This generation is entering the sweet spot for late adopter/budget gamers like myself. Vast libraries are available for each system and the looming next-gen systems are knocking already low prices even lower on established games. I'm not even going to get into all the games that are now available as Greatest/Platinum hits at value prices now.
In the past few weeks, trolling local retailers and eBay, I've managed to pick up quite a few great games on the cheap. The shipping fees on several of my ebay purchases were more then my winning bids, because of the rampant overcharging on ebay to actually get your purchase. Everything below, though is the total price I paid to have the game in my hands whether purchased online of off, and I'm happy with the deals I've nabbed. Between all these and some games I'm still waiting for the right deals on, I'll have plenty to do until those next-gen systems take price drops.
DS
Episode III (used) for $11.89. I can't get the GBA version for any less than $25.
Nanostray (used) for $26.86. This one was kind of pricey, but I learned my lesson on low-production shooters from Ikaruga: pick them up while you can.
GBA
Astroboy (factory sealed) $9.99. One of the scores I made after the recent slew of Best Buy price drops.
Final Fight One (used) $7.23. I could NOT find this game with the package for less than $30, so I settled for cart only and swore a lot as I scrubbed the sticker off the back with Goo Gone. But I'm left with a great version of a great franchise and paid next to nothing for it.
GC
Metroid Prime (FS) $7.49. I didn't like what I played of this game at the store display years ago, but it got so much love from the community that I thought I'd give it another try for that price. So far, I have to say that I still don't like it. Why is it again that can't I look up or down without holding an extra button?
Viewtiful Joe 2 (used) $9.10. I'll have to get a working PS2>GC controller adapter to play it, but I've been meaning to pick one of those up anyway.
PS2
Beyond Good and Evil (FS) $8.41. I played through a friend's XBOX copy, and knew I'd want it in my collection at some point. Couldn't pass it up at this price.
Guilty Gear Isuka (used) $21.99. I broke my $20 rule here, too, but this game kicks ass. Boost mode alone is worth the price I paid.
XBOX
Evil Dead Regeneration (FS) $14.99. The first Evil Dead game was terrible, the second was passable, and this one, in the few minutes I've played of it so far, is not bad at all. An enjoyment of the franchise is required, but assuming that, it's pretty solid for a budget title.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance (used) $8.25. I'm a little irritated with this one--I already had the PS2 version, but wanted the XBOX version for the true widescreen support. I take good care of my games, and try to buy used games only if they're in good shape. This was advertised as being in "great condition," but the disc is scratched and the case has a chunk missing out of the top. I'm waiting for the seller to contact me back about it now.
Ninja Gaiden Black (FS) $24.99. Since NG had never dropped down to my $20 magic price point, I had never played it. I was certainly watching for it to drop, given all the great things I'd heard, but it just held it's value like crazy. With Black out with extra content for $30 (minus the $5 Best Buy coupons you can get with their Gamer's gift cards), I decided to finally pick it up. I had heard so much about the difficulty of the game that I was a bit apprehensive going in, but I got up to speed pretty quickly. "This isn't so bad," I thought as I blocked, rolled and counterattacked to manage 4-way fights during the first level. Sure, it takes a little more deliberation and a little less button-mashing than some other action games, but I didn't think it deserved the reputation of punishing difficulty everyone had given it. Then I got to the first boss, who bent me over and spanked me like a naughty child. Again and again.
After three continues, I got the option to drop to the Ninja Dog difficulty, which I did. When I'd heard about the humiliation the game threw at you for playing the easy mode, I thought it was a great touch, and wanted to see it, anyway. I didn't think I'd actually need to play as a Ninja Dog, though. I'm hoping I'm going to get better, because the second boss is now creaming me even with my little purple ribbon of strength.
Otogi (FS) $13.60. I had played a bit of this at Baroque's place, and thought it was absolutely compelling. A fun game with beautiful visuals and superb art direction.
Otogi 2 (FS) $9.99. Thank you, Best Buy!
Panzer Dragoon Orta (used) $11.99. Why, oh why did I buy a used game from GameStop? It works fine, but I can't stand looking at it--they even put a sticker on the manual. It's like some bizarre fetish with those people.