Mario Kart World — $80 Starts Panic Mode
Nintendo just drop-kicked our wallets with Mario Kart World for Switch 2 at a blistering $79.99 USD. That’s not a collector’s edition, folks. That’s the vanilla, base game. And while it’s packed with content—open-world tracks, 24-player carnage, new kart physics—the sticker shock is real.
Reddit’s take? Brutal:
“As great as this game looks, $80 is pretty outrageous… if they’re gonna try charging all of their other AAA games at that same price.”
One user even joked that buying a Switch 2 and MK World felt like taking out a mortgage. And let’s be real—it’s hard to argue when the console, accessories, and game push you north of \$600.
🌌 The Outer Worlds 2 — AAA or AA+?
Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds 2 also hit us with the dreaded \$80 price tag, and fans are not having it. The game is quirky, fun, and rich in satire—but is it really $80 worth of polish?
Push Square’s survey says no:
- 53% of PS5 users polled said they refuse to pay that much.
- 35% said they wouldn’t buy it even on discount, because of the principle.
Ouch. That’s the gaming equivalent of getting booed off stage before you even pick up the mic.
And the irony? The Outer Worlds universe rips on late-stage capitalism—and now it’s charging like a corporate mega-church selling holy water. Even TheGamer took shots:
“Charging $80 for a game that mocks capitalist greed feels a little too on the nose.”
🎥 Hot Takes from YouTubers
YouTubers are flaming the price tags with hot lava:
- IGN Daily Fix roasted Nintendo’s justification as “optimistic marketing spin.”
- SpawnWave called Outer Worlds 2 pricing “tone-deaf and reckless.”
- LegacyKillaHD added, “This sets a scary precedent. What’s next? \$100 deluxe defaults?”
Let’s not give them any ideas.
⚠️ What This Means for PlayStation 6 (And Your Wallet)
The PlayStation 6 may still be in the lab, but make no mistake—\$80 titles could be the new normal by launch.
Why?
- Inflation. Sure, but gamers aren’t getting raises to match.
- Development bloat. AAA games now take 5+ years, \$100M+ budgets, and 500 devs.
- Corporate pressure. Publishers chasing those sweet quarterly reports.
But here’s the kicker: if gamers accept $80 now, that becomes the baseline. Get ready for \$100 Gold Editions to become the new normal. Imagine:
“Pre-order now for $99.99 and get early access to half the game!”
🔄 Gamer Survival Guide
Here’s how to stay ahead without going broke:
- Wait for reviews. Day 1 hype is overrated.
- Use subscription services. PS+ and Game Pass might be your best bet.
- Trade & resell. Physical games still have value, folks.
- Support indies. $20 can still buy you 50 hours of joy (Stardew, anyone?).
- Vote with your wallet. If no one buys $80 AA games, they won’t keep pricing them that way.
🚀 Final Thoughts
Let’s not pretend gaming hasn’t always been expensive. But now we’re seeing a perfect storm: next-gen expectations, high dev costs, and greedy pricing models. The PlayStation 6 could be the ultimate battleground between price-hiking publishers and price-fatigued players.
If $80 becomes the default, will gamers fold or fight back?
💬 Your Turn:
Would you ever pay $80 for a launch title? Is $70 the new sweet spot, or are we all getting scammed in 4K?
Drop your hot take below—and tell us the last game you thought was actually worth full price. (We’ll start: Elden Ring. You’re welcome.)
