Video gamers aren’t always called the nicest of things. They’re often named certain things because of the acts they do, like being trolls, harassers, etc. Sadly, we know that this often happens in gaming and should be stopped. Another thing is that gamers are often called “whiners.” They’re known for whining about something big or small and posting about it online. But as in all things, the context matters when they make a complaint. Such as with The Legend of Zelda Tears Of The Kingdom and its increased price tag. There’s context on both sides that needs to be understood.
From the fans’ perspective, this is the first Nintendo Switch game priced at $70 for the standard version. Every other 1st and 3rd-party title has been $60 since the Switch’s launch in 2017. That includes the predecessor to the upcoming title. Many don’t like that Nintendo hiked the price and felt fans wouldn’t care.
However, on the other side of that coin lies the perspective of Nintendo. Doug Bowser, the current head of Nintendo of America, noted in an interview that they feel the price is deserved due to the content that is within the title:
“We look at what the game has to offer,” Bowser stated in a chat with the Associated Press. “I think fans will find this is an incredibly full, deeply immersive experience. The price point reflects the type of experience that fans can expect when it comes to playing this particular game.”
That tracks with another statement that Bowser said after the price point for the game were first made known. He said that this wouldn’t be a “regular thing” for Nintendo to do. Instead, it would be on a “case by case” basis. One that would be factored in when they considered various things about the title.
Whether fans agree with that logic will vary. They’ll note that plenty of titles with “expansive content” didn’t go above $60 on either the Switch or other systems. Many instead feel that Nintendo did this due to the time, effort, and money that went into making The Legend of Zelda Tears Of The Kingdom, and they need this price boost to help recover some of their costs.
No matter the true reasoning, the point remains that the game is coming out in two months, and it’ll be $70 at launch. But you can bet that many will examine the content with an even more cautious eye to see if it was worth the price.