Fans are expressing outrage over the price of the upcoming Donkey Kong Country Returns HD remake for the Nintendo Switch. This latest port of Retro Studios' 2010 Wii title, announced during a recent Nintendo Direct, is slated for release on January 16, 2025, and is available for pre-order on the eShop. However, the $60 price tag has sparked significant backlash.
A $60 Price Tag Stirs Controversy
Reddit discussions are ablaze with criticism, many deeming the price exorbitant for a remake. Comparisons are being drawn to other Nintendo remasters, such as the $40 Metroid Prime remaster, highlighting the perceived disparity.
Conversely, some argue that the Donkey Kong franchise's superior sales history and broader brand recognition (bolstered by appearances in the successful Super Mario Bros. Movie and the upcoming Super Nintendo World expansion at Universal Studios Japan – delayed from Spring 2024 to a later date) justify the higher price point.
Donkey Kong's enduring popularity, spanning 43 years since its creation by Shigeru Miyamoto, is undeniable. Previous Switch remakes of Donkey Kong titles, including Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Mario vs. Donkey Kong, have achieved significant sales success, mirroring the strong performance of earlier Donkey Kong games on the SNES and N64.
Despite the negative feedback regarding its price, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is anticipated to perform well, given its pedigree. The eShop listing indicates a download size of 9GB, considerably larger than the 2018 Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze remake.
