-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Xenoblade in stock at many Gamestops for $90. Was it reprinted? Who knows!
- Thread starter drtomoe123
- Start date
thoseAREmySHOES
Member
Picked up my copy last night, the clerk said that the disc was untouched. Had an unused club nintendo code inside and everything. I'm just gonna throw this into another Wii game case without the stupid pre-owned stickers on it, though.
This is very true. In fact, people have often argued that games should be priced differently depending on the game. Some at $20, some at $40, some at $60... well, in this case the game is apparently worth $90. Why not price it that way?
I have no problem with Gamestop making the game available at its market value. That's just good business.
If I hadn't gotten one for $82 from a fellow GAF member, I'd be buying it now for $90 from Gamestop. And yes, it really is that good
Screamapillar
Member
Maybe GameStop really wanted to re-print but NoA said no? But they told GameStop if they wanted, they could re-print, as long as they're "used"?
Who knows.
We'll probably never hear the whole story there.
Who knows.
We'll probably never hear the whole story there.
?? my pre-owned stickers came off without a single issue.
much LESS rare in PAL.. but if you are looking to import it after shipping and stuff it will still come out to around what gamestop has it for.. more than gamestop if you use PUR discount and the birthday coupon. plus this way you don't have to load GeckoOS and a region free mod on your Wii/Wii U to play it.
PUR rewards will take it down to $81. From there you can either use the birthday coupon to get it down to $68, or if you have PUR points to buy a coupon use that.
w1gglyjones
Member
Well, with the situation being what it is, a reasonable retailer would only "sell 1 per customer" - and that would help curb some of the scalping.
I have a problem with Nintendo not offering it on their online store like before.
and let's not forget.. Gamestop DID put these out for quite a bit under what they have been going for online. I've been watching the game since spring now, and aside from $60 at gamestop (where it was NEVER in stock), this game has been in the $110-125 range on Amazon and eBay all the way since spring.
My guess is, whenever GameStop raised the price listed online from $70 to $90, that's when the plan started being put into motion. I'm also guessing that the $50 buyback was also a part of this plan, hence seeing some people posting that they are definitely getting used copies. Get as many copies stored up as possible, then release them 25% under current market value.
And complain as you want, but the game is selling. The three stores that first got copies in on Saturday are now sold out.
Honestly I am fine with the price I paid. The game IS worth it. As for GameStop being evil.. they are a company out to make profits. People like to say they screw customers over.. but never once have I seen GameStop actually swindle someone. Like the whole "gutted New copy". I mean all of their most despised practices it's still the customer's choice if they take it or not. Whether it's a gutted New copy or a horrible trade-in value on a game/system.
My guess is, whenever GameStop raised the price listed online from $70 to $90, that's when the plan started being put into motion. I'm also guessing that the $50 buyback was also a part of this plan, hence seeing some people posting that they are definitely getting used copies. Get as many copies stored up as possible, then release them 25% under current market value.
And complain as you want, but the game is selling. The three stores that first got copies in on Saturday are now sold out.
Honestly I am fine with the price I paid. The game IS worth it. As for GameStop being evil.. they are a company out to make profits. People like to say they screw customers over.. but never once have I seen GameStop actually swindle someone. Like the whole "gutted New copy". I mean all of their most despised practices it's still the customer's choice if they take it or not. Whether it's a gutted New copy or a horrible trade-in value on a game/system.
It sucks that Gamestop is gouging the price, but if people can get copies for $68 with various discounts, I would jump on it. Worst case scenario is that Nintendo does a full Nintendo Selects re-release in a few months (ignoring the fact that they haven't added titles to that lineup in close to a year) and you are out the price of a new game and a meal from subway. The more realistic scenario is that these copies cause a temporary dip in the aftermarket price, and in 1-2 years the title will be back to $100+.
Even if they re-printed 10 000 copies, I doubt it will change the long term price on this game. Before it was re-released on PSN, Final Fantasy VII was commanding $50-80 (depending on what version you had) on Ebay. $50-80 for a game that sold close to 3 million copies in the US, including a greatest hits version that retailed for $20. If enough people want to play a game, the price of admission will be high, regardless of its overall rarity. Xenoblade didn't sell millions of copies. Probably more like 100-200k, which is similar or less than what Earthbound, Chrono Trigger, and Final Fantasy III sold in the US back in the 16bit era. Complete used copies of all of those still go for $80+.
Even if they re-printed 10 000 copies, I doubt it will change the long term price on this game. Before it was re-released on PSN, Final Fantasy VII was commanding $50-80 (depending on what version you had) on Ebay. $50-80 for a game that sold close to 3 million copies in the US, including a greatest hits version that retailed for $20. If enough people want to play a game, the price of admission will be high, regardless of its overall rarity. Xenoblade didn't sell millions of copies. Probably more like 100-200k, which is similar or less than what Earthbound, Chrono Trigger, and Final Fantasy III sold in the US back in the 16bit era. Complete used copies of all of those still go for $80+.
Vintage_Creep
Banned
I found this game at my local Gamestop in Italy, for 30 euros (used).
90 bucks is simply absurd, though, even if the game is great.
90 bucks is simply absurd, though, even if the game is great.
I thought the original number was like 60k printed? I don't know where I read that, but I'm pretty sure they didn't print into the triple digit thousands on this game.
umm.. I am guessing you actually haven't looked at prices on any of the games you mentioned.
complete Earthbound (actually complete) is like a minimum of around $375. Cartridge only ends on ebay usually for $150-180
Chrono Trigger is around $120 for a beat up box and manual. If it is TRULY complete and in good condition, it's usually over $200. Cartridge only is around $50-80.
Final Fantasy 3 you were actually closest with. cartridge only is around $45-70. beat up box and manual will run you just under $100. truly complete in box with everything in beautiful condition will run you ~$120.
Also should be pointed out that FFIII had a significantly higher print run than anything else we are talking about. Believe US print run was over 500K. Earthbound is believed to be around 300K. Chrono Trigger, despite being amazing, was actually somewhat low hitting shelves 3 months after the Saturn released and one month before the PSX came out. Print run on that is believed to be under 300K (causing it to actually be the first widely available "rare" SNES game. Yes, even before Earthbound became legendary.)
RumblingRosco
Member
I only loosely following the Xenoblade market scene, but can someone fill in the following prices for me, roughly speaking?
New sealed price, pre-"reprint":
Used (complete) price, pre-"reprint":
New sealed price of original run, post-"reprint": ~$120?
Used (complete) price of original or "reprint", post-"reprint": $80-90?
I'm having a hell of a hard time understanding if prices are up or down from where they were before, and whether there is a price distinction between the first run and this potential reprint. Trying to work my way through the thread, slowly, but hoping someone can catch me up to speed.
My understanding is that in general all prices have come down some.
New sealed price, pre-"reprint":
Used (complete) price, pre-"reprint":
New sealed price of original run, post-"reprint": ~$120?
Used (complete) price of original or "reprint", post-"reprint": $80-90?
I'm having a hell of a hard time understanding if prices are up or down from where they were before, and whether there is a price distinction between the first run and this potential reprint. Trying to work my way through the thread, slowly, but hoping someone can catch me up to speed.
My understanding is that in general all prices have come down some.
thoseAREmySHOES
Member
I think I just suck, I always manage make a mess of gamestop used stickers and leave residue and goop all over the case.
Silver_DNA
Member
Still want to play the game, still don't want to pay $90-$100 to do so.
Still want it on the eShop, wouldn't mind a Wii U upgrade.
Still want it on the eShop, wouldn't mind a Wii U upgrade.
The trick to it is to use the sticker and "dab" up any remaining residue from the box. You'll get it looking like no sticker was ever there in about 2 minutes.
Bolded. Prices have come down. You can get Amazon/eBay copies for around $90. Sealed copies are still a little bit more because you can't actually get sealed copies from GameStop, but they've still dropped from less demand.
Many people are miffed, but yes the net result of this whole thing is that prices dropped by about 25%.
I guess I've always just been good at it, at least with stickers that don't end up actually bonding heavily to the plastic or stickers where the paper actually separates leaving some paper still on the case. But yeah, by a bottle of GooBeGone or whatever from Target. Should only run you a few bucks and will pay for itself after like the first use.
I thought I remember reading that Xenoblade would have made the NPD top 10 in Apr 2012 if it wasn't a retailer exclusive. That list bottoms out somewhere above 85k, hence the 100k+. I could be wrong about the statement though.
What I do know is that Aeana has explicitly said that Xenoblade did quite a bit better than the Last Story in the United States. She has had access to that sort of info in the past, so I trust her word on it. If someone has LTD stats for The Last Story, that would give you an idea.
I was actually just generalizing based on Final Fantasy III/VI. I know that Earthbound goes for crazy money, but I was too lazy to look up prices and break each game down. Point is, all of them were better sellers than Xenoblade, and all go for at least what Xenoblade is selling for if you have the box/manual. Great RPGs with lowish print runs go for big money because genre fans have no issues playing games that are 15-20 years old. Even if they are ported/remade like Final Fantasy VI, people want to experience the original. I would also say that the RPG gamer is more likely to be the type that collects games. As such, I think that Xenoblade will continue to be a good investment.
highoffcoffee496
Member
Found a copy at my local mall. Case looked good but the manual was pretty worn/clearly used.
w1gglyjones
Member
See, this is what I don't understand. People are pointing at the new case (not Wii U, but no Wii either) as a sign of a reprint. But as the news trickles, and more and more people are reporting in from their local Gamestop, the condition of the copies are varying. Even a "new" looking disc can be used if the owner took good care of it.
Some GameStops probably had used copies as well as these copies that seem to be trickling into stores. They're not differentiated by them, they're all the same game.
w1gglyjones
Member
So where's the evidence that there is a reprint? Different cases? More availability is a sign of a reprint or buybacks being refurbished and distributed?
Fox Mulder
Member
I just got one for $69 and the cashier pointed out the Nintendo logo to me on his own. He even said it was a reprint and someone had even returned a copy because of a different logo in the case.
I just wanted the game. If it is a reprint, it's obviously a gamestop exclusive still and will never be cheaper. They'll trickle supply instead of dumping a dozen copies in every store. Nintendo doesn't seem to give a fuck as usual either.
I'm in the reprint camp though.
highoffcoffee496
Member
I don't remember this being on the Xenoblade GameStop page...looks like they have updated it more.
http://www.gamestop.com/wii/games/xenoblade-chronicles-gamestop-exclusive/98535
http://www.gamestop.com/wii/games/xenoblade-chronicles-gamestop-exclusive/98535
there isn't any evidence, and this is coming from someone who believes these are new/uncirculated copies. the biggest question marks are:
1) why are there so many copies now? As most are saying, 90% of gamestops in my area are showing it in stock, and it's been in stock on .com for almost a week now.
2) there was obviously the buy back campaign, but it's very easy to believe that the people who bought the game in the first place either/both are the type of gamer to not really sell/trade this kind of game and/or are probably knowledgeable as to what the game is really worth.
3) While there are reports of clearly used copies, that could very well just be a result of the buyback campaign to get as "many copies as possible" back into gamestop before doing a "re-release". The vast majority of copies being received though are essentially pristine.
Truth is we will probably never know the story.. and neither gamestop nor nintendo are obligated to say anything on it. I would just take it at face value. The end result is that prices dropped around 25% across the board. If you are thinking about it at this price range, nothing seen here leads anyone to believe this price drop is going to stick around, so it is still probably a wise purchase if you are good with the price. If you are not good with the price, it's understandable, but everything going on here hasn't really changed anything for you for the worse. And I have no question in my mind that had GameStop released this at $50 now, the vast majority of us STILL wouldn't have gotten copies. Maybe single digit percents would have gone to honest buyers. Rest would have gone up on ebay immediately and just basic supply and demand dictates that prices wouldn't have dropped by anywhere near 25% (i.e. more copies available, but number of sellers still remaining extremely small. demand the same. etc)
I don't remember this being on the Xenoblade GameStop page...looks like they have updated it more.
http://www.gamestop.com/wii/games/xenoblade-chronicles-gamestop-exclusive/98535
holy shit. it doesn't get more blatant than that.
Nope. It's the FFXII-2 I wish Square had made.
Speaking of which, I'm totally in the "yep, it's a reprint and Gamestop is charging Highway Robbery prices" camp. Just got my copy with a 20% off coupon for my birthday through Powerup Rewards to where I got it for like $74-76 which isn't too bad, but geez: $90 normally? The copy is pretty much new with the exception of slapping the typical Gamestop stickers over it. The manual isn't even bent, FFS.
(Also if anyone wants the club Nintendo code, PM me. I have no use for it)
I don't remember this being on the Xenoblade GameStop page...looks like they have updated it more.
http://www.gamestop.com/wii/games/xenoblade-chronicles-gamestop-exclusive/98535
this now seems to be much more relevant...
http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/30/gamestop-planning-vintage-game-sales
Haha. I know that videogames have a shorter shelf life than most media, but there is something comical about the word vintage being associated with a 2012 release.
without question. as good as the game is, vintage is nowhere near applicable (yet)
w1gglyjones
Member
It's something that supports these being used copies, IMO. It's an active effort to consolidate used copies, refurbish them to a certain standard of presentation and then resell them at a special mark up.
SloaneRisette
Member
I don't remember this being on the Xenoblade GameStop page...looks like they have updated it more.
http://www.gamestop.com/wii/games/xenoblade-chronicles-gamestop-exclusive/98535
"Vintage"
I'd like to try the game, but with so much coming out, won't be dropping $90 on a pre-owned copy of Xenoblade from Gamestop anytime soon, sadly enough =\
highoffcoffee496
Member
Wow, nice connection there. I still don't understand though how they consider this game "vintage" when it's only a year old..
Damn, just checked and all of a sudden the Gamestops around me have the game in stock, whereas previously they were only in two stores far away. Don't know how I feel about this kind of business practice, especially when Xseed was able to be fair about their localization. I just hope they're really used copies then, because if it's a reprint then that's kind of sleazy.
Might as well buy it now before Gamestop hikes the price up, yo? I said I'd wait until it'd drop to $35 a year back and got burned. No longer. Double so after they price-hiked it right before this "reprint."
I don't remember this being on the Xenoblade GameStop page...looks like they have updated it more.
http://www.gamestop.com/wii/games/xenoblade-chronicles-gamestop-exclusive/98535
To their credit, it's a really nice product page now!
I lucked out and got it for $50 used JUST before they all sold out, apparently. I remember the clerk being VERY reluctant to sell it, and kind of dicked around in the cabinets for 5 minutes, and came back to tell me it wasn't there. I told him to look harder, since I did that online reserve hold, which they confirmed. Another 5 minutes of "looking" and he very reluctantly handed me the last copy. Asshole.
I've only put a few hours into it, looks like it's time to go back! Really fluid and seamless game from what I experienced thus far.
Xenoblade came out at a horrible time for me. I picked it up day 1, I was finishing up a course that I was teaching and then had to leave town for 2 weeks for work at the start of May. I think that I got 25 hours or so into the game last April. However, as is often the case, taking too long a break from a game means I forget to resume it. One day.
ZedIndyLil
Member
It looks like the evidence is mounting that this is really sleazy tactics on the part of Gamestop. On the other hand, if this leads to a reprint of MPT, I'd probably jump all over it. So I'm part of the problem. Sorry folks
w1gglyjones
Member
It looks like the evidence is mounting that this is really sleazy tactics on the part of Gamestop. On the other hand, if this leads to a reprint of MPT, I'd probably jump all over it. So I'm part of the problem. Sorry folks
No, based on the revelation of their new "vintage collection" program, it looks like they are actually doing the work of obtaining and consolidating used copies, refurbishing them to make them look nice and presentable and then selling them at a mark up.
I was kind of laughed at earlier by a poster for suggesting that it was a possibility, that they'd do this... as opposed to buying a shipment of reprints from nintendo, removing the shrinkwrap and selling for $40 above MSRP. The latter is the sleazy thing.
Oh! So they may have refurbished the copies by getting new cases/etc? Well, I guess if it makes it easier for people to get and enjoy playing Xenoblade, I'd be okay with that. (I'd rather it get an HD remake, when you view the affinity map and zoom out, you can tell that the game's low resolution was a hindrance, the blurry text in the UI, etc. especially if you compare that to playing the game using Dolphin.)
...it's from last gen. It's a Wii title.
<insert joke about Wii U being current gen blah blah> but you're wrong.
Just got back from one of my local GS'es to pick up a PSN card and sure enough, they got one copy in, it was out on the floor for less than 24 hours and someone picked it up. The employee also seemed completely and honestly shocked that other nearby stores had received additional copies as well.
I feel like I should be selling my copy + artbook, but I still haven't finished the damn thing, it's just too long. I hate letting that money just sit there, though, and a real reprint or rerelease might show up one day to make it too late. (And I'm in the same boat with MPTrilogy, too long to finish).
HoodWinked
Member
i've heard of gamestop selling used as new but new as used thats a new one!?!
i've heard of gamestop selling used as new but new as used thats a new one!?!
People will bitch about anything. Haha
I'm sure this has already been beaten into the ground, but if people are snatching it up this quickly, there's nothing wrong with the $90 price tag. Simple economics, people. Do I like Gamestop? Not particularly. But they're selling what the people want, regardless of the guise of new/used.
Umm.. I am barely winning an auction for it right now at $230. Auctions are usually ending in the $300 range or so (as this one likely will). I REALLY fail to see the problem with what you are trying to sarcastically suggest.
JacksUsername
Member
I ended up picking up the one copy that my local Gamestop received. Case is immaculate, stickers peeled off easily enough. It also included the Club Nintendo insert, along with the manual and 'other games that may interest you' slip. The disc however, has a bunch of fingerprints running along the edges.