On Retailers And Videogame Pricing

Thanks to CNN Money for its article discussing the results of a retail survey analyzing relative videogame prices among "key game retailers." According to the survey: "Wal-Mart's prices were the highest, coming in 9 percent higher -- nearly $100 for a basket of 30 games -- than Amazon.com and 6 percent higher than Best Buy, according to Piper Jaffray analyst Tony Gikas." Other interesting trends were also observed, though: "The used game market has quietly been growing for the past several years and Gikas now estimates that more than 8 percent of all games sold in the U.S. are used games." The piece concludes by noting: "The survey indicated retail prices seem to be holding up as the current generation of consoles hits middle-age... Other analysts, though, say retailers they've talked to indicate while prices have not fallen much, the demand for games at higher price points is not as strong as it was a year ago."

Comments

Do you need to have the "latest and greatest?"

[wheresdrew]

I know a lot of gamers have to have all the newest titles right when they come out, but if you're not just totally itching to play a new game, why not wait a while? There are plenty of games I'd like to play, but am not willing to pay $50 for. Wait for the price to drop or the title to get a "greatest hits" release.

You can save plenty that way. For example, I just picked up Wave Race: Blue Storm for Gamecube in Akihabara today for 500 yen - for a new copy. I'd never have paid $50 for it, but I'll buy just about anything for $5-10.

Holding off on the "iffy" purchases makes it a lot easier on the wallet to pick up the occasional "gotta have it" game at $50.