Nintendo may be raising Switch game prices, if a leaked Tears of the Kingdom eShop listing is anything to go by, and fans are not pleased. An early eShop listing for the Breath of the Wild sequel popped up after Nintendo announced its February Nintendo Direct, and it listed the game’s price as $69.99.
The price listing was removed shortly after images began circulating, but Twitter user and deals spotter Wario64 captured a screenshot before the change.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is priced at $69.99 according to eShop https://t.co/lNRCkuN5w3 pic.twitter.com/Hf0N8dhjSH
— Wario64 (@Wario64) February 8, 2023
Since Nintendo launched the Switch in 2017, $59.99 has been the highest price for a standard edition game. If the listing was accurate, the move puts Nintendo in line with Sony and Microsoft, who began charging $69.99 for new releases in 2021 – on newer hardware. With the Switch entering its sixth year on the market, and Nintendo having scrapped plans for a more technologically advanced unit, fans were less than happy about the prospect of change.
One user reacted with the doctored image of Mario giving the middle finger to viewers. Another said it was unbelievable to think Nintendo would raise the prices on a game that could “run on an Xbox 360.”
Charging $70 for a game that could run on an Xbox 360 but will still struggle to hit 30 frames is insane
— Olivier.wmv (@wmvnotmp4) February 8, 2023
Even Nontendo is starting to change 70 dollars for a game that has the visual fidelity of a PS3 game.
— The Wave Master (@Wavezero) February 8, 2023
Nintendo has absolutely no reason whatsoever to be charging $70 considering it’s running on outdated an device.
— Giants Called Me, JOEL! (@Gilbertbelieve2) February 8, 2023
Some were just resigned to what they saw as inevitable after Sony and Microsoft did the same. Others pointed out it probably has to do with Nintendo reintroducing its voucher program, where you can get a discount on games if you purchase the coupon-like items.
I bet they announced those vouchers last week to try and soften the blow that their games are going to go for $70 now
— SuperGoldenWeeb (@SuperGoldenWeeb) February 8, 2023
Whether the listing was in error or Nintendo is planning an increase to coincide with its voucher coupons remains to be seen, though the Big N may have an announcement of some kind prepared for the February Direct.
Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF
