There are several titles in need of a good price drop here.
- Zelda: TP
- Metriod Prime 3
- Wario Ware
- Super Paper Mario
- Fire Emblem: Radient Dawn
- Super Mario Strikers
- Super Mario Sluggers
- Wario Shake It
The last 2 would not be greatest hits, but rather just need a 10-20 pricecut, as they do not compete well because they are not good enough to sell for 50, when there is tons of Wii software selling for 39.99 and 29.99. The top 5 would be the first entries in a greatest hit series. I know Nintendo has a pricing stagetgy that seems to believe you will sell more if you dont drop the price ever, because if people are mentally conditioned that if they just wait 9 months it will be 19.99 then if they just want it (not really bad) they will get something else for now. But there comes a point a pricecut would sell more game and make more money. Right now at least at my GS all 5 of those games are sold used for 20 bucks less than new. So basically core gamers are not willing to spend 20-25 bucks more a game, that money could go to another. And casuals like to think they are getting more value by buying a game at less then full price. Also there is one 1st party Wii game that I have seen with a price reduction.... BBA: Wii, I am pretty sure that is 19.99 new now.
Also, to add to the part about casuals wanting the game. A good example of using price to bring people into the series is RRR, each one sold many copies after its price drop, and each sequel has been selling more (in the case of TV party, alot more). If Nintendo Plans to release a full blown Zelda: Wii in the next 1.5 years it would serve them well to get as many people into the series as possible, there are millions of casuals who would like zelda (the best bridge title imo, it is actually the game that intoduced me to "core" gaming), but are not going to pay 49.99 for a game they know nothing about, when they can get a great game like RE4 for 19.99. Same with metriod, I know there will not be another Prime game, but Metriod will come and it never hurts to expand a games fanbase.
Maybe it is just the core gaming in me thinking that if one of these games were cheaper we would not game party and carnvial games selling like they do... They would be getting Wario Ware over GP if they were both 19.99
As far is how they should be priced, I think they should use a 2-tier system, it would be differnt from the past and would allow for price flexibity. They should sell their greatist hits for 19.99 and for 29.99 depending on the game itself, casual type games would be 19.99, and Zelda and Metriod and such would do fine at 29.99.
End of 2009 Predictions (Set, January 1st 2009)
Wii- 72 million 3rd Year Peak, better slate of releases
360- 37 million Should trend down slightly after 3rd year peak
PS3- 29 million Sales should pick up next year, 3rd year peak and price cut
