Former head of Nintendo of America, Reginald Fils-Aimé, explained why the company rarely discounts its exclusive games — even years after release.
During the NYU Game Center Lecture Series, Fils-Aimé noted that this policy is directly related to the company's philosophy and its historical roots. Unlike competitors like Sony and Microsoft, where regular sales have long been the norm, Nintendo takes a different approach.
According to the former executive, a key role is played by the so-called "Kyoto craftsmanship" — a concept inspired by the culture of Kyoto, where the company is based. This city is historically known for its high level of craftsmanship — from textiles to ceramics — and Nintendo applies this approach to game development.
Fils-Aimé emphasized that the company strives to release projects that are already fully ready to play: without major day-one patches and unfinished content. This strategy, he said, also shapes the pricing policy: Nintendo believes it sells a finished product at a fair price that should not change over time.
As an example, he cited The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which has not received official discounts from the company since its release. Sometimes retailers might offer promotions, but Nintendo itself did not lower the price.
Thus, the refusal to offer discounts is not a marketing accident, but part of the company's overall philosophy: to create high-quality, complete games and maintain their value for many years.