Reports coming out of UK retailer GAME have indicated that upcoming Nintendo 3DS games that will be sold both at retail and digitally via the eShop will have an unsettling price discrepancy. Titles such as New Super Mario Bros 2, Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, etc. all fall under this category and will apparently have no real benefit by way of obtaining them through the downloadable option. The aforementioned reports have the downloadable versions of the games listed as costing anywhere from $5 to $10 more than their brick and mortar equivalents. This is more speculation than it is fact at this point I guess, until we literally see them show up the same way here in North America, but is it really that hard to fathom?
Downloadable games already have the disadvantage of not allowing the consumer a tangible item that can be traded in for credit, if you’re the type that is okay with used games morality, but this just kicks you in the pants hearing/seeing this. At least by making the digital versions CHEAPER it would soften the blow of not having a trade in option; if this information is accurate, than what the hell is the incentive to buying off the eShop? If you’re that lazy that you can’t drive to the store or perhaps you live so far from the closest Gamestop, I don’t want to hear it. If you’re that lazy, then you probably don’t bother paying your internet bill, and if distance is that much of a concern, you probably don’t have decent internet to begin with. I just don’t know who in their right mind, after hearing this, would click a button to spend a ridiculous $10 extra for New Super Mario Brothers 2. Nintendo is already flopping its balls on the table by still charging $40 for handheld games, but to then add the price of 10 more potential iOS/Android games on top of the base price of 40 games one could buy on other platforms?
They’ll get away with it; I’m not that naive. Why? Because Mario. I’m not saying this perplexes me, I get it, but what I AM saying is that despite my respect and love for the little plumber, his name needs to stop being an unquestionable explanation for outrageous business practices.
VIDEO GAMES.
3DS digital retail games are potentially pricier than physical copies [Destructoid]
