Why do PSP downloadable games cost more than the physical copies??

[Mr. J]

Ok, so I got my son a PSP 3000 and myself a PSP Go a couple of days ago. I looked on Amazon to see the prices of the games and what do I see, jaw dropping price differences. For example:

Resistance : Restribution ($13.79 physical vs $39.99 download)
Dissidia Final Fantasy ($19.99 physical vs $39.99 download)
Grand Theft Auto : Liberty City Stories ($16.76 physical vs $19.99 download)
Mortal Kombat Unchained ($11.47 physical vs $19.99 download)
Soul Calibur Broken Destiny ($18.52 physical vs $39.99 download)
Mortal Kombat Unchained ($11.47 physical vs $19.99 download)

These are just some examples and I know that some price differences are minimal, but come on. Sony doesn't have to pay to have the game pressed or anything...its a freaking download. Why does it cost so much. I'm afraid that I'll be putting my PSP Go on craigslist. Its just ridiculous!

I'm in no way bad mouthing the PSP, but I feel that the Go was actually a step backwards. I probably should've gotten a 3000, but the Go looked cool. I guess you learn from your mistakes!

[SinnerSe7en]

This is one reason I did NOT buy the PSP Go as well as I knew that Sony wasn't going to offer their games DL only any cheaper than the physical/used copies one could buy in the store. They really need to lower their prices to what a used one would be since you don't have anything physical because they will get a bunch of downloads for people, the companies will make some $ finally off old titles, and it will def look better for people willing to buy the PSP Go. Some of those price differences are ridiculous..

[Mr. J]

Originally Posted by SinnerSe7en

This is one reason I did NOT buy the PSP Go as well as I knew that Sony wasn't going to offer their games DL only any cheaper than the physical/used copies one could buy in the store. They really need to lower their prices to what a used one would be since you don't have anything physical because they will get a bunch of downloads for people, the companies will make some $ finally off old titles, and it will def look better for people willing to buy the PSP Go. Some of those price differences are ridiculous..

They are! And I guess I can't really blame anyone but myself for not doing the research on it before I bought it. If the prices were lower I would definitely keep it, but at those prices I'm better off selling it and buying a few PS3 games. Its just sad!

[Locklain]

Originally Posted by jayvo2008

They are! And I guess I can't really blame anyone but myself for not doing the research on it before I bought it. If the prices were lower I would definitely keep it, but at those prices I'm better off selling it and buying a few PS3 games. Its just sad!

Eh, I would trade the Go in for a PSP-3000 if you enjoy the platform. No idea what Sony was thinking with the PSP-Go . . .

[bhampton]

Hey,

I have the Go and never had one of the older PSPs.

I certainly agree with your findings. AND games often are released FIRST on UMD leaving Go owners waiting. That's fully wrong if you ask me. The games should hit the PSN first or at the same time. There are games I want that I just can't have because they only exist on UMD. I have demos of stuff that I like and I couldn't buy it for my PSP if I wanted too.

Also,... I can't really put games on any wish list I have online because I don't want to explain to people the details of not buying me the physical version of them but rather they have to buy me gift cards for PSN... that's pretty messed up.

(You can get 10% off PSN cards at Bj's...just sayin.)



These things are a bit of a drag. But the UMD format always looked clunky to me so in a way I am still happier with the Go.

-Brian

[Mr. J]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Hey,

I have the Go and never had one of the older PSPs.

I certainly agree with your findings. AND games often are released FIRST on UMD leaving Go owners waiting. That's fully wrong if you ask me. The games should hit the PSN first or at the same time. There are games I want that I just can't have because they only exist on UMD. I have demos of stuff that I like and I couldn't buy it for my PSP if I wanted too.

Also,... I can't really put games on any wish list I have online because I don't want to explain to people the details of not buying me the physical version of them but rather they have to buy me gift cards for PSN... that's pretty messed up.

(You can get 10% off PSN cards at Bj's...just sayin.)



These things are a bit of a drag. But the UMD format always looked clunky to me so in a way I am still happier with the Go.

-Brian

I agree that I would hate having to carry around a bunch of UMDs. The Go would be perfect if the games were like half the price they are now. I love the idea behind it....but the prices for these games a re a complete turn off and has lead me to get rid of it. I'm a Sony fan but I just can't back them up with this!

[MOONPHASE]

I think comparing Amazon's prices to PSN Store prices doesn't seem fair. PSN Store prices are more closer to what you would expect to buy a game at Best Buy, Gamestop or some other B&M store.

Besides we know PSN Store has those discounts when they want to so just have to wait for one of those sales if you think it's too much.

PSP Go was generally a good idea from Sony but just wasn't made properly.

[bhampton]

I am sure the $40 PSP games on PSN will be cut down in time.

I just don't see $40 as a video game price even on PS3 but that's just me. I guess I am used to much lower prices.

I fully expect those $40 games to buy $20 tomorrow but so far it hasn't happened. I'm pretty sure they would linger at $30 for a while anyway.

I don't know much about PSP but PS3 games (and games from other systems) have reductions after they sell big numbers. Players Choice is what Nintendo calls it I think. Whatever they call it, when the price drops for the UMD is has to drop for the Go or it's simple proof that they don't care how much software they sell for the Go.

-Brian

[Mr. J]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

I think comparing Amazon's prices to PSN Store prices doesn't seem fair. PSN Store prices are more closer to what you would expect to buy a game at Best Buy, Gamestop or some other B&M store.

Besides we know PSN Store has those discounts when they want to so just have to wait for one of those sales if you think it's too much.

PSP Go was generally a good idea from Sony but just wasn't made properly.

The downloadable prices are the same on Amazon as on the PSN.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by jayvo2008

The downloadable prices are the same on Amazon as on the PSN.

For download yes, UMD no.

[serpheus]

Did you not get any free games to download to your Go or is the offer over? I got 4 free games (Resistance Retribution,Both Syphon Filters and Motorstorm Arctic Edge). Plus i picked up the PS1 Crash Bandicoot for 5 euro. I also downloaded GTA-Chinatown Wars for full price but it was worth it.

[Mr. J]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

For download yes, UMD no.

Thats what I'm comparing, physical prices to download prices.

[Mr. J]

Originally Posted by serpheus

Did you not get any free games to download to your Go or is the offer over? I got 4 free games (Resistance Retribution,Both Syphon Filters and Motorstorm Arctic Edge). Plus i picked up the PS1 Crash Bandicoot for 5 euro. I also downloaded GTA-Chinatown Wars for full price but it was worth it.

nope no free games.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by jayvo2008

Thats what I'm comparing, physical prices to download prices.

I know that's why I mentioned what I said in my 1st post.

[serpheus]

Stick with it, prices will go down and its a better handheld than the oversized older PSP's. Here is a sales list for europe from PSN.

LittleBigPlanet (was – £19.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
Gran Turismo (was – £19.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (was – £19.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
MotorStorm: Arctic Edge (was – £19.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
Ghostbusters (was – £14.99/€24.99 now – £9.99/€12.99)
God of War: Chains of Olympus (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
FIFA 10 (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (was – £29.99/€34.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (was – £13.99/€17.99 now – £8.69/€10.99)
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (was – £13.99/€17.99 now – £8.69/€10.99)
Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
Tekken 6 (was – £31.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
F1 2009 (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron (was £31.99/€39.99 now £15.99€19.99)
Need for Speed: Shift (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey (was – £29.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
Colin McRae DiRT 2 (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
Beaterator (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £7.19/€8.99)
Football Manager Handheld 2010 (was – £29.99/€34.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)

[AranhaHunter]

I've always wondered why games on PSN cost so much, especially compared to games on itunes, Madden, Fifa, GTA CW all cost like 6-10 bucks on itunes and cost 30-40 on PSN......and apparently the content is the same so why the price discrepancy? I don't get it.

[serpheus]

Sorry for another post but you HAVE to get God of War it is amazing!!

[financially stable]

is there any load times when you download a game for the PSP go?

[Mr. J]

Originally Posted by financially deprived

is there any load times when you download a game for the PSP go?

I wouldn't know cause the damn games cost too much.

[Havok83]

Originally Posted by jayvo2008

Ok, so I got my son a PSP 3000 and myself a PSP Go a couple of days ago. I looked on Amazon to see the prices of the games and what do I see, jaw dropping price differences. For example:

Resistance : Restribution ($13.79 physical vs $39.99 download)
Dissidia Final Fantasy ($19.99 physical vs $39.99 download)
Grand Theft Auto : Liberty City Stories ($16.76 physical vs $19.99 download)
Mortal Kombat Unchained ($11.47 physical vs $19.99 download)
Soul Calibur Broken Destiny ($18.52 physical vs $39.99 download)
Mortal Kombat Unchained ($11.47 physical vs $19.99 download)

These are just some examples and I know that some price differences are minimal, but come on. Sony doesn't have to pay to have the game pressed or anything...its a freaking download. Why does it cost so much. I'm afraid that I'll be putting my PSP Go on craigslist. Its just ridiculous!

I'm in no way bad mouthing the PSP, but I feel that the Go was actually a step backwards. I probably should've gotten a 3000, but the Go looked cool. I guess you learn from your mistakes!

The downloaded prices are MSRP, manufacturer suggested retail prices. Any retailer can make up any price they want. Amazon tends to make their prices cheaper than the rest. Those same download prices are what you will typically find in stores, unless that specific retialer has marked it down. Its not a PSPGo thing vs physical copies. This is how its always been