Nintendo Switch to officially launch in China next week

Nintendo has confirmed the launch date of its Switch console in China.

A Chinese version of the Nintendo Switch will be available for sale in the country beginning Tuesday, December 10. The console will be distributed by Tencent, Nintendo's partner in China.

The Chinese Switch will cost 2,099 Yuan ($297), and come bundled with a copy of New Super Mario Bros. Deluxe. According to Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad, New Super Mario Bros. Deluxe will be the only first-party game available at launch, but more are expected to follow.

At an event held today, Nintendo and Tencent confirmed that games will be priced 299 Yuan ($42), with more titles such as Super Mario Kart 8, and Super Mario Odyssey to follow soon.

Chinese-made games will appear on the Switch eShop and at retail at the console's launch, but Tencent and Nintendo are working with international third-party publishers to bring their Switch games to China. Chinese players will also be able to use Tencent's WeChat Pay to buy games on the eShop.

So far, only the base version of the Switch - not the Switch Lite - has been confirmed, though the expectation is that Switch Lite will follow next year. The Chinese version also does not appear to be region-locked, according to Daniel Ahmad, meaning international carts will be playable on it.

It's worth noting that Switch has been available for purchase in China through the grey market for years, as have the games themselves stores have been importing into China.