The definition of what counts as a full priced game has changed over the years. In the NES era you could have a watered down arcade port like Spy Hunter or Balloon Fight and that was a full game. Games that could be beaten or have the full experience in one playthrough, for $50-$60 in 80's money. Gradually it got to the point where it had to be 3D or 2.5D to be a full retail release. Now it's to the point where it has to have voice acting, motion capture, an epic storyline, and cutscenes to constitute a $60 price. The demand for what qualifies as $60 has really evolved.
I don't think game makers can keep up with this. The model is fine for some games, but I wish we'd see games sell for less and maybe skip the voice acting, HD graphics and multiplayer, and sell a game for $40 that's chock full of gameplay. Games like God of War are great and I couldn't imagine them without the epicness and movie like direction but games like Mega Man (X) could never be full retail like the older games. They would never sell for $60 today 2D. And that means there really hasn't been a new console non compilation type release Mega Man at all in over 10 years.
I think things like XBLA and PSN are great in that they give an outlet for games that could never qualify in today's gamers eyes as full priced titles but can at least be enjoyed at a lower price point. I think that the games that cost obscene amounts of money today may make them a $60 title, but I wish we'd see more games priced based on cutting out the things that aren't necessary for a game and see more games as a result and sell better at a $30-40 price point. I would like to see them stay retail releases though, I'm stubborn for a physical case and manual :)
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