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

Gamer Backlash Over Donkey Kong Country Returns HD's Price Tag

The upcoming HD remake of Retro Studios' 2010 Wii title, Donkey Kong Country Returns, is facing significant criticism due to its $60 price point. This latest port to the Nintendo Switch is stirring controversy amongst fans.

Nintendo's recent Direct revealed that Forever Entertainment S.A. will release Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on January 16, 2025. While available for pre-order on the Nintendo eShop, the game's price has sparked heated debate online.

Reddit threads are buzzing with complaints about the $60 price tag, with many users deeming it excessive for a remake. Comparisons are being drawn to other Nintendo remasters, such as the $40 Metroid Prime remaster, fueling the argument.

However, counterarguments highlight the historically stronger sales performance of Donkey Kong titles compared to Metroid. The Donkey Kong franchise benefits from significant brand recognition, boosted by the character's prominent role in the blockbuster Super Mario Bros. Movie. Further solidifying its popularity is the upcoming Donkey Kong Country-themed area at Universal Studios Japan's Super Nintendo World (delayed from its spring 2024 opening to the latter half of the year).

Donkey Kong's enduring popularity, spanning 43 years since its creation by Shigeru Miyamoto, is undeniable. Previous Switch remakes of classic Donkey Kong titles, including Mario vs. Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, achieved significant sales success. The original games were also best-sellers on SNES and N64.

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