As a consumer, I like Nintendo's policy to maintain games' prices
- Thread starter walking fiend
- Start date
TheSpoiler
Member
Can you point out where you are reselling these things so reliably that you are getting an equal return on investment? If you trade in Smash Bros Wii U on Amazon right now, you get 20 bucks back. Used copies are around 44 to 50.
On Ebay, a quick glance shows you can buy the game for around 40 bucks or a little less than that.
For something more recent, Star Fox is found at 38 to 50 used on Amazon, and a new copy can be found for around 40 to 40 or less new on Ebay.
For shits and giggles, you can resell Smash Bros to Gamestop for 25, not including whatever deals are running.
Unless you have some magical place that gives you the exact amount on resale, I doubt you are breaking even on this, or even close to be honest in consideration to the current prices of Nintendo's used games.
How is this helping you? That you get ten extra dollars, maybe, than other AAA titles?
Vulcano's assistant
Banned
Now we know why Nvidia is going after Nintendo's fanbase
NinjamicWZ
Banned
I'd rather have the opportunity to get something cheaper when the time is right at the risk of feeling buyer's remorse for having bought into something too soon. That doesn't mean that there isn't a price problem where games shouldn't be so expensive in the first place for the people who enjoy them enough to buy in early.
Sorcerer Supreme
Member
i cant believe you or anyone thinks of buying games as an "investment". that's incredibly sad.
ElectricBlanketFire
Member
Same. Why would I want to pay $40 for a used game that came out 5 years ago?
If this past year has taught us anything, it's that people have some really stupid beliefs.
walking fiend
Member
Of course if you don't want to play the games at lunch. (Lol lunch again )
Okay, this is all funny, because what made me create this thread was that I just bought a PS3 with several games that I have wanted for system for less than $200. It made me wonder why I didn't spend just a little bit more for a PS4? And I realized it is because I know I can wait for more years and buy a whole collection of PS4 games that I want for $200. However, I wish I could play PS4 games with everyone else without worrying that I will be wasting my money. I hope that makes sense.
Barakov
Gold Member
Selling the odd game you decide not to keep for $20 more than other games.
Getting a ton of games $20 cheaper.
Definitely my feeling on it. Not paying the premium price should be the goal. Thankfully, there are a bunch of ways not to do that.
Honestly I like the fact that the prices of Nintendo 1st party games stay relatively stable because with stuff like GCU I can jump in early without worrying about the price tanking the following week. Then again I'm in a fortunate spot right now with a steady level of disposable income. If times were tough I'd probably be less enthusiastic about those prices staying high.
Still have plenty of time until the Switch comes out for Nintendo fans to trot out even better hot takes. Is anyone else going to pick up Halo 6 on the Switch by the way?
AyaisMUsikWhore
Member
Ooop! Clock.
This is exactly why I hate buying Nintendo games because this is so juvenile.
I don't think OP is entirely wrong though. The fact that their games don't drop price soon after launch makes it much easier to motivate buying them at release. And the fact that used prices stay high because of this is also a positive for early buyers.
At least with Nintendo titles I'm not gonna be annoyed at buying a game for full price to see it drop to half of that within a few weeks.
Certainly don't think it's as clear cut "bad" as a lot of commenters here state. I'm finding it hard to see how predictable prices is anti-consumer.
Retailers have deals with publishers on this.
At least with Nintendo titles I'm not gonna be annoyed at buying a game for full price to see it drop to half of that within a few weeks.
Certainly don't think it's as clear cut "bad" as a lot of commenters here state. I'm finding it hard to see how predictable prices is anti-consumer.
Pretty sure the cases of where prices get lowered really quickly is due to publishers telling them to sell it cheaper. Not because the stores want to get rid of stock. So they pretty much do.
Retailers have deals with publishers on this.
ReyVGM
Member
Sigh... Nintendo doesn't tell amazon or any store to "maintain prices" (after a period of time). It's a simple demand issue. Nintendo doesn't usually release annualized sequels, so the games they do release keep selling months or years after release, and if they always sell, then there's no reason for a store to lower the price.
If a game is crap, then the price will plummet (see Metroid Other M).
Now, if you're talking about their online store, that's another topic.
If a game is crap, then the price will plummet (see Metroid Other M).
Now, if you're talking about their online store, that's another topic.
Relaxed Muscle
Member
I think most experts would agree that is not a really wise investment.
But it also contradicts your title, as an investor you like Nintendo keeping their prices, not as a consumer.
OP you think your policy is good because you can resell games for a good amount of money... it's like an (real)ad saying that you should choose a certain bank not because it's good for some reason but because you can eventually change bank without costs, don't you find it paradoxical? That's exactly what you are doing.
Let's say that you buy 2 games long time after their release, both paid 60 but you sell one for 50, total paid 70 and you keep only one game, wouldn't be better to pay both 20 and keep them both?
In case you like them both you would pay 120 vs 40.
As a consumer it's way better to buy games for cheap.
Let's say that you buy 2 games long time after their release, both paid 60 but you sell one for 50, total paid 70 and you keep only one game, wouldn't be better to pay both 20 and keep them both?
In case you like them both you would pay 120 vs 40.
As a consumer it's way better to buy games for cheap.
TheSpoiler
Member
Well, two things.
Your current method is saving you five, ten dollars max. At that point, you just take the plunge because you aren't going to get your full investment back. And that's assuming someone buys your product, which isn't assured.
Secondly, being a good consumer means doing research. For me, I wanted a PS4 because of the games. I researched the product, saw that I liked the games (my threshold is five or six releases that I would enjoy, with two or three lined up that year), and it worked out. No need to stifle your enjoyment out of fear when you have the vast resources of the internet available at your disposal.
MSRP is maintained by the companies IIRC. Amazon can slash the prices a certain amount, though.
JordanN
Banned
Selling the odd game you decide not to keep for $20 more than other games.
Getting a ton of games $20 cheaper.
Reminds me of this Penny Arcade comic:
ebullientprism
Member
This makes it even worse. LOL.
So you got a great deal on a ton of fantastic games and a console. You know you will get a great deal on another console and games in the future. And your first thought was "I wish I could pay some corporation more money for the same experience."
LMAO.
ViolentP
Member
This reasoning makes no sense to me. Why would you care if the prices tanked a week later? Is it because you don't want people to get any better a deal than you did?
Fact is, I am in a fortunate spot financially as well, and just because I am doesn't give me a pass to waste my money.
Beer Monkey
Member
Here's an actual investment. Buy Xbox 1 and PS4 games when then have been cut $30, and invest that saved $30 in an index fund. Do this every time you buy a game.
WrenchNinja
Member
That's stupid as hell
For real. It's like claiming baseball cards are an investment. Or spending all of your money on lottery tickets because their an "investment".
It's getting to be time to just rename it Nintendo Syndrome at this rate. Astounding.
QuantumSquid
Member
Higher prices are bad for the consumer though.
CrazyArcadia
Member
I can see where OP is coming from.. Though my reasoning is a bit different. On one hand I get waiting for lowest prices (I tend to do so on PC) and hey, digital % deals and the Nintendo select series are just that. Yet, at least in my country, Nintendo games start off at least 20-25 cheaper than PS4 or X1 releases. And lots of their series are "once or twice per console cycle" deals so why should they e.g. downprice Mario Kart when it stays the most recent entry for 3-5 years? In that regard, I can think of a couple of other devs who do this as well, e.g. Sony 1st party games or Blizzard where you also might wait until a sequel arrives or it reaches a certain amount of full price sales (or.. fails, but as pointed out, failed Nintendo games also loose their price).
I think that conservative pricing scheme is both the reason why many people won't buy into the Nintendo ecosystem but at the same time is also the reason why their titles can still produce money for them after 2-3 years and why they stay financially more healthy than other pubs. Game sales for christmas vs. Game sales for the next couple of years.
About the 'bad for consumer' angle: I find the elaborate day 1 preorder dlc microtransaction schemes which lots of full price titles need to include to make their money back a lot more bothersome in the long run.
I think that conservative pricing scheme is both the reason why many people won't buy into the Nintendo ecosystem but at the same time is also the reason why their titles can still produce money for them after 2-3 years and why they stay financially more healthy than other pubs. Game sales for christmas vs. Game sales for the next couple of years.
About the 'bad for consumer' angle: I find the elaborate day 1 preorder dlc microtransaction schemes which lots of full price titles need to include to make their money back a lot more bothersome in the long run.
Kirye
Member
I can sort of see this, though I don't think investment is the right word to use cause people just seem to be jumping on the OP for it.
If I was to sell 10 Wii U games and 10 PS4 games with equal release timing I know for a fact that I'd get peanuts for my PS4 games compared to my Wii U library.
Yes, it's easier to buy a PS4 game cheaper a month or so after release but Nintendo benefits those who want to play a game Day 1.
If I was to sell 10 Wii U games and 10 PS4 games with equal release timing I know for a fact that I'd get peanuts for my PS4 games compared to my Wii U library.
Yes, it's easier to buy a PS4 game cheaper a month or so after release but Nintendo benefits those who want to play a game Day 1.
dead souls
Member
I love Nintendo games, but I also love the fact that pretty much every other game I buy is less than $20 so...
Pretty much this. I usually just wait for B2G1 deals for Nintendo games that are stubbornly refusing to drop in price.
Pretty much this. I usually just wait for B2G1 deals for Nintendo games that are stubbornly refusing to drop in price.
ElectricBlanketFire
Member
It's the premise of the thread.
Gotdatmoney
Member
The fact they hold value nakes them good trade on bait. But I would prefer to just buy it cheap.
You worry less but you pay more. Stop worrying, and stop paying too much. Best of both worlds.
The flip side of this is that buying Nintendo games used is a bitch. As a kid who grew up on only Nintendo systems, I know that pain all to well. Meanwhile I can buy 3 PS4 or XB1 games for $30, and let's not even bring Steam and GOG into it.
walking fiend
Member
I don't pay for my Nintendo games though. I am planning to sell my GC collection and it will be enough to pay for switch, and I got to play everything with other people at launch. Shrugs
True i buy them for enjoyment sure Nintendo games kinda helped me in my youth mentally especialy Zelda. But i agree that their pricing should drop way quicker they should slash the price in half after the big sales period and have some good deals on the eshop.
The Mario Galaxy games were like 60 for 4+ years wich is insane OoT 3D and Majoras Mask 3Ds still go for full price in the eshop and retail.....it's just ridiculous im a fan of Nintendo's games but i'm certainly no fan of some of their business decisions.
Thats why a company never is your friend they are there to earn money. Sure the games they deliver can emotionally effect us but you should thank the devs who made those games not the company itself imo for that, because they worked their butts off to deliver said games we like.
So yeah Nintendo should be more modern in pricing the seal of quality stuff is dumb it's not the 90s anymore.
Movalpolos
Banned
No you aren't being rude, you're just being an ignorant, generalizing douchebag.
Spiral Insanity
Banned
Haha
What dark magic is this.
walking fiend
Member
You need to look up opportunity cost in an economic book or on Wikipedia. Anything with a smaller opportunity cost is a relative investment.
Reselling Pikmin, SSBM, etc. on eBay?