Street Fighter 6 has always managed to inspire excitement and intrigue amongst community. With Capcom’s recent announcement of a collaboration with the iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Street Fighter 6, you’d expect the fan base to be thrilled. However, the exorbitant pricing for these new DLC costumes has created more of a controversy than celebration.
Hitting the Battle Hub on August 8, the TMNT costumes – comprising Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello – have been presented to fans at a whopping price of $15 each, or 750 Fighter Coins in the game’s in-game currency.
Now, for those looking to splurge on all four turtles, you’re looking at a bill equivalent to the price of the game: $60. It’s a surprisingly steep price that has become a source of contention among fans, especially given the notable comparisons to other TMNT collaborations.
Games like Injustice 2 offered players all four turtles as playable characters at a modest $10. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5’s TMNT skins were even cheaper – free. This comparison naturally begs the question: What justifies such a steep price in Street Fighter 6? Particularly since they are merely skins, not playable characters.
Capcom may argue the pricing aligns with the current live-service video game trend, where cosmetic skins often come at a premium. Furthermore, players can buy Fighter Coins in specific batches, such as 250 for $4.99 or 2,750 for $49.99, making the total expense for TMNT enthusiasts nearly $100 if they aim to buy all related content including stickers, emotes, and accessories.
However, fans have pointed out a humorous and resourceful workaround. Some players, reluctant to shell out, are using the game’s avatar creation tools to craft their DIY versions of the turtles – more endearing in their off-brand appeal. In essence, they’ve managed to bring to life the essence of the turtles without opening their wallets.
Although many Street Fighter enthusiasts have grown accustomed to this kind of pricing, this recent TMNT crossover’s costs remain unjustifiably steep. Thankfully, Chipotle has offered a small reprieve, granting 250 Fighter Coins to those ordering food online as part of their Evo promotion, but this is limited in scope and time.
We’re currently in an age of gaming where microtransactions reign supreme. Games have shifted from one-time buys to continuous investments.
Whether it’s skins, cosmetics, or other in-game enhancements, players frequently face decisions about whether to part with their hard-earned cash for virtual add-ons. The conundrum is particularly acute for casual gamers who might not get the value from their purchase compared to their hardcore counterparts.
This entire situation underscores a broader conversation about the gaming economy and its direction. Are companies right in charging such high prices for DLCs and in-game items, even if they’ve become somewhat standard? Or should there be a recalibration, especially when these costs challenge the very essence of nostalgic partnerships like TMNT?
Perhaps it’s these sorts of monetization practices that has helped games like Remnant 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3, among a handful of other more recent examples, become more popular than mainstream titles. As most AAA games go with the microtransaction-filled flow, these “smaller” projects are more than happy to buck the trend, much to the celebration of fans.
In any case, this “small” issue doesn’t detract from the enriching gaming experience that Street Fighter 6 delivers, which its sales reflect as well. However, Capcom needs to think about the current TMNT pricing.
While Mortal Kombat 1 and Tekken 8 are expected to come with microtransactions as well, the exorbitant pricing of the Street Fighter 6 crossovers might persuade the fighting game community to support its competition.
Speaking of the turtles, TMNT is enjoying the mainstream spotlight lately, with successful collaborations with Xbox and an even better animated debut at the global box office. Finally, the video game adaptation of The Last Ronin is finally official.
