More top selling games to hit $60 USD price point

Wolfwood | July 25, 2007 | News | PC Playstation 2

Next Generation conducts an informal study which collates and compares the retail pricing of video games released over the past three years across multiple platforms, including PC and handhelds. The overall conclusion? Average pricing for games has gone up to at least $50-60 USD and with more gamers willing to purchase games at those price points, these higher game prices are here to stay well past 2007.

Guitar Hero II's pricey peripheral/software bundle was cited as a key contributor to higher averages for game pricing over the course of late 2006/early 2007, though the article charts the pricing trends with and without Activision's rhythm action title being thrown into the retail mix. Conversely, cheaper PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS game releases help in bringing the average game pricing down. Even without considering Guitar Hero II, more and more $60 USD PS3 and Xbox 360 titles are taking top 10-20 spots in terms of sales, as 2007 rolls along.

Prior to 2007, the average prices for the top 20 games was around $40-$43.

During the first half of 2007, prices for the top 20 games has been around $46-$49, without including Guitar Hero II. With Guitar Hero II, included prices are measurably above $50.

As the Xbox 360 library expands, it will claim more and more high-priced games in the top 20 list.

As Wii games replace PlayStation 2 games in the charts, it will keep the floor of console game prices right at $50.

The last two points will together force the average price of top selling games well above $50 in the near future.

The only downward pressure on average game prices is coming from the Nintendo DS.

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Comments

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1 thumbs!
Airashii | July 25, 2007

I'm not too surprised with the stats, i've noticed it myself but I suppose you just accept that these games are far more hi-tech and are of far superior coding and quality etc.

So that's why i've bought my games online as they are much cheaper than in most retail stores.
-1 thumbs!
YeOldeBowser | July 25, 2007

Well, duh. Game companies want to make lots of money off you now. So they up the price. I won't be surprised if the game after this generation of consoles are 65-70 dollars.
0 thumbs!
Inuyasha19 | July 25, 2007

Thats a bit of a shame... to be honest, I remember when games were only $40 as a new release... and that was back for the SNES. Soon they'll be as expensive as systems were. >_<;
- 0 thumbs!
  Final Blade | July 26, 2007
  
  As long as the quality and content justifies the price i will buy it. And so far this gen it lives up to what i said.
1 thumbs!
MrSponget | July 25, 2007

As long as the handheld games don't go for over 50 dollars then I'd be satisfied. Console games can go for many different prices.
0 thumbs!
xsynergyx | July 25, 2007

Handheld games range from a low of 20-50, but the 4th gens can get really high, expecially the 360 and PS3 games.
-1 thumbs!
Storm | July 25, 2007

Imagine ten years from now, when the games will be $70 Value of the dollar is getting lower and lower...people are buying these games because they bought their next-gen consoles for a reason, and there's not many titles to choose from, anyways.
- -1 thumbs!
  Final Blade | July 26, 2007
  
  Read my stated above. Nothing is wrong with that price.
0 thumbs!
draxx23bb | July 27, 2007

I don't see any price in your post finalblade <_< anyway this prices will increase so much that will make me sell my PC to buy a good game