That's true, you can't validate a purchase you don't spend time with, but I never buy something I don't absolutely want. For example Pokemon Sun/Moon wasn't like that for me, so I never got them.
Animal Crossing was a huge investment for me because I spent a lot of idle time with it, so I totally feel like the price of the game was worth the enjoyment I got out of it.
I suppose it comes down to that really. Do you get more enjoyment out of something (game or not) than the cost? If so I think it's wonderful!