The year is 2017 and Nintendo Switch owners are paying more for their games than people are on rival platforms. The unfortunate term “Switch Tax” has been coined to explain why certain developers and publishers are upping their prices for games released on Nintendo’s latest system.
The whole issue as we’ve previously discussed has opened a can of worms, with developers lowering digital download prices of their Switch game releases and adding extra incentives to the retail counterpart. Game card sizes have been identified as a primary reason behind the now infamous tax.
With all of this in consideration, Vooks.net has reported Australians will be paying AU$10.00 less for EA’s annual football release compared to those who buy the title on rival platforms.
Local video game supplier EB Games will be selling the Nintendo Switch retail version of FIFA 18 for AU$89.95. Copies of the game on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are priced at AU$99.95.
Other local stores such as Target Australia will have the retail version of FIFA 18 on the Switch for AU$69.00 while the other versions of the game will be sold at AU$79.00.
FIFA 18 for the Nintendo Switch is running on a custom game engine. Unlike other platforms it does not use the Frostbite engine. The Nintendo version of the game will also not include the Alex Hunter story mode. What it will feature is the insanely popular FIFA Ultimate Team mode. The absence of certain features in the Switch version of the game could perhaps be the reason behind the cheaper price.
Tell us in the comments if you are planning on buying FIFA 18 on the Nintendo Switch when it is released.
[source vooks.net]
Comments (62)
Lucky! That said, less features so game should be cheaper anyway.
Nice to see a Switch game cost less for once. Even if it is only in one country.
Side note: When will Amazon US let me pre-order this game? I've been checking its status for weeks now and it always says, "currently unavailable".
All the FIFA fans who want the Switch version should move to Australia
That was like that with most of the physical releases. Got my mario rabbids for $69.00 aud whilst the eshop had it for $89.90.
Ball Fondlers
I am really excited to give this game a shot on Switch.... I hope online play is seamless!
@Kalmaro
Mmmm, technically there's not less features. It has one less story mode but then adds the Switch "kickoff mode" local co-op and local wireless modes.
Any difference between versions is negligible to the point where price shouldn't be affected.
@JHDK same thing happening on amazon UK. My cousin in Madrid said he has it on Amazon in Spain for pre-order and it is also 10 euros cheaper.
Great deal for the Aussies!
Also, "Look, it's AAA Third party support for the Switch!"
Great! Now do something for us NA peepol too!
@JaxonH Suppose I can't argue with that.
Hells yes buying day one!
Yes!, i'll be in gold coast on the 2nd of october, with gbp to aud and it cheaper , consider me sold.
The Switch also isn't getting the demo other platforms are getting. Makes me nervous about paying for an unknown quality without a dam to play. I hope it's because it's easier to create frostbite demos than on the 'custom build Switch engine
https://www.dreamteamfc.com/c/gaming/309475/fifa-18-demo-nintendo-switch/
@D33K0 does anyone know if the Switch is getting the demo the others are getting...? 😉
FIFA 18 is cheaper in the UK too - £45.99, vs £49.99 on other consoles.
I will definitely be buying this but I realised that it releases the same day as the SNES mini so my wallet will have already suffered enough that day and theres only so many games you can play of course
I'll probably give it a few extra weeks before picking it up
What worries me most is the lack of a demo. They've always said how proud they are of this version, why not let the public play it and decide without forcing them to spend £45 to do so.
I feel like Switch owners have to buy it to make sure EA continue to support given how fickle they ready are with Nintendo.
Waiting patiently for this one. I'm also a bit bummed that there is no demo on the Switch like for the other consoles and pc I would like to know the file size, as I haven't decided if this will be my first physical game for the Switch... It will be if it's more than 20+ GB. So far it has been ok to go digital download only on the Switch, but there seem to be some potentially big games coming and I'm already down to about 70 GB on my 128 micro SD card! I hope Nintendo are teaching these companies about compression
Its cheaper by €5 in Ireland in some places. Not all though.
Most retailers in Norway also list the Switch game cheaper than the other versions, but the difference is less than the cost of a coke! Well, at least it's not more expensive... and its FIFA 18 on the go! and with Ultimate Team! I remember having paid full price for the 3DS "legacy edition" of FIFA 14. That was a rip-off in comparison.
In Europe it's also around 5 euro cheaper, in the Netherlands at least!
Currently unavailable on Amazon UK also.
Dont usually preorder games, but have done from Amazon UK, had £8 promo credit so got it for £36. Couldn't resist FIFA on Switch.
Now hoping it plays well and gets good rewiews..... you cant go too wrong with FIFA games, can you?
@Kalmaro You can and you should. The Journey isn't a negligible mode. It's very significant. I agree that these Switch games that offer less than on other platforms should be cheaper. I'd like to know why FIFA 18 is cheaper in Australia but more expensive everywhere else.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE How so?
NBA 2K18 is cheaper on Switch at ShopTo in the UK than on PS4 and XBone and that has all features and modes.
@Kalmaro The new Fifa 18 journey mode is like a soap opera – and it's brilliant
http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/fifa-18-review
We don't get a demo either unlike on the other platforms. Of course EA will say they're doing their best but I think they could be trying to sell us an inflatable dartboard. I just don't trust them.
@D33K0 Ya, I posted that in the forums yesterday and sent it in to the site.
https://www.nintendolife.com/forums/nintendo-switch/fifa_18_switch?start=80#reply-94
But they didn't use it. Why didn't they give us a demo? Is it because they're lazy, despite what they say or maybe it's because they don't want people to see the Switch version isn't great?
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
"I'd like to know why FIFA 18 is cheaper in Australia but more expensive everywhere else."
Its not more expensive everywhere else. A few places have already been mentioned where its cheaper. Including your own country.
FIFA and NBA are at scandalous prices in the UK. WWE is bound to end up being the same.
@blockfight The cheapest in Australia is $70, the cheapest in Ireland is €60(or €55 if you pre-order it before launch in Smyths). $70 is €47.
Woohoo, finally we can get a good deal!!! Im totally buying this from target or big w, they always outsell EBGames. I have NFI why anyone ever buys from EB except for pre-orders of things like snes minis that will never touch an in-store shelf.
This is just good news. Im definitely picking up Fifa on release because of this.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
If I buy the Xbox or PS4 version in Ireland its one price. If I buy the switch version in Ireland its €5 cheaper.
@blockfight I'm talking about why is the Switch version cheaper in Australia than everywhere else. Not the other platforms.
And ya, the Switch version being €5 cheaper than on other platforms isn't much of a saving given the difference in content and effort.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
The article itself even says:
"With all of this in consideration, Vooks.net has reported Australians will be paying AU$10.00 less for EA’s annual football release compared to those who buy the title on rival platforms."
The last 3 words are the important part.
The lack of a playable demo makes me wonder if this version of Fifa is really that good as EA has been telling us...
@SLIGEACH_EIRE because we deserve it. Because we're Aussie. Yeah boiiiiiii!
@bolt05 I've also just started getting stuff online from Mighty Ape they have some super sweet deals sometimes. EB love to charge premium haha
Wow nice.
Considering EA have price hiked all their upcoming games this really is a surprise. Sure it will be hella expensive in UK though. EA titles are already higher priced than any other game in our market.
@westman98 I'd love to, not just for Fifa though. I have multiple sclerosis, the dry climate would help me a lot compared to the UK haha.
So far I've only preordered the Switch version, I was planning to also get the PC version to play online, but there's so many games coming out soon I'm just going to get the Switch version. I never play the story mode on PC anyway, so I'm not bothered the Switch version doesn't have it.
Right, everyone back in here, seeing as the other twin story has evaporated.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/09/fifa_18_will_be_cheaper_on_switch_than_other_consoles_in_australia
Who (apart from Australian residents, of course) cares about retail prices, I wanna know how much it will cost in the AU eshop. Because if it's cheaper there too, everyone could just buy it from there.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE lack in effort? they probably put more effort into this version than any other version
@manu0 Haha! Good one! They couldn't even make a demo for Switch.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE you just have zero clue about game development.
So if I want FIFA I'll just change my eshop country to Australia, buy it, and change back.
Region Free rocks!
@manu0
Going to need a citation for that statement, and how it can be backed up.
@Grogan EA said it themselves. it's a custom-made engine. they built it from the ground up. that's a lot more effort than using their existing frostbite engine.
@manu0 read this
http://m.uk.ign.com/articles/2017/09/02/fifa-18-dev-explains-why-switch-version-has-cut-modes
@Grogan i know about the cut modes. that doesn't invalidate anything of what i said.
@King_Johobo yeah I like mighty ape too.
@shani you won't be able to buy Australian eshop credit without an Aus credit card though.
@bolt05 Huh? Is the Australian eshop the only one without Paypal?
@shani Will paypal let you buy from international eshops? If so, sorry i didn't know this. I tried to buy sonic from russia a month or so ago but I couldn't use my aus credit card.
@manu0 did you read it?
It tells of how Nintendo users were saved from being confused by too many modes and because it's a social platform they didn't want to overwhelm us. It's basically patronizing at a god-like level and if you read it and dont feel outraged and that the switch version ( at least this year ) is nothing more than a rushed cash grab 'experiment' ( the devs words )
It won't be just the modes or frostbite missing. I'm going to wait for in depth comparison videos before I buy. I think ( i might be wrong, hope I am ) that many things will be different or dumbed down, animations, new features that the main version are getting like changes to the crossing system, individual players animations e.g. Robben & Ronaldos running style, immersive atmosphere and team style changes to the game will they be different or just missing. Even EA are at pains to stress and advertise this as a different version because they know it can't be compared to the other versions. ' Best PORTABLE version of FIFA ever created ' tells you what you need to know.
@Grogan
"Even EA are at pains to stress and advertise this as a different version"
Well duh. The switch isn't as powerful as XB1 or PS4. It's going to be different. This shouldn't be a revelation.
"Best PORTABLE version of FIFA ever created ' tells you what you need to know."
It does. It tells me that it's exactly what I want.
@JHDK When I checked, only digital codes were listed anyway. It doesn't seem like Amazon has its physical editions ready.
@bolt05 Of course, Paypal is a global service.
@electrolite77
Of course your right xb1 & ps4 are more powerfull but do you think Fifa stresses them to their limit? I doubt it, not even close. I really believe the switch could run Fifa 18 as the other consoles do.
@Grogan
I'm not convinced. Even Snake Pass didn't run as well on Switch as on the others. NBA 2K18 doesn't on the same engine. Games that constantly don't necessarily stretch PS4 run slightly worse on XB1. It's just the way of things.
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