Donkey Kong Country Returns HD: Fans React Negatively to Pricing

The upcoming HD remake of Retro Studios' 2010 Wii title, Donkey Kong Country Returns, is facing backlash from fans over its hefty price tag. This latest port to Nintendo Switch has sparked debate, particularly regarding its $60 price point.

Announced during a recent Nintendo Direct, Forever Entertainment S.A.'s Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is slated for a January 16, 2025 release. While available for pre-order on the Nintendo eShop, the pricing has ignited considerable online discussion.

Reddit threads are buzzing with complaints about the $60 price, deemed excessive by many users. Comparisons are being drawn to other Nintendo remasters, such as the $40 Metroid Prime remaster, highlighting the perceived disparity.

However, counterarguments cite the Donkey Kong franchise's historically stronger sales compared to Metroid, attributing this to the character's higher brand recognition, boosted by appearances in the successful Super Mario Bros. Movie and the upcoming Super Nintendo World expansion at Universal Studios Japan (delayed until late 2024).

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

Despite the price controversy, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, weighing in at 9 GB (approximately 2.4 GB larger than the Tropical Freeze remake), is anticipated to perform well, continuing the franchise's legacy of strong sales figures.