Topic: Are $40 games here to stay?

[Kairon]

One of the games I reserved at Toys R Us for the launch period was Metal Slug Anthology. By the time I was able to pick it up, I was really happy that the total sticker price was $40, not the $50 I was mentally preparing myself to pay!

Then now, coming March, we're looking at $40 Hudson titles: Kororinpa and Wing Island. Kororinpa comes HIGHLY recommended by Chris Kohler:

Quote
why did you not tell me that this is so freakin' awesome?

And of course, I've heard of other instant budget priced retail titles out there: System 3's puzzler Super Fruit Fall and other such niche titles. And let's not forget that in Japan, Wii Sports and Wii Play sell for about 1000 yen less than the usual release price. Could Cooking Mama Wii, Big Brain Academy, and other such games fall in the same category of releasing at $40?

I heard once that Iwata had commented on wishing for wider but stabler price ranges (I believe he was talking about the DS, and how they priced Brain Age at $20, and how when game prices drop it degrades consumer confidence in new game purchases). Will this trend survive and will the Wii support a permanent $40 game pricing bracket for more casual, less ambitious games aimed at the non and casual gamer?

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[GoldenPhoenix]

Hmmm, good question I personally think there is a good chance we will see 40$ games. Even Nintendo at one time hinted at the fact that the Wii would have cheaper, simpler games. Besides the PC still has many games coming out around 40$ with high production values so I doubt that price would leave a bad impression in people's minds. Especially when you have 60$ games that are pushing it for many gamers, it looks even better!

[denjet78]

I think it's a great idea. Game prices are getting ridiculous. Besides, the market Nintendo is trying to reach isn't really willing to blow $50+ on a single game. I wouldn't be surprised to see games like Wii Music or Wii Health Pack come in around $30. The games cost next to nothing to make and they would sell really hard to the people Nintendo's trying to reach.

As much as we've been told that accessibility is a major barrier to non-gamers, price is as well.

[BigJim]

I would hope that $40 games become more common. In fact I would hope for even cheaper games as well for titles similar to Wii Play, etc. That's how to reach the mainstream that Nintendo is after.

[KDR_11k]

I think the 50€ price will be reserved for games where the publisher knows they are inferior to "proper" games.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Quotes from The Director of Marketing @ Hudson

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Originally posted by: John Master Lee

Yes, both Marble Mania and Wing Island will launch in the US for $39.99. Lots of debates on that, but the US side of Hudson really fought hard to make this happen. The games were designed for a more casual gamer. The type of game you can just pick up and play, and enjoyed by all. And in the spirit of really reaching out to this audience, we felt strongly that these games had to be at a price point that was more accessible to more people.

Time will tell if the lower price will be a good idea, but we do hope more people that we don't normally reach (because lord knows our typical fan is pretty hardcore), will think about getting these games.

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Originally posted by: John Master Lee
Oh yeah, Honeycomb Beat for Nintendo DS is coming out at $19.99. And that game is wicked fun.

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Originally posted by: John Master Lee

Marble Mania
+40 levels. 20 some characters to unlock. Some cool levels too! The game was designed to be played a few levels at a time. Lighthearted in nature, not meant to be complex, nor the kind of game that will make you want to throw your controller. You never run out of lives. You can start over any time, and there is no time limit. But for more experienced gamers, you can go back and replay any level, and get faster times, which unlock new bonuses. On the later levels, it gets really hard, because the level designs get pretty cooky. I actually have gone back to replay the game several times now, just because it's fun for a few min here and there.

Wing Island
I believe at least 20 levels. A mix of missions like racing, fending off aerial pirates, photographing cows. A couple of new planes to unlock, and upgrades can be made based on the money you earn from your missions. There is a story element to this game. It really is a throw back to the older games that were more colorful, like most of Hudson's early games, and most most of Nintendo's early games.

I can see why people thought Wing Island might have been a Pilot Wings remake. We are pretty close with Nintendo. But in the end, we decided to create a game that was a bit more unique. More Wii games... hmm... that's a good idea. We love the Wii. And the DS. They really introduce something new and different to game. Bringing the focus back on fun again.

He doesn't recommend Wing Island for the Hardcore gamer as there is no violence or even dogfighting or anything of that sort. Also don't ecpect it to be advertised in a place hardcore gmers might be looking, its aimed at a much younger audience.  

[Smash_Brother]

Anyone else look at Wing Island and immediately think of Duck Tales?

[ShyGuy]

Launchpad McQuack!

I remember Iwata talking about lower prices to start but not wanting to discount games down much as well. Does that mean Excite Truck is never going to be under $40? Not even two years from now?

[Maverick]

I must say when I first heard about the Wii games' lower prices I was hoping we would be seeing games in the 20 to 30 dollar region.  20 bucks for Wii Sports type games and the like is an excellent way to keep the casual gamer/non-gamer interested in the system, as well as draw more people to it.  Of course they could charge 80 bucks for the next Zelda and I'd jump on it launch day.  

[Ceric]

$20 is a little cheap at launch.  Besides that as long as it stays below $60  I won't really complain but, I would like some games to be $30.  The shorter ones.  With less in it.

[KDR_11k]

Does that mean Excite Truck is never going to be under $40? Not even two years from now?

Duh, it's a Nintendo game. There aren't going to be any discounts.

[Maverick]

Well I was thinking a 20 dollar price tag more in line with the price of movies nowadays.  DVD collections are very common thanks to the relatively low price.  I think 20 dollar cheap games like Wii Sports/Wii Play would be a good tool to attract parents and others looking for a cheap way to purchase their children's love.

[MarioAllStar]

I really like the idea of $40 games. It was a pleasant suprise that Viewtiful Joe only cost me $40 back in the day, despite being a very solid game. Games that have lower production costs like Brain Age or Cooking Mama should reflect that in their price point. Same thing with classic game compilations. I think a $10 (or more) discount can do a lot to persuade a potential buyer.

360/PS3: $60/game ($200 gets 3.33 games, $600 gets 10 games)
Average Wii: $50/game ($200 gets 4 games, $600 gets 12 games)
Budget Wii: $40/game ($200 gets 5 games, $600 gets 15 games)

With a budget game pricing on Wii, you get 50% more games than with normal game pricing on 360/PS3.

[jasonditz]

I'd like to see them shoot for $30 on some of these minigame type releases (for instance if WiiSports or WiiPlay were released without bundles)... there's something very appealing about being half the price of the average 360 game.  

[son of lucas]

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Originally posted by: KDR_11k
Does that mean Excite Truck is never going to be under $40? Not even two years from now?

Duh, it's a Nintendo game. There aren't going to be any discounts.

A lot of good Gamecube games took forever to get discounted.

[jasonditz]

It depends how well something sells... look at Geist, that was $20 in short order... and less eventually.  

[KDR_11k]

I've only seen Geist discounted to 30€ and that only recently.

[Kairon]

Any ideas on when/if we'll see a "Player's Choice" series on the Wii, and what it'd be called?

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[IceCold]

I wonder where they'll mark it on the boxart - it would probably look bad with the whole minimalist design. Maybe it will only be on the shrink wrap / case.

[Kairon]

But then how could G/S or EB reshrink wrap it after playing it?

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[Flames_of_chaos]

Mabye they will do it N64 and SNES title with a gold ribbon that says players choice.