The rising price of Nintendo games makes supporting smaller titles and studios more important than ever — I’ll be voting with my wallet

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Nintendo unveiled yesterday that games debuting alongside the Switch 2 will come with a significant price tag: $80 for digital editions and $90 for physical ones (essentially game-key cards). This announcement, coupled with the upcoming release of Mario Kart World, seems to suggest a trend towards $80 games in the future, which further substantiates the speculated $100 price tag for GTA 6.

This increase in cost marks a new chapter for AAA gaming, but it also prompts an essential query: should we continue shelling out these high prices or start seeking alternative platforms offering top-tier gaming experiences at a fraction of the cost?

You don’t have to pay $70 and above to experience great games

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Without a doubt, these are merely the surface level examples, but games that have stood out to me in terms of value over the past year or so.

Moreover, this month has brought some thrilling new releases at affordable prices, and luckily, you can enjoy both of them via Xbox Game Pass as well.

  • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – $49.99
  • South of Midnight – $39.99 ($34.99 at CDKeys)

The games I’ve pointed out are created by relatively small development teams, offering both high-quality gaming experiences and exceptional worth to players. Rather than spending close to $100 on a single game from Nintendo, you have the opportunity to back smaller studios that devote their heart and creativity into crafting distinct and innovative titles.

The handheld market has evolved since the launch of the Nintendo Switch

Over a long period, the Nintendo Switch has reigned supreme in the portable gaming sector, providing an exceptional hybrid experience that struck a chord with countless individuals. The proof of its success is indisputable—it has sold a remarkable 150.86 million units, dwarfing the combined sales of its rivals’ 6 million units. However, in more recent times, we’ve observed a surge of alternatives that offer even broader flexibility and a wider array of games.

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Though the Switch continues to lead the pack in handheld gaming, gadgets such as the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go have broadened the choices for gamers. These handheld PCs have challenged Nintendo’s monopoly over the portable market, offering players new avenues to engage with their preferred games. Instead of being confined to Nintendo’s ecosystem and its escalating game prices, players now have access to extensive libraries from Steam, Xbox Game Pass, and other platforms, frequently at reduced costs.

The Nintendo Switch 2 menu will be designed this way because most people can only afford one game at a time as of April 2025.

Using these portable devices, gamers can capitalize on reduced prices in PC game stores, play popular indie games without delaying for a Switch adaptation, and savor a wider variety of game genres and experiences. This transformation in the handheld gaming market empowers consumers more than ever before to make informed decisions about where to spend their money wisely.

That ‘inflation’ argument doesn’t stack up in todays climate

It has been suggested that setting the price between $80 and $90 isn’t entirely unjustified when considering the impact of inflation, given that SNES games in the 1990s often cost more than $70 when adjusted for today’s values. A glance at old retail flyers confirms this, as many SNES titles were indeed priced similarly or even higher back then when you account for inflation.

The main point here is that even though game prices haven’t adjusted for inflation, wages haven’t either, and the cost of living has significantly increased. Back in the ’90s, a single income could cover a mortgage, but nowadays many people need two just to afford a one-bedroom rental and perhaps a breakfast treat like avocado toast. Essentially, while games used to be similarly priced, the financial strain on the average gamer has grown significantly, making game pricing more important than ever before.

Value is in the eye of the beholder

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Absolutely, it’s not that high-priced games can’t be a good investment. If you’re sure you’ll spend countless hours on Mario Kart World and the $90 price tag doesn’t seem excessive to you, then go ahead. Similarly, I splurged on the priciest Diablo 4 edition because I’m confident I’ll play it for years, given my deep affection for the series. Everyone has their own notion of a game’s worth based on their expectations.

On the other hand, games like Monster Hunter Worlds (retailing at $69.99) provide extensive post-release updates free of charge, making the cost per hour of enjoyment more economical in the long run. You can even grab it for about $55 these days.

You might also consider taking a look at games similar to No Man’s Sky. This is an older game that can be purchased for $23.99. Since its launch, the developers, Hello Games, have consistently released substantial free updates, adding such an abundance of content that players are often asking to pay more due to the value they receive.

As an analyst, I find it more sensible to back titles with this level of commitment to quality and cost-effectiveness, rather than investing in a Nintendo game that rarely goes on sale.

Essentially, here’s the gist: To make it clear to game publishers that we prefer games not to get costlier, we must express our preference through our purchases. It’s perfectly acceptable to spend $90 on a game you adore deeply, but remember there’s an abundance of fantastic, affordably priced games from dedicated developers who deserve our patronage.

The best strategy for countering the increasing costs of AAA games is to seek out and back these wonderful alternatives.

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2025-04-03 16:41