Kotaku: Cheap Ass Gaming

Haze Gets Bargain Binned

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:40:50 MDT

Well, that didn't take long. GameStop's weekly ad reveals that the games retailer is moving copies of Haze for the low price of $39.99, a $20 drop from the suggested retail price it launched with less than three weeks ago. That could be very telling of its retail performance if GameStop is already slashing prices on the game, but publisher Ubisoft may be behind the move to get rid of some copies of the PlayStation 3 shooter. Even at forty bucks, I'd find it hard to recommend, but you'll have to decide for yourself.

Weekly Ad [GameStop]

Play-Asia's Late Easter Sale Is Hopped Up On Savings

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:20:10 MDT

Mega importer Play-Asia is slashing prices on just about everything with its Easter Egg sale. Everything (not released in the past 30 days) has been reduced 20% or more, with a handful of exceptions. The better news? You don't have to be an Japanese import enthusiast to save, as plenty of Play-Asia's stock is domestic and Asian stuff. That means you can snag deals like Ouendan 2 for $24 as well as recent releases like Devil May Cry 4 for well below retail. You could even secure one of those DualShock 3's for a song (read: cheaper than US retail). Yes, you can even get a deal on The IDOLM@STER.

Toys, movies, music! Aaaah! This may read like an advertisement, but I promise this is genuine excitement. There's plenty to look at but make sure you make your decision by March 31. Just don't grab my copy of Senko no Ronde and Sega Ages 2500: Galaxy Force II before I get my credit card out. Thanks.

Easter Egg Sale [Play-Asia]

PSP Development Now Cheaper, Bring On The Shovelware

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:20:43 MST

Sony's attempt to penetrate the handheld market has been, comparatively, pretty darn successful. Sony expects to ship some 13 million PSPs by the end of fiscal year 2007, alongside 54.9 million pieces of software. Even though numbers are going up for the PlayStation Portable, Sony wants to make it more attractive to developers.

Today, Sony subsidiary SN Systems cut the price of PSP development kits and support in half, making PSP development more appealing to those looking out for their bottom lines. That also means we may in for a new batch of lower budget games, making it even more competitive against the Nintendo DS.

PSP dev costs halved [Develop]

Patapon Is Going To Party Exactly Like It's $19.99

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:00:00 MST

We're not sure whether to be amused or saddened by Sony's announcement that the stylistically sexy rhythm game Patapon for PSP is getting the unusual budget price of twenty bucks. On the one hand, we very much like cheap combined with our rhythm games. On the other, it's quite clear that someone in charge of making things cost a certain amount realizes that Patapon, no matter how favorably it has been previewed and may be reviewed, will be met with plenty of consumer head-scratching and dandruff shedding. Hopefully, the budget part of the brain will win out over the disapproval of a game that has no cars, no guns and a weird name.

Patapon Pata-Price: $19.99 [PlayStation Blog]

More Amazon Deals Save Christmas

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:20:30 MST

Many of the already revealed Amazon "up to 50% off" deals are still active, but the online retailer isn't done slashing prices yet. If you're still looking for something on the cheap—and don't mind blowing cash on one-day shipping to get it before Christmas—or you're looking to make your post-Christmas merrier, new deals have been popping up over the past few days. Like what? Like Puzzle Quest for the Wii or PSP, now just $14.99 US, for example.

Hit the jump for even more deals, from Skate to Ninja Gaiden Sigma to Crackdown to Fire Pro Wrestling Returns.

PlayStation 3
Ninja Gaiden Sigma - $39.99
Skate - $39.99
Dirt - $39.99

PlayStation 2
Fire Pro Wrestling Returns - $7.99

Xbox 360
Crackdown - $19.99

Wii
Puzzle Quest - $14.99
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles - $34.99

Save Up To 50% Off [Amazon]

Want to experience Rapture on the cheap? ...

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:30:03 MST

Want to experience Rapture on the cheap? How about the slightly less expensive? BioShock is Amazon's current lightning deal, meaning, for the next 90 minutes, shoppers can pick up the Xbox 360 version of the game for $39.99 US. We don't expect it to drop to that price at regular retail for some time, so snap it up already! Thanks, budget minded tipsters.

Super Cheap Time Crisis 4 Alert! Want a second ...

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:30:00 MST

Super Cheap Time Crisis 4 Alert! Want a second GunCon 3 for Time Crisis 4 multiplayer fun? If you balked at the $89.99 US asking price for Namco's latest gun shooter, maybe $49.99 is a bit easier to swallow. It's Amazon.com's current Lightning Deal and it's going fast. Proof that people still like shooting at things, regardless of nauseating the character design. Thanks to our tipsters for the heads up!

Amazon Sale Makes For Good Gifts

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:40:07 MST

Looking for something a little more affordable for the gamer in your life? If so, or if you're in possession of a bit of walkin' around money, Amazon has slashed prices on a good portion of this season's possible underperformers. Price drops on Beautiful Katamari, Lair, Stranglehold, Viva Pinata Party Animals, Manhunt 2 and Halo 3 LE lead the list of deals. Incidentally, I just picked up Cruis'n for the Wii. Yes, I'm serious.

For a list of some of the notable titles with respectable savings, hit the jump.

PlayStation 3
Lair - $39.99
Stranglehold Collector's Edition (with "Hard Boiled" Blu-Ray Movie) - $49.99
The Eye of Judgment (with PlayStation Eye) - $54.99
Time Crisis 4 (with GunCon 3) - $69.99
Sega Rally Revo - $39.99

PlayStation 2
God Hand - $14.99

Xbox 360
Beautiful Katamari - $29.99
Halo 3 Limited Edition - $49.99
Viva Pinata Party Animals - $29.99
Virtua Fighter 5 - $39.99
Sega Rally Revo - $34.99

Wii
Manhunt 2 - $29.99
Tomb Raider Anniversary - $29.99

Nintendo DS
Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck - $19.99
Master of Illusion - $19.99

PSP
Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles - $19.99

Save Up To 50% Off [Amazon via Cheap Ass Gamer]

Guitar Hero Goes Double, Slightly Budget

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:20:26 MST

If you've somehow managed to avoid catching Guitar Hero fever until only recently, the Guitar Hero Dual Pack may be right up your alley. The new edition of the Harmonix developed franchise packs in the original Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero II for the PlayStation 2 in a $60 package which, while not exactly cheap, does come in cheaper than buying the first two games separately. Reader Edward spotted it on Best Buy's site recently, but Activision makes it official today, as the game should be on store shelves as you read this.

What's not on store shelves? Copies of the PlayStation 3 version of Guitar Hero III, unfortunately, which seems to be back ordered and sold out everywhere.

PlayStation 3 20GB Now A Pretty Good Deal

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:40:00 MDT

It may not have had the damning consumer re-branding of "Tard Pack", but the original entry level model of Sony's PlayStation 3 was unquestionably deemed by PlayStation fans the ugly sister to its chrome-stripped $599 60 GB variant. Now, the 20 GB PlayStation 3, currently in stock at retailers Gamestop/EBgames, is starting to look like a worthwhile purchase at $379 USD. Featuring full backwards compatibility with PlayStation 2 titles, plus four USB ports—perfect for a complete Rock Band set up—the only thing it lacks in comparison to its slightly pricier sister model, the recently announced 40 GB version, is wireless networking out of the box and extra storage space.

With a back up PlayStation 2 tucked inside, a still running deal that will net five free Blu-ray movie discs of varying quality—Omen 666, anyone?—the 20 GB PlayStation 3 may have gone from second choice to only choice for PlayStation sticklers.

Plus, it's in classic black! No chrome strip to wipe down. Yes, I'm reaching.

UPDATE: Yep, as many of our readers have noted, looks like it's now "back ordered" at Gamestop. It might have been a good deal, if it were actually in stock.

PlayStation 3 20 GB [EBGames - thanks, Jeffrey!]

The Halo 3 Legendary Edition is Amazon's ...

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:15:00 MDT

The Halo 3 Legendary Edition is Amazon's deal of the day. If 130 bones was too rich for your blood, you can protect your cat's head and enjoy the end of the Halo trilogy for a lot less. Free shipping, too. I'm seriously tempted... Halo 3 Legendary Edition [Amazon]

EA Drops Prices On Tons of Titles

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:20:05 MST

Starting tomorrow, a huge number of EA titles are going to see substantial price drops, across virtually every system. Only the Wii and PS3 will continue to see EA published games stay at current prices. The drop affects a number of next-gen priced Xbox 360 games, including Fight Night Round 3, The Godfather, and Battlefield 2 Modern Combat, bringing them to saner MSRPs.

Here's a small sampling:

Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
Xbox 360 - Was: $49.99 New: $29.99
Def Jam Fight for New York: The Takedown
PSP - Was: $39.99 New: $29.99

Fight Night Round 3
PlayStation 2 - Was: $39.99 New: $19.99
PSP - Was: $29.99 New: $19.99
Xbox 360 - Was: $59.99 New: $29.99
Xbox - Was: $29.99 New: $19.99

Madden NFL 07
Xbox 360 - Was: $59.99 New: $49.99
Xbox - Was: $39.99 New: $29.99
GBA - Was: $29.99 New: $19.99
GameCube - Was: $39.99 New: $29.99
PlayStation 2 - Was: $39.99 New: $29.99
PSP - Was: $39.99 New: $29.99

Game Invasion has the full, exclusive list. Check it out if you're in the mood to spend this weekend. Michael McWhertor

Exclusive: EA Price Drops [Game Invasion, thanks Janson!]

Railroad Tycoon For Free

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 22:40:45 MST

Sure, it may be sixteen years old, but you're not going to look FREE in the face and deny it, are you?

In order to shill a few more copies of the Sid Meier's Railroads! (emphasis theirs), 2K Games is giving you the opportunity to (re)play the "tycoon game that started it all". It's a measly 14 MB download, so you really have no excuse.

At the very least, burn it to a CD-ROM and give it as a stocking stuffer, you cheap bastard. Michael McWhertor

Download Railroad Tycoon

Get $100 Off Your Xbox 360

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 21:00:39 MST

It may not have the cheap ass appeal of the rumored $100 Xbox 360, but Micro Center is now giving customers a $100 rebate by mail if you purchase an Xbox 360, Core or Premium.

The offer is valid for anyone who purchases a 360 between November 12 and December 3, so, surprise, if you picked one up yesterday, you're a hundred bones richer than you previously thought.

You may want to call ahead to check your store's availability, as the cheap ass types are all over this deal. Good luck! Michael McWhertor

Xbox 360 Micro Center Rebates [via Fatwallet Forums]
Rumor: Xbox 360 For $100? [Kotaku]

Free Brain Age With DS Lite Purchase

Michael McWhertor — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 09:35:45 MDT

Today's the day! Nintendo fashion victims, screen brightness afficionados, and those of us too cheap to import our Lites are now rushing to stores to snag the umpteenth iteration of the Game Boy. But wait! Warm up your printers before you venture to your local brick and mortar electronics mecca.

If you're one of those chumps brave souls who waited until today to secure your Nintendo DS Lite, you're in luck! Both Circuit City and Best Buy will throw in a copy of readin', writin', 'rithmetic mega-hit Brain Age if you drop $129 on the very handsome redesign. Me? I'm anxiously awaiting the opening of my local EB Games so I can do the New Electronics Strut down the streets of Boston.

What say you, Kotaku commenting elite? You get it yet, or what?Michael McWhertor

Best Buy Coupon [PDF]
Circuit City Coupon

Game Boy Advance Gets Players Choice

Michael McWhertor — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 07:34:33 MST

According to uber-news site IGN, the GBA gets its first "greatest hits" budget releases next month, when Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga, Super Mario Advance (aka Super Mario Bros. 2), and Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 drop to a very cheap ass $19.99. Woot! If you were unlucky enough to deprive yourself of M&L:SSS until now, I really feel for you. It's not only the funniest game I've ever played, but one of the most refreshing RPG's of the 21st century.

Yes! The whole century! Just get it, you cheap bastards!

GBA Gets Player's Choice [IGN]