"The Widely Circulated 'Nintendo Switch 2' in Russia: The Reality of Parallel Imports, Testimonies from Sellers, and the Reality Faced by Users"

1. What's Happening: "Widespread Distribution" Shortly After Launch

Since the global launch on June 5, 2025, the Switch 2 has become prominently available in Russia both in stores and online. Major retailer M.Video-Eldorado announced the start of shipments on June 6 and June 17, pricing the console at 59,999 rubles and the Mario Kart bundle at 64,999 rubles. The majority of pre-orders were concentrated in Moscow and St. Petersburg, with demand spreading to regional cities (according to the company's press release).mvideoeldorado.ru+1

On the other hand, Russian-language media and communities such as DNS, TJournal, and GoHa have reported that the arrival of the Switch 2 in Russia was made possible through "parallel imports," with store arrivals and handovers continuing into late June.gogov.ruТ—ЖGoHa.Ru

Globally, demand is strong, with Nintendo announcing on August 1 that over 6 million units were sold in the seven weeks following the June launch. It is natural to see that the strong demand for this global "hot-selling hardware" has also spread to Russia.Reuters

2. Amidst the Halt of Official Manufacturer Sales: Parallel Imports Become "Standard"

In March 2022, Nintendo announced a halt to shipments to Russia and maintenance (payment suspension) of the eShop. In 2023, they further transitioned to a "limited service" allowing only re-downloads of existing purchases, halting new purchases on the eShop. Nintendo of Europe, the operating entity, also announced the downsizing and closure process of its Russian subsidiary.Nintendo Life+1techxplore.com

As a result, the Switch 2 lacks a "manufacturer official" direct sales channel to Russia. Thus, parallel imports from third countries have expanded. According to summaries from Russian media and retailer announcements, frequent sources and transit points for imports include Turkey, Kazakhstan, UAE (Dubai), Hong Kong, and mainland China. Due to increased sanctions and regulations, exporting from within the EU has become more challenging, making non-EU transit points the main players.CyberMetaFinancial Times

3. "How Does It Enter?": Standard Logistics Routes and Practices

When interviewing sales businesses, a common explanation is the flow of "(1) purchasing from authorized retailers/wholesalers in a third country → (2) mixed air and land freight by local cargo companies → (3) customs clearance in Russia → (4) domestic delivery." Practically, fluctuations in exchange rates, insurance fees, transportation costs, and document costs lead to price "waves." While store prices center around 59,999 to 64,999 rubles, market observations suggest a range from 55,000 to 85,000 rubles depending on composition and timing.GoHa.Ru

Particularly, routes via UAE or Hong Kong make securing lots easier, although Hong Kong models may arrive with a three-prong (UK-style) plug, prompting stores to advise buyers on plug adapters. Review media also note the need for minor caution regarding the power setup of Hong Kong imports.Т—Ж

4. Price Formation: Discrepancy from Global Standard Prices

According to reports, the actual situation in Russian stores and online is generally within the aforementioned range. Compared to the overseas base price (USD), additional costs include exchange rates, transportation, insurance, customs duties, distribution margins, inventory risks, and "invisible costs" under sanction conditions. GoHa indicates a broad price range of "55,000 to 85,000 rubles" in Russia, with prices posted by DNS and M.Video serving as benchmarks.GoHa.Rumvideoeldorado.ru

5. Behind the Scenes of Early Acquisition and "Jumping the Gun"

In late May, before the official release, a Russian podcaster obtained and activated a Switch 2, causing a stir. Notebookcheck reported that the acquisition route was through a "seller bringing it from Dubai." Kotaku also detailed how a Russian influencer gained early access to the device. This case highlights a recent trend in parallel import markets where "advance" distribution through third countries occurs in regions without official manufacturer distribution.NotebookcheckKotaku

6. Legal and Sanction Impacts: EU's "Video Game Equipment" Export Ban Policy to Russia and the Field

In February 2025, it was reported that the EU plans to include "video game-related equipment" in the export ban list to Russia as part of a new sanction proposal, aimed at preventing drone repurposing. This increases the risks for "transfer traders" conducting purchases and resales within the EU, further skewing the geography of supply to non-EU areas like the UAE and Turkey.Financial Times

Retailers emphasize that they "draw a line from legally gray personal resales." Major retailers conduct imports and customs clearance under their own names, selling B2C, making it a legitimate commercial flow at least under their own (Russian) regulations. However, they share concerns that future rule revisions or enhanced traceability could become bottlenecks, considering EU's external export regulations and manufacturers' intellectual property and trademark policies.

7. Practical Usage Restrictions: eShop, Warranty, Regional Functions

In Russia, Nintendo's eShop remains a limited service allowing only "re-downloads of existing purchases," with no new purchases possible, a situation continuing with the Switch 2. Nintendo Life and AFP articles (TechXplore) clearly convey the operational policy as of 2023. Consequently, many users rely on workarounds using accounts from other regions for new digital game purchases, though this carries risks of future policy changes and payment method restrictions.Nintendo Lifetechxplore.com

On the other hand, regarding Russian language support for the interface, Russian media Izvestia reported that the Switch 2 OS is expected to support Russian. Hardware localization and the availability of distribution and billing are separate issues—reflecting the current distorted reality of the Russian market.Izvestia

8. Voices from Retailers: The Reality of "Business" from the Field

M.Video-Eldorado's press release emphasizes that "as a nationwide chain, we were the first to start shipments," specifying the price settings of 59,999/64,999 rubles and the concentration of reservations by city. Information dissemination from DNS and TJournal also supports the current situation where store networks are assembling supply through parallel imports. The practical business at sales sites involves a trinity of (1) securing inventory, (2) risk hedging through lot diversification, and (3) adjusting display prices according to seasonal fluctuations and exchange rates.mvideoeldorado.rumvideo.ru

Regarding prices, one representative states, "If the exchange rate drops, there is room for price reductions, but with transportation, insurance, and customs costs remaining high, it's not easy. Additionally, EU regulations and competition for air cargo space are also affecting prices." The need to spend time explaining power plug differences and warranty coverage is also a "customer service cost" unique to parallel imports.

9. User Convenience: What "Can" and "Cannot" Be Done

• What can be done: Use of the console, purchase and play of cartridge versions, re-download of past purchases (within the eShop's limited service range), obtaining updates via overseas accounts (subject to future changes).techxplore.com

• Difficulties/Restrictions: New purchases and code redemption on the Russian eShop, handling of manufacturer warranties (generally based on the purchase region), regional restrictions on some online services, stability of payment methods.techxplore.com

• Points to Note: Presence of Hong Kong/UK-style plug units (adapter recommended), short-term price fluctuations due to inventory volatility, risk of supply route changes due to future regulatory tightening.Т—Ж

10. Why Is Demand Strong: Content Assets and Hardware Evolution

The Switch 2 is highly sought after globally due to its compatibility with the assets of the original Switch and its enhanced processing performance and display quality. Over 6 million units were sold in the seven weeks following its global launch. The market momentum supports the "willingness to pay high prices" purchase psychology in Russia.Reuters##HTML_TAG_