Yesterday, prior to the Nintendo Direct, we reported on a rumoured Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo Switch bundle that was apparently listed on the Russian web store - only visible in the country or via a web proxy. We wondered whether it was some Photoshop hijinks to raise hopes ahead of the Direct, though it seemed to have some credibility.
Well, it is real, but oddly it's exclusive to Russia for now. A Nintendo spokesperson has said the following to GameSpot.
The bundle is exclusive to Russia and there are no plans to bring it to other countries at this time.
Of course each territory is different and market demands and strategies vary, in addition to the logistical challenges of producing stock. Nevertheless it's still surprising to see a potential hit bundle like this limited to Russia, at least for now.
It wouldn't surprise us if a bundle along these lines does emerge elsewhere later in the year, perhaps for the Holiday season. For now, however, it's a good time to be a Nintendo fan in Russia.
[source gamespot.com]
Comments 35
The price comes out to $440 US though, so i don't know how much of a "deal" they're really getting here compared to those of us in the US.
Obviously this is the work of Putin.
@LeRaposa Nah, too many rainbows for old Vladdy boy!
oh well.
Bummer. Already have the Switch tho. Looks like the bundle is being RUSShed to RUSSia!
Hello? Anyone?
@Mercy_Lost there is some blue...and several people like that flag he made...no? ok. I'm sure it will be banned eventually...THINK OF THE CHILDREN! There are RAINBOWS HERE!
Who did the box art? It looks terribad. Somebody let the interns loose with photoshop.
I'm not interested in a bundle like this.
Only Russia? That's odd. I don't believe it for one second.
Heh, the bundle will come to other countries eventually. Though this is hilarious.
This would have been a great bundle for people that don't own a Switch yet. Not everyone is a Zelda fan, guys.
In Mother Russia, Mario Kart 8 bundle you
Well that's a darn shame.
So does it come with grey or multicolored joy cons?! I wonder if this is just mock up, poorly done and the real boxes will look different.
Oh, nice. Living in Russia and not having bought Switch yet, this may be the thing that pushes me to buy one. I was hoping the price might fall a bit due to rouble getting stronger, but that's probably not gonna happen. Gotta save up and get one anyway.
If there is any game that needs to be pushed with a bundle it should be ARMS, it's a new IP, they have new joy cons to match, and it technically is the first exclusive AAA tittle for the Switch. So, they can't afford for it to fail.
Ughwut...?
Happy for Russian fans but... the hell??
@pinta_vodki
Lol I thought your name was "Pint 'a Vodka"
I saw the Russian avatar and my mind was blown at how funny that was.
Nintendo’s next console will feature Mario Kart ∞ Deluxer
Why Nintendo?
First Mario Kart to get an M rating. Darn Rainbows....
Rainbows in Russia ?
Mr. Vladimir Putin should loosen his policy about the "Rainbow flag" community if you know what I mean.
Anyone is deserved for Great games no matter who are they.
@Ryu_Niiyama
Don't worry about Rainbows.
If Mr. Vladimir Putin thinks Rainbows is a LGBT symbol, he is also insulting the Real Rainbows, the Science phenomenon that has no relation with LGBT. So ridiculous stupid if he banned every single Kindergarten books that mentions about Rainbows just because it's also represented about LGBT.
Outside post-Soviet Russia, Nintendo plays YOU!
Looked so fake, being a bad picture, showing gray joy-cons on front but neon on side, using old pictures, etc. I can't believe this.
@JaxonH yep, basically in Russian it means "a pint of vodka". an old inside joke with my friends
I really think Nintendo is just trolling us. This and the discontinue of the nes classic.
I'm really beginning to dislike Nintendo.
Iwata is mocking us from beyond "please understand"
Guys, it costs $440 here (in Russia). Would you buy it for that price?
Wow. Good for the gamers, but not the gaymers. Smh Russia.
N is trying not to be completely absent on our market. The standart Switch costs $400(320 gbp). This bundle $444(355 gbp). It's just laughable.
I'm waiting for a Russian Direct hosted by Putin.
@RedMageLanakyn The USA really doesn't know how good their game/console pricing is.
Does anyone else think it's odd that it is the gray joy-cons on the front, and the colored ones on the side of the box?
@MoonKnight7 : I'm sure there's an "In Soviet Russia" joke in there somewhere…
Let the "in Russia" jokes commence!
never cared for bundles anyway. not a loss. bye bye
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