Wii Fanboy Poll: New Play Control!: too pricey, or just right?
by Chris Greenhough 
{ Jan 23rd 2009 at 2:34PM }
Next month, Nintendo will debut its New Play Control! (or NEW PLAY CONTROL!) line of games in the west, beginning with Europe. Naturally, we really like the idea of great GameCube games with added 16:9 widescreen support and waggle-based controls, and it could be a licence to print money for Nintendo, if Mario Power Tennis' chart-topping debut in Japan is anything to go by.Will us westerners gobble up these repackaged games as keenly as Japanese gamers? It's likely to depend heavily on pricing -- the games look set to cost $30 in the U.S., and £30 in the UK. Is that too much, just the right amount, or too little (you maniac)?
Have your say in our poll past the break!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
LokeSTL @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:44PM
They need to hurry up with the Metroid Primes already. Couldn't care less myself about Pikmin and Mario Tennis. Glad to have something go look forward too, even if it is only a couple of Gamecube upgrades. Hope this catches on and we see a few more classics done this way. I'm looking at you Ocarina of Time and Super Mario Sunshine!
WalkingCarpet @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:50PM
I think 30 bucks is about right for these.
A Metroid Prime box set for 90 or even 100 bucks? Sold.
Also, I want Luigi's Mansion (IR targeting for both the flashlight and the vacuum) and Mario Sunshine with IR targeting would be pretty awesome too.
LokeSTL @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:59PM
+1 on everything WalkingCarpet said.
blueduck08 @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:59PM
It seems a little expensive considering you could get the GameCube versions pretty cheap and use them on your Wii minus the new controls. I'm thinking $19.99 would be a better price until they come out with some of the bigger titles like Metroid
esposch @ Jan 23rd 2009 5:43PM
The thing is, you COULD get the Game Cube versions cheap, but 9 out of 10 people simply couldn't be bothered tracking one down. Of course there's eBay, but first party Gamecube games there will cost you AU$40-AU$50 anyway, so the extra $5 is well worth it.
xodus666 @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:00PM
I think the price is about right. Maybe even 20 or 25 would be better but it's Nintendo. I wanna see Luigi's Mansion or maybe Mario Sunshine if we're lucky
Dopple Boppler @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:02PM
Pikmin with Wii controls is a great idea, but the rest of the games they have lined up don't interest me much, and to be quite honest I'd rather have Pikmin 3.
Out of all the other GameCube games I can think of that I'd care about with Wii controls, Windwaker is the only one that comes to mind, and even then to get me to buy it they'd need to add in a dungeon that was cut from the original or something. I guess I wouldn't mind a Wii-ified Luigi's Mansion, but again, I'd prefer a sequel built from the ground up for Wii.
The problem with doing Metroid Prime 1 and 2 with Metroid Prime 3's controls is that they're much less shooting oriented than 3 was, so it sort of becomes a moot point. Still, I guess getting more people exposed to the genius that was Metroid Prime (and to a much lesser extent, Echoes) can only be a good thing.
PikachuMan @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:07PM
Sounds just right.
I imported the Pikmin 1 Play on Wii, but it cost me $40. It's still a great price for basically reinventing a game.
Deegan @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:21PM
The problem with all this for me is that I already bought these games during the period where there were no releases after the launch period. The launch games didn't last very long.
Mogster @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:25PM
I dunno anything about the US, the the UK price is wayyyy to high. A new Wii game is usually £40, with some games (like Mario Kart) slipping down to £35. So £30 for an old game? Give me a break Nintendo. During these harsh economic times, you could make things a little easier for the consumer. Especially considering the basis of these games is already done. The 'improvement' you've made must cost a minimal amount of money.
£20 would be a reasonable asking price.
Badaro @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:26PM
I'll probably buy Pikmin, but won't pay more then $20.
ima747 @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:39PM
What I'd like: $20
What would be reasonable: $25
Maximum I would be willing to pay for a GC game with tacked on wii controls if it was something I really wanted to play: $30
I think they're pretty accurate as far as the real world is concerned. The market can bear $30 re-hashes quite comfortably so that's what they'll sell it for.
Spike @ Jan 23rd 2009 7:27PM
RE4 sold for $30 when it came out
Sean Aaron @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:47PM
I'm content. I had £22 worth of GAME points, so the game is costing me £2.49. If I had the original I wouldn't trade up for £24.99, but it's new to me, so I'm cool.
samfish @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:56PM
Drop it to $19.99 and they'll have my money. Unless it's Wind Waker with extra dungeons, I'm not dropping $30 bucks on a GC game I can get for a 1/4 of that price used.
BobTheElephant @ Jan 23rd 2009 4:05PM
29.99 is acceptable I will not use price as a main determining factor if it's at that price level however, it will still play a small part. I'd rather see them around 20 or 25 as well as seems to be the consensus in the comments but the extra 5 or 10 dollars won't destroy my chances of getting a couple.
James @ Jan 23rd 2009 4:19PM
The US price is what I'd like to pay in the UK. £30 = $40, which in my opinion is just too much for old games.
I don't think the games should be more than £10-£15/$15-20.
Slick @ Jan 23rd 2009 4:20PM
I like the idea of cheaper games. :] I'm looking forward to Pikmin and wanted to get it on release, so a cheaper price will suit me.
KaBob799 @ Jan 23rd 2009 4:29PM
I think it's the perfect price (though they could get away $40), go too low and people wont buy other games and honestly a brand new quality Wii game, whether or not it has been released before, is worth at least $30.
Mr Khan @ Jan 23rd 2009 4:39PM
It's at the upper end of what i would find acceptable, personally. Though i won't have time to play it for a long time (unless Punch-Out!! gets set back beyond it's First Half 09 release window)
ACCloud @ Jan 23rd 2009 4:53PM
I live in Australia, where this game is released on the 26th of Feb., rather than the 6th like Europe and the U.S. Could someone please tell me an online shop which ships to Aus where I can order the PAL version of the game?
Thanks a lot =D
Oh and, I'd say the price is still a little too high.
esposch @ Jan 23rd 2009 6:00PM
Try cdwow.com.au.
But first, consider this:
It will take 1-2 weeks to actually reach you, so you'll get it a total of 6-10 days early. Not much point really.
ACCloud @ Jan 23rd 2009 6:57PM
Thanks for the help, but Pikmin isn't even on the website. And while I know I won't get it that much earlier, well, 6-10 days is still pretty good (I'm impatient when it comes to game releases =P)
Also I'm sorta hoping that I might find it cheaper than I would in Aus., as an $80 price tag really wouldn't surprise me. And besides, the EB Games shop I go too isn't the most reliable spot for new games...especially for Wii.
esposch @ Jan 23rd 2009 8:38PM
It'll probably be 50 retail (US$30 translates to that).
Cheaper still at JB HiFi.
As for CDWow, they'll probably add it closer to (or on) the actual release date.
And if you're that impatient, why didn't you get it on Gamecube 6 years ago? They were only $99 everywhere.
Garu @ Jan 23rd 2009 4:45PM
Nope... I think $19.99 is the correct price for these as a single title. As I mentioned once before, I thought these were going to be several upgraded games on one disc. For that you could get $40.
But I'd say $19.99 is the correct price.
Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Ryan Scott Defense Force, A Wurr? My Burr) @ Jan 23rd 2009 4:46PM
Seeing as how a used Pikmin for GC costs $25 and Pikmin 2 at $40, $30 is a sweet spot
Also, these obviously aren't for those people who already bought the game. These are for people like me, who didn't know what Pikmin was until it was too late, or who never played the original Metroid Prime, or who still have no fucking idea what Chibi Robo is but damn well are willing to give it a fighting chance, or don't want to buy some stupid peripheral just to play Jungle Beat
KaBob799 @ Jan 23rd 2009 4:58PM
Yeah most people don't seem to realize that its completely worth the money if you are in the target audience.
Shivan @ Jan 23rd 2009 5:13PM
I think 24.99 would be the ideal price. Unless there is a plethora of added content to the game itself I don't think they can rationalize charging ten more dollars.
Just my opinion. I hope they release Pikmin 2, it is so much more superior when compared to the first title.
Gewurz Man got equipped with... XBox 360! @ Jan 23rd 2009 5:37PM
exactly
VinnieMas @ Jan 23rd 2009 5:07PM
Should be $19.99 but i guess $30 is not too bad. But seeing as how i usually dont pay more then 20 for a game i doubt ill be getting these unless they're on sale.
Hardy @ Jan 23rd 2009 5:11PM
I can't believe some people think this price is okay.
I mean seriously. These games are 5-9 years old, they give it Wii controls and tell you to buy it for $30?
We've ALL yelled at other companies for rehashing ports from systems like PS2, but however it's okay if Nintendo's doing it?
They SHOULD just make a new Pikmin, DK, Mario Tennis and Metroid, not repackage it, no matter how good it USE to be.
Spike @ Jan 23rd 2009 7:29PM
pikmin 3 is confirmed, and the metroid prime series is over
Emma @ Jan 27th 2009 12:50PM
Yeah, I guess that as the games are SO OLD, they should just give them away FOR FREE...
Gewurz Man got equipped with... XBox 360! @ Jan 23rd 2009 5:36PM
It's about what I would expect; the US price is right. Well, at least for Pikmin 2. The first one should be around $25 but price points seem to rarely ever be AT $25.
20 = budget
30 = DS
35 = Nintendo DS
40 = Square DS
50 = Wii
60 = PS360
at least, that's been the case in my experience.
PSIJunkie @ Jan 23rd 2009 6:14PM
I think the prices are fair, especially for the Pikmin games, since those are rather expensive at Gamestop used.
Lianne @ Jan 23rd 2009 11:42PM
I've been looking for Pikmin since I bought my Wii (almost 2 years ago), and I've never found a used copy anywhere. On e-bay the Pikmin games go for around 40 used...
$30 for a new copy that's been updated for Wii isn't bad :)
N4N0T3CH @ Jan 23rd 2009 9:06PM
It is kinda fair considering that I occasionally will spot a new Super Smash Bros. Melee going for $30.
Wesley @ Jan 24th 2009 2:28AM
for me it largely depends. For smaller games or lesser known titles, I think $20 would have had people going nuts for these releases. Say they do this for the Metroid Primes, Super Mario Sunshine, Wind Waker, sure $30. Why not?
commathe @ Jan 24th 2009 6:48AM
I might pick up Donkey Kong, but the price seems kind of high for gamecube ports. I never played Jungle Beat, Mario Tennis, or Pikmin though, so who knows. This would be a good time to roll out a demo channel.
dotbatman @ Jan 24th 2009 12:57PM
$19.99 is my sweet spot. I'll probably pick them up second hand instead of new because of the price.
Innuendo @ Jan 24th 2009 1:02PM
Since when 1$=£1=1€??? Europe is always ripped off:(
esposch @ Jan 24th 2009 5:14PM
Since Steam introduced the European currency beta.
mko @ Feb 6th 2009 12:31PM
Since EU introduced VAT.
Oh and In Turkey a Wii game costs 140 TL (67€, 86$)
ByronFortescue @ Jan 24th 2009 1:46PM
I've never owned a GameCube, so I think the price is allright, really looking forward to the first metroids!! Nver played those either and just got Metroid Prime 3, which really rocks (am a big fan of the 2d Metroids).. If they beef up the graphics and gameplay/controls, €30,- is okay, around €25,- would be even nicer though..
Garst @ Jan 24th 2009 2:38PM
I think $30 is a tad too high. It should probably maxed out at $25 for the better re-releases and $20 for the less popular ones. They are old games after all.
maduin @ Jan 25th 2009 9:49AM
considering the replay value on all Nintendo made games is generally pretty high, 30 bucks is fine. Plus, for a lot of customers, these might as well be newly developed titles. Even when these games originally came out, Pikmin was only a rental for my poor college self and I never did have time to play through it properly, but I've been burning through my import copy of Pikmin Wii for the last week and find it wholly satisfying with the new controls.
Metroid Prime 1 and 2 will be great, I barely remember playing the first one, but I remember loving it, and 2 never even got a go on my cube. I've imported Mario Tennis GC Wii and am very disappointed that they've left out the depth that was established in Wii Sports Tennis, being able to slice and hook shots through the air by twisting your wrist before the racket and ball make contact. My favorite shot in Wii Tennis was swinging low to high and twisting the remote to the right to make a high lob that would spin to the back corner of the court from the center. Back hand and twist left is also great to throw off people who never use the front man quickly enough. Those shots just aren't in the new version of Mario Tennis, it's a crying shame actually. It's mainly just a waggle fest, and I hate using the term waggle.
DK Jungle Beat is a quick paced platformer that I also never played on the cube but have been playing on and off since I imported it in December, you can tell that what Nintendo Tokyo EAD learned from this game they applied to Super Mario Galaxy and I can't wait for more games from that team, Kid Icarus will probably be put into their capable hands and will be a classic side scroller shmup with RPG elements using the DKJB engine. But I digress.
Wave Race Blue Storm is begging to get the new play control packaging, what with the Jet Skiing game already in place with Wii Sports Resort. Why not just add those controls to WR:BS.
I'm all for the re-released upgrades, seeing as how the cube had so many great games that were never experienced by the audience they deserved, and 30 bucks is a great deal for all the new Nintendo fans out there.
Emmanuel @ Jan 27th 2009 12:51PM
I don't know guys, sometimes I feel you just cry over anything, considering over here in Mexico Wii games retail for $899 MXP ($65~$80 USD), heck even RE5 will retail for $999~$1099 ($71~$95 USD, Normal Edition)
For me, $30USD is just right, you know, I'd like to experience the those games since I couldn't at the beginning, of course buying a GC game is better value since is ALMOST THE SAME, but trying to find a NEW copy of these games is so hard (not talking about USED copies since you aren't buying a used Wii Play Control game).
Games being "old" is not a concern for me, of course you don't have to pay full retail price for Duck Hunt or Super Mario Bros. these days, but these games aren't that old, have 16:9 support and you're paying to be able to play intellectual property, not just a disc with a game inside.