Running video games (and consoles) thread

I'm not entirely sure how this is legal.

 

In positive news: Madden 12 is almost out.

Haven't bought a Madden title since the summer of 2007, but with what garbage NCAA turned out to be and how well the Madden demo played, I figured why not?

 

I think garbage is a little harsh for NCAA '12 ... now that I've tweaked some sliders around the game is playing a lot better. Presentation is still awesome.

 

I second this. I was in the same boat as Matt last month -- absolutely loathed the game. But I tweaked some things, and it's much better than what it was.

 

I don't usually deal with Gamestop much at all. I have bought a new release Xbox game there once or twice. But I refuse to trade my games with them, since they give you pennies on the dollar for it.

They're going to give $5 on a game I spent $60 on? And then, their supposed used games sell for about $54. Hell, for that price, I'll go to Best Buy or somewhere for a new one.


Anyway, this recent event with Gamestop probably has done more good marketing for their competition (OnLive) than they could have ever hoped.

 

There are three GameStops in the county I work -- one in a mall and two in small shopping centers. The one I deal with now has been good to me. Since all I play are sports games, I know their value plummets rather quickly. Case in point: I traded in NBA 2K11 and (IIRC) Madden 10 to get NCAA 12 last month.

Got $35 for 2K11 and only $5 for Madden. After I got my copy of NCAA 12, I drove up the road to a game store owned by someone I know. I asked him how much he would have given me for Madden, and he said "probably $5." I asked the lady at GameStop how much they would sell it for, and she said $10-15. I came back a week or so later, and saw my Madden box (I knew it was mine because the cover was ripped on the front and back ... I bought it used) listed for $20. I asked the sales lady what happened to "$10-15" and she had no response.

I don't see how they can get away with offering so little on a trade-in, only to jack the re-sale prices up on everything.

 

They can because, really, because they don't have to take trades. It's a service they offer.

I have a relationship with a couple of their managers to the point where I forgot to bring a copy of Rock Band 3 with me to a friend's house, and the manager suggested I buy it for the weekend and he'd let me return it as unplayable for a full refund. And he did.

 

Yeah. I'm always surprised at how many people actually trade stuff in then - To stereotype horribly for a second here, at the Gamestop in my town it's people paying with cash (who I suspect are on welfare and/or have records), or kids. Basically, people who can't or won't use eBay, or who have no other way to get $20 toward a newer game.

I'll shop there if I really, really want a new game, and there isn't a price difference from online to the store. This seldom happens now; I think the last game I got new was Starcraft 2.

 

I passed on NCAA this year after having it every year since '09 and honestly, I don't miss it. I'm excited for Madden as it'll be my return to the series after taking a few years off besides playing here and there on my friend's PS3.

 

Used games are becoming a things of the past, too. Especially with the way games are being released now, not letting you play certain aspects unless you buy it or pay extra for a multiplayer code if the copy is rented / used.

Capcom tried to combat used game sales last month by releasing RE: Mercenaries on the 3DS and not allowing you to erase saved games. On top of that, you're only given one save file, meaning it has very little replay value because you have to pick a character and stick with it.

 

Just beat GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony. Also, for you sports gamers, the NHL 12 and Madden 12 demos are both out.

NHL feels more realistic, hits feel better and passing is easier than in NHL 11. Havoc in front of the crease is pretty realistic as well, and I scored a goal with Chara from the blue line on a ricochet but it was called back due to an interference penalty. Madden? It seems to be getting worse, I don't know. I bought it religiously last decade until about Madden 09. They barely improve anything anymore and it plays more like NCAA than a pro game.

 

Question for all of you xbox gamers: which console should I go with — 4GB kinect or 250GB w/ no kinect? It is for my stepsons, who are going to be 16 and 12. They'll play games like Call of Duty and Halo on the system and some sports games, but neither one has a job and isn't going to be paying for online maps and such. I am leaning towards the 4GB, just because it does have kinect and I can pick up a couple of flash drives to supplement for $40. It's also the cheaper option, with Target giving a $60 gift card this week (on top of my mother's employee discount card I use). But the 250GB is not that much more, and I wonder if they'll ever use the kinect.