Switch 2 game prices are the fault of gamers not Nintendo Readers FeatureGameCentralPublished April 5, 2025 1:00am Mario Kart World is not a cheap game (Nintendo)A reader argues that complaints about the price of Mario Kart World are misplaced, given how Call Of Duty and EA Sports FC are the same price.In the lead up to this week, there were a lot of people talking about how its hard to predict Nintendo, but in the end I think it went pretty much as expected except in a few specific areas. In many ways you could say the Nintendo Direct was a success: the console was reasonably priced, its coming out soon, and most of the games looked great.But the subject thats been dominating discussion ever since is the cost of said games, particularly Mario Kart World. In the UK its 74.99 for the physical version and 66.99 for digital, which is unexpected.As has been pointed out, the digital price is still lower than EA Sports FC and Call Of Duty, and other yearly sports games like NBA 2K, but because Nintendo games are usually cheaper than the norm there has been outrage over the prices as if Mario Kart isnt going to be infinitely better value for money.Given these yearly sequels only have a shelf life of 12 months, before theyre immediately replaced with another game that also costs 70, it seems madness that anyone would resent Nintendo charging the same for Mario Kart, which youll only have one of per generation.Dont get me wrong, I wish it wasnt that expensive. I wish all games were cheaper. But then I also wish I was a millionaire and better at football, but thats life.If you accept that Call Of Duty and co. are worth 70 (and millions of people do because, as usual, it was the best-selling game of last year) then why is Mario Kart not? Its undoubtedly a better game and there wont be another one along for the best part of the decade, so Nintendo will be putting everything into it especially as its a console launch game.Sadly, I think half the problem is that it has cartoon graphics and is dismissed as a kids game, even though its actually the best-selling traditional video game of all time, behind GTA 5. If Mario Kart World had photorealistic graphics, and grimdark main characters, I suspect most of the complaints would never happen.Unfortunately though, gamers have allowed themselves to be manipulated over the years, so its only the serious games that are worth full price and anything thats just meant to be fun is looked down on. You see a similar thing where many casual gamers dismiss indie games or scoff at the idea of them being sold at anything but the very lowest prices.Anything thats not just a bland, photorealistic game is considered something approaching worthless and gamers have become more and more entitled about what they think should be given to them for free. I looked it up and a cinema ticket in 1992 cost around 3. Guess how much a new SNES game cost at the same time? Anything up to 50 and sometimes more.Video game prices have barely increased at all in over three decades and yet apparently charging the same for EA Sports FC and Mario Kart World is outrageous. And before you argue that these other games see a reduction in price over time, but Nintendo games dont, bear in mind that most people still buy the next one within 12 months and Call Of Duty games rarely do go down in price, actually.I have not heard one single reason for why Mario Kart World is not worth 70-ish. If youre happy to pay that for NBA 2K25 but not the sequel to Mario Kart 8 one of the best and most successful games of all time I dont know what to say.But ah, say the haters, that price isnt even all of it, because theyre bound to have DLC on top as well. Well a) predicting Nintendo never works, b) you dont have to buy the DLC, and c) the DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is widely regarded as amongst the best value ever made. So what exactly is the problem?More TrendingIf games cost more to make then it stands to reason that publishers are going to charge more for them. If you want to campaign against that Im with you, especially when its a provably bad game, but thats not the case here. It just feels that the wrong example is being made and I dont feel its Nintendos fault at all.By reader Onibee Is Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 worth 70? (Activision)The readers features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you wont need to send an email.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy