Topic: So, is MKWorld overpriced?

It’s 50 bucks for me so I am elated. Honestly even if it was “too much” (an assessment that is onesided and varies per person) people have options. Save, if you have been in this hobby a while you know it is a cycle. Wait for sales, buy less games. The problem with wants is the social aspect. People feel they have to have something and if they can’t afford it/don’t like the price for whatever reason then it is a slight to them. When it isn’t.

Personally I am way more offended by housing and rent prices than games. I get outraged by needs not wants.

@Purgatorium Yeah, but waiting to read the reviews is old school.

80$ is an expensive and was (at one point) a rarely seen/ unthinkable price for a one video game alone. Baised on what I've seen and know about MK world, it's not worth 80 dollars to me. Maybe reviews and nintendo's future updates to the game will show that the price is justified for what were getting. Maybe the reviews will say that the game is empty, lacking real content at launch, and it's not the the killer app that Nintendo wants us to think. Who knows?

(On that note, Nintendo charging 70$ for DK Bananza is such a stupid decision to me, but that's a discussion for another time...)

If you think that the game is worth 80$, then by all means, spend the 500+ dollars without judgment from me or anyone else. But I believe that Nintendo has crossed a line that will change the industry for the worse.

@NinChocolate Interesting idea. The top 4 games on Switch 1 are all games where a significant percentage of people obtained DLC (Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Smash, BotW) so effectively people are already paying more than $60 for those top games.

@Ryu_Niiyama
I get outraged by needs not wants

True wisdom. Not everyone has it.

Doesn't mean I can't empathize with someone who loves games, wants to play something and can't afford it. If I were rich I'd buy all those people a copy on the house. But I'm not. Still, there has to be a line in the sand for things you deem warrant flustering you emotionally. And there are enough injustices in the world to be upset about as is- if one lowers that bar so much that even luxury hobby entertainment can negatively influence their emotional wellbeing, they're gonna spend the majority of their life angry at everything.

From my perspective, it's better to shrug it off and just go buy an Xbox Series S with a year of Gamepass or something. If you want cheap, that's the cheapest you're gonna get. If you want specific quality games on specific quality hardware with unique benefits like the ability to take that game on tv into your hands wherever you go, there's always an open seat at the Switch 2 table.

The fact every game is both a console and handheld game automatically makes them twice as valuable to me. An $80 game is like buying a $50 console version and a $30 handheld version with automatic cross-save. I spent more than that buying Wii U and 3DS versions. As I recall, I dropped $100 to play Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on console and handheld, and transferring saves was a massive pain, and the handheld version was like 240p... without a full button set.

@FishyS
Looking at Ghosts of Yokai and the fact the $80 version that merely adds some inconsequential DLC bonuses is outselling the $70 version on PSN, it's clear to me that even when given the choice to pay less gamers still choose to pay $80 over $70.

There's a LOT of new characters in Mario Kart World. Had they stripped out 5 of them and included them in a "Deluxe" version for $80 with a base version for $70, most would have opted for the $80 version by choice. I'm not sure I fully understand the implications of that realization yet, but it's interesting to ponder.

@JaxonH I don’t know, I feel approach it differently. Empathy for me is not joining a BMW fest about things that work on an apparent cycle. That is illogical to me. Internet is a literal smorgasbord of information; basic economics, budgeting and job boards are free out there. If you know better, you do better. Like most, I grew up not having every game system, and as I get more proactive on maintaining my health and trying to keep my 401k from crashing and burning I am realizing just how much my health issues as a child cratered my parents’ finances (I help as I can). But they were fiscally responsible (and sometimes irresponsible) to make sure I had things. But most importantly they taught me that empathy is action and being in community. I express my empathy by assisting my coworker who is overwhelmed by her child’s gaming requests in how to vet or what may be a better alternative than what his peers say he should play. I show empathy by never selling systems (if I offload anything I always give it away because I remember having to eat ramen or work a few jobs to save for a game system. Heck I am applying for a second job now to have some financial cushion even though technically on paper I am fine.) I express my empathy by trying not to complain (that doesn’t mean I accept anything for the no nuance nelsons that live in NL) Complaints solve nothing and luckily the things folks are complaining about here are not necessary to live. I get an initial complaint or feeling of distress but after that if you don’t do something then what one is doing is tossing their negativity and trying to harm others.

For most of us this is a lifelong hobby. As such we are aware of the industry and can better prepare than someone that just sees a switch 2 in the store. I come from Hurricane country. I have no sympathy if you know the storm is coming and don’t prepare. But I will tell you the storm is coming and help you board up your windows.

As you say there is too much other stuff going on, things that impact lives that a fun brick is not worth being angry over. Switch 2 will likely be on the market 6-10 years. I am sure half the people mad about it will have figured something out by then. Or exit. Their choice. Switch 3 is gonna cost even more.

That being said I am not saying you can’t make financial decisions based on your situation. I am all about fiscal intelligence and fiscal responsibility. But I am not gonna want the world to stop just because I or someone else is no longer gonna participate in a hobby for whatever reason. My issue with most of the BMW sessions is people can’t stand for others to be happy or go on without them. And that is a social issue more than a fiscal one. I am gonna go on. I will be playing mario kart world and whatever else after I move and will pick up my shinny new system day 1 before I toss it in storage. It isn’t wrong to work hard and have a few luxuries. But it is wrong to pocket watch or tear down others that can have those luxuries. We have bigger fish to fry.

Edit: I am waiting for the CE of ghost of yotei to go on preorder. Bought the collector’s edition of AC:Shadows too. I am fine with paying more than standard for a game I know I will love.

@Ryu_Niiyama
How is AC Shadows? I have yet to get into a modern AC. I played some of Valhalla but they seem like such busy work nowadays.

I personally don't find much enjoyment discussing things I'm not excited about. I might mention them from time to time if the topic is brought up- like Sonic games. No matter how hard I try I just can't get excited for them, even despite being Sonic obsessed as a child. So I tend to avoid the Sonic discussions because, well, what would I say? "Hey guys, really not looking forward to Sonic X Shadow Generations, how bout you?" lol. I mean, maybe I wanna gage others opinions so I could see maybe doing it once. But coming back every day to keep talking about a game I don't wanna play? Talk about a waste of time. And yet I see a lot of that with Switch 2 in general.

I don't blame anyone upset about prices because ya... they are high. But there comes a point where ya gotta make a choice. Either buy it and have fun, or skip it and keep it moving. Or... wait for a sale. Or buy used. Or get the bundle and pay $50. There are options available. Regardless of which you choose though, incessantly complaining about it accomplishes nothing. We voiced our issue with the price to Nintendo when it was announced, and it changed nothing. An entire "Drop the Price!" campaign, and it changed nothing. We lost, and that's the end of it. Now it's a matter of "buy it or don't".

And like you say, nothing wrong if one decides to not buy it. But the pocket watching is not cool. I'm glad there are at least some who despite not buying the game, respect those who are.

@JaxonH So disclaimer. This is my wishlist AC so I am biased. However. It feels like a perfect blending of modern and OG (1,2 brotherhood and revelations some syndicate ) with enough new ideas to feel fresh. They decided to effectively split the not really assassin gameplay (so more bruteforce) and the pure stealth gameplay into two characters while still giving them realistic options for both. For instance you can stealth with Yasuke buuut you are gonna have to pay attention to the layout of the place you are infiltrating and patrols because he is a big guy and doesn’t have assassin powers. Naoe can totally brute force buuut you better make sure you aren’t getting swarmed too badly or guards will happily swiss cheese her. A lot of the systems have been improved or are still just as fun. (You still have to actually gather information and can perhaps kill someone you could have spared if you don’t have enough info. Or you can go and just stab everyone.) skill level is separate from character level yet are linked. This feels like what Ubisoft was originally going for with the RPG style. Less rigid playstyle but this time you can still play as an assassin instead of a tank that can be stealthy some times. Systems like base building, allies, and resource management are back and the contract structure is still here so you have plenty to do but can ignore it if you want. Since it is a war you have plenty to stab but the game also leaves you alone enough if you wanna just clear viewpoints first. I spend a silly amount of time sliding down slopes in the snow.

Game is gorgeous and map is massive (I have been playing a few hours a week since launch and I am still trying to uncover the map.) I adore the addition of shadow/visibility detection along with increased sound detection. But the AI isn’t psychic. If you get found it’s 9 times out of 10 your fault (climbed up in front of an open window, dropped some frozen icicles by accident on a guard’s head below, stepped on a squeaky floor.) you have a number of tools and weapons but the game isn’t trying to be tenchu 2.0 (which I can go on a rant about its flaws as much as I love it). The storytelling mechanics are exhilarating (some kurosawa effects, some straight up jidai-eki music and nonsense and then some serious takes) and you have a story of revenge, redemption, liberation, found family , forgiveness and self discovery.

Japanese voice acting is great (haven’t played in English so no comment) but the localization is a bit off. And like modern AC you have lots of armor and weapon customization and types to look as stylish or silly as you want. Also the assassinations are broken up into smaller groups (something I long wished for) with many optional (there is a central group for the story). And half the time you just stumble onto a new target group. The seasons mechanic is so much fun. It is pretty but also alters gameplay. I use thunderstorms at night to raid castles because good luck finding me. Movement is anvil engine fluid (meaning when it works you look amazing and you don’t get stuck as much also less bad inputs in this game). Also a plus for me personally sailing is gone (praise Hylia). There are still bodies of water and boats but no naval warfare (i hated black flag and Valhalla and tolerated it in odyssey). I haven’t done any romance yet as I have not recruited any women aside from a widow monk but I love the friendships made with the characters I do have. I am still unlocking the modern tie in (which I am one of six people that actually care about that, I know) so no comments yet. The historical codex is great though as I love Japanese History (and mythology/religion).

Basically it feels like an anniversary game. If you want an AC that feels really great and is large and easy to get lost in then I recommend it. It’s massive but doesn’t feel like it drags the way Valhalla did. More optional like odyssey. If you hate modern AC or have an issue with the main characters or want it to be something other than AC… this won’t convince you. As a player that has been with the franchise since the beginning and has played all of them (spin off included) except mobile I was done with Valhalla and I don’t fit the mainstream profile (I like the meta story, didn’t like ezio much, hated 4, prefer to play as a woman yet I own all of them).I said I would only come back for Japan. Ubisoft gave me that and made me reinvest so much that I got mirage. I don’t know if I will get the next one but so far if this is my last. What a way to go.

@JaxonH yeah I originally joined to be excited about Nintendo games with other people that are excited about Nintendo games. The reality was sobering. Granted it wasn’t always like this. My first 3 years were fun here. As such I don’t spend a lot of time in the forums (there is an uptick because I am excited for switch 2) and I usually spit out observations without fishing for conversation on articles. I am still considering leaving but am trying to back up my posts as I will delete my account if I go. But I have said that for a year. So who knows.

Anyway I just wanna talk gaming with those that like gaming.

From the perspective of someone who bought Neo Geo AES games when they launched, $250 in the late 1990's to early 2000's money for arcade experiences that could be finished in an hour or two. $80 isn't that wild. From a perspective of value. I'm talking dollar-per-hour of entertainment, it's still a better value than going to the movie theater.

Bottom line, Mario Kart is Nintendo's best selling franchise, Nintendo are asking for $80 because they know people will pay.

Everyone is lined up for the ice rod treatment, they just don't know it yet.

I'll have to see how the game will turn out. Mario Kart World does look like a good time for sure, but I'm a little worried about its amount of tracks. It looks like it's gonna be back to 32 regular courses, and I really don't want that... but perhaps the Knockout Tour routes will make up for it. The MKW direct left me pretty disappointed too, because it didn't look like they had too much new stuff to show off. Currently, it does look a bit overpriced to me, but I think I'll wait until there's more info about the game or when the reviews come in.

@Ryu_Niiyama Please, don't leave the forums ! Even if I don't engage with you that much, I find your posts so interesting and they are always insightful and respectful. And so are the posts of @JaxonH.

I may not be here that much as my main platform now is Xbox, but I'm excited to see what S2 can do - and waiting to see if it gets some nice ports from Xbox Game Studios, especially South of Midnight, Hi-Fi Rush and Hellblade II (I'm curious to see if this last one will eventually make the jump to Switch 2). I'd love to play those in a handheld that it isn't a Windows-based PC handheld.

And about the topic...maybe MKW is "overpriced" for someone like me, who's not really that much into the Mario Kart games, so I really have not much to say on the matter. But I guess it will be a great game for fans of the franchise and for them the price entry may be worthwhile in exchange of a ton of hours of fun.

@Ryu_Niiyama
Wow, that was a very detailed response. Thank you. I have no issue with modern AC aside from it seeming overbearing and overly complex based on my limited experience with Valhalla. Don't really have an opinion on the characters as I haven't played it yet, but I like the idea of separate playstyles for brute force and stealth. That's an interesting approach. Maybe I'll grab it when the Switch 2 version releases. I played a ton of Black Flag and, like most I had a blast with it. Though it seems you don't like the older entries.

BTW I'm with @HarmanSmith I'd hate to see you leave. You and Ralizah are the backbone of the site in my eyes. Been around as long if not longer than me. It would be weird not having you around, even if it isn't as often as past years.

@Magician
Oh woooow... you were one of the chosen few. My gradeschool friend Joseph Chung had a NeoGeo. His father owned an arcade in the mall, too. He was the only person I ever knew who had one. My dad owned a pawn shop so he'd get game consoles and games people would pawn, and bring them home for me and my brother. Started with NES, then SNES, eventually got a Genesis because my friend had one and I became obsessed with Sonic, then we got an N64... and that was the last console given to me.

Years later, when I was around 20 years old, I bought the $99 Platinum GameCube with Metroid Prime and the Prime 2 demo disc, and a copy of Metroid Prime 2 after watching my brother play through the entirety of Metroid Prime. I played Metroid Prime 2 so much I started having dreams about the Ing (not kidding- I really did). That is the game that turned me into a gamer, though I wouldn't realize it until the 3DS/Wii U era. Also got F-Zero GX. And those were the only GC games I owned until I started collecting years later.

When I learned Metroid Prime 3 was releasing, I saved up and bought a Wii bundled with Wii Sports, along with Zelda Twilight Princess and Metroid Prime 3. Also eventually got DKC Returns. Beat all those games. And they were the only Wii games I ever owned until years later when I started collecting.

5 years pass and I'm casually browsing a magazine and see a small article with a picture of 3DS, and it's talking about a new handheld releasing with glasses-free 3D. I bought one with Street Fighter 4 3D, Resident Evil Revelations and Star Fox 64 3D. And I played the heck out of those games. Thats when I think gaming clicked for me as a hobby. I'd go on to buy countless more 3DS games, and a Wii U at launch, and the rest is history.

@JaxonH NP you have to keep in mind there are 14 mainline games. I only absolutely dislike 3 of them. While I don’t like ezio (or haytham or edward) as a character, the gameplay in brotherhood and story in revelations kept me invested. I don’t dislike any of the side games (if Liberation had been fleshed out more it would have been my favorite). I like all of the side games. Ezio is more tolerable on the DS. Lol. I have read many of the comics and a few of the books. There were a lot of missteps that eventually led to fatigue for me. Odyssey had brought me back (I adore Kassandra) but Vallhalla was so bad I was like “welp I am out”. Anyway, now I can’t shut up about Shadows. I feel like I did when I got the first assassins creed. (Fun fact. I gushed about the game so much when working at GameStop that a customer paid off my preorder of the CE. He said my excitement was contagious. This is while he was dropping 600 usd on a new xbox 360 and accessories and his own preorder. I cried like a baby. )

Actually this ties into the original topic. That’s what I am talking about: the joy of gaming. Strangers connecting over a bunch of pixels. That why I feel MKW is “worth” the money. It brings out that joy in people. (i don’t even know why.)

I don’t want to derail further so I will respond to the rest in other threads.

@Magician neogeo games are still expensive (as you know). I just cry every time I try to save up for a game. Granted, I got the arcade stick and between that switch, I have most of the Neo Geo games I wanted.

@Matt_Barber That's why I'm here lol.

Depends on what part of the world you're living in.

Somehow Nintendolife hasn't so far managed to quote the European price correctly, not a single time (bit weird considering EU is the second largest economy in the world, but Nintendolife chooses to specialize in £ instead) -
in the €-Zone the actual MSRP is 90€. Proof:
https://store.nintendo.de/de/mario-kart-world-70010000096802

Which is outrageous. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe had an MSRP of 60€. So Nintendo thinks a 50% price hike will go down well.

@Ryu_Niiyama Wonderfully put.

Obviously, nobody wants to pay more than they expect to have to pay, but it’s what they will pay that matters.

Games are expensive for me. But I also hate waste, and it takes a lot of time to get the full value from a game. So I tend to focus my money on a few excellent games and barely have a backlog. I don’t feel slighted by not being able to afford everything this world has to offer, and get plenty of joy out of the things I can afford.

I got MK World in the bundle but, having played it a fair bit, I know I would pay 90€ for it. The value is incredible and playing it puts massive smiles on face. And I’ll be getting that value for years.

There is very little at 90€ that would bring me that amount of value, if anything at all.