Jan 31 2008
Quit complaining, VC actually cheaper than the real deal
Incredibly, because some video games appreciate in value over time, you’re actually saving money on average by taking your business to Nintendo’s Virtual Console download service. The only catch or disclaimer to all of this is that unfortunately VC games do not appreciate in value, and you cannot sell them separately from your Wii console. So buying the actual games turns out to be a wiser long-term investment. Check after the break to have a look at the numbers.
NES
TOTAL COST - USED: $273.53
TOTAL COST - VC: $288.00
SNES
TOTAL COST - USED: $354.38
TOTAL COST - VC: $273.53
N64
TOTAL COST - USED: $169.42
TOTAL COST - VC: $102.00
GENESIS
TOTAL COST - USED: $406.59
TOTAL COST - VC: $353.00
NEO GEO
TOTAL COST - USED: $135.00
TOTAL COST - VC: $72
TURBOGRAFX-16
TOTAL COST - USED: $1177.67
TOTAL COST - VC: $294.00
TOTALS
TOTAL COST - USED: $2516.59
TOTAL COST - VC: $1325.00
11 Responses to “Quit complaining, VC actually cheaper than the real deal”
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This is an argument that I have made a thousand times to people. In fact, check out episode 6 of my podcast for an entertaining rant about VC complaints.
One other thing that people fail to realize is that the average Wii owner does not even own working versions of the classic hardware. A perfectly working NES (one with a new 72-pin connector) will run you at minimum $30…and good luck finding a TG16 or a NeoGeo.
I have a very well stocked classic gaming store near me, and I will tell you that most “good” NES games start between $5 and $10, then after you add the cost of gas to get there you are well beyond the VC price for the same game.
Collecting original classic games=fun, but it is NOT cheaper than buying the VC version.
-SR
Well said, SinisterRabbit.
I have a huge problem with the final total presented at the end. The final cost of collecting all of the games is over $1000 higher than the VC versions, but as you can see from the figure above the total, the insane difference is mainly due to the Turbografx-16.
Take away the Turbografx-16, and the final cost for collecting the originals comes in at around $1339, while the VC versions will run you $1031.
It’s still more expensive to collect the originals (add another $500 to get each of the systems in working condition), but the difference isn’t as bad as suggested when including the Turbografx-16 games.
Now excuse me while I go hug my SNES and my Wii at the same time. Group hug!
Plus, if you’re going to get em shipped from ebay, you’ll need to pay shipping. Don’t know if that’s been calculated in the total.
Probably not. Another thing to think about is which games you’re buying. Super Metroid, Street Fighter II, and eventually games like Earthbound and Super Mario RPG are going to cost more than Super Tennis. For the most part we tend to buy the best games, and they are worth much more in cartridge form.
It would be interesting to calculate the value of each of the games you buy and figure out how much you’re saving.
Hmm..
legend of zelda $7.74 $5
Super Mario Bros. 3 $9.29 $5
ActRaiser $11.50 $8
Breath of Fire II $29.98 $8
Contra III: The Alien Wars $16.49 $8
Donkey Kong Country $17.01 $8
Super Metroid $17.69 $8
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time $15.98 $10
Paper Mario $28.90 $10
Sin and Punishment $40.00 $12*
Yoshi’s Story $13.34 $10
Gunstar Heroes $23.49 $8
Military Madness $45.88 $6
Totals: $277.29 $106
Looks messy, but I should show the math. Add it all up and I saved $171.29! That’s a lot of extra money lying around…
My point is that for most, you’re actually saving a lot more money than you think.
I think that the bottom line is buying the real games is, at this point in time, reserved strictly for collectors. As a collector myself I totally understand why someone would pay extra money for a great classic game, especially one that is still sealed in the box, (The hardcore collectors love those finds) but as I said earlier the VC isn’t directed at those people.
The virtual console is intended to be an easy way for AVERAGE people to discover and and rediscover the games that they played when they were younger, or heard about but never had the opportunity to experience, and as hard as it is for most gamers to admit we just are not the average VC customer. Oh, and its a way for Nintendo to make a ton of quick cash.
I don’t understand why people can’t comprehend that, and just enjoy what is available for what most people would consider to be a fair price.
Matthew- You have given me a great idea, I think I’ll get all of my systems together for one big group hug…yes I’ll even let the Virtual Boy play along!
Well, I don’t think it’s as black and white as you make it out to be. But I agree that it’s a general rule that works well. I prefer the feel of the Snes controller while playing Super Metroid, but I’m not going to go out of my way to track it down. However, if I happen to come across it, I will definitely pick it up.
For me it just depends on the game. Otherwise I completely agree.
as interesting a comparison as that is, the same doesn’t work out the same for those of us in europe.
Since 2,000 wii points = €25 or $37.50 you end up spending way less on the originals.
I love collecting the originals, theres nothing like turning on my snes, having to give the cartridge and slot a good blow before hand.
I do buy some for the VC to see if i like em, but i also like to have my own originals.
The VC has one major shortcoming where i think it shoots itself in the foot, if your ever robbed and someone steals your games collection or it ever gets destroyed in a fire or something, then you lose all those great games on the old machines and still lose them with your wii. I still think you should be able to register games to a wii account that you log into to play VC games, that way if anything ever happened your wii you wouls still hold on to your games, similar to steam for the pc.
@Wolf
I know that if you send your Wii in for repair, and they instead send you a replacement system, you can re-download your games for free. I’m not sure what “account number” the previously downloaded list is tied to but I would think that it would be a safe bet that if your Wii was destroyed or stolen all you would need to do is buy a replacement Wii and then tell Nintendo what happened to your old one. Come to think of it, the games are probably tied to your Wii’s Friend Code, or possibly the serial number…which Nintendo can probably update.
This happened to me when my original Wii bit the dust.
I do agree though, they don’t make the process very easy.
Does anyone think that the VC could eventually start having an impact on the real game prices? Part of the reason that Chrono Trigger is so expensive on EBay is the fact that it isn’t very easy to find, same with Earthbound. If CT was released on the Virtual Console do you think that the Ebay price of the original would drop?
@Sinister Rabbity
Totally!!! Once Final Fantasy VI came to the GBA, the prices on ebay for Final Fantasy III dropped hundreds of dollars!!!
It will take away the buyers who are just looking to play the game one way or another legally. But there will always be purists who need the old school feel, and who like going through the routine of trying to get the thing working. Also, collectors will still be interested, so I don’t think it will drop all that much.
A quick check on ebay reveals no change. One item is going for $72.99 with a day and a half left, mint condition complete with map and instructions.