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Buy a 60 GB unit from CircuitCity.com. If you don't like Circuit City, how about Fry's? Or maybe you prefer a Gamestop Bundle?

The PS3, despite shipping a paltry 400,000 units to the US before Christmas and maybe another 400,000 since (and that's being generous) has already intersected the Supply and Demand curves. They are freely available to anybody who wants one yet they remain in stock for long periods of time, sitting in warehouses and on store shelves.

How's that for data?

I find it interesting, that while so many of the comments on this posting claim "the age of gaming magazines is dead", the GameSetWatch article on circulation numbers shows that Gamestop's Game Informer magazine has been steadily increasing in subscription numbers, gaining almost 900,000 subscriptions between 2003 and 2006 to a current standing of nearly 2 million subscriptions. What distinguishes this magazine? It's the only one that I'm aware of that covers all the consoles *and* PC games, and costs about 15 bucks a year. The cancelled Official Playstation Magazine was selling for $10 apiece on newstands. That's a lot of money to pay for a demo disc and a bunch of ads for PS games. I've subscribed to Game Informer and EGM for quite some time now; I find that I enjoy reading the magazines to get a nice overview of what is out there for all the consoles, while taking a break from sitting in front of the computer...

"Generally speaking, over the past twelve years or so, there has been a consumer expectation that disc based games are maybe $59 on the high end to $39 on the low end. So, what I can say now is, I think it would be a bit of a stretch to think that we could suddenly turn around and say 'PS3 games now $99.99'."

"- A $500 Microsoft 360 that also doesnt include a game. So I need to spend $500 plus $60 for another controller + $50-$60 for a game. Total price $610-$620 + tax."

Swing and a miss
I think most people will spend an extra $50 for a truely next generation machine.

Granted, release dates from GameStop / EB aren't worth the paper they're printed on, but it's interesting to note that while most Wii release games have a ship date of 11/1/06, Metroid Prime 3 has a release date of 10/1/06. How great would it be if on the 14th/15th they just get up and say, "Here they are, start buying!"

In other news, Duck Hunt!

Granted, release dates from GameStop / EB aren't worth the paper they're printed on, but it's interesting to note that while most Wii release games have a ship date of 11/1/06, Metroid Prime 3 has a release date of 10/1/06. How great would it be if on the 14th/15th they just get up and say, "Here they are, start buying!"

In other news, Duck Hunt!

Lack of space?

A cheap shelving unit would solve that problem. I got a nice metal shelving unit (similar to this but with only three shelves) a while back that looks good and holds quite a bit of stuff. Plus, it's completely open so I don't have to worry about heating issues like with a fully enclosed "media center" rack (I never understood why you'd put hot, sensitive electronics in a fully enclosed rack).

Finite number of inputs into my TV?

Get a mux. My current personal favorite is the AA1154 component switch. If you don't need component, you can get switches for composite/s-video or even DVI (and thus HDMI, since the two convert back and forth easily). Granted, the Audio Authority switches are expensive, but there are many PRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=4">other options out there depending on the feature you want and the price you're willing to pay.

Well, the NES Classic Series Legend of Zelda is currently $20 used at Gamestop, so I have to imagine that it was not less than that new...

In any case, the Virtual Console won't have any of the brick-and-mortar distribution and sales costs that the NES Classics carts, or even the cards, had. As downloads, they'll be almost pure profit.

I see this mentioned frequently, and it is the reason I mentioned the other compilations out there. You don't see Defender selling by itself for $20+. They sell it on a compilation with several other games. Nintendo doesn't do this. It's not a matter of the physical media costing so much to sell.

"Microsoft predicted on Tuesday it will have 10 million Xbox 360 consoles in the market before Sony launches the PS3. The high-end Xbox 360 sells for $399, but it does not include a built-in high-definition DVD video player that comes with Sony's PS3. Sony plans to sell a premium PS3 model for $599 when it debuts in North America on November 17, and Nintendo has not yet disclosed pricing for Wii."

"Me & My Katamari" cancelled? Uh, you might ought to break the news to Gamestop and other retailers - they seem to be under the delusion that they have copies to sell. Did they just imagine them?

hey, you forgot that the xbox 360 version is $10 more than the PC version :D

http://gamestop.com/productmerch.asp?groupid=421

If you want to stop scratches on your original games, use d_skin protectors... Every game should have one... http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=801 784

These are the same titles you can get on their Treasures collection for under $20 ($12 used). http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=950 453/

I don't know the status of "backwards somewhat-compatibility" of these on the Xbox360, but it sure seems the per-title cost on Live Arcade is pretty hefty given how cheap you can get authorized copies elsewhere.

Funny enough, RF Online is the name of the game. It's on their webpage, the game splash screen, and yes even on the game box. Rising Force online is the expanded version, but not what they're selling it under.

They also have extended titles, "Fantasy and Romance" and "Episode 1: Beginning to the New World", but it's somewhat debatable about if they're really titles or added descriptors.

Used for $45? I got a copy of GTA San Andreas in perect condition for $21.

Umm, you realize that GTA:SA retails for $20 new? Cause, I'd say that paying more for a used copy is, well, stupid.

CAG is, as usual, your friend.

Xbox = $150
Game and pad bundle = $65 (or cheaper, if you shop around or don't get the brand new version)

Even if you buy extra games and pads...I just don't see how that adds up to $500. Or even close to it.

The arcade machine is well over the $500 mark, and I don't see most schools bothering to invest in the metal pads that would be much better for heavier usage.

Gamestop doesn't seem to think that it's gonna be a problem...

Messiah Generation NEX System

Saw it on the christmas list in egm. Their website is: playmessiah

I suppose snob appeal might apply, but I just get the feeling it's a little too expensive. It was the same thing with the PSP. I've met people who've purchased a PSP, but they're no where near as popular as the GBA was (the DS hasn't done terribly well either, but the DS is just strange). Entertainment items really should fit within the limits of most people's disposable income. I shouldn't need to get a loan to afford these promotions.

Dude, you should try Painkiller. It's all about firing sharpened stakes to impale enemies on walls. (Pretty good graphics and physics too, for a mindless zombie-killer game).

Only place that i know that has them

Still, but making consumers pay $100 more for a hard drive is a good way to recoup some of that money. Mass production of a 20gig drive *has* to be cheaper then that.

Besides, have you seen the prices of pre-order bundles? The highest one is $1,999--someone has to be making money. [ http://www.gamestop.com/gs/360/360.asp ]

Gamestop sells refurbished PS2s for $99 plus the shipping. If there is a store in your area you can just buy it locally. A lot of other stores sell the same thing.
We Love Katamari itself sells for $30 new - although since you haven't played the first one, you might as well pay $20 for Katamari Damacy.
Admittedly $120-135 is still a lot to play one game.
Luckily the grandparents bought my son a PS2, which has pretty much gone neglected with the exception of Katamari.

Only $1000? gamestop has a bundle that is almost $2000, the Omega Bundle.

Wal-Mart actually has a very cheap bundle at only $576 where GameStop's cheapest is $700.

$2000

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?cookie_test=1& product_id=B020253C

$1,199

WHAT THE FUCK?

I just read somewhere that the price is going to be dropped from $150 to $130.

It already has been. Gotta love how Nintendo stories around here seem to have a mysterious effect stopping people from doing any pre-post fact-checking.

sell you multiplayer games, and then go and charge you to play your own game on top of that....

See: http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=644 859

You can get JSF and Sega GT for 3 Bucks for the Xbox!

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=950 211

I think you mean Gamestop, not Gamespot

Here's a few options.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/171980.asp
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/156041.asp
http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=642 254
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=3598 770&type=product&id=1051806262714

The only place I saw that didn't have same day shipping was outpost.com.

Online is the only way to go.

Easy to browse selection, no wasted time. Yeah.

I've been using a thumbs only controller for years. Here's a picture...

http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lbox/900168b .jpg

Can't buy a new Xbox anymore? That's really strange.

And that pile of system boxes I saw at FYE the other day was probably just for decoration...

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/195819.asp
http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=933 634
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/182668.asp

Yes, maybe if Nintendo ever planned to release a Fire Emblem GCN game outside of Japan there would be no reason to complain. :)

GameStop at www.gamestop.com sells the "XBOX Live Puck Communicator" made by Electro Source/Pelican. I don't know why it's not on Pelican's web site yet. Links follow.

Um, you cant? Check this out

Could buy one of these.

I didn't know that funcoland actually did game previews. Maybe the poster meant Gamespot. Of course, that is what editors are for..

The preview is actually from GameSpot and not GameStop, which happens to be a completely different gaming site.

Buy a copy of Boktai or Boktai 2 and the sun is your ally.

Also, the GBA SP is backlit, and you can mod the original GBA to add backlighting, so this is not really a big deal.

Buy a copy of Boktai or Boktai 2 and the sun is your ally.

Also, the GBA SP is backlit, and you can mod the original GBA to add backlighting, so this is not really a big deal.

You can preorder Mario Kart DS here.

Again relying on Gamestop, they've got Mario 64X4 listed at $29.99. A lot of the other games seem to hover between $29.99 and $50.

They also have the release date for the Mario game listed as 11/15. Hmmm...software and no hardware available? Either this is a major screwup at Gamestop, or something is afoot.

I used to be an anti-console kinda guy, and played all my games on PC, but I switched to Linux and got a GameCube, which I have liked quite a bit. Also, from what I can see, consoles are where games are going to be at in the future. As more publishers become fed up with PC game piracy, and increased cost of technical support and development that PC games bring due to variations in hardware, they will see the console as being a better deal.

If only some FPS game maker would sell their game with a mouse and a keyboard (even a small keypad size affair that I could custom map to my liking)...

Oh, I forgot to add in the saved costs of not needing a $150-200 video card, and whatever extra hardware a gaming rig would have over a internet/office suite/multimedia PC. There's another 4 games at least!

So I had been waiting for Suikoden 2 to drop from it's $49.99 price when it first came out. A few months later, the price was still the same and there wasn't a copy to be found. Years later, I still look for a copy some where in some bargain bin. It still sells at $49.99 used at Game Stop. Even Ebay prices are exorbitent reaching up to over $100. And here I thought that no one would be interested in the game. Bah.

Holy shit! An unreleased game (according to Mike) on GameRankings?

Good thing it isn't on Amazon, either, Mike. Or on GameStop.com, Mike. Or Toys R Us' website.

Good thing you only check EBGames.com, Mike... Otherwise you might actually have some facts to back up your claim.

Or, are these sites not worthy of your checking to make sure your foot doesn't end up in your mouth the moment you open it? "If it isn't on EBGames.com it doesn't exist!!!!"

yep, can be pre-ordered, just like the Duke Nukem Forever guide

Can already be pre-ordered at Gamestop for 20 bucks.

PS2

XBox

Can already be pre-ordered at Gamestop for 20 bucks.

PS2

XBox