POTW: Are publishers being greedy by re-released classics on

[Kimberley Ellis]

POTW: Are publishers being greedy with re-released classics on the XBLA, PSN and Virtual Console services? by Kimberley

PALGN Feature: Are Banjo, Duke and Co. worth a premium price tag?

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[grim-one]

What's wrong with republishing old classics? You aren't under any obligation to purchase them.

It makes the games available for a longer time, especially with the lack of availability of titles or compatibility with some systems.
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Steam:grim_one | PSN/Live:najakh | Flickr

[Ka-Pom]

I love the fact they do that, it allows gamers who missed out on the 'Golden Days' to experience some of the greats. Still waiting for Earthbound though.

[bobboblaw]

Well, I've only had experience with the PSone classics released on the PSN, and I think they're great and well worth it. First off, they're only $8.45 and there are some real classics like Spyro, Crash and Syphon Filter that still hold up well today. Not only that, but the best thing about them is they can be played on the PSP as well as the PS3. Sure, it can be argued (and I'd agree) that publishers are being greedy, but most of these games can't be bought any more (at least not complete and in great condition, but I suppose apart from disc condition that's irrelevant), and they allow people who never played said games the opportunity to give 'em a go.

Now, if they'd only bring some of the other classics I never played such as MGS1 or FFVII, though I suspect if they did, they'd charge more than $8.
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Steam: bobboblaw

[Rlan]

Calling Microsoft greedy for Banjo Kazooie being ~20AUD is taking it a bit far. Sure, it's more than other remakes on the platform, but it's also far larger than any of those remakes.

Fully completing the game took me a good 12 hours - more than most normal game usually takes for me to complete. It was totally worth the ~20AUD.

And I'll be there paying 1200 for Virtual On: OT and Outrun Online Arcade too, as I think they're worth that much to me. If it gives me that extra bit of quality that other $10 remakes on XBLA couldn't give me, I'll gladly pay the extra 400MSP.

PSOne classics are kind of different, as they require absolutely no effort or cost to produce - they're already made.

[Passa]

Yeah look in the case of Banjo, you have to avoid comparisons to N64 downloadable titles on the Virtual Console. Banjo is a port, not an emulated classic. It has achievements, online leaderboards and supports HD widescreen resolutions.

Generally, I don't think there's anything greedy about it. It gives you a legitimate way to play old classics on your new consoles and new HDTVs. There are many cases of simple money making rip-off attempts (ie overpriced titles) but it's your choice.
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Xbox 360 Gamertag + Xfire Username + PlayStation Network ID: Passa91

[Sinthesys]

I think remakes aren't the problem, so much as shovelware. Gimmicky, cash-in titles that are crappy and short are the real rip-offs.
See: Lost game.
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GT: Da Herbalist - Keep on Choppin'

[Benza]

For cheap on XBL, PSN or VC I don't see a problem with it, when they charge full price for a brand new game (I'm looking at you chrono trigger) I think it's fucking ridiculous.
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[djrussell]

I dont think so. Sometimes its cheaper for people to play these old games this way instead of paying heaps of doe out as most collectors do (such as myself). Xbox games? Yes; thats a cash-in. Retro games (PS1, NES, etc); no, not at all.
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[Gamesta]

The only thing I hate is when the US gets and old game long before us or we just don't get it.Suikoden has been out on the NA store for a 3 weeks at least.

Every week I pray that we have Suikoden, but no.

[stick_theory]

i think its great that newer gamers have the opportunity to play classics but also as a away to introduce gamers to a less complex control mechanic.
however, bottom line, publishers dont care about those points, they are in it for the money (as well as the share holders they answer to). but calling it greed is a bit of a grey area as it is business. i think theyve reached a balance between selective releases and price, and saturation and unethical markups. so i guess what im trying to say is theyre being the 'normal' amount of greedy anyone would expect.
ive also figured this poll is also relevant to movies and books, theyre always getting rereleased as special editions or on newer hardware, but the difference is, they are usually alot more expensive then the original.

(ive just realised what a good point ive made at the end and hope vg publishers dont figure this out too...)
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[el_rezzo]

Re-releasing games is a brilliant idea, companies gain income that should have been made when the games were originally released and gamers who missed out the first time get to enjoy what was loved back in the day (i.e. Rez, Banjo, PSOne, etc.). So unless they charge a stupid price for it I see no reason to hate on re-releases.
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[Marka]

Depends of the game and the quality of the port/remake.

[Nietzsche]

I don't see the problem at all. Its a service its not like your forced to pay anything so it would be hard to see someone against it.

My biggest problems are Goty editions cause when you release a game again it gets marked up and it's the same game with tiny amount off add-ons.

[rufati]

Nope. Because not everyone has a working Commodore64, Atari2600, NES, SNES, Megadrive, and so on. It gives new and old gamers a chance to play these games for the first (or second, or more) time.
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[fantanoice]

Compared to a number of newer games, these older games are worth the money you pay for them.
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General Discussion Forum

[Dreamcazman]

If the release is a straight port, I don't bother with them as that is milking the franchise a bit. If on the other hand, the release has been improved, either visually, audibly or by other means, then yes, I would purchase said title.

[genxevo]

it may be tedious, and a giant waste of money, but the companies should reward gamers buy allowing them to have the game for free (or next to nothing) if they still own the orginal game cart/disc, or if they were a big enough fan to import the game when it wasn't released here when the company itself showed no love for us

pipe-dream i know, but it would be good

[waz79]

Its cost thats the problem. Same problem with all digital content, its not really as valuable as they think it is.

[Benza]

[choinkees]

I think it's generally a good thing. The only old game I have so far is Mortal Kombat II on PS3. It was worth it for the great nostalgia (the feeling of being as hopeless at it as I used to be?).

I still have my old PS1 discs so I get to enjoy Suikoden by just sticking in the CD... but I'm also one of the long list of people waiting for an Australian re-release of games I couldn't get like Einhander and Bushido Blade 1.

Also, why isn't Bishi Bashi Special on the Australian PSN store?? It's in the UK one, and this seems to be the only difference in our stores? I do have the Japanese version of Bishi Bashi Special 2 (more fun than the PAL release of Special), but that requires a hacked PS1 or disc swap trick.. and that's too much effort to take out and do for a casual game.

I still own and occasionally play my Amiga, and play emulated C64 games (about to get an actual machine again), yet for some reason I reckon I would actually pay money if there were PS3 ports of my old favourites like Project X, Paradroid, Impossible Mission, Jetstrike, IK+..
(I know that XBox Live has a few, but I may as well just have my Amiga permanently hooked up to the TV rather than buy a new console)
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-- stuff I've made -- games, music, short film and animation -- www.rickyvuckovic.com -- enjoy!

[turbodirtlip]

They are greedy....

Nah, i'm just aggro coz my galaga high scores never get saved on the VC. Anyone know why?

P.S. I own the original games for NES like punch-out and have bought them again for the Wii virtual console because the old NES doesn't work... should i get a discount?

[mrbign]

1200 points? You may as well say 12,000,000 Zimbabwe dollars.

Making old games available might stop companies like Nintendo releasing essentially the same game every few years at full price and force them to actually evolve. Nintendo's tactic is to put out the same games for each new system with minimal changes so that newcomers to the system can play them - that's where the old games should be available. Why remake Mario Kart, Pikmin, or Mario if it's the same game.

If you make a great game it should forever stand as a benchmark, not be re-released with walkie-talkies instead of guns or some shit. The value to me of a service like STEAM is that the games I buy on it should be playable forever (or at least a long time).

[He need to cut the ego.]