Analyst Not Surprised at New $80 Price Tag for Games Because of Deluxe, Collector’s Editions

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As a devoted Nintendo enthusiast, I find myself not too surprised by their decision to price certain first-party titles at $80 for the Switch 2. According to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, this isn’t as alarming as it might seem because gamers have been accustomed to spending more than the traditional $60 on games due to Collector’s Editions and Deluxe releases.

Piscatella notes that the standard edition of most games typically includes additional in-game content, causing their launch prices to surpass $70 on average, rather than staying within this price range.

He pointed out that for quite some time now, the big games haven’t cost around 60-70 dollars at their initial release. He explained that with various Collector’s Editions, Gold Editions, Silver Editions, and other similar offerings, the average amount consumers are actually paying for a brand new video game is significantly higher than the initial price tag. This has been the case for many years, and the cost continues to rise incrementally. As such, he doesn’t find the $80 price point as troubling as some others might, because in reality, people have already been spending roughly that much, whether they acknowledge it or not.

In essence, Piscatella believes that a game’s success, regardless of its price, is largely influenced by the quality of the game itself. Essentially, if someone finds a game fascinating, they will purchase it at any cost because they are eager to play it, reflecting the character of video game enthusiasts who are not swayed by prices when it comes to playing their desired games.

According to Piscatella, whether Nintendo’s new game pricing strategy will be successful in the long run depends on the market’s response. He also mentioned that if a game isn’t of high quality, consumers are unlikely to accept its price tag.

Whether or not someone chooses to buy a video game depends on their personal preference and excitement for the game. If a game is excellent, people usually purchase it, but if it’s not up to par or they’re not particularly interested, they won’t. Prices tend to drop quickly due to the audience’s price sensitivity and enthusiasm. So, we’ll have to wait and see how Mario Kart World performs at launch. We’ll keep an eye on its performance during the holiday season as well.

Piscatella pointed out that there’s a wider variation in game prices today compared to the past, when digital distribution wasn’t as prevalent. At that time, nearly all games were priced at around $50. Nowadays, prices can vary significantly. You can find high-priced Collector’s Editions exceeding $100, free-to-play options, and a multitude of prices in between.

In the past, when things were only physical, you had $50 as your game budget. That was all there was. But now, games come in various sizes, types, and prices, with many more free-to-play options than before. While everyone seems to be talking about the top-tier games, I understand why, but let me tell you, we have never had so many diverse gaming choices at our disposal as we do now. Publishers are becoming smarter about discounting strategies and how to maintain demand for their games by strategically pricing promotions. In essence, this isn’t a new situation – it’s something the industry has experienced repeatedly over many years.

On June 5, Nintendo is set to debut their new console, the Switch 2. One of its initial games will be a racing title called “Mario Kart World,” which Nintendo claims offers the most immersive “Mario Kart” experience to date, priced at $80. Meanwhile, there’s some buzz about the pricing for Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar’s upcoming game, “Grand Theft Auto 6.”

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2025-05-02 07:11