DKCR HD Fans Unimpressed by Price Tag

The upcoming Donkey Kong Country Returns HD remake, a Switch port of the 2010 Wii title, has sparked controversy among fans due to its $60 price point. This enhanced version from Forever Entertainment S.A., launching January 16, 2025, is now available for pre-order on the Nintendo eShop.

High Price Tag Stirs Debate

Reddit discussions highlight widespread discontent over the $60 price tag, deemed excessive by many users, especially when compared to other Nintendo remasters. The 2023 Metroid Prime remaster, for instance, was priced at $40.

However, counterarguments point to the Donkey Kong franchise's historically superior sales compared to Metroid, suggesting stronger brand recognition thanks to Donkey Kong's prominent role in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the upcoming Donkey Kong Country-themed area at Universal Studios Japan (delayed from spring 2024 to a later date).

Donkey Kong's enduring popularity, spanning 43 years since its creation by Shigeru Miyamoto, is undeniable. Previous Switch remakes of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Mario vs. Donkey Kong were also major commercial successes, mirroring the original games' strong performance on SNES and N64.

Success Despite Criticism?

Despite the pricing backlash, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is anticipated to perform well. Its Nintendo eShop listing reveals a file size of 9 GB, significantly larger than the 2018 Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Switch port (6.6 GB). This suggests substantial enhancements.