Nintendo and its prices

[alejollorente10]

NightlyPoe said:

Here it is simply:

The video game industry has taught its consumers that they do not need to pay full price for a game. They can wait a year or two, get it for half off or so including all the DLC.  This has changed purchasing behavior to a wait and see model for many consumers.

Nintendo likes money. They like selling their products for full price. So, they keep games at full price for much longer than other companies in order to train their consumers that a price drop is unlikely. This disincentivizes from waiting. So Nintendo games sell well straight out of the box and continue to sell well long afterwards despite no drop in price.

This is psychologically nice for consumers because they can buy a full-priced Nintendo game at launch without feeling like a sucker. Here's my thought process when it comes to a 3rd party, Sony, and Microsoft games:

1. Oh, I want this.
2. It'd be fun to play this, but if I get it now, I'll have to pay for the DLC. I don't want to do that.
3. If I wait a year or two, it'll be cheaper and I'll get the whole game.
4. Wait a year or two.
5. The game is cheap now, but do I still want it?

Here is the thought process for purchasing a Nintendo game.

1. Oh, I want this.
2. Preorder game on Amazon Prime, get the $12 discount and be happy with that.

That's so much simpler. Even though I'm generally paying more for Nintendo games, I'm generally happier with my purchases because I have little fear of missing out by delaying my gratification. I'm not playing a giant game of chicken with the company. They've told me their policies and I can live with them.

Those of us who are fans of Nintendo understand that things have always been like this with Nintendo. But here it is about attracting this audience that is not a fan and does not understand that it works like this because he is used to another business model on PS4 or Xbox One, but he has some interest in Nintendo games. And then, there are people who probably buy Nintendo consoles for Pokemon or Mario Kart, but why only sell them Pokemon and Mario Kart? Why not sell Arms for 30 dollars or Bayonetta 2 for 30 dollars or DKC TF for 30 dollars, maybe that person who tried Bayonetta 2 for 30 dollars, likes the game so much that when Bayonetta 3 comes out he would buy it on day 1. I ask him God that if they release Metroid Prime Trilogy HD they sell it at 40 dollars to attract new fans to the saga for when Metroid Prime 4 comes out. And this is what I'm talking about, to attract new fans and build loyalty.