A leak sprung today that Diablo III would be seeing a re-release on the Nintendo Switch. While this is nothing new, it was also announced that the full $59.99 most have come to expect from a newly released game would be its going price. While I would normally say its a little unfair to not give a discount for those who have purchased the game at any point since its initial release in 2012, there's good news! In the Nintendo Switch edition, you receive a custom armor set that gives your character the appearance of Ganondorf! Ganondorf people! I know there are many people who aren't above spending $20 or more for what essentially boils down to be cosmetic DLC, but the least Blizzard could have done is give people more of an incentive to actually not feel awful about giving them more money.

Time and time again we see tasteless re-releases try to market people into adding duplicate copies into their collections. Remember The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim? It's a wonderful game filled with countless hours of replay value. No, seriously. I feel like one of my friends from high school hasn't turned it off since its release in 2011.

(Just checked his Steam account. He's still playing)

Since Skyrim's initial release on the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360, we've seen it subsequently come out for the next generation of consoles as well as the Nintendo Switch. The Legendary Edition included all previously released DLC. Assuming somebody had purchased the DLC already, the only incentive for someone to buy it would be for the sake of the convenience of playing it on their primary console. The Nintendo Switch version of the same edition, released over a year later, adds no content other than cosmetic armor that makes of you look like Link from his Breath of the Wild incarnation (seem familiar?). It, too, released at a full $60 asking price and shows no signs of lowering any time soon.

(Looks just like him!)

One of the most famous examples is Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Its a gem of a game that was arguably worth every cent of its $59.99 MSRP when it was released for the Wii U in early 2014. Since then, it has been added to the Nintendo Selects line, a collection of stand-out games re-published for a discounted price ($19.99). Over four years later, Nintendo re-released the game for a full $59.99.

But what if you already bought the game four years prior on your Wii U? You'd like it on the Switch, but $59.99 for the same game just leaves your wallet with a dent you're not entirely comfortable with. Well, fret not, Nintendo thought of that, and they've got you covered.

(& Knuckles)

Essentially, its an easier mode of the game where you get to play as Funky Kong. The announcement of Funky Mode quickly made the re-release the target of ridicule, and for good reason. It was seen as nothing more than a half-baked effort to get consumers to buy the same product.

Now, there does lie a counterpoint that is specific to Tropical Freeze and many recent Nintendo re-releases. As many people know, the Wii U didn't fare well with gamers and was a bit of a financial failure. In spite of Tropical Freeze's glowing reviews in 2014, most people couldn't justify spending $300 on a console that had almost no third-party support and a modest library at best. Those who turned their back on the Wii U were forced to go through a bit of a Nintendo drought outside of the 3DS, and I'd like to think that most of them own Switches now as a result. With the Switches amazing launch titles coupled with the equally amazing games it continues to churn out, there has been little reason not to own one. So at the very least, Tropical Freeze has likely found some success in that market of Switch owners who initially missed out. Still, Nintendo could have at least given some sort of discount to those who previously bought the game on Wii U and would also like a Switch copy. For being what equates to an "easy" mode, it seems that Funky Mode truly is quite an investment.

The case of Tropical Freeze aside, this does not excuse the mindless re-releases of those other games mentioned (and likely more to come). If you haven't played The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim and would like a cheap way to dip your toes in it, I suggest buying a used Xbox 360 for anywhere between $20 and $40 and a used copy of the game for $10. This is equal to or less than a brand new copy on the Switch. Diablo III can easily be played on nearly any system you have lying around your house. Unfortunately, you may have to pass on the Ganondorf schtick, but your wallet will surely thank you for that. Finally, if you still have a Wii U lying around, Tropical Freeze can still be bought for $19.99 at most retailers.

Be a smart consumer, and explore all your options. Even if you do have a nice shiny Switch, remember that you don't need to purchase full-priced re-releases to rationalize your initial Switch purchase. Its perfectly happy with its exclusives. Meanwhile, dust off your 360 or PS3 and show them some much needed love. You and your wallet will be happier you did.