What are the biggest system rip-offs this generation? My Top 10 List...... (56k)

#10 DISCONTINUED BUNDLES or EXTREME LOW SPEC BUNDLES

Props to Nintendo for not having this problem, but watching Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 go schitzophrenic on their system designs reminds me of all the mistakes Sega used to make with its failed systems. You mean the suckers... I mean loyal followers.... who forked out cash for 360 on launch were screwed out of an HDMI connection? Is PS3 backwards compatible or not? Why do developers have to design games knowing that their userbase could have a small flash memory storage unit or a gigantic hard drive? WTH??? Make up your mind MS and Sony!! And for all those who bought the first creations, sorry jack, you've been ripped-off!

#9 PRICEY NEXT GEN CONTROLLERS

Wow! The cheapest sytem -- the Wii -- has a $60 list price tag for a new remote and nunchuk! You're looking at upwards of $50 for official Xbox 360 and PS3 wireless controllers. Have you checked the price on the 360 controller that attaches to the PC? Remember when extra controllers could just be $10 generic brand add-ons?

#8 REPACKAGING LAST GEN GAMES IN CURRENT GEN PACKAGES

Ranked #8 because at least most of them try to add new content. And it's not unusual to have several last/current gen crossovers when trying to phase in the new technology. Some of them, like Resident Evil 4, are almost an entirely new game with new control schemes. But what I think bothers me the most is the upwards of $50 price tag. If we're using last gen, they should be priced at $10-$20, just like their PS2/XBOX1/GC versions.

#7 XBOX 360 CUSTOM FACEPLATES

Is your system REALLY that ugly? These were even worse before the price drops. At least you can pick up several used models now for a few bucks at an Amazon or Ebay. Not like this is a new trend. PC gamers have been making their systems look spiffy for a decade now with cool lights and see-through windows. Gamer vanity, gotz to love it!

#6 NINTENDO'S VARIOUS GIMMICKY CONTROLLERS

Someone at Nintendo must still be pissed about the power glove and other failed contraptions from the NES glory days because the Wii is trying to bring on a rebirth of gimmicky peripheral controllers. The Wii-Mote was nice, but trying to bring back a Duck Hunt gun, a yoga pad, and anything else Nintendo can think of is ridiculous. I seriously doubt you'll ever find more than 1 or 2 AA/AAA games that were custom built for these. Oh well... at least these serve more purpose than the Resident Evil chainsaw controllers and other ridiculous inventions from last gen.

#5 XBOX LIVE AND MARKETPLACE

I'll admit, it's the best console online service. But Wii, PS3 and PC don't charge JUST to go online and browse the selections and play free trailers. And the marketplace is getting ridiculous. 400 points for a custom avatar? The fact remains that you can find almost EVERY marketplace item for FREE if you're a PC gamer. This is just an excuse (but brilliant idea by Microsoft) to add extra revenue in every imaginable way.

#4 PS3 HDTV CONNECTIONS

Why is it that Xbox 360 at least throws you a bone with the component wires but every CURRENT PS3 bundle fails to include ANY type of HDTV connection? This is even worse when you consider PS3 is THE high-def system with its blu-ray player, and double worse, when you consider the already high price tag for a PS3. Expect to spend another $50-$100 for your PS3 system if you truly want to take advantage of next-gen graphics.

#3 XBOX 360 WIRELESS ADAPTER

A hundred dollars?! Jesus jimininy christ, this feature is BUILT-IN on the Wii and PS3!! You're telling me it actually costs $100 to build this little sucker? And how much do computer wireless router connections costs? Far and away, the BIGGEST accessory rip-off this generation!

#2 WII'S NEW CASUAL LIBRARY OF GAMES

Remember when we used to call a casual gamer someone who played Madden or Driv3r? Apparently, those were the days! Have you checked out the Nintendos' gaming library lately? For every Super Smash Brothers Brawl, you'll find 10 titles that look like some wierd party game for 5-year-olds. THIS is why I kept stalking my local Gamestop trying to find their next shipment of Wiis??? We won't even talk about E3.

#1 SONY PSP UMD FORMAT

Was there REALLY a need for a brand new portable movie format? Sony loves their new formats. Isn't it amazing that you could spend almost $100 on one movie just to grab the new deluxe edition DVD, the HD quality blu-ray edition, and the portable UMD movie. What? This whole concept of downloading that the Ipod popularized skipped the execs at Sony? Just a total waste of time and materials. Shame on our technophile society for tolerating wasteful inventions like this.

Nice list but you forgot to mention the X360 HDDs. You should add it into the the Wireless adapter blurb.Luigi_Vincetana

That fit's into the low spec bundle's since if you buy the regular 360 you wont need to buy a HDD.

agreed with all of them actuallyjg4xchamp

Faceplates shouldn't be included... you don't have to have one, its personal choice.

Same could be said for repackaged last gen games.

You don't have to use the wireless adaptor for the 360, having a thin cable attached to the console is hardly a hardship.

[QUOTE="jg4xchamp"]agreed with all of them actuallyTTDog

Faceplates shouldn't be included... you don't have to have one, its personal choice.

Same could be said for repackaged last gen games.

You don't have to use the wireless adaptor for the 360, having a thin cable attached to the console is hardly a hardship.

on ure xbox live part TC, u can download demos and videos and such like for free. its called xbox live silver. u dont need to have a subscription to download that kind of stuff. u can also buy addons and XBLA games on a silver account...u dont need gold (but u do still need live points of course).

the fee is only required to play games online and get all those kind of features.

other than that..a fair list overall.

[QUOTE="Luigi_Vincetana"]Nice list but you forgot to mention the X360 HDDs. You should add it into the the Wireless adapter blurb.justforlotr2004

That fit's into the low spec bundle's since if you buy the regular 360 you wont need to buy a HDD.

I disagree with :

Custom Faceplates: Are a bit overpriced but i just think it's cool having a spartan armed with a sniper on the front of my 360. Just too add a nice personal touch to your 360.

UMD : They're pretty cheap now and watching movies in good quality while travelling or even at work/school can be really fun.

Nintendo Controller Pheriphials : Well it's just much nicer to actually be holding a gun/tennis/golf/baseball shaped object than just holding a plain Wiimote.

It just makes the game feel batter when you play it and they are completely optional.

The rest i pretty much agree with....

I agree with this list completely... you should blog this, I'd say it's worth soapbox.

And add the Mario Kart Wii steering wheel to #6.

[QUOTE="TTDog"]

[QUOTE="jg4xchamp"]agreed with all of them actuallyjg4xchamp

Faceplates shouldn't be included... you don't have to have one, its personal choice.

Same could be said for repackaged last gen games.

You don't have to use the wireless adaptor for the 360, having a thin cable attached to the console is hardly a hardship.

If you HAD to buy them they'd be a rip off, but you don't... there's no law saying you HAVE to buy a faceplate, or use wireless connection... so if you do its your own choice... you're ALLOWING yourself to be ripped off so its your own fault.

Pretty much nailed it. Gaming is a massive rip-off sometimes.

I don't know why they continue to neglect the HD cable (the MGS4 bundle included an HDMI cable, at least that's what I was told by a guy that bought it). I know there are several different ways of connecting (HDMI-HDMI, HDMI-DVI, Component) but they should have at least tossed in a component, or better yet a cheap HDMI since it's the obvious connection of choice for TVs now and in the future.

The UMD format was/is a waste of time, but how else can they tout the PSP's video functionality? Everyone just downloads torrents and rips them to MP4 to stick on a mem card, but Sony can't exactly say that. At least they are continuing to support it, its good for the people that like them. Doesn't make the format as a movie medium any less dumb, but I kind of see why they are where they are with it.

MS points are a massive rip-off. No defense for that either.

[QUOTE="jg4xchamp"][QUOTE="TTDog"]

[QUOTE="jg4xchamp"]agreed with all of them actuallyTTDog

Faceplates shouldn't be included... you don't have to have one, its personal choice.

Same could be said for repackaged last gen games.

You don't have to use the wireless adaptor for the 360, having a thin cable attached to the console is hardly a hardship.

If you HAD to buy them they'd be a rip off, but you don't... there's no law saying you HAVE to buy a faceplate, or use wireless connection... so if you do its your own choice... you're ALLOWING yourself to be ripped off so its your own fault.

You know what else I hate? Limited/collectors edition of games. Just add a few useless crap and charge $20 extra. Some of them are good such as the ones that come with cool action figures, but "The making of..." dvd's suck.SpinoRaptor

Hmm I wholeheartedly disagree. I bought the Assassin's Creed CE and it, especially the action figure, was a big waste of money. I mainly wanted the Penny Arcade comic and the tin, but the PA comic wasn't what I expected and the tin is cheap and shoddy. Not worth it.

The GTA CE was a little better, at least it included a soundtrack, I've been using the lockbox and duffel bag extensively, believe it or not. The art book is kind of slapped together but its not bad.

I really wish though that I had picked up the MGS4 CE specifically for the "making of" DVD, since I heard it is awesome. Kojima apparently whips his team into a lather to make the game great. You don't get to look into the development process too often, and if you do it's just what they want you to see. Some PR guy talking about how careful they were to make it feel right for vets of the previous games isn't as cool as actually seeing a dev team under pressure.

[QUOTE="jg4xchamp"][QUOTE="TTDog"]

[QUOTE="jg4xchamp"]agreed with all of them actuallyTTDog

Faceplates shouldn't be included... you don't have to have one, its personal choice.

Same could be said for repackaged last gen games.

You don't have to use the wireless adaptor for the 360, having a thin cable attached to the console is hardly a hardship.

If you HAD to buy them they'd be a rip off, but you don't... there's no law saying you HAVE to buy a faceplate, or use wireless connection... so if you do its your own choice... you're ALLOWING yourself to be ripped off so its your own fault.

Yeah, but what's next? Soon they will just rip features out and charge you to put them back in. You won't HAVE to have a HDD, you will have "THE CHOICE" to buy an attachment that allows for more than 1 controller, an attachment disc drive, a special attachment that outputs in 1080p instead of 720p... it seems more like they held back features to make more money in the long run and probably to keep the 360's design simple (it had enough problems as it is, imagine it with another 10 components inside). I don't think MS, the guys known for monopolizing everything really care about giving you "a choice". They would prefer it if they were your only choice.

[QUOTE="TTDog"][QUOTE="jg4xchamp"][QUOTE="TTDog"]

[QUOTE="jg4xchamp"]agreed with all of them actuallyjg4xchamp

Faceplates shouldn't be included... you don't have to have one, its personal choice.

Same could be said for repackaged last gen games.

You don't have to use the wireless adaptor for the 360, having a thin cable attached to the console is hardly a hardship.

If you HAD to buy them they'd be a rip off, but you don't... there's no law saying you HAVE to buy a faceplate, or use wireless connection... so if you do its your own choice... you're ALLOWING yourself to be ripped off so its your own fault.

I agree, for the most part we are to blame for being such suckers and needing to buy everything. There are instances like the 360's Wifi adapter though that are just ridiculous. You live in a 2 story house, your router is in a different room. Your choices are to buy the Wifi adapter, run 100 ft of cable around the house, or just not play online at all. You can't even buy a different brand of adapter and trick the 360. It knows you didn't spend $129 bucks on it (though I think its more like 80 or 90 now isnt it?)

There is a fine line between giving gamers options and just holding back options so you can charge for them later.

#5 XBOX LIVE AND MARKETPLACE

I'll admit, it's the best console online service. But Wii, PS3 and PC don't charge JUST to go online and browse the selections and play free trailers. And the marketplace is getting ridiculous. 400 points for a custom avatar? The fact remains that you can find almost EVERY marketplace item for FREE if you're a PC gamer. This is just an excuse (but brilliant idea by Microsoft) to add extra revenue in every imaginable way.

The__MCP

This comment needs to be removed, as it's not true. You do not need a Gold membership to browse, and download trailers, demos, and everything else. Plus, I have never seen one single avatar for 400 points.

You might want to go back and do some research before making statements like this.

I really wish though that I had picked up the MGS4 CE specifically for the "making of" DVD, since I heard it is awesome. Kojima apparently whips his team into a lather to make the game great. You don't get to look into the development process too often, and if you do it's just what they want you to see. Some PR guy talking about how careful they were to make it feel right for vets of the previous games isn't as cool as actually seeing a dev team under pressure.

excelR83

Here ya go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id-oorRqXpE&feature=related

it's worth watching

[QUOTE="SpinoRaptor"]You know what else I hate? Limited/collectors edition of games. Just add a few useless crap and charge $20 extra. Some of them are good such as the ones that come with cool action figures, but "The making of..." dvd's suck.excelR83

Hmm I wholeheartedly disagree. I bought the Assassin's Creed CE and it, especially the action figure, was a big waste of money. I mainly wanted the Penny Arcade comic and the tin, but the PA comic wasn't what I expected and the tin is cheap and shoddy. Not worth it.

The GTA CE was a little better, at least it included a soundtrack, I've been using the lockbox and duffel bag extensively, believe it or not. The art book is kind of slapped together but its not bad.

I really wish though that I had picked up the MGS4 CE specifically for the "making of" DVD, since I heard it is awesome. Kojima apparently whips his team into a lather to make the game great. You don't get to look into the development process too often, and if you do it's just what they want you to see. Some PR guy talking about how careful they were to make it feel right for vets of the previous games isn't as cool as actually seeing a dev team under pressure.

Yeah I hate those cheap tins that come in nearly every CE.

I missed out on GTAIV CE. Looked so cool. I went to pre-order it and it was sold out. :(

[QUOTE="jg4xchamp"][QUOTE="TTDog"]

[QUOTE="jg4xchamp"]agreed with all of them actuallyTTDog

Faceplates shouldn't be included... you don't have to have one, its personal choice.

Same could be said for repackaged last gen games.

You don't have to use the wireless adaptor for the 360, having a thin cable attached to the console is hardly a hardship.

If you HAD to buy them they'd be a rip off, but you don't... there's no law saying you HAVE to buy a faceplate, or use wireless connection... so if you do its your own choice... you're ALLOWING yourself to be ripped off so its your own fault.

Whoa. Hold up. Are you saying I can only call something a "rip-off" if I 'had' to buy it? Where on Earth did you think up that crazy logic.

But then again according to your logic the WiFi adapter is a rip-off. Since if I had a home WiFi network I would HAVE to buy the adaptor to get online with the X360.

So my choice at launch was a $600 PS3 with wireless or a $500 PS3 without wireless yet the 360 wireless adaptor is a ripoff.

Free wireless on PS3 = SW myth.

They removed features to pay for that "free wireless" and we all fell for it like it was a big favor or something, and my PS3 is hardwired anyway because I don't like wireless.

When the PS2 got a redesign and a price drop did that all of a sudden mean that you got a free dvd drive or a free set of wires?

I know it's pointless to bring this up because you can't argue with zealots and nobody will ever accept what actually happened but there you have it.

Redesigned sku with features removed =/= free wireless.

lol at number 4, the hdmi cables.

you can get hdmi cables online for less than 10$

I think one that was really deserving and left off was Sony's handling of the Six-Axis/Dual Shock controllers.

For all of the early adopters who bought a PS3 and were excited about the six-axis (support? and I mean intuitive, useful and fun) because rumble was last gen, only to find out that in Spring 2008 Sony would be selling controllers with rumble. To add salt to the wound the games before the DS3 do not, and as far as I know, will not support rumble.

[QUOTE="The__MCP"]

#5 XBOX LIVE AND MARKETPLACE

I'll admit, it's the best console online service. But Wii, PS3 and PC don't charge JUST to go online and browse the selections and play free trailers. And the marketplace is getting ridiculous. 400 points for a custom avatar? The fact remains that you can find almost EVERY marketplace item for FREE if you're a PC gamer. This is just an excuse (but brilliant idea by Microsoft) to add extra revenue in every imaginable way.

MortalDecay

This comment needs to be removed, as it's not true. You do not need a Gold membership to browse, and download trailers, demos, and everything else. Plus, I have never seen one single avatar for 400 points.

You might want to go back and do some research before making statements like this.

His facts may be wrong, but Xbox Live (and marketplace) certainly cost to much.

So my choice at launch was a $600 PS3 with wireless or a $500 PS3 without wireless yet the 360 wireless adaptor is a ripoff.

Free wireless on PS3 = SW myth.

They removed features to pay for that "free wireless" and we all fell for it like it was a big favor or something, and my PS3 is hardwired anyway because I don't like wireless.

When the PS2 got a redesign and a price drop did that all of a sudden mean that you got a free dvd drive or a free set of wires?

I know it's pointless to bring this up because you can't argue with zealots and nobody will ever accept what actually happened but there you have it.

Redesigned sku with features removed =/= free wireless.

Riverwolf007

Sony dropped the 20 gig PS3 pretty fast, and now all the SKU's have wireless. So you can nitpick, but I think all of us are agreed that the launch PS3's weren't all that great in pricing anyway. Also $100 for a wireless adapter is a ripoff regardless of PS3 SKU's. Especially when the console is touting its wireless features.

[QUOTE="TTDog"][QUOTE="jg4xchamp"][QUOTE="TTDog"]

[QUOTE="jg4xchamp"]agreed with all of them actuallyexcelR83

Faceplates shouldn't be included... you don't have to have one, its personal choice.

Same could be said for repackaged last gen games.

You don't have to use the wireless adaptor for the 360, having a thin cable attached to the console is hardly a hardship.

If you HAD to buy them they'd be a rip off, but you don't... there's no law saying you HAVE to buy a faceplate, or use wireless connection... so if you do its your own choice... you're ALLOWING yourself to be ripped off so its your own fault.

Yeah, but what's next? Soon they will just rip features out and charge you to put them back in. You won't HAVE to have a HDD, you will have "THE CHOICE" to buy an attachment that allows for more than 1 controller, an attachment disc drive, a special attachment that outputs in 1080p instead of 720p... it seems more like they held back features to make more money in the long run and probably to keep the 360's design simple (it had enough problems as it is, imagine it with another 10 components inside). I don't think MS, the guys known for monopolizing everything really care about giving you "a choice". They would prefer it if they were your only choice.

That would only come nect if you were a total cynic... so for you... probably.

[QUOTE="TTDog"][QUOTE="jg4xchamp"][QUOTE="TTDog"]

[QUOTE="jg4xchamp"]agreed with all of them actuallyKhanhAgE

Faceplates shouldn't be included... you don't have to have one, its personal choice.

Same could be said for repackaged last gen games.

You don't have to use the wireless adaptor for the 360, having a thin cable attached to the console is hardly a hardship.

If you HAD to buy them they'd be a rip off, but you don't... there's no law saying you HAVE to buy a faceplate, or use wireless connection... so if you do its your own choice... you're ALLOWING yourself to be ripped off so its your own fault.

Whoa. Hold up. Are you saying I can only call something a "rip-off" if I 'had' to buy it? Where on Earth did you think up that crazy logic.

But then again according to your logic the WiFi adapter is a rip-off. Since if I had a home WiFi network I would HAVE to buy the adaptor to get online with the X360.

Exactly.. if you want to buy something that is totally unnecessary for gaming and are paying over the odds its entirely your fault, if you want to buy 15 faceplates then its entirely your own choice, if you want to spend your cash on an "updated" game then its your choice... if you're thick enough to pay the money again for something you already own its entirely your fault.

Its not as if they suddenly spring the price on you at the till, and up till then you thought they were a bargain.

A good list. Sure I could argue some points but overall it is good.Blackbond

I disagree about the HD cables. You can get a HDMI cable for 5 bucks easily. If you are spending 50 bucks on an HDMI cable, just call yourself a sucker, because that's what you are.

The same goes for the 360 wireless adapter. You can use the old Xbox one or get a wireless bridge for dirt cheap. Or just go ethernet it's free.

And the XBL marketplace item is stretching it a bit too.

But I see your point and I don't fault your effort.

Pretty good, I don't really agree with the order though. Also, you don't need to spend 50-100 for HDMI cables noob. Anyone who is a decent consumer know's there is almost no difference between $10 HDMI cabels and $100 cables.munu9

There is a difference, a huge difference in fact. The problem is that most people either, 1. do not have the high end A/V equipment to take advantage of the more expensive cables or 2. aren't adept enough to tell the difference in A/V quality between low and high end cables.

[QUOTE="munu9"]Pretty good, I don't really agree with the order though. Also, you don't need to spend 50-100 for HDMI cables noob. Anyone who is a decent consumer know's there is almost no difference between $10 HDMI cabels and $100 cables.tbolt76

There is a difference, a huge difference in fact. The problem is that most people either, 1. do not have the high end A/V equipment to take advantage of the more expensive cables or 2. aren't adept enough to tell the difference in A/V quality between low and high end cables.

Um no, there is not a difference. HDMI cables have a standard. And that standard will give you the best quality. Companies like monster rip you off by adding extra stuff to the HDMI cables that you not only do not need, but does not make a difference.

[QUOTE="munu9"]Pretty good, I don't really agree with the order though. Also, you don't need to spend 50-100 for HDMI cables noob. Anyone who is a decent consumer know's there is almost no difference between $10 HDMI cabels and $100 cables.tbolt76

There is a difference, a huge difference in fact. The problem is that most people either, 1. do not have the high end A/V equipment to take advantage of the more expensive cables or 2. aren't adept enough to tell the difference in A/V quality between low and high end cables.