Ridicuolous prices of indie games on the Switch

Having run out of games on my Switch, I recently started looking at the e-shop, but was instantly floored by the prices on indie games.

There are games that have been out for years on Steam/PS4/X1 yet are retailing as if they're brand new offerings on the Switch.

Anyone else disappointed by Nintendo's pricing model on this stuff? I'd be willing to re-buy some of these games on my Switch (since I already own most of them on Steam), but not at $30, when I paid $3 for them.

Don't forget middle priced physical releases generally costing $10 more due to cartridge costs.

I swear man, it is just unreasonably expensive

There are less games on the Switch e-shop versus Steam/XL/PSN right now. Less competition = higher prices.

That being said, a lot of the cross platform digital only games share a similar standard price across platforms, at least in the US.

Personally: I enjoy having having a good amount of indie games on Switch versus PC or other console. It just feels better to easily have access to the game on the go or at home.

Example: If X game is on SALE on the eShop and Steam. Standard price is $30 but Steam has it for $10 but the eShop has it for $15, I most likely will be willing to shell out the extra $5 for portability.

Could that be a reason for the higher prices? Maybe... I'm not alone in that regard.

Darkest Dungeon recently went on sale for $21. The game's regular price on Steam is $25, while it was on sale for $10 earlier this year. Nintendo runs terrible sales.

Yeah, it sucks. Binding of Isaac is 40 euros LMAO.

I just buy the games I really want a handheld version of. Not sure who to blame, Nintendo or the publisher of the game? Both? Can't just be the publisher when ALL indie games on Switch are fucking expensive.

You'll see a Switch release of an indie game for 20 euro, full price upon its initial release. Then you'll see the same game on Steam for half of that. :P

It really sucks. It is great to have these indie games on the go. Ones like Binding of Isaac are great for my commute to work but man are they expensive!

If you buy a Switch you agreed to pay more for less all the time and every time. Nintendo has been offering shit value for ages.

I wonder why this happens? I understand the extra costs of porting it to the next platform, but I thought the idea was you also got extra sales out of it. Weird.

Do be aware that most Switch versions of indie games come with all DLC/expansions. I think that goes for Binding of Isaac too, which would make its Steam equivalent 36 euro's at the moment.

Yup. It’s only worth buying them on sale.

Nintendo is not the one deciding the prices for those games. It's the indie devs/publishers who set the price.

So why would they decide to be twice as expensive on Switch? Seems like a stupid move.

Pretty much have to wait for the dedications.

@nethernova: I don't know but it seems to be working out for them. Super Meat Boy came out this year for Nintendo Switch at full price as if it were released back in 2010 and sold ridiculously well on the platform. Source

I imagine a lot of parents buying games for their kids don't realize what a ripoff these games are.

I don't know, better for you to ask the devs/pubs since they are the only ones that know the reason, but I do I agree that it is a stupid decision of the devs/pubs.

@UssjTrunks: I don't even think it's that considering most Switch owners are men between the ages of 20 and 30. I think it's a collection of people who missed out on these games originally and want to buy it for their new game console. Given that there isn't as much competition on the platform, these indie games are getting more exposure, hence the large sales despite the price for some of these games.

Most of indie games sales come from combination of double dipping on the switch and new buyers. You going to be starved for games and you also want to play certain games in portable mode. Indie studios and Nintendo know they gotta collect as much money as possible out of you while the Switch is at a premium right now. Gotta exploit that hunger lol. That has always been the nintendo way.

Indeed, plus rebuying old ported games that look last gen as well. They don't call it Bait & Switch for nuttin ya know. lol :P

Well you can't complain, it's nothing new. You guys pay £10+ for cheap NFC toys that look almost as cheap as something that comes with a Kinder egg, whatever floats your boat I suppose.

Oh yea, taking the piss. Because they can.

Know it's not Ninty's fault but anything Nintendo is expensive as fck compared to PS.

Nintendo fanboys pay high prices, hence high prices.

Sheeps will buy them regardless, so they can get away with selling free smartphone games for 40 bucks on switch.

Like what?

@boycie:

It's not 40, but close enough (25dollars for a free Android/iOS game is still a lot)

https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/voez-switch

Yep. They are way too overpriced. 2nd worst thing about the switch. (Next to the online)

I look forward to getting charged for sega ages classics individually, rather than just buying the compilation that EVERY OTHER PLATFORM IS GETTING

I don't buy indies generally so...

Agreed, but I got Stardew Valley for $15- same as the other versions, and I've already put over 50 hours into the game, so definitely worth the price.

I want to finally play Shovel Knight as well, looks like that price is the same as PS4

@drummerdave9099: Shovel knight is a good game, especially with the additional expansions. Last year's Specter of Torment is a particular standout. In fact, it arguably improves upon the original campaign.

I'd say it's worth a try if you are interested. It has good level design!

That has got the be the number one complaint I have on the Switch right now. Even the sales they have SUCK!

@Xabiss: We had a decent sale in Europe at the end of last month, but that was the first e-shop wide sale I have seen in Europe with deals that were really worth it. They are too far from one another.

Came in here to post this. From what I've seen, any indie game that doesn't have DLC is priced exactly the same as on other platforms. And other games are more expensive since they come bundled with all the DLC.

Granted, games don't go on sale as much as on, say, Steam, so it's a matter of deciding what you want to be able to play on a convenient handheld.

The sale store is a must visit, I recently got slayaway camp and end is nigh for good prices.

Thanks! It's on my list, I just haven't gotten a ton of gaming time with school and work. Just down to my final paper and then free for the summer :) gonna get Shovel Knight and Donkey Kong on Switch for sure.

@drummerdave9099: Have you played Tropical Freeze before? The level design is terrific, multi-threaded goodness. It gives you pathways for beginner players and tougher pathways for seasoned players, as well as really good mechanics for speed-running.

Yeah, they do seem like a rip-off.

To be fair a lot of the prices are on par with PSN and XBOX.

Steam is a thing all to itself, those prices get crazy cheap. I honestly don't feel it's a fair comparison.

Take Rocket League and Stardew Valley, same price on Switch as all the others. And RL has been on sale for 14.99 quite a few times.

It's the best 2d platformer I've played in terms of level design, honestly. Everything is so well thought it's ridiculous.

@rafaelmsoares: Retro Studios are a really talented bunch! I'd say they're one of Nintendo's strongest studios.

They are... SEGA should lend sonic to them for a 2d game, honestly.

@rafaelmsoares: It's good that SEGA have found a place for 2D Sonic in Christian Whitehead's team. The fans appeared to love Sonic Mania.

I am personally more a Tropical Freeze guy. I think the courses are more cohesive. It never gets too out of control. I'd love to see what Retro Studios are working on now, because supposedly they are not doing Metroid Prime 4.

I would love a new IP... Nintendo is needing one of those.

Poor Arms. Ye shall go on unappreciated.

@rafaelmsoares: I certainly think a new action-adventure IP would be good. Although, admittedly it's great to see Samus back. I hope MP4 turns out good...

I could never get into first person metroid... I loved Samus Returns tho

@rafaelmsoares: Metroid Prime 1 & 2 are my jam. :)

Granted, Super Metroid and Zero Mission are the bees knees too!

But yeah, personally I'd like Retro Studios to work on something new.

I can't play anything on first person period... it throws me off not seeing my character (kinda dumb, I know)... but yeah, it would be great of nintendo to show they can still put out a massive single player action adventure/platformer.