There's a huge difference between a flightstick and the command console of Steel Battallion - it had 2 joysticks and over 30 buttons and switches, as well as 2+ rudder pedals. That was worth the extra $60, as you were getting about 5x the controller, hehe.
As for BD vs. ES...It just depends. My g/f likes ES more because of the accessible battle/combat system. IMO, BD is vastly more polished, and the actual levels are much better (ES dungeons are so freaking linear, whereas BD takes from the great level design of old Final Fantasy games).
I'd give BD a slight edge over ES. ES has better art direction with the cell shading, ES's combat's more innovative too. However, the character development, dungeons, bosses, and challenge of BD are much better.
Had the designers of ES made the dungeons better (more BD like), that woulda been enough to tip the scale in ES's favor.
I'd give:
Blue Dragon: 8.75
Eternal Sonata: 8.50
Back from the dead, I'm afraid.
