Once upon a time, video games cost $59.99 and came with a manual you never read. That time is over.
Welcome to 2025, where major publishers are adjusting prices upward, again, and the industry has decided that $80 is the entry fee for blockbuster titles — and that’s before deluxe editions, battle passes, or the obligatory in-game cat ears.
So yeah, game prices are increasing. And if you’ve seen the latest updates from Xbox or were raging about Mario Kart: World pricing, you already know the trend isn’t slowing down. The question is: what now?
A Quick Recap: Price Creep Is Real
Nintendo has confirmed that some Switch 2 titles will retail at $80 in the United States — a first for the company that’s traditionally kept things a little lower, at least for first-party games. Meanwhile, Xbox announced that its flagship titles are joining the $80 club as well.
The logic is simple: development costs are skyrocketing, teams are larger, games are bigger, and publishers are greedier.
The Gamer Response: Boycott (But Not Really), Then Keep Reading
While nobody’s thrilled about the price hike, seasoned players are adapting — not by spending less, but by spending smarter. Enter the digital marketplaces.
Platforms like Eneba have become essential tools for the modern gamer who doesn’t feel like mortgaging their console to buy a single AAA release. These marketplaces offer discounted game keys, gift cards, and currency top-ups across every major platform, often with regional flexibility, seasonal promos, monthly sales, and even cashback deals that make the full-price storefronts look like bad jokes.
Why Digital Marketplaces Work (and Keep Working)
Here’s the thing: most gamers aren’t trying to dodge paying. They’re just trying to stretch their budget without sacrificing their hobby. Marketplaces like Eneba offer:
Legit digital keys for new and classic titles
Platform gift cards (great if you’re trying to preload funds or stick to a budget)
Lower prices thanks to vendor competition
Instant delivery, because no one wants to wait three days to rage in Elden Ring
And yes, sometimes you can find that $80 game for $54. Which, in this economy, feels like winning the lottery and getting a rare skin at the same time.
So... Is $80 the New Normal?
Unfortunately, yes. At least for a while. As hardware improves and development cycles stretch out, publishers will keep pricing their games like prestige events. The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to debut with top-tier games pushing the $80 envelope, and Xbox is continuing its high-end push alongside Game Pass offerings.
But that doesn’t mean you’re trapped. Whether you’re topping up a wallet, looking for deals on pre-orders, or just trying to avoid paying extra for in-game currency, digital marketplaces like Eneba are the player-friendly workaround to an increasingly expensive industry.
Prices Go Up, But So Do Options
Sure, gaming’s getting pricier and is starting to feel like a luxury. But it’s also getting smarter — and so are players. You don’t have to buy from the first overpriced digital storefront that pops up. Not when digital marketplaces like Eneba are out here helping you game like it’s still 2012 — financially, at least.
So no, we can’t stop the price hike. But we can outsmart it.