Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Fans Aren\'t Happy About the Price

Fans express discontent over the price point of the upcoming Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, a remake of Retro Studios' 2010 Wii title. This marks the latest Donkey Kong game to grace Nintendo's Switch console.

Nintendo's recent Direct showcased the enhanced version, developed by Forever Entertainment S.A., slated for release on January 16, 2025. Pre-orders are live on the Nintendo eShop, but the game's $60 price tag has sparked considerable debate among fans.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD: A Pricey Remake?

Reddit discussions highlight widespread concerns regarding the $60 price. Users cite the comparatively lower price of other Nintendo remasters, such as the $40 Metroid Prime remaster from 2023, as a point of contention.

However, counterarguments emphasize Donkey Kong's historically superior sales figures compared to Metroid, suggesting stronger brand recognition boosted by the character's prominent role in the successful Super Mario Bros. Movie. Further bolstering this argument is the upcoming Donkey Kong Country-themed area at Universal Studios Japan's Super Nintendo World (delayed from spring to the latter half of 2024).

Donkey Kong's enduring popularity, spanning 43 years since his creation by Shigeru Miyamoto, is undeniable. Previous Switch remakes of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Mario vs. Donkey Kong achieved significant sales success, mirroring the original titles' success on SNES and N64 consoles.

Despite the pricing controversy, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is anticipated to follow in the footsteps of its successful predecessors. The Nintendo eShop listing indicates a file size of 9 GB, exceeding the 2018 Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze remake by approximately 2.4 GB.