My streak of buying systems on launch day is going to end

[Anthony1]

Before I became a "retro gamer" in late May of 2003, I was a early adopter. I was always looking forward to the next big thing. Always looking forward to the release of the next gaming super system. And when they finally did show up, I was there on day one with cash in hand. I always wanted to experience the latest and greatest on the very first day.

Here are some of the systems that I bought on their very first day of availability:

Super Nintendo
Sega CD
Atari Jaguar
Sega 32X
Sega Saturn
Sony Playstation
Nintendo 64
Sega Dreamcast
PS2
XBOX
GameCube

I bought everyone of those systems on the first day of release. Quite a little streak if I say so myself.

But unfortunately that streak is going to come to an end.


Why?


Well, the fact that I've gone "retro" is a huge factor of why I'm not going to buy on launch. I just don't have the same passion for the newest technology anymore. I'm still going to be very interested, and excited, about the new systems when they get here. But I'm just not going to be that excited, where I'm willing to spend 400 plus bucks in one freaking day.

I think when the XBOX came out, I spent like $550 total cash on that first day. I got the system, a bunch of games, and some accessories, and next thing you know the total was like $568.43.

Had I not gone "retro", I'm sure that I would be in line with everybody else on launch day for XBOX 2, PS3 and GameCube 2.

But after going retro, I just can't fathom spending that much cache on a new video game system. I've grown accustomed to playing $20 to $50 for these older systems. And paying $2 to $20 for the games. So it's just going to be extremely difficult for me to fork over such serious cash. Especially, when I would be thinking about how many old classic games and stuff that it could possibly buy me.

That's one of the reasons that I don't have a PS2 right now. I bought one the day it came out, but ended up selling it later on down the road because I was dissapointed in it's performance at the time. I wouldn't mind having one again, but until I stumble upon a used one for $75 or less, I doubt I will get one. I just don't have that level of enthusiasm any more for the new crap.

However, I will be very interested in the new stuff. I'm sure I will spend a few days at my buddies homes checking out the new wares. I have a number of friends that are hard core early adopters and they never went retro like me. In fact, they think I'm crazy. I can guarantee that they will have a XBOX 2, PS3 and GameCube 2 the moment they are available. So I'm going to just have to check them out over at their house.

I am curious to see how these new systems are going to be. Especially how they take advantage of HDTV's. I really feel that the next big thing in gaming is going to be a

REVOLUTION IN RESOLUTION

HDTV"s continue to have their prices drop, and by late 2006 when these systems hit the scene, the prices will be even lower and lower. More and more people will have Widescreen HDTV's in their houses. I'm sure that Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo are very aware of this, and I'm sure that their next machines will take full and total advantage of Widescreen and HDTV resolutions and the latest in Dolby Digital sound. I'm definitely curious to check that out. But does that mean I will be taking a trip to a ATM machine on launch day?

Unfortunately no. Since 1991 I've bought just about every single system on launch day (except the 3DO) and in late 2005 or late 2006, the streak will be broken. In a way it's kinda sad. Launch days were always really special times. But hey, that's the way it goes.

[gamegirl79]

I've never bought a system on launch day, ever. There's been a few games I've bought on their launch day, but not systems. It always works out that I never seem to have the cash when a system is launched, plus I always have a huge backlog of games that I'm playing anyway....so I've just never really been in a mad rush to have the latest and greatest.

Hell, I got my PS2 three months after launch and it was still pure pandemonium at that time. The owner of the store where I bought it asked if I wanted someone to walk with me out to my car because there was a group of guys also in the store that looked ready to pounce on my new PS2. :o

[§ Gideon §]

I can understand why it might be sad in a way. Launch days have so much ceremony about them--waking up early, competing for a spot in line, etc. The ceremony itself makes it real fun, until (as mentioned) you realize that you payed too much for too little.

But, hey. I don't have anything against the pomp of launch days. Though, I've only had one system purchased at launch. That was an N64.

[tynstar]

I have never bought a system on launch day. I did get my Genesis and PS2 the first week. Never really saw the point in waiting inline for a system.

[Lady Jaye]

I know what you mean, in a way. The only console I ever bought on launch day was the GBA SP, and even then I only bought the original GBA a few months after its release. The only current-gen console I ever bought (save for the GBC and the GBA) is the GameCube. All the other consoles were previous-gen. I got an Atari 2600 in 1987, when everyone were getting NESs (and some others the Sega Master System or the Atari 7800), I got the SNES a few months before the N64 came out, I got the PlayStation after it was re-released as the PSOne...

And even in the case of the GCN, I bought it on the day of the first price drop. (Incidentally, I'm waiting for the probable upcoming price drop on the PS2 to pick one up)

To tell the truth, it never bothered me before to not have the games as they were brand new. I had friends who did follow the release dates more closely so I played in their home. The only real reason why the GCN caught my eye so quickly was because I had a videogame column and therefore had several titles for the console. If it hadn't been the case 2 years ago, I probably would have waited till the $99 price drop.

[Ed Oscuro]

Here's how to get around it.

When the system you intend to buy has depreciated in value at retail enough that you deem it affordable, go check out NASA's launch schedule. Buy the system on the day a rocket launch occurs. Problem solved!

[whoisKeel]

psssssh...so this means you won't be buying the phantom on launch? get outta here lamer x_x

i know i got my n-gage for $300 on launch day and haven't looked back once. best money i ever spent.

ok, not really, i always wait it out for price drops for both systems and games. i buy mostly games anyways, and there aren't a whole lot of those on launch day/week ;)

[TomMage]

Me too. I used to buy the new systems day they came out, sometimes paid MORE than list price (IE N64 which I got a day or two BEFORE official release). I stopped this practice with the latest 3 systems (still don't have them), here's why. One you buy new system, the price is high. Two what few games are available, the price is high. Three I have LOADS of games I have not played yet, why buy new system and pay out the nose for games when I have so many others to play. When I get the "new" systems (may be soon with XBox price drop and PS2 probably to follow) they will be cheap and there are LOADS of good games available for $10 each. That is my new philosophy........

Tom

[Griking]

I've never understood buying anything on launch day. Buying a console on launch day to me is just like pre-ordering a new game. All your lack of patience really gets you is a guarantee that you're going to pay the absolute maximum that you can for the item in question. That's why stores push pre-orders so hard.

[Algol]

Welcome to the club. I've never bought a system until it has been out for a year at the very least. Even then, most of my systems are secondhand.

[DigitalSpace]

I've never bought a system on launch day either. Although with my PS2, I came pretty close. I had gotten a $400 Toys R' Us Gift card for my birthday from my dad to buy a PS2 and a few games when they came out. But the lines and the possibility of not even getting one turned me off. So I decided to wait it out a few months until more became available, and from what I've heard about the launch PS2's, I'm glad I did. A few months later, I was in a mall with a TRU and I saw a sign on the window that said the PS2 was now available there. So the next day I went back with my gift card, picked up my PS2, and a few games: Crazy Taxi for PS2, and FF8, Simpsons Wrestling, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater for PS1 since they were having a sale on PS1 stuff at the time. (Damn, $50 for Crazy Taxi and $300 for a PS2! Well, at least it was a birthday gift. :) )

[ManekiNeko]

The only system I bought anywhere NEAR its launch date was the Game Boy Advance. Early adopters of game systems almost invariably get screwed... they pay more for the systems and get a lot less for their money. Just look at anyone who bought the 3DO at launch. $700 for a system that was supported for roughly two years. That's a raw deal any way you look at it.

JR

[§ Gideon §]

Just look at anyone who bought the 3DO at launch.
You mean both of them?

Ba-dum-chah!

But, seriously, OUCH. I would have a hard time forking that kind of money over... Aren't the incongruencies strange between video games and other industries? The only other commodity with an associated launch date (that I can think of) is motion pictures. From this analogy, I would think that game releases would be touted more than hardware releases.

[Daria]

I don't think I've ever bought a launch system, although it wasn't until recently that I began buying my own consoles. My family may have bought an atari when they were new but I seriously doubt it, we never had much money then. Back then we couldn't afford it, and now I'm just plain cheap. :P

I'm perfectly content to play an old system for years while a brand new one slowly drops in price and it's available game library grows. I always try to buy new systems, but I kinda enjoy the hunt of picking up games used. You can get them cheaper and I always buy "like new" anyways.
________
Body Science (http://bodyscience.ws/)

[Sylentwulf]

I got the PS2 for my birthday a month or 2 after it's release date, and the jaguar the first 1-2 months after release date. Besides that, I don't think I've bought any system in the first year. too expensive for the system, and all the games are full price.

[Oobgarm]

I've never understood buying anything on launch day. Buying a console on launch day to me is just like pre-ordering a new game. All your lack of patience really gets you is a guarantee that you're going to pay the absolute maximum that you can for the item in question. That's why stores push pre-orders so hard.

The only system I bought anywhere NEAR its launch date was the Game Boy Advance. Early adopters of game systems almost invariably get screwed... they pay more for the systems and get a lot less for their money. Just look at anyone who bought the 3DO at launch. $700 for a system that was supported for roughly two years. That's a raw deal any way you look at it.

JR

It's all about perceived value. Some people might feel that their money was well spent at $50 a game, or the system's launch price. This applies to all systems, not just the 3DO. If you get enough enjoyment out of the item that you don't regret spending the inital amount to get it, then there's no problem.

Regardless of your anti-Sony feelings, Jess, I'm going to use the PS2 as my example. I went hog wild and spent a load of cash on PS2 stuff at launch. I spent $50 on Fantavision, Ridge Racer V, and lots of other games. I dropped the $300 on the system. Many people were like 'you're crazy, you should wait until that stuff gets goes down in price.' But you know what? I got every last dollar of enjoyment out of the games and system well before they dropped in price. I felt that my purchase ws justified as it provided me with a kind of fun that nothing else could. No regrets at all.

I've been an early adopter of many systems, and I've only felt that I didn't get my money's worth once - and that was the Gamecube. But then Smash Bros. came out and all was good.

Just because you guys think that people are getting screwed doesn't mean everyone is. Some folks jump in and buy simply because it's the 'hot new thing', and those are the people that need to evaluate what they're spending their money on.

[Griking]

I've never understood buying anything on launch day. Buying a console on launch day to me is just like pre-ordering a new game. All your lack of patience really gets you is a guarantee that you're going to pay the absolute maximum that you can for the item in question. That's why stores push pre-orders so hard.

It's all about perceived value. Some people might feel that their money was well spent at $50 a game, or the system's launch price.

Everyone's got their own idea of what a great value is I guess but wouldn't that "great value" $50 game be an even greater value at $30 a month or so after release? I guess some people just have money to burn.

[Ed Oscuro]

Regardless of whether an individual (or even most gamers out there) think they have to go spend $50 on every new title out there, the field would be much bigger if games were $30. XNA, I think, is part of the solution for lowering game development costs. I also think there should be more budget titles, but that companies should do them well. Get the latest complete solution/graphics setup and run with it. There will always be high-cost system exclusives (like Zelda) intended to get people to run out and buy the system so a slight loss is acceptable, but overall each developer is looking to make a profit on every title they release and to port it to as many systems as they can make money off of.

[Oobgarm]

I've never understood buying anything on launch day. Buying a console on launch day to me is just like pre-ordering a new game. All your lack of patience really gets you is a guarantee that you're going to pay the absolute maximum that you can for the item in question. That's why stores push pre-orders so hard.

It's all about perceived value. Some people might feel that their money was well spent at $50 a game, or the system's launch price.

Everyone's got their own idea of what a great value is I guess but wouldn't that "great value" $50 game be an even greater value at $30 a month or so after release? I guess some people just have money to burn.

You find me a GOOD game that dropped to $30 in a month, or even within 3 months.

I bought Castlevania on PS2 on launch day in October. Paid 50 bones for it. Beat it in a month or so. Loved every minute of it. Felt that my money was well spent. It just dropped to $30 within the last month.

Do I regret waiting? Nope. Not at all. I'd rather not wait the six months if I really want to play the game. If I'm on the fence about it, I have no problem waiting.

Money to burn? I wish.

[Oobgarm]

Regardless of whether an individual (or even most gamers out there) think they have to go spend $50 on every new title out there, the field would be much bigger if games were $30. XNA, I think, is part of the solution for lowering game development costs. I also think there should be more budget titles, but that companies should do them well. Get the latest complete solution/graphics setup and run with it. There will always be high-cost system exclusives (like Zelda) intended to get people to run out and buy the system so a slight loss is acceptable, but overall each developer is looking to make a profit on every title they release and to port it to as many systems as they can make money off of.

I read about XNA and I agree with their stance 100%. A solid and standard basis would result in cheaper prices.

I also agree with your statement 100%. Some of the tripe released at high prices is laughable.

[Anthony1]

Although I always used to buy the systems on launch day for full price, I would almost never, ever pay the full $49.99 for the games.


And I would get them the day they came out too!


How did I do it you ask? Easy, I would always buy the game at Target for $49.99. Then I would file away the reciept. Target has a 90 day return policy. So what I would do is always watch the ads in the Sunday paper. Some time during that 90 day period I would see the game marked down to $34.99 for a one week sale at Circuit City or Best Buy, or even Target! But someplace would have it at $34.99 sometime during that 90 day return period. Then I would go buy the game at that place and pay the $34.99. Then I would take the old Target reciept for the $49.99 game and return the one that is brand new and factory sealed along with that reciept and get my money back.

Thus I would always get my games for $34.99. And I never had to wait any time at all.

The only downside is that you have to do 3 things:

1. Watch the Sunday advertisements. (something I do anyways)

2. When you see it on sale somewhere go buy it

3. Then return it with your old $49.99 Target reciept.

The other downside is that sometimes there would only be like 15 days left to return the game at Target and I can't find the game anywhere for $34.99. In that case I have to settle and buy it for $39.99 somewhere. But usually that's pretty rare. Normally if I always checked the Sunday ads, I would find the game at Circuit City for $34.99 sometime during those first 90 days.

[kai123]

Although I always used to buy the systems on launch day for full price, I would almost never, ever pay the full $49.99 for the games.


And I would get them the day they came out too!


How did I do it you ask? Easy, I would always buy the game at Target for $49.99. Then I would file away the reciept. Target has a 90 day return policy. So what I would do is always watch the ads in the Sunday paper. Some time during that 90 day period I would see the game marked down to $34.99 for a one week sale at Circuit City or Best Buy, or even Target! But someplace would have it at $34.99 sometime during that 90 day return period. Then I would go buy the game at that place and pay the $34.99. Then I would take the old Target reciept for the $49.99 game and return the one that is brand new and factory sealed along with that reciept and get my money back.

Thus I would always get my games for $34.99. And I never had to wait any time at all.

The only downside is that you have to do 3 things:

1. Watch the Sunday advertisements. (something I do anyways)

2. When you see it on sale somewhere go buy it

3. Then return it with your old $49.99 Target reciept.

The other downside is that sometimes there would only be like 15 days left to return the game at Target and I can't find the game anywhere for $34.99. In that case I have to settle and buy it for $39.99 somewhere. But usually that's pretty rare. Normally if I always checked the Sunday ads, I would find the game at Circuit City for $34.99 sometime during those first 90 days.

Wow what an honest way to save some money. :hmm:

[§ Gideon §]

Well, it's not like he's breaking any rules (non-social, that is). Personally, I find that method to be somewhat crafty.

[Nature Boy]

Wow there are a lot of super serious people in here. :)

I picked up the PS2 and the GC on launch day, and both are my only launch day purchases ever. Will I do it again? Absolutely (although only one system per generation from now on - I do agree that it can get expensive).

There's a sense of occasion to the whole thing. I had a guaranteed system from TRU both times, but got there before they opened anyway. Had a great time in line with other hard core gamers. Then raced home, connected everything, and played until it was finally time to go into work (I always tell my boss I have "errands to run" on a launch day :) ).

Sure it costs more. But so what? It's only money. And I had such a good, memorable day each time.

I've been spending the last several months deciding just *what* will be my next launch day purchase (either Sony's or Nintendo's) - and I even enjoy that part of it :)

[MonkeyWizard]

I know what you mean, Anthony. After getting used to the thriftiness of retro consoles, I just can't fork over so much cash for a system that's price will only go down after time. If I really want the console, then I'll buy it a few months later, when the price has been lowered, and used versions are available.

The same goes for games, maybe I've just gotten cheap, but I can't stand handing over $50 for a game, when in a few months I can buy it for much, much less.

[jdc]

I've been on the cash register side of a system launch (6 of the damned things)....and it's insane. People get absolutely nasty towards each other. They act as if the system is only available on this special day. I can't understand the people who pay inflated prices by buying them out of the newspaper off of some asshole who had the wherewithal to grab up 3 or 4 of them for the sole reason of turning a mean profit.

Since I've discovered these older systems, I too have become miserly towards the newer stuff. I purchased Norrath because I know full well that I'll be playing for months upon end. The only other game that I WILL buy for full pop on launch day is Turismo 4.....and Colin McRae 4 if the ps2 is so fortunate as to get a port. Nothing much on the horizon is thrilling me....so I look back to yesteryear.