In a world of Game-Key Cards and console price hikes, there is still a glimmer of hope

Are these discounts on physical games only for pre-orders, or are Walmart and Amazon just matching digital MSRP in perpetuity?

The same is true of Splatoon Raiders and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book. Looks like these two retailers are matching the digital prices, at least for pre-orders and at least for now.

I buy my physical games on Ebay. You save an average of $10-$20 per game, depending on the popularity of the game. I would never gamble on pre-ordering a game.

sigh
Pre-ordered.

Nice! I was hoping it would pop up at Costco, but this is probably a better deal.

Just pre-ordered the game from Amazon right after reading this article (and at the $10 discounted price!😀)

Good.
More game card for Switch 2.
I think I might get the game but from second handed market.
On rail shooter games is not my forte as I have experienced from Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time gameplay, but I will give it a try.

Remember when the grifters were saying this was a ‘disguised’ price hike? Yet another disinformation campaign proved wrong.

As I often say, official retail price is often not the selling price. Major retail partners often get deals to sell lower. In fact, in my country of Australia, I can't recall ever paying full retail, at least from the Switch era to today. Perhaps on 3DS and something like Mario Kart 7, I paid full price. As far back as the NES, I could always find $5 off somewhere.

@UpsideDownRowlet
I noticed your comment after I typed mine. As per the that comment, likely it's a specific deal. Whether it extends to post release or even if other titles will benefit, remains to be seen. Generally a pattern will form. Target, here, often sells new titles at $90 local currency (RRP $110) at release time and only in limited quantities. Others sell at $100 always. EB sells at $110, though, can match prices at their discretion (typically there must be a nearby retailer with stock).

@HalBailman I've had them refuse to price match with a JB that I could see from the register, which was wild. Figured I'd save some time and get the game whilst I was getting some tat for my mates kids, apparently I figured wrong... As for our prices though, I haven't paid retail on release for physical in an age either. Dunno if that's the case abroad though.

I hope Walmart’s deal is permanent. I’d preorder it but I’ve already got a huge backlog I need to finish, and because of this, my storage is quite limited at the moment.

im getting this day one its looks so amazing and they added new stuff as well and anyone else that are questioning why nintendo is remaking this again maybe because not just luring new people to the ip but also give starfox a new clean slate with this new look along with a proper storyline to continue for future sequels.

Shut the front bay door!

@RiasGremory Yeah, that's what I'm thinking/hoping, too.

Pre ordered this along with Splatoon Raiders at Walmart.
For anyone looking for a place to pre order and get it release day, Walmart has been surprisingly reliable. They have gotten every game I have pre ordered from them on time so far besides one, which was Tomodachi life. I have had trouble with Amazon being late so Walmart has been a nice surprise.

Preordered mine on Amazon. Definitely using some vacation time to play this gem.

Pretty neat how a few retailers are matching the digital price for physical, however… it means they could be selling it for this price at any time!

Idk. I’m just perplexed by all this. If physical supposedly needs to be $60-$80 to be profitable now, how are Walmart and Amazon cutting the price? They’re just taking a loss to undermine their competitors or what? Definitely makes me raise an eyebrow at all the recent justifications for current prices.

@UpsideDownRowlet Walmart announced that they will not allow themselves to be undercut by the eshop, although not in so many words. So it's permanent for until they change their mind.

@Thomystic Thanks for the note! I'm really glad about that, since I want Splatoon Raiders physical but still want to know more before I bite the bullet. It bodes well for my digital game storage that I don't need to buy all first party games digital as well.

Pre ordered Raiders, but I don’t see Starfox having enough longevity for me. Walmart is definitely my new go to place for day one games. Hoping I can get some price matches at Best Buy until my rewards credit runs out though.

Great news for the Let’s Stay Physical movement. If people stop buying physical, they will stop offering. Price differences make sense, but not $10. That feels like they want to push us physical fans into submission. A $3 “physical tax” would be more appropriate to cover the added manufacturing/export costs. This is even better. After 5 games you have saved the same amount as the hardware increase.

It’s a remake of a remake, not sure why it would even cost half that amount.

@Waluigi451 How much do Walmart and Amazon make when someone buys from the EShop? I think that’s the bottom line. Not a huge fan of those companies but good for them for standing up for physical in a way here. They clearly see the trend away from physical and are wise to fight against it. Nintendo needs to stay in good graces with them because they need them to sell their hardware. It’s definitely an interesting dance.

@IOI Which they'll never admit.

I buy physical games solely to resell, and I am not going to resell this beauty!
So I went for the digital option. Same price, better load times etc.

I'm curious on Nintendo's gamble on variable pricing. Is this considered a "budget" game at $50 so it's cheaper? Will Marios & Zeldas be $80?

This price shows me that even Nintendo themselves don’t consider this game a premium experience.

Let’s just hope it paves the way for a true sequel.

Might pick it up used, for $30.
If they had added a bunch of new stages, and expanded the old ones, then it would have been worth $50.
But a 1:1, with a new coat of paint...

@Exerion76 It's got online multiplayer, co-op, and a challenge mode. Plus brand new cinematics, voice acting, and completely new art assets, and even Gameshare. It's absolutely worth $50 USD.

Historically, US pre-orders do not get discounted. However, within the last month, Splatoon Raiders, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, and now the new(?) StarFox are $10 off each. The first two from Walmart only and Starfox from Walmart and Amazon. I usually wait for a sale before buying; it's nice not to have to wait. I notice that it's only first party Nintendo games so far. I've been hoping for a $10 discount on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, but no signs of one yet.

THANKS for this article. Hopefully you get affiliate link money from me clicking to buy it through this. I bought from WalMart. I really don't care if it comes in on launch day, because I won't be playing until after 4th of July anyway. But $10 is $10! Thanks again!

Artwork looks awesome

Now if only it carried over the 3DS Remasteres Sterescopic 3D with 3D Glasses when played either on a TV or in handheld. The S3D made it so much more enjoyable than without it, and it definitely helped differentiate the the distance between your ship and incoming objecting, or behind. Pilot Wings Resort is an even better example for that.

@Axecon It's worth noting the physical-digital split on pricing. 3D Mario and 3D Zelda probably will end up $80 physical and $70 digital (though with Walmart and Amazon, they'll probably functionally just be $70 either way).

For « just »… lol… It should be 40, just like Metroid Prime Remastered

Preordered from my local gameshop to support it. Buying from Nintendo it comes with some extra little nik naks but id prefer to shop local

Got my preorder in! Looks fantastic!

I did like the DS version..

I wish we could play as krystal or some other character.
Maybe a ReverseRebirth Mode.

Well Falco is more likeable than Fox, so there is that

@WaveBoy
Yep
I recall seeing that on a demo 3ds in shop.

3d effect was too underutilized.
The DeathMountain in 3ds OoT Remake looked awesome aswell

@jfp
Oh there are retailers that always sell games like 10 bucks cheaper.

I think I never payed full price for physical games ever.

@IOI

Remember when the grifters were saying this was a ‘disguised’ price hike? Yet another disinformation campaign proved wrong.

that is a very shortsighted take to perpetuate. calling it a "disinformation campaign" is just plain wrong. ask yourself why Nintendo would lower their digital MSRP. and then actually spend time thinking about that. the only answer is they wouldn't lower their MSRP, because Nintendo is a business. obviously physical cartridges cost money to produce, and distribute, and the retailer needs to profit as well. retailers are free to set their own price, MSRP does of course mean the "suggested" price. this would obviously mean the retailer makes less money on it. but that is the nature of retail; retailers compete with one another. what has happened here is Walmart have lowered the price of these 3 recent pre-order Nintendo physical games, and now Amazon has matched them for this Star Fox physical game pre-order. that doesn't change the absolute fact that the MSRP is indeed higher ℹ️ anyone can easily check Nintendo's own website pre-order and see that.

the fact of the matter is; Switch 2 exclusive games have had split digital/physical pricing in other regions (Japan and Europe) since Switch 2 launched. America is merely aligning with that now. it really is silly to insinuate the people who were saying Nintendo were increasing the MSRP on physical games, were running a "disinformation campaign". more to the contrary; it is you who is spreading disinformation now.

@Ironcore Because, you know, people are getting paid to make it.

@jco83 Wait so now I’m running a disinformation campaign because you were wrong? Lmao, many were saying the $60 games would be priced at $60 digitally and $70 physical, but no, they stayed at $60 and lowered the digital price to $50 and retailers are now matching the digital price to compete for your money, but you still claim the MSRP is higher? Believe what you want to believe, the fact of the matter is that both Star Fox and Splatoon Raiders are fairly priced at $50.

@IOI don't be so naive. it isn't so black & white. if you care for FACTS: Yoshi Mysterious Book is a lower price-tier game WORLDWIDE ℹ️ … US MSRP is $60 digital, $70 phsical → https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/yoshi-and-the-mysterious-book-switch-2/

both Splatoon Raiders & Star Fox are even lower price-tier games WORLDWIDE ℹ️ … US MSRP is $50 digital, $60 physical → https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/splatoon-raiders-switch-2/ & https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/star-fox-switch-2/

@jco83 And? Yoshi would’ve been $80 physical and $70 digital if the MSRP went up, but no, it stayed at $70 physical and lowered the digital release to $60.

If anything this shows how dynamic pricing varies between games, when a major game like Ocarina of Time or the next 3D Mario releases for $80, same price as Mario Kart World, we’ll have the ultimate confirmation, if the MSRP indeed went up then it’ll release at $90 physically and $80 digital, if not $80 physical and $70 digital, yet still when that happens you still won’t admit you were wrong, same as all other grifters running a disinformation campaign.

@IOI we are almost getting somewhere, but you seem unhealthily obsessed with "being right" and "being wrong". get over it. all that matters are facts and logic. the individual(s) who stated something, don't matter. it's the spread of misinformation that matters.

If anything this shows how dynamic pricing varies between games

↑ this may be the most important aspect of this debate.

i'd like to add that Mario Kart World is the only Nintendo game which has been priced that high so far. FYI the UK RRP of this game since launch has been £66.99 digital, £74.99 physical ℹ️

and now we reach the crux of the whole matter. there is no way to know how Nintendo would have priced games if they hadn't decided to go the way of split pricing. therfore no one can claim Nintendo lowered the prices of their digital games. and no one can claim Nintendo increased the prices of their physical games. for all we know it could be a 50/50 split difference (physical half higher & digital half lower). so BOTH arguments are WRONG.

good day

@jco83 Loool I am the one fixated in “being right”?

Whenever Nintendo releases a $90 physical game I’ll concede all this was a 4D chess move to increase the MSRP, meanwhile just live with the fact Star Fox, Splatoon Raiders and Yoshi are fairly priced…

@IOI yes over different comments here you stated "you were wrong" & "you still won’t admit you were wrong" 😁

meanwhile just live with the fact Star Fox, Splatoon Raiders and Yoshi are fairly priced…

yes they are great prices 👍

@Oldstalk It's already mostly made.

Based retailers once again eliminating Nintendo's physical tax. Love to see it.

I was originally gonna pass on the Starfox remake since I've played the original to death, but if I can get physical for $50, maybe.

@Ironcore because the game was made from the ground up with HD assets, and new cutscene between the missions? The only thing they didn't have to come up with was level design, this is not a simple port, its all been remade....I'd say its not $70 BECAUSE they didn't have to design new levels like I said

By the way Starfox 64 was $60 when it came out back in the day, this is a deal lol

Preordered yesterday from shopto.net for £42. The announcement of this game (and the price hike) made me finally brake and get a S2 yesterday along with DK and Metroid 4. I was planning to hold out for a console revision but Starfox was the tipping point. This was one of my favorite games on the 64 and I will be supporting it come release.

i am not going to buy it because they ruined my goat (slippy)