in the United States. In Japan, Nintendo announced an MSRP of ¥29,980 (tax not included) for the system set in its Nintendo corporate release.

Those figures are the clean baseline for this question. Most other regions anchored around that same tier, then translated into local currency, taxes, and distribution costs.

Why You’ll See Different Numbers Online

• Retailer bundles: A store may add a case, screen protector, or game and show a higher price.
• Reseller listings: Marketplace prices reflect scarcity, condition, and seller strategy, not MSRP.
• Model confusion: Listings sometimes mix the original Switch with Lite or OLED pricing.
• Tax handling: Some receipts include tax in the displayed total, others add it at checkout.

What You Got For The Launch Price

Launch MSRP was tied to the “system set,” not a bare tablet. Nintendo’s launch messaging described a box that included the console, both Joy-Con, straps, a Joy-Con grip, the dock, an HDMI cable, and an AC adapter. That matters if you’re comparing to second-hand listings that may be missing parts.

Included In The 2017 System Set

• Switch console (the tablet)
• Joy-Con (L) and Joy-Con (R)
• Joy-Con wrist straps
• Joy-Con grip
• Dock
• HDMI cable
• AC adapter

Not Included At That Price

A pack-in game was not part of the standard box. If you remember buying a launch title on the same day, that cost sat on top of the console MSRP. Accessories like a Pro-style controller, extra Joy-Con, or a microSD card were also separate purchases.

Launch Price Snapshot Across Common Regions

Use this table as a fast anchor when you see a price claim online. It’s framed around MSRPs at or around launch announcements, plus notes that explain why totals can differ on receipts.

Two Fast Checks To Spot Model Mix-Ups

When someone quotes a “first Switch price” that sounds off, it’s often a model swap. These two checks clear most confusion in seconds.

Check The Name In The Listing Title

If it says “Lite” or “OLED,” it’s not the 2017 base model. Those models launched at different price points in many regions, so any comparison will be skewed.

Look For The Dock And Detachable Joy-Con

The original Switch ships with a dock and detachable Joy-Con. A Lite has no dock and fixed controls. If a listing photo shows no dock and no removable Joy-Con rails, you’re not looking at the 2017 model.

How To Translate The Launch MSRP Into “Today’s Money”

There are two separate questions: the 2017 MSRP, and what a Switch costs now. MSRP is a fixed launch benchmark. Today’s price depends on condition and what’s included. If you want a time-based comparison, an inflation calculator can give a rough “same buying power” figure, yet it won’t match resale listings.

What To Look For When Buying A First-Gen Switch Used

If your goal is to buy the “first Switch” today, center on completeness and function. A bargain becomes a headache if it’s missing parts or has controller issues.

Hardware Checklist Before You Pay

• Dock output: Confirm it displays on a TV through HDMI.
• Joy-Con pairing: Test wireless connection and button response on both sides.
• Analog stick feel: Move sticks slowly and fast; watch for drift in the system menu.
• Charging: Check USB-C charging and dock charging.
• Game card slot: Insert a game card and launch it.
• Fan noise and heat: Run a game for 10 minutes; listen for unusual sounds.

Parts That Change The Real Cost

Missing Joy-Con straps and grips are annoying but fixable. Missing a dock can be expensive. Missing an AC adapter can be a deal breaker if the seller expects you to buy a replacement on top of the asking price.

Costs That Sneak Into First-Switch Shopping

When someone says they “paid more than $299.99,” this is usually why. Console MSRP is one line item. Real-world checkout totals often include some mix of tax, a game, storage, and protection gear.

Price Comparisons That Stay Fair

It’s tempting to compare a $299.99 U.S. MSRP to a higher number in another region and call it “markup.” That shortcut ignores tax rules and currency conversions. Use a consistent approach instead.

Use Tax-Free Numbers When Possible

If one region quotes tax-free MSRP and another quotes tax-included pricing, strip out tax or add it back so you’re comparing like-to-like. For Japan, the corporate release lists ¥29,980 as tax not included, which makes the baseline clear.

Convert Currency Using The Launch Window

Exchange rates swing year to year. If you’re comparing 2017 MSRPs across currencies, use an exchange rate from early 2017, not today’s rate. That keeps the comparison tied to the same moment in time.

Common Myths About The First Switch Price

“It Was $199 At Launch”

That number often comes from people mixing the Switch with the price tier of other consoles, or confusing later sales with launch MSRP. The base Switch launched at $299.99 MSRP in the U.S.

“The Launch Box Came With Zelda”

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched the same day as the system, so it’s easy to blend the memories. The standard system set did not include a pack-in game.

“All Regions Had The Same Price, Just Converted”

Regional pricing can follow the same tier while still landing on different numbers. Taxes, shipping, distributor costs, and currency hedging can shift the sticker price without changing Nintendo’s intended tier.

First Model Vs. Later Revisions Of The Same Model

Even within the “original Switch” line, Nintendo shipped more than one hardware revision. Stores and listings may still call both of them “Nintendo Switch” with the same overall look. The easiest way to keep the launch model straight is to match it to the 2017 release window, then confirm the parts that matter to you: battery life, condition, and included accessories.

If you’re buying second-hand, ask the seller for a photo of the console’s back label and the serial number area. That helps you identify the general production era without relying on a listing title that may be sloppy. It also helps you avoid paying a “launch model collector” price for a unit that’s simply an ordinary later revision.

For most buyers, the launch MSRP question is separate from “which revision should I buy.” MSRP tells you what Nintendo set as the starting price in 2017. Buying choice comes down to wear, battery health, and whether you want the look and feel of the first run or a later unit that may run longer between charges.

Recap For Later

The original Nintendo Switch (the 2017 model) launched with an MSRP of $299.99 in the United States. Nintendo’s corporate release in Japan listed ¥29,980 before tax. If you saw a different number, it was often tax, a bundle, or a different Switch model.

If you’re shopping used, treat the “real price” as the console plus the missing pieces you’ll have to replace. Ask for photos of the dock, Joy-Con rails, and the included cables, then test the basics before handing over money.

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