Bringing beloved older games to modern platforms through ports and remasters is a common practice in the video game industry. While many expect these re-releases to be affordably priced, some recent examples have launched with price tags that have raised eyebrows among consumers. These titles often feature minor graphical updates, improved frame rates, or control remapping, but the cost can feel disproportionate to the enhancements.
Sonic Colors Ultimate
Sega's 2021 remaster of Sonic Colors, originally a Wii title from 2010, was released on PlayStation 4, Switch, and Xbox One for $40. Despite the enjoyment fans found in the game, the port suffered from substantial technical defects at launch, including visual glitches, save file corruption, and broken gameplay elements. While many of these issues have since been addressed, the initial asking price remained a point of contention.
Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2
The PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, both released in 2026, arrived at $40 each. Critics noted that these versions offered similar performance to their original releases on older hardware, which can be acquired for significantly less. The added cost of the season pass, an additional $30, further increased the price for access to DLC. A discount to $20 was available for PlayStation Plus members, but many felt the base price was already too high.
Tales of Symphonia Remastered
Bandai Namco's remaster of Tales of Symphonia, which originally debuted in 2003, was released in 2023 for $40 on PlayStation 4, Switch, and Xbox One. This remaster represented the sole legitimate way to play the game on modern consoles. However, this price point was compared unfavorably to Tales of Symphonia Chronicles, a PS3 bundle from 2014 that included two full HD remasters for the same $40 cost.
Red Dead Redemption
Rockstar Games' remastered version of Red Dead Redemption, released in December 2025 for $50, brought the 2010 title to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. While it offers a more polished experience than the original PS3 version, which is still available for $30, the $50 price is only $10 less than the acclaimed Red Dead Redemption 2.
Burnout Paradise Remastered (Switch)
Electronic Arts' Burnout Paradise Remastered launched on Nintendo Switch in 2018 with a $50 price tag. This was notable as the game was already available on other consoles for less, and had seen digital sales as low as $5. Although the price was later reduced to $30 on the Nintendo eShop, it remained $10 higher than the PlayStation 4 edition.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD
Nintendo released Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD for the Switch in June 2024 at a $60 price point. This HD version of the 2013 3DS title, originally Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, costs $20 more than its original release. This places its price in line with its successor, Luigi’s Mansion 3, which was developed with more powerful hardware in mind from its inception.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars
To commemorate Mario's 35th anniversary in September 2020, Nintendo released Super Mario 3D All-Stars for the Switch at $60. This collection included Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. The game was available for a limited time and has since been delisted from digital and physical storefronts, driving up prices among collectors and resellers.
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition launched in November 2021 for $60, bundling Grand Theft Auto 3, Vice City, and San Andreas. Ahead of this release, the original console versions were removed from sale. The "definitive" ports were criticized for introducing numerous bugs and technical issues, including graphical glitches, poor performance, and missing audio. While patches have since improved the collection, it was for a time the only way to purchase these landmark titles, and it was the worst version.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2
A bundle of remastered Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 was released for the Switch in October 2025 at $70. While the games look and play well on current hardware, the price is considered steep given their age. Super Mario Galaxy is also available separately for $40, though this price is seen by some as a way to encourage players to double-dip if they already own Super Mario 3D All-Stars.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, originally released in 2011, has seen numerous re-releases. The Switch version, initially $60 in 2017 and now $50, does not include DLC by default. Accessing the downloadable content requires an additional $20 purchase or buying the $60 Anniversary Edition. This pricing structure has been criticized as penalizing early adopters. The Anniversary Edition on Sony hardware bundles both PS4 and PS5 versions for $50. The game also arrived on Switch 2, offering a free upgrade for existing owners of the expanded content or $18.99 for new purchasers.
As ports and remasters continue to appear on platforms like the Nintendo Switch 2, developers and publishers face decisions about pricing. While development costs are a factor, some publishers are charging premium prices that many feel do not align with the value offered. Gamers are advised to consider the inherent value of a game and the benefits of waiting for sales to secure better deals.