Banjo and Viva sequels only $39.99 at Gamestop?

by Terrence Stasse { Jul 3rd 2008 at 1:00AM }

This generation of games has seen the average price for a title rise to $59.99, so when a game looks to possibly be released at a price point lower than that, we take notice. Over at Gamestop's website, Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise and Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts are both currently listed at the price of $39.99. Now while this could just be a simple error (Amazon has them both at $59.99), we'd like to hope that there's more going on ...

The rest of this is only speculation, but there are a few connections between the two games. They're both from Rare and so they're both Microsoft first party games. Now it could just be wishful thinking, but we'd like to hope that Microsoft might be willing taking a bit of a profit hit on these two to get them to be must-buys for a larger audience of gamers (read: kids).

Tags: banjo-kazooie-3, banjo-kazooie-nuts-and-bolts, microsoft, microsoft-game-studios, rare, viva-pinata-2, viva-pinata-trouble-in-paradise

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dwag @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:33AM

Surprised anyone was online now but hey this is good those Casual gamers get cheap games and can play em in Hi Def.

D dogg @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:05AM

Why are you simply passing these off as "casual games"? Because your plugged directly into gaming itself or maybe because MS is trying to pawn these off as casual games!?

Keep in mind Banjo made its mark on gamers (not the casual type) on N64 (do you think the N64 was a casual games machine because I sure don't).

I'll be picking both up and ironically I bet THIS "casual gamer" will spank you at Gears of War (because you know, casual gamers play that) or even Command and Conquer 3 (because you know, casual gamers play that too).

007craft @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:20AM

Those are good prices for these games. Keep in mind that us gamers who fell in love with BK, are entirely aware that this new one is VERY different from the other games. Its basically a different game altogether but using characters from the banjo universe. Something thats not to appealing, even if the style of game is fun.

And us fans of VP1 know that Viva pinata was a fun game, but had its limitations. Theres no way I would be purchasing the second one for $59.99. $39.99 seems like the right price point for these games. I might bpick up banjo at this price if it has comedy and lasting value and ill probably wait for another $20 drop before I buy VP2 (If I recall, VP1 was elling for $9.99 just 4 months after it was released)

john paul @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:11AM

News literally 24/7 from X3F!
Do you
live on the west
coast Terrence?

Wow
Banjo for 40 dollars would be incredible, i miss those days.

TWODOGSz @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:19AM

Shane Kim was asked back around GDC about lower pricing of more casual titles and whilst he didn't confirm anything he very much left it on the table.

Hopefully this is what he was hinting at. Banjo and Viva Pinata deserve all the love they can get and if this helps spread the love, then I'm all for it. :)

Parsnipzilla @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:10AM

Is it just me or does the Viva Pinata boxart SCREAM Animal Crossing Wild World?

Boff @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:45AM

Cheaper games are ALWAYS welcome, whether they're targeted to the casual or hardcore gamer.

Chase @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:09AM

I agree. Odd, I know. ;]

Boff @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:46AM

One more thing, I really hope this helps sales of VP2. The first one deserved to do much better. Gaming crack indeed!

Vcize @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:27AM

Why do people have this idea that VP1 sold poorly? The game has sold 2 million copies. That's more than Mass Effect I believe.

Chase @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:07AM

I assume this is to increase the likelihood of a purchase from the intended audience.

I'm already interested in Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise, and this just makes the possibility of me buying it even greater.

DJcube @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:21AM

They also both seem to have a slightly different box design to the other 360 games.

Lewis (GT: StoneRevolver) @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:27AM

Terrence is fuckin Batman, I swear.

markdell90 @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:53AM

To Dwag, if they're the cheap gamer, how would they afford an HD TV? Haha just saying.

Back to the game; there was talk that Gamestop just has a lowered listed price listed so they get more preorders, then towards the release, they'll jack the price up, and there wouldn't be any use to back out of the preorder since they would be the same price everywhere.

It's a logical theory, who know's if it's true.

webster1990 @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:25AM

I'm buying these games anyway, but if they are going to be cheaper i'd welcome it, i hope somewhere in the UK has a similar offer.

p.s. I really like the VP: Trouble in Paridise box art

Jim Halpert DM @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:15AM

I remember when the 360 was launched it was said that all first party titles would remain priced at $49.99.....look how long that lasted.

skin.bintin @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:31AM

Games range from $90 for MS First party games right up to $130 for games from the likes of EA and Activision here in New Zealand, yet the first Viva Pinata game release here for $70 which was great as it touches on a different audience that the usual price point is just too much for.

It would the a wise move to go through with the lower price point.

Xevious @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:52AM

Let's hope this trend continues!!

Gemini Ace @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:13AM

Remember when the 360 was first announced and we heard of the higher price point? MS said that their first party games would stay at $49.99.

Jim Halpert DM @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:41AM

Read my comment at 13 copycat...lol

Neuromancer @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:29AM

I think Gamestop is just fucked up on this one, I could maybe believe $50 but $40 is just too low.

RockerAnimeFreak @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:19AM

I'm buying BOTH if that really is the price if not one at a time.

Azshros @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:26AM

I just checked the web site and it was only 19.99 new and 17.99 used

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=66446

i could be reading this wrong.

Azshros @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:31AM

yeah i was wrong.... thats for the party animals

juju187 @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:22AM

great christmas pickups this will make a killing.
say what you want about M$ and the hardware, but the software side of things is beautiful

John @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:31AM

Seriously games are too overpriced these days they should be priced like that... :(

John @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:22PM

I would have payed the full $60 for Viva Pinata 2 because I enjoyed the first one that much. I recommend it to anyone who has a 360.

I'm a bit hesitant about the new BK because it's a bit different from the first two, but I suppose that could be a good thing. I hope they release a demo because I'm not set on spending $60 for it just yet.

VP2 is one of my must-haves this year. : )