Cowabunga, Dudes! But Only if You’ve Got the Dough, Man!
Cowabunga, dudes! But only if you’ve got the extra cash lying around, bro! And let’s be real, that extra cash usually gets saved up for some greasy, delicious pizza, man. In a surprising and exciting turn of events, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) are set to invade Call of Duty (CoD) in a high-profile crossover for the first-person shooter (FPS) franchise. This collaboration, titled "CoDabunga," is sure to bring a blast from the past for fans of both the Turtles and the game. However, the way this crossover is being implemented in Black Ops 6 and Warzone has left some players decidedly unimpressed.
The Turtles Arrive in Style, but the Price Tag Bites
The turtles themselves look absolutely incredible, brought to life with a stylized realism that fits the CoD aesthetic to a tee. The attention to detail is impressive, from the iconic bandanas to the iconic weapons, making these iconic ninjas feel right at home in the game. But the one big problem with the collaboration is that each turtle will be available as part of their own separate bundles, likely to be priced at 2,400 CoD Points (around $20) apiece. And players are not pleased. This means that if you want to collect all four turtles, you’ll be looking at a hefty sum of around $80, not including any additional purchases.
The Event Pass: Free and Premium Tracks
On top of the individual turtle bundles, there’s also a TMNT Event Pass with both a free and a premium reward track. The free track includes Foot Clan operator skins and other TMNT cosmetics, along with two new weapons: the D1.3 Sector blade launcher and the Skateboard melee weapon. However, if you want to access the premium track, it will cost you 1,100 CoD Points (around $10). The premium track offers a wealth of exclusive content, including a Master Splinter operator skin, five exclusive weapon blueprints, a finishing move, and more. Add this to the cost of the turtle bundles, and you’re looking at around $100 to fully experience everything the TMNT x CoD crossover has to offer.
Familiar Terrain in a Sea of Monetization
This pricing model, while undoubtedly steep, is nothing new for CoD. It’s been a standard practice for the franchise over the past five-plus years, though the Event Pass is a newer addition, first introduced earlier this year with the Squid Game collaboration. Many players have pointed out that the high costs are only a concern if you choose to buy additional content after purchasing the base game. "People can simply stop spending money on the game after they buy it," one player said, adding that they’ve done this for years without feeling the financial pinch. However, for fans who are deeply invested in the TMNT and CoD, the costs can add up quickly.
The Sweet Rewards, but at What Cost?
The rewards for the TMNT event are indeed sweet, with a plethora of exclusive content that any fan of the Turtles would love. However, the price tag is making many gamers feel a bit salty. "Just play the game and enjoy the free/base rewards that are unlocked," another gamer advised. "Really don’t even give two shits about calling cards, emblems, screen savers, etc. anyways. I just want to run around and shoot people with my weapon and maybe occasionally try to melee someone only to miss and get melee’d by my opponent." This sentiment echoes the feelings of many who are content with the free offerings and choose to avoid the extra costs.
The TMNT Event: A Free For All with a Pricey Twist
The TMNT event, kicking off on Feb. 27, will bring a new set of game modes and more for free, adding a fresh layer of excitement to the game. However, the bulk of the collaboration, including the Season Two Reloaded update, is monetized extravagantly. Be prepared to pay if you want to fully enjoy what the TMNT x CoD crossover has to offer. While the content is undoubtedly appealing, the decision to indulge in the extra purchases ultimately comes down to personal preference and budget. Whether you choose to splurge on the turtle bundles or stick to the free rewards, the TMNT event promises to be a thrilling addition to the CoD universe.
