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

Gamer outrage erupts over Donkey Kong Country Returns HD's price tag. The upcoming remake of Retro Studios' 2010 Wii classic, slated for a January 16, 2025 release on Nintendo Switch, has sparked controversy due to its $60 price point. This latest port to the popular Switch console family, courtesy of Forever Entertainment S.A., is now available for pre-order on the Nintendo eShop.

The $60 price tag has been met with significant backlash on Reddit. Many users deem the price exorbitant for a remake, particularly when compared to other Nintendo remasters. The 2023 Metroid Prime remaster, for example, launched at $40.

However, counterarguments highlight Donkey Kong's historically stronger sales figures compared to Metroid, suggesting superior brand recognition thanks to the character's prominent role in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The upcoming Donkey Kong Country-themed expansion at Universal Studios Japan (delayed from Spring 2024 to the latter half of the year) further underscores the franchise's enduring popularity.

Donkey Kong, a Nintendo mainstay for 43 years, boasts a 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 sales success.

Despite the negative feedback surrounding its price, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is anticipated to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors. The Nintendo eShop listing reveals a file size of 9 GB, approximately 2.4 GB larger than the 2018 Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Switch remake.