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

Gamers express outrage over the price of the upcoming Donkey Kong Country Returns HD remake. This enhanced version of Retro Studios' 2010 Wii title, slated for a January 16, 2025 release on Nintendo Switch, has sparked controversy due to its $60 price point.

The announcement, made during a recent Nintendo Direct, revealed Polish developer Forever Entertainment S.A. as the porting studio. While pre-orders are now live on the Nintendo eShop, the game's cost has drawn significant criticism on platforms like Reddit.

Many players argue that $60 is excessive for a remake, particularly when comparing it to other Nintendo Switch remasters. The 2023 Metroid Prime remaster, for example, launched at $40.

However, counterarguments highlight the historical sales success of Donkey Kong games compared to Metroid titles. The Donkey Kong franchise boasts stronger brand recognition, thanks in part to the character's prominent role in the hugely popular Super Mario Bros. Movie. Further bolstering this argument is the upcoming Donkey Kong Country-themed expansion at Universal Studios Japan's Super Nintendo World (delayed from spring 2024 to a later date).

Donkey Kong, a Nintendo icon celebrating 43 years since his creation by Shigeru Miyamoto, enjoys a rich history of successful titles. Previous Switch remakes of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Mario vs. Donkey Kong have proven incredibly popular. The original games also held significant sales success on SNES and N64.

Despite the negative feedback regarding its price, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is anticipated to perform well. Its Nintendo eShop listing indicates a download size of 9 GB, approximately 2.4 GB larger than the 2018 Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Switch remake.