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

The upcoming remake of Retro Studios' 2010 Wii platformer, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, has sparked controversy among fans due to its hefty price tag. This latest port to Nintendo Switch is set for release on January 16, 2025, by Polish developer Forever Entertainment S.A. While available for pre-order on the Nintendo eShop, the $60 price point has drawn significant backlash.

Reddit discussions highlight the perceived high cost, with users comparing it unfavorably to other Nintendo remasters, such as the $40 Metroid Prime remaster. However, counterarguments cite the historically stronger sales and brand recognition of the Donkey Kong franchise, bolstered by the character's prominent role in "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" and the upcoming Donkey Kong Country-themed area in Universal Studios Japan's Super Nintendo World (delayed to late 2024).

Donkey Kong's enduring popularity, spanning 43 years since its creation by Shigeru Miyamoto, is undeniable. Previous Switch remakes of Donkey Kong titles, including "Mario vs. Donkey Kong" and "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze," achieved significant sales success, mirroring the strong performance of earlier Donkey Kong games on SNES and N64.

Despite the price criticism, expectations remain high for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD's performance. The game's eShop listing reveals a sizable 9 GB download size, exceeding the 2018 "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze" remake by approximately 2.4 GB. Whether the price will ultimately impact sales remains to be seen.