April 15th 2025.
It's no secret that the PS5 Digital Edition is a more budget-friendly option compared to its counterpart. But according to the Tuesday letters page, it seems like Mario Kart World is the real winner when it comes to snagging a deal in the video game world this year. One reader even ponders the impact of nostalgia on live service games. If you want to join the discussion, feel free to email us at the provided address.
However, it seems like Sony may have made a bit of a blunder with their recent price increase on the PS5. With the highly anticipated release of the Switch 2 just around the corner, it's a bit of a head-scratcher for them to raise the price. It almost seems like a calculated move to ensure that Nintendo's machine remains the most affordable option. It's starting to make me question if anyone in the gaming industry really knows what they're doing, and if they have any sense of timing at all.
The long-term effects of this decision are still unknown, and I'm sure Sony doesn't have all the answers either. But one thing is for sure, the PS5 will now have a tough time outperforming its predecessor, the PS4. And with the Xbox Series X/S falling by the wayside and the original Switch slowly becoming obsolete, it's understandable why Sony took a risk with the price hike. But who would have thought that this would happen five years after the console's initial release? It's not entirely their fault, given the current state of affairs in America, but it does make you wonder what the future holds for the prices of their next console, the PS6.
It's a bit concerning to see Sony facing the consequences of being the first to release their next-gen console. As the saying goes, "the early bird catches the worm," but it seems like in this case, they may have caught a disadvantage instead. The sudden increase in price for the PS5, so late into the generation and without any warning, is quite shocking. And while we can attribute it to the tariffs in the US, it's puzzling why the rest of the world has to bear the brunt of it as well.
This was a predicted outcome when the tariffs were first announced, with speculations that companies would try to offset the cost by increasing prices globally. And if the Switch 2 remains unaffected by these changes, it may just win over some new fans. Especially if we find out that other companies are also planning to charge exorbitant prices for their games. This whole situation is turning into a nightmare, and it's safe to say that Sony's eagerness to hike up prices is not doing them any favors.
I still can't wrap my head around the fact that the PS5, a console that came out almost five years ago, is already on its second price increase. And to top it off, it's now more expensive than the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. It's like we're living in the darkest timeline imaginable. As someone who already owns a PS5, I may not be personally affected by this decision, but it's disheartening to see the state of the gaming industry in recent years. It feels like it's changed beyond recognition, and not for the better. With fewer big games, skyrocketing prices, and even Nintendo not being the savior some had hoped for, it's hard to see any positives for this generation, let alone the next.
I'm eagerly waiting for the Mario Kart World Direct happening this Thursday. The announcement of the Switch 2 and the new game, along with Donkey Kong Bananza and other features, has got me excited. I'm hoping that this new installment in the Mario Kart franchise will have a single-player story mode or campaign, similar to Diddy Kong Racing. While I've enjoyed playing all the different versions of Mario Kart, I do think there's room for improvement in the single-player experience as well as the multiplayer.
And before I sign off, I can't help but compare the critical success of The Last Of Us with the upcoming Minecraft movie. Many people seem to believe that video game movies are getting better, but I beg to differ. Films like Borderlands and Minecraft were a huge disappointment, and even the Mario Bros. movie didn't quite hit the mark. The only one that seems to have garnered a unanimous "okay" rating is Sonic The Hedgehog. But really, is that the best we can hope for? And more importantly, does it pass the ultimate test of being better than the original Mortal Kombat movie? I highly doubt it. While video game TV shows may have found success, I still have my doubts about whether a decent two-hour movie can be made out of them.
What are your thoughts on all these developments in the gaming world? We'd love to hear your opinions, so don't hesitate to drop us an email at the provided address.
It's been said that nothing beats a good bargain, and the Tuesday letters page seems to agree. One reader wrote in to share their thoughts on the video game of the year - Mario Kart World. They also brought up an interesting point about nostalgia and its impact on live service games. If you'd like to join in on the conversation, feel free to send an email to the provided address.
But let's talk about timing for a moment. It's hard not to notice the recent price increase for the PlayStation 5, especially with the highly anticipated Switch 2 just around the corner. Some might even say it's a strategic move by Sony to maintain the title of the cheapest console on the market. It's starting to make me question the competence of the gaming industry as a whole. Do they really know what they're doing? And when it comes to timing, it seems like they're completely clueless.
I can't help but wonder what repercussions this price increase will have in the long run. It's safe to say that the PlayStation 5 no longer has a chance at surpassing the success of its predecessor, the PlayStation 4. And with the Xbox Series X/S taking a backseat and the Switch 1 on its way out, Sony must have felt confident enough to take the risk. But who would have thought that five years after its initial release, the PlayStation 5 would see a price hike? It's not entirely their fault, given the state of things in America, but it does make me worry about the future of gaming and the prices we'll have to pay for it.
One reader shared their thoughts on the first mover disadvantage, and I couldn't agree more. It's shocking to see such a significant price increase for the PlayStation 5, especially at this stage in the generation. And while we're all aware of the tariffs in the US, it's puzzling to see the rest of the world facing the consequences as well. It was predicted that companies would try to offset the increase in the US by raising prices elsewhere, but who knows what will happen to the price of the Switch 2 before its release. If it remains the same in other parts of the world, it'll certainly earn Nintendo some more fans. Especially if other companies follow suit and start charging £100 for new games. It's a nightmare for consumers, and it's hard not to feel like Sony is playing us for fools.
It's crazy to think that the PlayStation 5, a console that's been out for almost five years, is getting its second price increase. And not only that, but it's now more expensive than the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. It's like we're living in the darkest timeline, where gaming has changed beyond recognition and not for the better. As someone who already owns a PlayStation 5, I'm not personally affected by the price increase. But it's disheartening to see the direction the industry is heading in. There are too few big games, prices are skyrocketing, and even Nintendo, the savior of the industry, isn't enough to make up for it. This generation was a mistake, and I fear for the next one.
Moving on to some lighter news, the Mario Kart World Direct is happening this Thursday. I'm excited to see what they have in store, especially after the Switch 2 announcement and the reveal of Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. I'm hoping they'll introduce a single-player story mode or campaign, similar to Diddy Kong Racing. While I've enjoyed previous versions of Mario Kart, I believe there's always room for improvement in both the single-player and multiplayer experiences.
Speaking of video games, with the new season of The Last Of Us out this week, I can't help but compare its success to that of the Minecraft movie. I've heard people say that video game movies are getting better, but I'm not entirely convinced. Borderlands was a disaster, Minecraft wasn't much better, and even the classic Mario Bros. movie wasn't very well received. The only one that seems to have a consensus of being "good" is Sonic The Hedgehog, but even then, it's only "okay" at best. Can we really say that's the best we can do? And more importantly, does it pass the ultimate test of being better than the original Mortal Kombat movie? In my opinion, it doesn't. I'm still not convinced that video game franchises can successfully make the jump to the big screen.
In conclusion, there's a lot happening in the world of gaming right now - price increases, new releases, and upcoming announcements. It's a lot to take in, and it's hard not to feel like we're at the mercy of big companies who only care about their profits. But despite all this, I'm still looking forward to the future and hoping for improvements in the industry. And if you have any thoughts or opinions, be sure to email us at the provided address. We'd love to hear from you.
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