Gamers Willing to Pay $80+ for Games, Analyst Says

Analysts Say Gamers Are Ready to Pay $80 or More for New Games

Higher price tags aren’t slowing demand as Nintendo and Microsoft test $80 games.

As game prices hit $80, industry analysts say that players are not just accepting the change—they’re embracing it. Following Nintendo's announcement that Mario Kart World, a flagship launch title for the Switch 2, would be priced at $80, and Microsoft’s confirmation of similar plans later in 2025, the era of the $70 game may be quickly fading.

According to Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics, the industry has reached a tipping point:

“The market will bear it. Plenty of gamers are willing to pay price points above $70, as shown by the high numbers of those willing to pay $100 for a few days' early access.”

Elliott believes the price hikes from Nintendo and Xbox have “opened the floodgates,” signaling that any publisher with the ability to raise prices will follow suit.

Why $80 Doesn’t Scare Gamers

Despite rising inflation and concerns over discretionary spending, analysts note that gaming remains a top priority for consumers.

“Even in challenging economic times, people will spend money on what they want most,” Elliott says. “Early adopters will always be early adopters.”

That sentiment echoes recent comments from EA CEO Andrew Wilson, who described entertainment—especially games—as a “fundamental human need” unlikely to be impacted by economic downturns.

How Rising Game Prices May Shift Spending Habits

While many players are still buying full-price titles, spending patterns are changing, according to Newzoo analyst Manu Rosier.

“Gamers may become more selective, opting for subscriptions, discounted bundles, or live-service titles instead of frequent $80 purchases.”

He added that Xbox’s pricing strategy could accelerate the shift from individual game purchases to ecosystem-based models like Game Pass and other subscription services.

Meanwhile, Mat Piscatella of Circana noted that more players may gravitate toward free-to-play games and existing devices to manage budgets.

“Games like Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox will likely see increased playtime as prices rise elsewhere.”

$50 Games Still Exist—But They’re the Exception

Not every publisher is on board with the $80 trend. 2K Games recently announced Mafia: The Old Country will launch at $50 in August. However, industry watchers suggest this is part of a long-standing pricing tier system.

“$50 games in 2025 are the new $40 games from the PS4 era, and $30 from the PS2 generation,” said Daniel Ahmad of Niko Partners. “They’ve always existed for games that aren’t positioned as full-scale AAA titles.”

Hardware Prices Also Climbing

Alongside higher software prices, console pricing is increasing too. The Nintendo Switch 2 will retail at $450, $50 more than the original model’s 2017 launch price. With Microsoft raising Xbox prices and Sony rumored to follow suit, affordability may become a growing concern.

Nintendo has acknowledged that the Switch 2’s price could negatively affect sales, but so far demand for premium games like Mario Kart World appears strong—despite its $80 price tag.

The Future of Game Pricing

With consumers spending $100 or more for early access editions and deluxe bundles, analysts say premium pricing may become the new normal—at least for blockbuster titles.

“Game publishers will charge what they believe the market can support,” says Elliott. “And right now, that looks like $80—if not more.”

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for expert coverage on game pricing trends, upcoming console launches, and industry insights into what players will be paying—and playing—next.