When I first heard about the Nintendo Switch 2, I was excited. As an avid Nintendo gamer, I was looking forward to playing all the new games, especially Mario Kart World, which is something I’ve been looking forward to for the past six years. I’ve put so many hours into Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the original Nintendo Switch, but the new one looked incredible. I was taken by its cast of characters, 24-player races, and open world mode. Then, I saw the price of $430 for the console and $80 for the game and realized that it might not be worth it. $500 is a considerable amount of money to be spending on a video game console and a single game.

In a recent Nintendo Direct, a livestream where they announce news for all things Nintendo, they revealed that Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 were coming to the Switch 2, but would be priced at a ridiculous $35.

Historically, Nintendo has released these games in other places, like the Wii Selects Collection (for $20, by the way), at lower prices. Prices like these weren’t as prevalent ten years ago, and it has made me realize that many companies have been down this dark path of scamming their customers for a long time.

As opposed to making original games, Nintendo has continuously been pumping out re-released titles. This was seen in games like The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, which only added a new Amiibo figurine to let you leave any area at any time. Further, the Pikmin 1 and 2 ports only released in 16:9 and HD. That was it. 

Additionally, it only takes a short amount of time to edit a game’s user interface (UI), which makes it easier to churn out old games and put them at ridiculous price tags. This idea is good, in theory. For example, many people who have never played these old games, like Super Mario Galaxy, will get to experience them for the first time. However, the prices bring into question: is the experience truly worth it?

As a result, many people have started boycotting Nintendo and finding alternative ways to play their games. For instance, dumping legally obtained copies of older Nintendo games has become much more accessible, allowing people to have the experience for free. I have done this before, and it truly is incredibly useful. Playing these old games in new ways is very refreshing and fun.

Furthermore, SEGA, Nintendo’s famous rival, put out an advertisement for their newest crossover racing game, comparing it to Mario Kart World by using a broken-down van. This advertisement actually made Nintendo fix their game, with an update that changed virtually everything wrong with it.

Protests like these are known to be effective, especially in the digital age. YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) are easy platforms to share thoughts and opinions on many things, like the high prices that Nintendo is charging, for example.

If people like us can band together and let our voices be heard, we can stop this perpetual cycle. Ordinary people, especially high school students, shouldn’t have to pay crazy prices for their consoles and games. After all, gaming is meant to be fun: an outlet where you can forget about your troubles and worries; a place where you can make new friends with similar interests. It shouldn’t have to be a financial burden to anyone, and if our voices are heard, we can make change happen.