Retailer Pricing: Xbox vs PS3

I feel the need to make a disclaimer before anything I post in a "System Wars" forum.

I own a gaming PC, a PS3, an Xbox 360 and a Wii. I also own a DS, a PSP, and an iPad. I play them all frequently. I'm not a rabid fanboy of any particular system, so please take that out of the equation if you decide you want to respond. Thanks!

I recently stopped neglecting some games I never finished, and finally wrapped up all the add-on content for the first Dragon Age game, and wanted to go pick up the sequel today after work. Looking online at pricing, I noticed that Best Buy had DA2 for the 360 listed at $34.99 new. Since Best Buy was closer than a Gamespot, I stopped there and grabbed a copy. While browsing around between PS3 and 360, checking out titles, I saw copies of DA2 for PS3 as well, but noticed that it was $59.99 new for the PlayStation version. To make sure I didn't read the 360 sign wrong, I double checked, and it was indeed $25 cheaper for the same exact game.

Adding to that, I noticed that for both consoles, Mass Effect was there for $19.99; but that right next to it, Mass Effect 2 was listed $59.99 for PS3, and $19.99 for the 360. $40 dollars cheaper? Since I was already saving $25 from DA2 I grabbed the Mass Effect 2 for 360 and figured it paid for itself. I half-expected the sign to be wrong, and that it would ring up full price or something other than what was listed, but sure enough, it was only $19.99.

Upon getting home, I checked out all the games listed on both Best Buy's and Gamestop's website to compare prices, and it even reflects the difference online:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;jsessionid=63E6C8F0981645328AFFB79F76D90B46.bbolsp-app01-46?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-8481603812026381098&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=mass+effect+2&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960

My question is: Is this a commonplace thing? Are 360 games cheaper due to some Sony/Microsoft thing, or maybe a Best Buy/retailer thing, or who knows. Is it a Sony overcharge deal, as even on the PC Mass Effect 2 is $19.99?

If it's going to be signifigantly cheaper for me to get games for an Xbox 360, I see a clear winner in the debate.

The 360/PC versions were released at the beginning of last year. The PS3 version was a port that released this year. It comes with all the DLC included, so that's why the PS3 version is full retail price.

These kinds of situations are rare. 360 and PS3 are priced the same 99.9% of the time.

I feel the need to make a disclaimer before anything I post in a "System Wars" forum.

I own a gaming PC, a PS3, an Xbox 360 and a Wii. I also own a DS, a PSP, and an iPad. I play them all frequently. I'm not a rabid fanboy of any particular system, so please take that out of the equation if you decide you want to respond. Thanks!

I recently stopped neglecting some games I never finished, and finally wrapped up all the add-on content for the first Dragon Age game, and wanted to go pick up the sequel today after work. Looking online at pricing, I noticed that Best Buy had DA2 for the 360 listed at $34.99 new. Since Best Buy was closer than a Gamespot, I stopped there and grabbed a copy. While browsing around between PS3 and 360, checking out titles, I saw copies of DA2 for PS3 as well, but noticed that it was $59.99 new for the PlayStation version. To make sure I didn't read the 360 sign wrong, I double checked, and it was indeed $25 cheaper for the same exact game.

Adding to that, I noticed that for both consoles, Mass Effect was there for $19.99; but that right next to it, Mass Effect 2 was listed $59.99 for PS3, and $19.99 for the 360. $40 dollars cheaper? Since I was already saving $25 from DA2 I grabbed the Mass Effect 2 for 360 and figured it paid for itself. I half-expected the sign to be wrong, and that it would ring up full price or something other than what was listed, but sure enough, it was only $19.99.

Upon getting home, I checked out all the games listed on both Best Buy's and Gamestop's website to compare prices, and it even reflects the difference online:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;jsessionid=63E6C8F0981645328AFFB79F76D90B46.bbolsp-app01-46?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-8481603812026381098&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=mass+effect+2&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960

My question is: Is this a commonplace thing? Are 360 games cheaper due to some Sony/Microsoft thing, or maybe a Best Buy/retailer thing, or who knows. Is it a Sony overcharge deal, as even on the PC Mass Effect 2 is $19.99?

If it's going to be signifigantly cheaper for me to get games for an Xbox 360, I see a clear winner in the debate.

xiixiix

yea i noticed that too today it even happens in canada, wonder why stores sre overcharging ps3 owners?

The 360/PC versions were released at the beginning of last year. The PS3 version was a port that released this year. It comes with all the DLC included, so that's why the PS3 version is full retail price.

These kinds of situations are rare. 360 and PS3 are priced the same 99.9% of the time.

speedfreak48t5p

I was just hopping back here to say that upon review, I noticed the 2010 vs 2011 release dates. Guess I just saw the January part and assumed they came out at the same time, like titles usually do. Thanks for the quick reply, however.

It's the EA thing. They aren't quite right in the head.funsohng

The Dragon Age 2 thing is odd. Mass Effect is explained by DLC as already mentioned, although even if you buy it all it's still cheaper to get the 360 version. Generally I see the same prices for new games, but used games tend to be a bit cheaper on the 360 - I assume because they generally sell more copies and there's a greater volume of them out there.DJ_Lae

That isn't how it works. If you are selling, you don't lower the price. The price lowers due to lack of sales.

[QUOTE="DJ_Lae"]The Dragon Age 2 thing is odd. Mass Effect is explained by DLC as already mentioned, although even if you buy it all it's still cheaper to get the 360 version. Generally I see the same prices for new games, but used games tend to be a bit cheaper on the 360 - I assume because they generally sell more copies and there's a greater volume of them out there.Pug-Nasty

That isn't how it works. If you are selling, you don't lower the price. The price lowers due to lack of sales.

[QUOTE="Pug-Nasty"]

[QUOTE="DJ_Lae"]The Dragon Age 2 thing is odd. Mass Effect is explained by DLC as already mentioned, although even if you buy it all it's still cheaper to get the 360 version. Generally I see the same prices for new games, but used games tend to be a bit cheaper on the 360 - I assume because they generally sell more copies and there's a greater volume of them out there.funsohng

That isn't how it works. If you are selling, you don't lower the price. The price lowers due to lack of sales.

I thought TC was talking about new copies. I don't know how GS or anyone prices their used copies. I just know that when they have too much stock they offer less trade in value.

Follow Up:

When I was first at Best Buy earlier this week, Dragon Age 2, new, was listed $60 for PS3 and $35 for Xbox. The Xbox didn't say it was on sale or anything, and I actually had a $20 coupon for DA2 that it let me use, getting me a brand new copy for $15 dollar. I was impressed.

Anyhow, I look online now and I see that both the Xbox and PS3 copies are listed at $35 and both are tagged as "on sale". Why the Xbox version would go on sale before the PS3 version, I haven't an idea, but I guess that would explain why they are matched the same now.