The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has sparked renewed debate about Nintendo's pricing strategy for the Switch 2, with many gamers suggesting Bethesda's approach offers better value. The remastered RPG offers significant upgrades while maintaining an affordable $50 price point for the complete edition.
A Comprehensive Remaster or Borderline Remake?
Developed by Virtuos using Unreal Engine 5, Oblivion Remastered delivers 4K/60fps performance alongside meaningful gameplay refinements. Beyond visual enhancements, improvements span character progression systems, combat mechanics, UI design, and even new dialogue with updated lip-syncing technology. These extensive changes have led some fans to argue Bethesda undersells the project by calling it a remaster rather than a full remake.
The Pricing Paradox
This $50 complete package contrasts sharply with Nintendo's premium pricing for Switch 2 upgrades. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's enhanced version retails for $70 (without DLC), while Tears of the Kingdom commands $80 - sparking criticism for repackaging older content at premium prices.
Breath of the Wild's Switch 2 edition offers visual upgrades, achievements, and integration with Nintendo's Zelda Notes service. However, the absence of included DLC means players must pay $90 total for the complete experience. This pricing appears particularly steep compared to Oblivion's all-inclusive offering.
Oblivion, a full-blown Unreal Engine 5 remake is $50... Zelda Breath of the Wild Switch 2 edition is $70 with a few enhancements... I don't know how anybody can defend Nintendo for its Switch 2 game prices
— JayWood2010 (@JayWood2010) April 22, 2025
"Nintendo will look at them and say 'those guys could have made $30 extra,'" joked one Reddit user. Industry analyst Dr. Serkan Toto suggests Nintendo's pricing reflects confidence in their brand loyalty: "They charge this price because they know people will pay."
The debate highlights growing consumer expectations around value in the remaster/remake market. While Oblivion demonstrates what $50 can deliver, Nintendo's premium pricing strategy continues generating controversy ahead of the Switch 2 launch.
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