Gamers express outrage over the price of the upcoming Donkey Kong Country Returns HD remake. This enhanced version of the 2010 Wii title, slated for release on January 16, 2025, is now available for pre-order on the Nintendo eShop. However, the $60 price tag has sparked considerable backlash.
Many online forums are buzzing with complaints, citing the seemingly high cost compared to other remastered Nintendo titles. One user highlighted the $40 price point of the 2023 Metroid Prime remaster as a point of comparison.
Conversely, some argue that the Donkey Kong franchise's superior sales history and stronger brand recognition justify the higher price. They point to the character's prominent role in the successful Super Mario Bros. Movie and the upcoming Donkey Kong Country-themed expansion at Universal Studios Japan (delayed from Spring 2024 to the latter half of the year) as evidence of its enduring popularity.
Donkey Kong, a Nintendo mascot for 43 years, boasts a strong legacy of best-selling titles across various consoles, including the SNES and N64. Previous Switch remakes of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Mario vs. Donkey Kong also achieved significant commercial success.
Despite the negative feedback regarding its pricing, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, which will require 9 GB of storage (2.4 GB more than the Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze remake), is still anticipated to perform well.
