From all the Bionic Commando content on the site, you readers can tell we're excited for the XBLA remake of the classic side scroller. The game's publisher, Capcom, will be releasing the game relatively soon and are still not absolutely certain about the final price point for the full version. So, they decided to have the community guy, Ben Judd, hold a poll over at the game's website to help choose between the two possible game prices. Our choices are $10 and $15, with Ben himself voting for $10. According to him, the Capcom higher-ups think that the game has enough features and polish to sell well enough at $15 to warrant that price. Ben's take is almost of the true artist, with his rationale being that the game will get into more player's hands at a lower price point. No matter what price you prefer though, let's not forget that games cost money to make, and a large cut of XBLA profits do go to the developers. Anyway, hit this link to get to the poll (its on the lower left-hand side, and you'll have to verify your age before entering.)
Also, make sure to check out the gallery of screens to be sure that you make an informed decision! NES graphics these are not!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-19-2008 @ 9:33PM
dan stabbingworth said...
$15 for a remake of an NES game? Come on. No doubt they saw the massive interest when it was announced and said, hey, how can we cash in some more?
Don't get me wrong, I love me some Bionic Commando and I still play the NES version from time to time. But $15 is ridiculous.
And whoever voted $15...wtf
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2-19-2008 @ 9:34PM
Jeramy said...
yeah, $15 is a bit steep for an xbla game. granted, i haven't played this one and may be well worth the money, but that sure is a lot to swallow for a potential buyer.
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2-19-2008 @ 9:43PM
Gemini Ace said...
Really? They're actually considering a $15 price point? That irritates me. No XBLA game should be more than $10, and any game that's a re-make should be $5. Look at Asteroids, Missile Command, and Jetpac Refueled.
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2-19-2008 @ 9:48PM
Terrence Stasse said...
I'm going to have to disagree with you about the highest that prices should be on XBLA. I think Lumines, Alien Hominid and more are worth at least $15, if not $20.
Capping the price will cap developer interest.
2-19-2008 @ 10:33PM
Gemini Ace said...
You have a point. I just think the higher price point should equal more game. If you go higher than $10, then the 50mb cap should be raised.
2-20-2008 @ 1:04PM
Perno said...
You have to remember the costs for creating an XBLA game are less than a traditionally distributed game. They don't have to pay for any of the boxing, shipping, packing, user guides, DVD's, etc. Developers are probably chomping at the bit to make XBLA games, and I imagine there aren't many cases where a developer chooses not to make a game due to the price point being low.
Also, based on the most recent X3F Podcast with the Pirates vs. Ninjas dude, it's much easier to develop an XBLA game than a full-fledged console powerhouse. So with that in mind, there's no need for anyone to charge over $10 for an XBLA game right now. Perhaps in the future, but these games aren't deep/detailed enough to command $15 or $20.
2-19-2008 @ 9:44PM
Gemini Ace said...
Oh, and the people voting for $15 should be kicked in the genitals.
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2-19-2008 @ 9:51PM
Anticrawl said...
Anything that isn't a brand new game should never be over 10 dollars on XBLA. I might not buy this game at all now that I know they were actually considering abusing our nostalgia for this game to make a quick buck.
Besides the lower price point will attract the 95 percent of Xbox Live users who weren't alive to enjoy the game yet. And just so we're clear I'm stating that 95 percent of all people on live aren't old enough to remember this game.
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2-19-2008 @ 10:18PM
killploki said...
oh please capcom, let me pay $20.
of course $10.
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2-19-2008 @ 10:24PM
corbin said...
If i was even considering buying an xbla game for $15 i would most likely pass for a used copy of an early 360 game, or possibly a classic xbox game, from gamestop. I mean for about $5 more and a coupon code you could get something like dead rising or oblivion which has way more value. And those are just example of extremely outstanding titles. Tons more would be as cheap or cheaper.
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2-19-2008 @ 10:24PM
BluesmanTLU said...
I smell a publicity stunt. They put it in your brain that the game could or should have been $15 dollars, but Capcom has decided to listen to the community and cut you a break by giving it to you for $10 because they care about your opinion.
The only thing this poll could possibly establish would be that people will not pay $15 for something when they could pay $10, which is hardly breaking news.
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2-19-2008 @ 10:34PM
Anticrawl said...
Of course that's the case, but who doesn't like to feel useful or valued?
2-20-2008 @ 12:27AM
Shogan said...
I thought this would be a $5 game since it's a remake. $10 for an XBLA game makes me really question it's value, and $15 would completely turn me off.
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2-20-2008 @ 12:42AM
badarsemother3k said...
I am definitely willing to pay 15 but that price point would probably damage sales.
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2-20-2008 @ 5:22AM
Boff said...
What a stupid fucking question...
Oo ooo I'd like to pay a fiver more for it please!
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2-20-2008 @ 10:01AM
Digital Limit said...
Exactly, heh.
2-20-2008 @ 9:04AM
iLuvUrOpinion said...
I agree with Gemini Ace. I would go so far as to say that the entire XBLA pricing system should be rehauled. I think $10 for any arcade game is steep, considering that it is a soft copy and not a disc copy. The arcade games have the limitation of only being played on one console. Disc games have resale values, the arcade soft copies do not. I think no arcade game, should exceed $10. We should expect a whole lot at $10, specially for a re-make.
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2-20-2008 @ 9:16AM
Bravo6 said...
LOL How dumb.
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2-20-2008 @ 9:55AM
dylan said...
considering I just bought a used copy of Kameo for 8 bucks, and G.R.A.W. for 7, I'd say I'd pay 5 for it.
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2-20-2008 @ 10:34AM
craig64 said...
I think the game looks awesome, and it's probably worth $15, but I'm not paying more than $10 for it.
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