Wii Budget Gaming Thread

[splattergnome]

Nintendo has promised developers a system with lower development costs - and we as customers hope that translates to lower game prices, as well. This thread attempts to document and discuss games for those on a budget - especially with the absence of a Player's Choice line. For purposes of this thread, only games with a mainstream retail price of $30 or less are considered, and stuff like clearances and mediocre ultrabudget Pheonix Games are ignored.

Asterixes (*) are links to official/impression NeoGAF threads, where applicable. Updates are in italics.


THIRTY DOLLARS (30$)

Alone in the Dark
Baroque
Battalion Wars 2
Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree
Bomberman Land
Bully
Death Jr.: Root of Evil
Deca Sports
Endless Ocean (*)
Godfather: Blackhand Edition (*)
House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return
Medal of Honor: Vanguard
Nights: Journey of Dreams
No More Heroes
PES Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
Rayman Raving Rabbids 2
Sega Bass Fishing (*)
SSX Blur
Target Terror
Tomb Raider Anniversary
Thrillville
We Ski


TWENTY DOLLARS (20$)

Agatha Christie: Then There Were None
Alien Syndrome
Blast Works: Build, Trade, and Destroy
Dewy's Adventure (*)
Elebits (*)
Escape From Bug Island (*)
Furu Furu Park
Geometry Wars: Galaxies
Ghost Squad
Harvey Birdman: Attorney At Law
Heavenly Guardian
Impossible Mission
Mercury Meltdown Revolution (*)
Namco Museum Remix
[i]Nitro Bike[/i}
Obscure: The Aftermath (*)
Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection (*)
Rayman Raving Rabbids
Red Steel (*)
Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition (*)
Sega Superstars Tennis
Sonic and the Secret Rings (*)
Super Monkeyball Banana Blitz
Wii Zapper with Link's Crossbow Training (*)
Wild Earth: African Safari
Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure (*)


FIFTEEN DOLLARS ($15)

Cranium Kabookii
Monkey King: The Legend Begins
My Word Coach


TEN DOLLARS (10$)

Octomania


SPECIAL DEALS

None currently.


OTHER THREADS

The Third Party Playground of Q3/Q4 2008 Wii Games by myself for third part highlights

The Official Wii Games of 2008 Thread by PantherLotus for future budget game releases

Bundles of Awesome - The Official WiiWare Discussion Thread by PantherLotus for downloadable budget games


This OP will be updated with further information and links where appropiate.

[splattergnome]

I am personally surprised at how most of the important third party games from Capcom, Konami, and SEGA seem to hit the magical $30 barrier. Nintendo is the company who manages to be able with getting away with keeping their prices high and never dropping them - for logical reasons, since their games will remain in demand as long as there are new Wii owners desperate for their games, with the exception of Endless Ocean, whose niche appeal might explain its slighter lower price point.

In other news, I saw Koronipa: Marble Mania for $20 at Wal*Mart, but I am not sure if how global that price is for purposes of this thread.

[BooJoh]

This thread seems like a great idea. Subscribing for future reference.

[PuppetSlave]

Mercury Meltdown Revolution

Great great puzzler. Damn hard though, not in the beginning though. You get alot of levels too. Over a hundred and a few minigames too unlock. The controls are great. Except moving the camera which takes some getting used too. But it's not that often you need to switch views. You turn the camera with direction pad on remote.

[handofg0d]

You know what game should have been a budget title and wasn't? Harvey Birdman Attorney At Law. $40 = $10 too many.

[splattergnome]

You know what game should have been a budget title and wasn't? Harvey Birdman Attorney At Law. $40 = $10 too many.

I would say that the vast majority of the Wii titles are overpriced, compared to similar franchises on the DS - and especially compared to other systems. While Wii games -should- cost more to produce than a DS game, this should be no excuse to inflate the prices. However, the release of Wiiware might actually help do its share to help reduce the prices to a more reasonable, mainstream level.

I have updated the OP with a rather crude banner, since I do not have Photoshop on this computer. If anybody else wants to take a go at it instead, feel free.

[Brandon F]

WHat the hell is Furu Furu Park, and is Elebits worth it for $20?

[Stumpokapow]

WHat the hell is Furu Furu Park, and is Elebits worth it for $20?

Furu Furu Park is a collection of old arcade mini-games. I'd wait for a price drop from $20.

Elebits is worth it at full price. The level creator is fun, the game has a decent amount of content, and it has good local multiplayer options. $20 is a steal.

[Kafel]

With the freeloader coming, potentially everything here will be budget priced.

[splattergnome]

I am thinking about removing Alien Syndrome and Furu Furu Park from the OP, since even games such as SpongeBob tend to get better ratings on review sites. Has anyone actually ever tried any of those two games?

[TomServo]

I got Alien Syndrome with a free rental at BlockBuster.

It's not broken, but it's not something I'd purchase even for $20. It's a dungeon crawl without any real variety, which means it gets really old, really fast.

Seemed much better suited for XBLA. $10 with drop-in / drop-out online multiplayer and voice chat would be worth it.

[samratty]

I am thinking about removing Alien Syndrome and Furu Furu Park from the OP, since even games such as SpongeBob tend to get better ratings on review sites. Has anyone actually ever tried any of those two games?

I think Furu Furu Park is supposed to be decent as long as you go into it expecting what you're gonna get, although I haven't played it myself as I doubt it has PAL release.
No idea about Alien Syndrome, I think I read it's awful, but I dunno.

[Plinko]

Sega Bass Fishing should be added to the OP for the $30 range.

[Count Dookkake]

I am thinking about removing Alien Syndrome and Furu Furu Park from the OP, since even games such as SpongeBob tend to get better ratings on review sites. Has anyone actually ever tried any of those two games?

Alien Syndrom is execrable, a stain on my fond memories of the original.

Furu Furu Park's mini-games are alright, but the NA release has no single player mode (other than "pick a game, play it) and the options for multi are limited. It's like they made the games and then forget to link them. WarioWare is the greater value, even at twice the price.

Sega Bass Fishing should be added to the OP for the $30 range.

This, too.

Great cheap game featuring much more content than the original. Strains the definition of "port."

[Proven]

Echoing the Alien Syndrome is crap lines. I'll admit that when I first played it I sat there in a simple point and shoot daze for a few hours, but I could never get back into it after that, and the rpg/customization elements are too slow and obstructive for you to have any real multi-player fun for long.

This game was simultaneously released for the PSP, and based on the flaws, many have come to the conclusion that it was made for PSP and ported to Wii.

Oh, that reminds me, how much Marvel: Ultimate Alliance going for? Isn't that great, mostly because the waggle controls overlap too much, but some people might be interested.

[DaBargainHunta]

Alien Syndrome is okay as long as you go into it not expecting anything near the original. I wouldn't call it a great game or anything, but there's far worse out there on the system for the same price.

Elebits is definitely worth it. I paid $50, and while I wish I had waited a few months for a price drop, it is a very good game.

No idea on Furu Furu Park, but I've heard bad things.

[Gryphter]

Escape from Bug Island goes for $20



don't do it

[Count Dookkake]

Escape from Bug Island goes for $20 don't do it

For 20 that game is actually worth it. Very silly at times, but at others it is genuinely creepy. The weird juxtaposition of good and crap somehow elevates the material and invalidates some of the criticisms. In this way it is analagous to the movie Battlefield Earth.

[PacoDG]

WHat the hell is Furu Furu Park, and is Elebits worth it for $20?

Elebits was really fun... but, I think it was because of the lack of games when it came out. I think you could get everything out of that game with a rental.


The Endless Ocean for $30, I didn't know that was it's retail price, that is pretty decent. Zack and Wiki too. I wish I had money.

[Grecco]

I think Excite Truck got a price cut, or is going cheap at circuit city and bestbuy.

Get your excitement on

[prodystopian]

How is SSX Blur? Worth it?

[TomServo]

I think Excite Truck got a price cut, or is going cheap at circuit city and bestbuy. Get your excitement on

It's on clearance, so it's a YMMV. The Circuit City near me hasn't had a copy of Excite Truck in months.

[LouieGeetoo]

The Endless Ocean for $30, I didn't know that was it's retail price, that is pretty decent.

Ditto. Maybe I'll take a look at it when I need a break from Brawl. Thanks for the thread!

Oh, and I second any recommendations of Elebits and Zack & Wiki. Great games, those, especially for these prices.

[splattergnome]

Sega Bass Fishing should be added to the OP for the $30 range.

Thank you, added.

For 20 that game is actually worth it. Very silly at times, but at others it is genuinely creepy. The weird juxtaposition of good and crap somehow elevates the material and invalidates some of the criticisms. In this way it is analagous to the movie Battlefield Earth.

Actually, that game is being sold on circuitcity.com for only $15 - at that price, even I am tempted to try that game out, if only for the novelty value of having an M-rated B-movie-style game. Does anybody know exactly what changes Eidos did to Bug Island over the original Necronesia?

Escape From Bug Island on circuitcity.com for $15

Ditto. Maybe I'll take a look at it when I need a break from Brawl. Thanks for the thread! Oh, and I second any recommendations of Elebits and Zack & Wiki. Great games, those, especially for these prices.

I am glad that the thread is of use. Endless Ocean is really nicely priced, although it is an acquired taste - you really have to like the thought of exploring undersea vistas with just vague background missions which are mostly optional after a point. I enjoy it - Endless Ocean is actually the only game I own for the Wii right now until I get my next paycheck, which will be going towards several of the games on the list of my OP. Right now I refuse to pay any more than $30 for any game when there are so many cheaper choices already available.

[Plinko]

How is SSX Blur? Worth it?

I really enjoy the game. I think the controls (something reviews of the game seemed to bash) are fantastic.

[Stumpokapow]

Actually, that game is being sold on circuitcity.com for only $15 - at that price, even I am tempted to try that game out, if only for the novelty value of having an M-rated B-movie-style game. Does anybody know exactly what changes Eidos did to Bug Island over the original Necronesia? Escape From Bug Island on circuitcity.com for $15

- Added a scoring screen between levels to encourage replayability.

- Controls were tweaked; if they were, the original controls would have had to be REALLY bad. These are some of the worst controls I've ever played in a game, and I've been gaming actively for 20 years and I own around 500 games.

- Poorly localized

I would not recommend Escape from Bug Island, even for $15, unless you do get enjoyment out of bad games. This isn't just "budget" in terms of there's a certain price point where the value becomes good enough. It's "bad"--a lower price just means you're out less money. It'll never be worth it.

I personally do enjoy bad games enough for it to have been a decent purchase for me (I think I paid about $20), but it is a REALLY bad game.

[Bildi]

How is SSX Blur? Worth it?

If you're an SSX fan you'll most likely enjoy it. Huge step up from On Tour but not as good as Tricky/SSX3. Check our official thread from way back for more info.

[splattergnome]

In another of my updates which will probably be ignored anyhow, I updated the OP with links to impression threads, in order to make it easier to get some more information about the games mentioned. I am still missing a few, however, and would appreciate any help to completing the list.

By the way, how did PantherLotus get banned -again-?

[twinturbo2]

:subscribes to thread:

I believe Namco Museum Remix is $30 nowadays, on Amazon at least...

[splattergnome]

:subscribes to thread: I believe Namco Museum Remix is $30 nowadays, on Amazon at least...

I was reluctant to add it, because reviews of it seem to be rather mediocre, but at least it is better at $30 than at the $40 it originally retailed at.


Other stuff:

Majesco's Wild Earth: African Safari looks like it is going to sell for $30, which makes it a perfect companion piece to Endless Ocean. For those who don't know anything about the game, it is a port from the award-winning independent PC game based on taking photos of African animals. In other words, it is like Pokemon Snap with real animals and without rails and Afrika.

My Word Coach dropped to $30 a while ago, which might make it interesting to those who wanted to wait for a price drop from its original $50.

Other mediocre games at low prices: Far Cry: Vengeance at $20, Heatseeker at $15 at circuitcity.com, Game Party at $20.

[Linkup]

Sonic and the Secret Rings

This for $30 is worth it. Flawed, but fun game.

[Toy Soldier]

This for $30 is worth it. Flawed, but fun game.

Definitely. It's the most fun I've had in a 3D Sonic game since SA2...perhaps ever.

Great concept (the basic speed-focused concept I wanted from a 3D Sonic all along), pretty darn good overall execution (the gameplay itself is great once you get going, but it's a shame it didn't have a traditional stage progression...the constant unlocking of new backtracking missions is a tad too clunky and really not satisfying enough).

It's certainly worth having in a collection, IMHO...especially at that price.

[ProfessorLobo]

When the hell is ExciteTruck going to drop price?

[Gamecocks625]

You can add We Ski under the $30 list

[Urban Scholar]

With the freeloader coming, potentially everything here will be budget priced.

Man here's hoping!

[Polari]

BUY ELEBITS

[Toy Soldier]

BUY ELEBITS

I re-bought this the other day (traded it last year after buying it on day one...but have been looking to re-buy it ever since the price has been dipping). Such an awesome game. I never finished it the first time around, so it's been great to be able to jump back in.

It's one of those games that, to me, never really gets old. Story Mode, and the other challenges in each stage, make it a perfect pick-up-and-play game (thereby extending the value of keeping it in your collection, for me), and an excellent showcase of the Wii technology to people who are seeing Wii for the first time.

[tetrisgrammaton]

i think i'm gonna buy bug island. what the hell..

[splattergnome]

I can confirm now that Kororinpa: Marble Mania is $20 at Wal*Mart, but it is already sold out online, so you have to see if you can still find it at your local brick and mortar store. My local Wal*Mart has two copies left, and I am wondering whether I should get the game, at least for that price. For some reason Dewy's Adventure sells for over 40$ there - seems that they haven't been paying attention to the price drops.

Not Wii-related, but at some Wal*Marts the DS rumble cart has gone into clearance for $5, if you are interested in that type of thing (for example, for the RumblePak support in Elite Beat Agents).

[TheGreatDave]

BUY ELEBITS

Oh yes. I haven't played it in some time but I love love loved that game. It's the only Wii game my girlfriend has properly got in to as well. It's just a lot of fun, with some nice hidden depth.

[PetriP-TNT]

My way to achieve budget gaming with Wii:
1. Sell your Wii on ebay for 400~500€
2. Buy 50 10€ games for PS2 with that money
3. ?????
4. -> Profit

And I hate how budget games on any platform get priced in here. If I remember right, Resident Evil 4: Wii Ed. is like 45€ new here, which is about 60$. That's budget for you

[Visualante]

I paid $20 for Elebits and felt ripped off, I enjoyed one 15 minute level in my few hours of play.

[Stumpokapow]

My way to achieve budget gaming with Wii: 1. Sell your Wii on ebay for 400~500€ 2. Buy 50 10€ games for PS2 with that money 3. ????? 4. -> Profit

My best way to troll a thread is:
1. Post a stupid southpark meme
2. ?????
3. Profit

[nny]

damn..these prices are like one more kick while I'm down (for being a PAL gamer). bah.

[mysticstylez]

Here are some possible gems that are $29.99 and under:

Game Party
Winter Sports
Chicken Shoot
My Horse and Me
Indianapolis 500 Legends
Alvin and The Chipmunks
Rapala Trophies
Petz Dogz 2
Showtime Boxing
Anubis II
Mythmakers Orbs of Doom
Kidz Sports: International Soccer
Kidz Sports: Ice Hockey
AMF Bowling Pinbusters
Kidz Sports: Basketball

I'm sure there are more, but I can't remember them all.

[dallow_bg]

Here are some possible gems that are $29.99 and under: Game Party Winter Sports Chicken Shoot My Horse and Me Indianapolis 500 Legends Alvin and The Chipmunks Rapala Trophies Petz Dogz 2 Showtime Boxing Anubis II Mythmakers Orbs of Doom Kidz Sports: International Soccer Kidz Sports: Ice Hockey AMF Bowling Pinbusters Kidz Sports: Basketball I'm sure there are more, but I can't remember them all.

None of those are gems.

Chipmunks might be good for a laugh though. ha

[evilromero]

When the hell is ExciteTruck going to drop price?

It's worth the current price tag. Don't wait around for a price drop because it might not happen for a few years.

[Amir0x]

MERCURY MELTDOWN REVOLUTION

Buy this game. STILL the best third party value on Wii, and better than almost every $50 dollar third party offering on the platform.

[PacoDG]

You know what game should have been a budget title and wasn't? Harvey Birdman Attorney At Law. $40 = $10 too many.

More like.... $20 too many.

One of the best games I have played this year (seriously, I am a fan of the show though, so that helps big time as far as jokes and what not), BUT... there is f'n five levels only. What in the hell. Can be beat without question, in a day.

[Sharp]

How is SSX Blur? Worth it?

Most definitely. One of the better Wii games.