Joystiq

DSi drops to $100, DSi XL drops to $130 May 20

JC Fletcher — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:15:00 EST

The DSi line of handhelds is about to get cheaper. Starting May 20, Nintendo is dropping the MSRP of the DSi to $99.99 (from $150), and the DSi XL to $129.99 (from $170). Finally, the DSi XL will be cheaper than the 3DS - which launches in a new color the same day!

If you don't have a device that can play DSiWare, a $100 DSi opens you up to a variety of great games - especially now that the platform has had a few years to slowly build a library. Yes, there are worthwhile games on DSiWare - like Shantae: Risky's Revenge, Cave Story, Pictobits, and Antipole, to name a few.

Continue reading DSi drops to $100, DSi XL drops to $130 May 20

DSi drops to $100, DSi XL drops to $130 May 20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Resident Evil: Revelations' price lowered to $39.99 before launch

Jessica Conditt — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST

Resident Evil: Revelations was announced to have a $50 price tag last year, mostly because of its 4GB cartridge, which is 2GB larger than most 3DS games'. After "weeks of effort," Capcom has dropped that price to $40 -- standard for the 3DS -- without infringing on the cart size, Capcom's Brett Elston announced.

Elston said he thinks the title is still worth $50, which is why it's so great that Nintendo's Circle Pad Pro, which we feel is necessary to properly enjoy Revelations, will be an extra $20.

Resident Evil: Revelations' price lowered to $39.99 before launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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August NPD: Annual sales drop again, Deus Ex augments the top spot

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:06:00 EST

We're starting to see a trend develop -- a super, super disheartening trend. According to the NPD group, total sales in the U.S. gaming industry dropped 23 percent year-over-year during the month of August; almost exactly the same amount sales declined in July. NPD's Anita Frazier explained, "the bulk of the decline can be attributed to the shift of the annual Madden release from August to September." (The NPD actually counts August 30 as part of September, which seems pretty zany.)

Gaming hardware saw an increase in sales over July, largely fueled by the price cuts endured by the 3DS and PlayStation 3. According to a memo sent out by Nintendo following the NPD report, the 3DS discount moved 185,000 consoles from August 12 through the end of the month. This wave managed to increase dollar and unit sales of handheld hardware to a year-over-year increase over August 2010, which bucks the downward trend followed by the rest of the industry. Hooray for discrete electronics!

Surprisingly, the top-selling game for August was Deus Ex: Human Revolution, which was only on store shelves for five days during the NPD's tracking window. The group doesn't expect the augmented title to rollover its reign into September, instead expecting Madden to reign supreme. Check out August's Top 10 software performers after the jump!

Continue reading August NPD: Annual sales drop again, Deus Ex augments the top spot

August NPD: Annual sales drop again, Deus Ex augments the top spot originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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European Xbox boss not feeling pressured to cut 360 price

Christopher Grant — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:00:00 EST

It's the question every potential buyer wants to know: Will Microsoft respond to Sony's $50 PS3 price cut with an Xbox 360 price cut of its own? After all, it didn't take long for Microsoft to match the lower price of Sony's PS3 Slim, first unveiled at Gamescom two years ago. But over a week in and there's still no sign of a price cut coming from Redmond. At $200 for the 4GB Xbox 360 and $300 for the abnormally large 250GB model, Sony's $250 160GB PS3 not only bests the 'box on hardware (hello Blu-ray!) but on price as well.

So what's Microsoft going to do about it? Nothing, apparently. When asked if he was "feeling any pressure to move [price] down a little" in response to the PS3 price cut, European Xbox bigwig Chris Lewis told VG247 simply, "No." He elaborated, "We think we offer great value now," pointing to features like Xbox Live and Kinect, but insisted, "We're happy with our position." If we were in Lewis' position, tasked with beating back Sony's European sales lead, "happy" probably wouldn't be our first response to Sony's aggressive pricing.

European Xbox boss not feeling pressured to cut 360 price originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 price cut to $250, 320 GB model goes to $300 [update]

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:25:00 EST

Well, this is certainly surprising. Sony closed out its Gamescom 2011 keynote with the startling announcement that the PlayStation 3 (presumably the standard, 160GB model) has had its price cut across the globe: It's now $249.99 in the U.S., €249.99 in Europe and ¥24,980 in Japan. According to Sony's Andrew House, this new price point is available immediately. As in, right now. This hot second.

The $50 trimming of the system's MSRP comes nearly two years to the day after its original reduction to $299.99. We suppose that goes to show you: If you're planning on purchasing a Sony console, you should probably do so after the Ides of August.

[Update: Sony is rolling our another deal today, according to its official blog: A new Infamous 2 PS3 bundle is now available that includes the game and the 320 GB PS3 for $300.]

PS3 price cut to $250, 320 GB model goes to $300 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Nintendo 3DS available at Walmart for $170 today (get your 20 free games!)

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 11:55:00 EST

As rumored by Cheap Ass Gamer, Walmart has indeed kicked off the massive price cut on the Nintendo 3DS a few days before the competition, bringing the price of the handheld to a cool, crisp $170. Not only is this good for the obscenely impatient among you, but it also means that early purchasers will be able to get the lower price and the 20 free downloadable games which were meant to be reserved for the console's earlier adopters.

Most of the Walmart locations we called to check on the cut confirmed the lower price, though some seemed to have not gotten the memo quite yet. Make sure you call ahead to your location before you make the drive to avoid wasting all your precious time and even-more-precious gasoline.

[Thanks, Rippe!]

PSA: Nintendo 3DS available at Walmart for $170 today (get your 20 free games!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Walmart dropping 3DS price early

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:45:00 EST

Though entirely unintentional, Nintendo offered 3DS comparison shoppers a pretty striking choice for their pending handheld purchase: Either pay the full $250 and get 20 free downloadable games, or grab the 3DS on August 12, after the price plummets to $170. Or, if Cheap Ass Gamer's unnamed source is on the level, you could just grab the free games and the discounted price by shopping at Walmart, which will purportedly drop the MSRP on the device on August 9, two days before the free game offer expires.

If Nintendo's offering free games as an act of contrition to early adopters, we wonder what it'll have to dish out if the full-price bonus is given to the partial-price crowd. We also wonder when this hypothetical chain of freebies will be broken! Probably when all Nintendo consoles are free, and come with twenty free games and, oh, here's some pie.

Rumor: Walmart dropping 3DS price early originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iwata apologizes to early Nintendo 3DS adopters

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST

If the angrier half of the comments on our post about the Nintendo 3DS' massive, uncharacteristically early price drop was any indication, those who bought the handheld at its original $250 price point are miffed. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata understands these frustrations, which he addressed in an apologetic statement yesterday, as translated by Giant Bomb.

"If the software creators and those on the retail side are not confident that the Nintendo 3DS is a worthy successor to the DS and will achieve a similarly broad (user) base," Iwata explained, "it will be impossible for the 3DS to gain popularity, acquire a wide range of software, and eventually create the product cycle necessary for everyone to be satisfied with the system."

Iwata added, "Those customers who purchased the 3DS at the very beginning are extremely important to us." He further said, "We know that there is nothing we can do to completely make up for the feeling that you are being punished for buying the system early." Perhaps Iwata is right on this account, though twenty free games is certainly a step in the right direction. Almost as good as thirty free games!

Iwata apologizes to early Nintendo 3DS adopters originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Lite drops to $99 on June 5

JC Fletcher — Tue, 31 May 2011 10:25:00 EST

The 3DS just got more competition. Not from Sony or another competitor, but from another, now impulse-buy-priced, DS. Nintendo just announced that the DS Lite has been officially dropped in price from $129.99 to $99.99, effective June 5. Perhaps the old SKU at the old price was what GameStop was clearing out?

The same month, six Mario games (New Super Mario Bros., Mario Kart DS, Super Mario 64 DS, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!, and Mario Party DS) will be re-released in red boxes, to " make it easy for [consumers] to find their favorite Mario titles." Not that anyone ever had trouble finding any of these -- Nintendo announced that more than 9.25 million copies of New Super Mario Bros. have been sold in the US.

No price drop was announced for the games. Just fancy new boxes.

DS Lite drops to $99 on June 5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 May 2011 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Nintendo Selects' a slightly different set of games for Europe

JC Fletcher — Thu, 05 May 2011 09:35:00 EST

Nintendo's new Mario Kart Wii pack is coming to Europe on May 20, at a "reduced trade price" around £129/€150.

The budget "Nintendo Selects" line will launch in Europe the same day, featuring a slightly different lineup from the American version: Wii Sports, Animal Crossing: City Folk (under the overlong European title Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City), Mario Strikers Charged, and WarioWare Smooth Moves. Mario Super Sluggers isn't part of the series because it was never released in Europe!

'Nintendo Selects' a slightly different set of games for Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 May 2011 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy selling Wiis for $170 right now

JC Fletcher — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:45:00 EST

Why wait to find out if there will be a Wii price drop on Monday? Best Buy is selling Wiis on its website for $169.99 right this second. Unfortunately, we can't really glean anything about the manufacturer price from this, as Best Buy has labeled its discount a "sale."

Functionally, though, it works out the same either way, with you able to trade $170 for a Wii. It's available in white or black, both variants including Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort and a Wii Remote Plus. The older MotionPlus bundle is also available for the same price, if for some reason you'd prefer a bigger controller.

Best Buy selling Wiis for $170 right now originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Target cutting Wii price to $170 on April 18

JC Fletcher — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:07:00 EST

We kind of expected to see additional evidence of an upcoming Wii price drop if it's true, but now we have conflicting evidence. While rumors currently have the system dropping to $149.99 on May 15, images posted on GenGame show what appear to be an internal Target communication about the price changing to $169.99 this Monday.

The Target information refers to "Black Wii Console with Motion Plus Controller," which could either be a semi-accurate description of the most recent Wii hardware configuration (which includes a Wii Remote Plus), or a previous iteration which came with Wii Sports Resort, a Wii Remote, and a MotionPlus add-on.

If it's the latter (and these images are real), then this is a clearance of outdated hardware; if it's the former, it's a likely signal of a manufacturer price drop. In either case, it means the possibility of cheaper Wii hardware.

Rumor: Target cutting Wii price to $170 on April 18 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Nintendo dropping Wii price to $150 on May 15th [Update: Proof?]

Christopher Grant — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:55:00 EST

At $200, we think everyone would agree that Nintendo's Wii could use a price drop ... but it's hard to justify when the console is parked at the top of the sales pile. But what about when the console is regularly outsold by the Xbox 360 in North America? The last $50 price cut was nearly 18 months ago, an eternity in the fast-paced world of console gaming.

Engadget has a "trusted source" that says a $50 price cut is coming May 15th, just over a month from today. "But that's less than a month before E3," you protest. Yes, that's true and we're right there with you, in Skepticalville, a place where Wiis are $250 and major announcements happen under the bright lights of an E3 keynote.

[Update: A reliable tipster has provided two images from Kmart's inventory system(s) listing a $149.99 price for the console. Some thoughts: This would seem to indicate the console is on sale now, which it isn't, and that Nintendo is buying systems for $190 and selling them at a loss, which we don't think they would do. What we're saying is: take the below images with the appropriately weighed and portioned grain of salt. Without further adieu, the images!]

Continue reading Rumor: Nintendo dropping Wii price to $150 on May 15th [Update: Proof?]

Rumor: Nintendo dropping Wii price to $150 on May 15th [Update: Proof?] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lode Runner XBLA price drops, new DLC available

JC Fletcher — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:45:00 EST

For a new "Sales & Specials" spot on the XBLA dashboard, Microsoft has dug up Tozai Games' 2009 XBLA version of Lode Runner, whose price has just been permanently cut from 1,200 Microsoft Points to 800 ($10). That does sound like a sale and/or special.

Coinciding with the price drop and featured position, Tozai Games is launching two new DLC packs for the cheapened puzzler. The 160-point "Skill Pack" is available now, according to Tozai, and contains 50 new puzzles (15 of which are co-op) and eight "Hang On" levels. On April 13, Tozai will release the Journey Pack, with eight stages of both the Journey mode and Co-op Journey. That's -- we're so sorry -- a lode of new content.

Gallery: Lode Runner 'Skill Pack' and 'Journey Pack' DLC

Continue reading Lode Runner XBLA price drops, new DLC available

Lode Runner XBLA price drops, new DLC available originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pachter expects 360 price cut at E3, PS3 and Wii to follow suit

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST

Gaming industry analyst Michael Pachter has updated his predictions about the console price cuts he anticipates will occur this year. A Wedbush Securities update distributed this morning said, "We expect Microsoft to announce a price cut at this year's E3 Expo in June, and expect Sony and Nintendo to rapidly follow suit." Until then, Pachter expects that consoles sales will steadily decline, with the 3DS providing enough juice to bring things back into the positives in April.

The report predicts that Microsoft will likely capitalize on the success of Kinect by dropping the price of its core Xbox 360 bundle to "under $300," adding "we are confident that by holiday 2011, all three consoles will be at least $50 cheaper than they are today." Why, with that kind of money, we could almost buy a new fuel cell for our spaceyacht's hyperdrive!

Oh, right -- the report also predicts the invention of spaceyachts. We meant to mention that earlier.

Pachter expects 360 price cut at E3, PS3 and Wii to follow suit originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP Go listed for $150 MSRP on official site; not in effect at retail

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:45:00 EST

Sony's official PSP website has been updated to reflect an apparent PSP Go price drop. "Now you can enjoy the sleek, totally-digital PSP Go system for $149.99 MSRP," reads the product description, "and the unsurpassed PSP-3000 system for $129.99 MSRP." The 3000 price cut was made official last week, but the would-be PSP Go discount is news to us.

Apparently, it would be news to retailers too! As of publishing, outlets including Amazon, Best Buy and GameStop all have the hardware listed at $200 (the price put into effect last October). Given the phasing out of UMD (disc-based PSP games won't be backwards compatible with NGP), people might consider using the all-digital Go at a stepping stone at the new, reduced price. That is, if Sony ever decides to make the price cut happen.

[Thanks, Jason F.]

PSP Go listed for $150 MSRP on official site; not in effect at retail originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP price slashed to $130

Justin McElroy — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:20:00 EST

In what can only be seen as a sign of the Next-Gen Portables to come, Sony will cut, nay, slash (perhaps even hack) the price of the PSP-3000 to $130 beginning this weekend. The new price removes a considerable $40 from the previous $170 MSRP. Additionally, all 3000-bundled "Entertainment Packs" will be reduced to $160. The PSP Go price will remain $200, for now.

The new price will go into effect this Sunday, just in time for the Academy Awards. "And the Oscar goes to ... value."

PSP price slashed to $130 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Def Jam Rapstar adds Kinect support, drops price

JC Fletcher — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST

Two interesting updates have been released for Def Jam Rapstar. We'll start with the news most likely to be useful: the game's cheaper now. Publisher Konami announced that the MSRP has dropped to $39.99 for the standalone game; a quick look at Amazon shows that the microphone bundle has an MSRP of $49.99 -- and both are a couple of bucks cheaper on Amazon right now.

For those of you who already have it on Xbox 360 or plan to pick it up, you'll now be able to use the Kinect to record video for upload to the community, thanks to a new patch. However, one thing that hasn't been updated is how you look rapping at your TV. Sorry!

Def Jam Rapstar adds Kinect support, drops price originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iwata: No Wii price drop in 'near future'

JC Fletcher — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:10:00 EST

A Wii price cut could be just the thing to spoil Kinect's and Move's first holiday season, but, according to Satoru Iwata, it's not going to happen. In response to a question about a potential price drop, Nintendo's president recently told investors (as translated by the Associated Press), "Of course, we cannot say it will never happen, but we are not thinking of it for the near future." Instead, Nintendo is offering the limited-edition red Wii to lure new consumers to choose Wii this holiday.

Of course, in August 2009, Iwata similarly denied plans to drop the Wii's price. "At present," he said during an investor meeting at the time, "we're not thinking of doing anything with the price." And then the price was cut by $50 a month later.

Iwata: No Wii price drop in 'near future' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP Go drops to $199 in US [update: price drops in UK too]

JC Fletcher — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:25:00 EST

Sony has announced price cuts for the PSP Go in both Japan and the US. Originally launched at ¥26,800 ($332), the tiny, UMD-free system will retail for ¥16,800 ($208) in Japan starting tomorrow. In America (according to Reuters), the system will drop somewhat less dramatically, from $249 to $199. This matches information we received from a retailer -- though it's happening a bit later than that retail leak predicted. Of course, Amazon shoppers have had a "preview" of that price for several months, as have others thanks to retail discounts.

The Japanese price drop makes both the PSP Go and the PSP 3000 the same price in that region -- your decision is now based on whether or not you want to be limited to PlayStation Store releases.

Update: Eurogamer reports that the price will drop to £159.99 in the UK starting November 1.

PSP Go drops to $199 in US [update: price drops in UK too] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pachter predicts $50 price cuts in 2011, Xbox first to drop

Justin McElroy — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Gaming analyst Michael Pachter expects good things from the industry in 2011, but not without a little sacrifice from the Big Three. Pach Attack prognosticated to Industry Gamers that "a $50 console price cut across the board will impact software sales by a positive 5 percent." (He expects to see an additional market boost from sales of 3DS, as well as Move and Kinect products.) Pachter further predicted the Xbox 360 to be the first to fall in price at some point during the spring of next year.

When questioned, competing analysts The Joystiq Consortium had a far more monolithic picture of 2011 to paint, saying, "It's basically just going to be Minecraft." Time will tell, we suppose.

Pachter predicts $50 price cuts in 2011, Xbox first to drop originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ModNation Racers now $40 on PS3, $20 on PSP

JC Fletcher — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

It's a big day for officially-sanctioned discounts on Sony games. First the new Greatest Hits, then the Uncharted 2 Game of the Year Edition, and now United Front's cheerful DIY kart game ModNation Racers. The publisher has announced a price drop for both the PS3 and PSP versions of Racers, to $40 and $20 respectively.

And if that's not exciting enough, Sony is also releasing a set of ModNation PSN avatars today! Wait, the price drop thing was much more exciting. We really should have led with that if we wanted to build up.

ModNation Racers now $40 on PS3, $20 on PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Price drop for DSi and DSi XL in North America on September 12

JC Fletcher — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Nintendo of America has announced price reductions for the DSi and DSi XL systems. Starting September 12, the handhelds will retail for $149.99 and 169.99, respectively.

Americans have been waiting patiently for this price drop, which occurred in the UK and Japan this June. The DSi had a price drop in Australia way back in April. We were all waiting for a price drop even before that, of course, since the 3DS is on the way to make both of these things appear a little more antiquated.

Price drop for DSi and DSi XL in North America on September 12 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony focused on Move and 3D, not PS3 price drop

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Sony Worldwide Studio President Shuhei Yoshida isn't looking to cut the price of the $299 PS3 this fiscal year. Speaking with IGN, the executive reiterated that the console became profitable this year. "We aren't making huge money from hardware, but we aren't bleeding like we used to," he added.

The company is currently focused on getting PS3s on retail shelves, having run into supply issues throughout most of this year. Yoshida noted that Sony is currently "trying to catch up [its] production."

With its attention on marketing 3D gaming (and TVs) and the impending Move launch, Yoshida said that Sony is considering additional hardware bundles to appeal to consumers instead of slashing the price of the base PS3 model.

Sony focused on Move and 3D, not PS3 price drop originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DSi price drop set for June 18 in UK

JC Fletcher — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST

Nintendo announced price drops for the DSi, DSi XL and DS Lite in Japan today. Nintendo UK has confirmed to MCV that a similar price drop will occur in that territory, starting June 18 -- but only for the DSi.

Because Nintendo UK chooses not to dictate the retail price of any of its consoles, Nintendo is simply cutting the trade price for the DSi in the UK (meaning retailers will purchase the system for less). It's up to the individual retailer to pass the savings on to the consumer (or not) -- though most retailers will want to cut prices fairly consistently with the market standard to remain competitive. MCV estimates that the retail price of the DSi would drop from the current £150 ($220) standard to around the £120-£130 ($175-190) mark.

Though we'd expect a similar announcement from Nintendo of America, the company told Joystiq that "We have nothing to announce on this topic at this time." Maybe it's saving it for E3?

DSi price drop set for June 18 in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo cuts DSi and DSi XL prices in Japan, announces new DSi XL colors

JC Fletcher — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:18:00 EST

[Nintendo]

With the 3DS right around the corner, buying a DSi or DSi XL seems a bit foolish. Now, in Japan, it'll at least be a more cost-effective foolish decision, as Nintendo of Japan has announced price drops on both iterations of the DSi. The regular-size DSi drops in price on June 19 from ¥18,900 ($205.55) to ¥15,000 ($163.13), while the DSi XL drops from ¥20,000 ($217.51) to ¥18,000 ($195.76). The DS Lite is now "open price," meaning retailers can price it at their discretion.

In addition to the price drop, there will be three new colors of DSi XL available in Japan on June 19: blue, yellow, and green. These are a lot more fun than the previous luxury car colors for the giant handheld.

[Via Siliconera]

Nintendo cuts DSi and DSi XL prices in Japan, announces new DSi XL colors originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Obscure: The Aftermath is half-price until June 15

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:15:00 EST

If you could use a bit more cheesy B-movie horror on your PSP, Playlogic's Obscure: The Aftermath may be right up your alley. Sure, the game's reviews could be described as tepid at best -- however, from today's PSN update until June 15, the title will have its price reduced from $30 to $15. If you haven't already had your fill of budget-priced, comedically lo-fi survival horror games, you might want to pick up Aftermath within the next two weeks.

Obscure: The Aftermath is half-price until June 15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox 360 receives 'limited promotional' price cut in Spain

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:59:00 EST

Effective today, May 3, the Xbox 360 received a price reduction in Spain. The Arcade model was cut by €30 to €169 ($223), while the Elite experienced a €20 drop to €199 ($262). No other European countries seem to be experiencing a similar price drop.

Following up with Microsoft in the States, the company's official comment to Joystiq was that "the limited promotional price of Xbox 360 Arcade in Spain does not reflect an official price drop." The company's statement continues, "We work closely with retailers to determine the best approach for our products on a region-by-region basis."

[Thanks, Antonio R.; Via VG247, ElOtroLado]

Xbox 360 receives 'limited promotional' price cut in Spain originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 May 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo Australia drops Wii price

JC Fletcher — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST

Nintendo of Australia is dropping prices left and right! That is, if you imagine a DSi on the left and a Wii on the right. The company announced a substantial price drop for the Wii console today, from its original AU $399.95 (US $369) down to AU $299.95 (US $277). The new price is still painfully expensive compared to other regions, but it's better. And EBGames is sweetening the deal by throwing in The Bigs 2 and Overlord: Dark Legend.

The price drop is taking place concurrently with the release of Monster Hunter Tri, making Capcom's ARPG essentially the unofficial "launch" game for the new, cheaper Wii. If you buy that and the black Wii, it's sort of like you bought a bundle!

[Thanks, Alejandro]

Nintendo Australia drops Wii price originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DSi now cheaper in Australia

JC Fletcher — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:46:00 EST

With the DSi XL arriving April 15, Nintendo's Australian branch has announced a price drop for the original DSi; a move none of the other regional branches have made. It's still pretty expensive, though: the system will now sell for $249.95 (US $233.35) instead of $299.95 (US $280).

The DSi XL will now occupy that $299.95 slot, which explains why Nintendo chose to drop the price of the smaller model. Still, if you're in Australia and you want to be even remotely pleased with these prices, try not to look into how much this stuff costs anywhere else.

DSi now cheaper in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox 360 Arcade for $159 at Amazon [update]

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:45:00 EST

Amazon has dropped the price of the Xbox 360 Arcade console to $159, as noticed by CheapCollegeGamer. The retailer doesn't mention an end-date for the promotion, but the listing notes that the price isn't shown without clicking to add it to the cart "because [Amazon's] price on this item is lower than the manufacturer's suggested retail price." It's rare for consoles to go on sale without it being an official price drop.

We've followed up with Amazon and Microsoft to verify that the promotion is isolated to just Amazon and not indicative of a general price cut.

Update: It's back to $199. Curiouser and curiouser.

[Via CheapCollegeGamer]

Xbox 360 Arcade for $159 at Amazon [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DJ Hero price scratched down to $50 at Toys 'R Us

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST

If you skipped out on last year's crossfading, record-scratching simulator DJ Hero due to its once-outlandish price, you're running out of excuses to not pick it up. Toys 'R Us recently knocked the price of the 360, Wii and PS3 (but puzzlingly, not the PS2) versions of the game down to a scant $49.99 -- a significant decrease from its launch price of $120.

Still wondering whether the game's worth your hard-earned Grantpaper? That's a decision you have to make on your own -- though, wait! Dizzee Rascal is here to help! Oh, and so's Chuck Brown! And look, it's Daft Punk! How nice of them to aid you with your soul-searching.

DJ Hero price scratched down to $50 at Toys 'R Us originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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120GB Xbox 360 hard drive drops to $99.99

Justin McElroy — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:25:00 EST

With the new 250GB 360 hard drive moving into the price territory once occupied by the 120GB drive, it should come as no surprise that the old model is getting a price cut. In fact, we're a little surprised it's not getting more of one. Microsoft just told us that the price on the 120GB HDD has been cut to $99.99, effective immediately. Microsoft tells us the drive is available at that price "while supplies last," so it sounds like they may not be on the market all that much longer.

In case you're bad at math, that's $0.83 per gigglebyte on the old model and $0.52 for the new. In case you're bad at Newegg searches, those are both still bad prices.

120GB Xbox 360 hard drive drops to $99.99 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analyst: Time for another Wii price drop

JC Fletcher — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST

Somebody had to be the first to start it up again. Last year, analysts clamored for months about the need for a Wii price drop, a din Nintendo quelled by actually dropping the price of the Wii to $200. On Industry Gamers, Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey has kicked off the next round of calling for a discount, declaring that Nintendo needs to cut the price of the console to $150 to stop the declining sales and fill out as much of its install base as it can before its competitors' motion controls hit the market.

"We believe they also need to generate strong hardware sales momentum into their competitors release," Hickey said, "or face the draconian consumer perception of the Wii having a dramatically reduced entertainment value proposition over a faded technology innovation; Rock Band anyone?" In other words, with compelling motion control devices on the way from Microsoft and Sony, Nintendo needs to do something drastic to prevent the Wii from slipping from #1 to #1 by a smaller margin.

Analyst: Time for another Wii price drop originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trine chops price on European PSN

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST

Co-op platformer Trine has received a magical 25 percent price chop on the European PlayStation Network, making it €15. There's currently no word of a stateside drop, but we're aiming for some answers.

Considering the second delay (following a three month holdup) between Trine's European and US release was about a month, maybe it's the theme that's being used for the discount? Then again, €15 converted to USD is $20, so this "price drop" is actually bringing price parity with Trine's current cost in the States.

Trine chops price on European PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: PSP Go relaunch in the works

Justin McElroy — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:32:00 EST

We weren't absolutely smitten with the PSP Go when it launched last October, but according to Gamervision, Sony may be hoping for a second chance at a first impression. Citing unnamed sources, Gamervision suggests that a relaunch of the handheld is "imminent" and speculates that it will include a price drop.

A price drop is definitely the place to start over (if the rumor is accurate), and some Kevin Butler spots would certainly help too. As for a new campaign slogan? We say stick with what's worked for the PS3: "It Only Does Everything*."

*Y'know, the PSP-3000.

Rumor: PSP Go relaunch in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pachter: More console price cuts coming by summer

Randy Nelson — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST

In his latest advisory note to investors, Wedbush Morgan prognosticator and analyst Michael Pachter goes on record with his belief that we'll see "another price cut for both systems some time this year (around summer)," noting in the email that "because its manufacturing costs are lower, Microsoft has the ability to lower price as early as March or April."

In lieu of a price cut on Microsoft's part so soon, Pachter feels that the company may instead introduce "a more feature-packed Xbox 360 in early 2010 (likely with a 250GB hard drive) at the same $299 price point." The great seer believes that Microsoft will only drop the price on its console before summer "if it begins to lose significant market share to Sony," adding that he anticipates last fall's price cut on PS3 will continue to help Sony gain ground on Microsoft.

On the portable front, Pachter doesn't expect PSP Go (remember that?) to make much headway this year unless Sony prices it "more reasonably," and says that the biggest challenge facing Nintendo DS is "its own high installed base," stating that he anticipates sales of the handheld to steadily decline in 2010. Good thing Nintendo's started talking about a "DS2," huh?

Pachter: More console price cuts coming by summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pachter predicts another Xbox 360 price cut in 2010

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST

If you read the first installment in the latest installment of "Pachter Predixx," you already know that the analyst's new report praises the PS3 for its resilience during these troubled times. According to the report, the PS3 saw an 85-percent year-over-year sales increase in November, while the Wii and Xbox 360 suffered sales declines. This reversal in fortune leads Pachter and his Wedbush associates to a surprising conclusion: "We think that the PS3 will again outsell the Xbox 360 in November and December, prompting a price cut some time early next year."

Pachter adds that while Microsoft "has the ability to lower price yet again," it probably won't do so until "it begins to lose significant market share to Sony." As with all conjecture -- even when delivered by professional conjecture conjurers -- we suggest considering Pachter's educated guess as just that: a guess.

Pachter predicts another Xbox 360 price cut in 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wii price cut in Europe excludes UK [update]

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST

Update: Nintendo has told us that the price in Canada has dropped accordingly to $219.95 and will go into effect the same day as the US. The representative also said more details on the European price drop will arrive next Monday.

Though online portals to major European retailers have yet to reflect the claim, the price for a Wii is reported to drop by €50 across Europe, bringing the total cost to €199, according to GamesIndustry.biz. Unfortunately, it appears that the price cut won't bridge the gap of the English Channel, as the discount is reportedly confirmed for all of Europe except for the UK.

Nintendo officially dropped the price of its console in the US late Wednesday night (during Sony's TGS press conference, those scoundrels!), leaving us wondering why Europe, a key market, was left out of the equation -- until now. With no price cut yet announced for the UK though, that rumored bundle seems all the more likely.

Wii price cut in Europe excludes UK [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original PSP to get 15% price cut ... in Japan

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST

Sony may have been busy talking up the PSP Go (and its ridiculous accessories) during TGS, but it looks like the company hasn't forgotten the Go's older brother. Beginning October 1, the original PSP will receive a fifteen percent price drop in Japan, lowering the price to ¥16,800 (~$185). While it might seem a little strange for Sony to lower the price of the PSP just prior to the launch of the already overpriced PSP Go, Bloomberg rightly points out that the cut will place the PSP at a lower price than Nintendo's monstrously successful DSi.

For now, the price cut remains exclusive to Japan. Joystiq has contacted Sony to find out whether it plans to share the love with the rest of the world.

[Via Engadget]

Original PSP to get 15% price cut ... in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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