Author Topic: Why aren't there any 'Player's Choice' games for the DS? (Read 7933 times)

Chozo Ghost · « **on:** October 12, 2007, 03:15:21 PM »

What the title says.

The DS came out in November 2004, so I would think by now (late 2007) we should have had some of those earlier DS games given a medal and a lower price. Every other Nintendo system has gotten this treatment by this point in its lifecycle, right? So why not with the DS? Is it because the games are still selling so well after all this time? I mean, New Super Mario Bros. has been out a LONG time but it still is selling extremely well. But that isn't the case with most of the early DS library.

UncleBob · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2007, 03:34:21 PM »

>Is it because the games are still selling so well after all this time?

Yes.

nitsu niflheim · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2007, 04:17:54 PM »

Because this is Nintendo!

Also, because in the past this sort of strategy was done to boost sales, something I don't think Nintendo is having a problem with at the moment.

The Sailerman · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2007, 05:22:49 PM »

If I remember correctly, the GBA didn't have any Player's Choice games until 2006 (somebody correct me if I'm wrong).

I guess Nintendo believes that DS games are low enough in price that they don't need an official price drop.

Infernal Monkey · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2007, 08:33:39 PM »

Haha, whoa. I was seriously thinking of making a thread like this the other day, but didn't bother. Because NWR.

Good thing I logged into my dupe account to make this one! Nintendo's GBA Players Choice selection was pretty roll eyes for the most part, considering it launched way too late in its life. It wasn't even introduced in Europe, Australia and all that. Places that really needed it! I still see copies of the first Mario Advance and Kuru Kururin for $70 (that's $60 US) at my local Target. Their boxes are so hilariously destroyed, but nup, $70!

I thought for sure Nintendo would eventually start rolling them out after Sony started up the PSP Platinum (Greatest Hits) range. The game doesn't even have to be a sales success to make it into the PSP selection. Look at Ridge Racer 2! Some first party DS games could really use the love of a budget priced re-release. Ones that are virtually out of print completely now like Super Princess Peach and Another Code. =o Oh well!

KDR_11k · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2007, 09:03:27 PM »

I thought they had those in the US. Never seen any official cheap game series on a handheld here. There's the "pyramid" which has games for 20€ (half price) but only third parties like THQ and Ubisoft contribute to it AFAIK and most of it is crappy movie tie-ins or handheld "ports" of console games (e.g. Prince of Persia GBA). Half of it is still GBA but it's slowly switching over. I'm hoping Brothers in Arms DS and Drawn to Life get added to that soon.

Chozo Ghost · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2007, 05:33:10 AM »

I notice third parties have been doing their own thing with old DS games, like the early Castlevania games are now $19 or something when they used to be full priced. But for some reason Nintendo games always stay at their full price until they are gone from store shelves entirely, and then they don't make anymore. There is no reason Nintendo has to be like that, because the third parties aren't...

And if it is greed then you'd think Nintendo would want to make more money off those old games that no one bought the first time around.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #7 on:** October 13, 2007, 07:15:56 AM »

Becuz non-gamers are not players, and non-gamers don't have a choice.

ShyGuy · « **Reply #8 on:** October 13, 2007, 08:30:16 AM »

don't hate the non-player, hate the non-game.

stevey · « **Reply #9 on:** October 13, 2007, 08:45:45 AM »

Mainly because unlike console games, the DS uses flash carts that are more expensive than the 5-15¢~ a pop dvd games. A $19 game would have less profit coming in and the raise sales wouldn't make up for it.

Chozo Ghost · « **Reply #10 on:** October 13, 2007, 09:33:22 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: stevey
Mainly because unlike console games, the DS uses flash carts that are more expensive than the 5-15¢~ a pop dvd games. A $19 game would have less profit coming in and the raise sales wouldn't make up for it.

That's not really an excuse, because the GBA, N64, and SNES all used carts and they all had player's choice games. Plus there are many $19 DS games right now anyway, so obviously money can be made at that price vs. $34.99.

You're right that less profit is made at $19 than at the full price, but if the game is out of production and no one is buying it then no profit is being made on it at all. Plus, some players would never buy it at the full price, but they would consider it at the lower price... I know there is quite a few games that look mildly appealing to me, but the price keeps me from considering them.

Kairon · « **Reply #11 on:** October 13, 2007, 09:49:09 AM »

When games are already $20, I just don't think it makes sense to drop prices much lower.

LuigiHann · « **Reply #12 on:** October 13, 2007, 10:14:05 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
When games are already $20, I just don't think it makes sense to drop prices much lower.

It'd be nice if some of the $35 games went down to $20, though.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #13 on:** October 13, 2007, 09:19:43 PM »

It'd be even nicer if those 40€ (56$) games went down to 20$.

Chozo Ghost · « **Reply #14 on:** October 14, 2007, 11:20:58 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
When games are already $20, I just don't think it makes sense to drop prices much lower.

Many 1st party games aren't that low. They keep their high MSRP price until the entire inventory is gone, and that is it. Many early games like Yoshi Touch and go and Kirby Canvas Curse are no longer available on Amazon (except used).

And games that are still available (like Nintendogs) are still $30+

Kairon · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2007, 12:32:34 PM »

Iwata doesn;t believe in dropping prices though. He believes games should maintain their price level (which should be sensible to begin with), and that consumers shouldn't be encouraged to wait for a budget release.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #16 on:** October 14, 2007, 09:11:09 PM »

Guess he doesn't have to deal with inventory that's unsellable at the price asked.

UncleBob · « **Reply #17 on:** October 15, 2007, 01:53:26 AM »

You know though - speaking as someone who works in retail sales - 1st party games typically move. At my store, we have one older DS title that we don't normally carry that's first party - everything else is crappy 3rd party crap.

For the record, that older title is Wario Ware Touched - and it's still $35.

Ian Sane · « **Reply #18 on:** October 15, 2007, 05:53:31 AM »

About a year from now I'll bet this topic will come up regarding Wii games. If it still sells Nintendo won't drop the price.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #19 on:** October 15, 2007, 06:19:58 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: UncleBob
You know though - speaking as someone who works in retail sales - 1st party games typically move. At my store, we have one older DS title that we don't normally carry that's first party - everything else is crappy 3rd party crap.

For the record, that older title is Wario Ware Touched - and it's still $35.

However you aren't reordering old games, are you? What I see with player's choice games is that they DON'T disappear, they get restocked throughout the life of the console. Wouldn't something like Canvas Curse still sell if it was reissued as a 20$ game?

UncleBob · « **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2007, 12:42:48 PM »

We don't generally reorder games, and that's a good thing. If Canvas Curse was reissued as a $20 game, it'd probably end up in the back room because there are so many *new* games (with higher margins) and we have so little space (at my store, at least).

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #21 on:** October 15, 2007, 12:44:58 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: UncleBob
We don't generally reorder games, and that's a good thing. If Canvas Curse was reissued as a $20 game, it'd probably end up in the back room because there are so many *new* games (with higher margins) and we have so little space (at my store, at least).

Didn't know they hid games in the back, I thought they placed them on the bottom shelf.

that Baby guy · « **Reply #22 on:** October 15, 2007, 12:48:46 PM »

Well, I disagree. Nintendo establishes Player's Choice on games that sell well, and labels chunks of games at a time. I believe Smash Bros. Melee never really left the top ten GC sales, yet it was still made into a players choice. However, I think they like to brand these games in late winter or early spring. I think we'll see the first DS and Wii games with a "Player's Choice" banner by April, if not earlier. My guesses: Canvas Curse, New Super Mario Bros., Animal Crossing, Wario Ware: Touched, Wario Ware: Smooth Moves, Twilight Princess, and maybe a few others.

Chozo Ghost · « **Reply #23 on:** October 15, 2007, 04:06:06 PM »

I think the Wii library is still too young to be re-released at a lower price point. Kairon pointed out that Iwata is against encouraging players to wait on games, so it wil probably be a few years for the Wii to get Player's Choice. But in the case of the DS, I see no reason it couldn't have some now, because it has been around several years already.

UncleBob · « **Reply #24 on:** October 15, 2007, 04:17:20 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
Quote
Originally posted by: UncleBob
We don't generally reorder games, and that's a good thing. If Canvas Curse was reissued as a $20 game, it'd probably end up in the back room because there are so many *new* games (with higher margins) and we have so little space (at my store, at least).

Didn't know they hid games in the back, I thought they placed them on the bottom shelf.

In my store, we don't do either, because I take damn good care of our games.

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Author Topic: Why aren't there any 'Player's Choice' games for the DS? (Read 7933 times)