Dark Spire (DS) $4.99 New at GS

[lude21]

http://www.ebgames.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=73784

Just noticed this.

[nightmare452]

Nice price. Might finally try it. Thx op.

[J7.]

Does it come with extras?

[bvharris]

Does it come with extras?

It should, I've never seen it at GS new without the cardboard box. I bought mine "new" there when the price dropped to $10 and got the box and the soundtrack, though of course it showed the typical GS wear for a new game.

[sabanoo]

Wow. I JUST picked this up "new" a couple days ago. Definitely getting my 5 bucks back before I open it.
Thanks, OP!

[bvharris]

Wow. I JUST picked this up "new" a couple days ago. Definitely getting my 5 bucks back before I open it.
Thanks, OP!

I think games like this are particularly likely to fall victim to Gamestop. There's no way that cardboard case can survive in good condition once they strip off the plastic, slap 5 stickers on it, and then stick it on the shelf for every 5 year old to manhandle.

The upside is that since they put the cardboard box on the shelf instead of the plastic case, the game itself is often sealed, which is rare for GS.

[rothgar24]

Picked up for 10 bucks earlier this summer and it was not easy to track down.

[sabanoo]

I think games like this are particularly likely to fall victim to Gamestop. There's no way that cardboard case can survive in good condition once they strip off the plastic, slap 5 stickers on it, and then stick it on the shelf for every 5 year old to manhandle.

The upside is that since they put the cardboard box on the shelf instead of the plastic case, the game itself is often sealed, which is rare for GS.

Yeah the cardboard box is in OK condition although I'll never be able to get those GS stickers off without destroying it. I never even saw if the actual game was sealed or not. That'd certainly be a nice bonus although I fully expect to find it opened with a save file. :drool:

[eugaet]

Wow. Picked one up when it hit $10. I may pick up one or two at $5 for gifts.

[punkmaggit]

Will be sure to grab a couple! Thanks OP!

[Monsta Mack]

Was a great deal at $10, but at $5 you would be stupid to not pick this one up.

[soonersfan60]

I heard this game was pretty hard, relying on old school trial and error to plow through it. True?

[bvharris]

I heard this game was pretty hard, relying on old school trial and error to plow through it. True?

Yes. It is no cakewalk, it's old school to the bone but a lot of fun.

[Snake2715]

all too far from me..
crap.

[lunker]

Oh hell yeah—$5 is an impulse buy. I've heard it's brutal, but these old-school dungeon crawlers are all done so by design. And there's one in stock by me, so I'm definitely swinging by on my way home from work. Thanks OP!

[fwbweux]

With as many games as Atlus released this spring it had to happen to at least one of them. I'm too weak-willed to put up with a serious dungeon crawler (out of the gazillion DS games that I do own, I don't have Shiren the Wanderer either) but for this price, I can't refuse. At the very least, the soundtrack is supposed to have some good chiptune renditions of the in-game music.

Wasn't this the game with the ESRB rating that mentioned something about an "erotic panda"? o_O

[Josef]

The price on this keeps going lower and lower. Great game for $5 too.

[Kapwanil]

Thanks, OP! Ran out and bought it within 8 minutes. After this drop I highly doubt that any of my local stores will have a new copy by either tomorrow afternoon or Saturday.

[Kirin Lemon]

Awesome price, thanks OP! I actually managed to get a *sealed* copy at my local GameStop just now! Shocking!

[Gamer SDP]

can anyone confirm this price at b&m and if it expires?

[sabanoo]

Awesome price, thanks OP! I actually managed to get a *sealed* copy at my local GameStop just now! Shocking!

Nice find! I would use the drool emoticon if it didn't look so sad...

can anyone confirm this price at b&m and if it expires?

I think the poster before you just confirmed the price at b&m.

[FOnewearl]

I heard this game was pretty hard, relying on old school trial and error to plow through it. True?

I'm about 28 hours in and pretty close to the end of the game. One of the few games I would suggest having an FAQ handy to spoonfeed you everything as you play it. Figuring out many of the things in this game on your own while dealing with many random battles along the way would be masochist (SP?) to say the least. I kind of think of the Dark Spire as the Milon's Secret Castle of 1st person dungeon crawlers.

I would recommend The Dark Spire to anyone that likes 1st person dungeon crawlers and don't mind a hard game that can be unfair at times. If you find it at $5 it's obviously cheap enough to give a try even if your on the fence about it.

[gibbyva]

Was $4.99 @ my local B&M in VA today as well. Bought the last copy they had despite the big box showing shelf wear.

[MightySlacker]

I kind of think of the Dark Spire as the Milon's Secret Castle of 1st person dungeon crawlers.


That analogy made me laugh and cry at the same time.

Dave

[SaraAB]

Glad I bought it when it was 9.99 because there aren't any left at the stores around me.

[soonersfan60]

I'm about 28 hours in and pretty close to the end of the game. One of the few games I would suggest having an FAQ handy to spoonfeed you everything as you play it. Figuring out many of the things in this game on your own while dealing with many random battles along the way would be masochist (SP?) to say the least. I kind of think of the Dark Spire as the Milon's Secret Castle of 1st person dungeon crawlers.

I would recommend The Dark Spire to anyone that likes 1st person dungeon crawlers and don't mind a hard game that can be unfair at times. If you find it at $5 it's obviously cheap enough to give a try even if your on the fence about it.


Thanks for the review. That's what I thought based on what I had heard. I just don't have time for frustration anymore with my limited gaming time. Not looking for easy, per se, but trying random things isn't fun anymore (unless it's Phoenix Wright or Zack & Wiki :D ).

[Squarehard]

Glad I bought it when it was 9.99 because there aren't any left at the stores around me.

Yeah, I grabbed mine when it was $10 too, and it was pretty much the last sealed one there. Thank goodness. And for anyone else that has Fry's around them, its on sale there for $6, so if you can't find it at a GS, you can probably try Fry's too.

[Josef]

This will make a perfect gift for the holiday season, definitely trying to pick up extras!

[botticus]

I'm about 28 hours in and pretty close to the end of the game. One of the few games I would suggest having an FAQ handy to spoonfeed you everything as you play it. Figuring out many of the things in this game on your own while dealing with many random battles along the way would be masochist (SP?) to say the least. I kind of think of the Dark Spire as the Milon's Secret Castle of 1st person dungeon crawlers.

I would recommend The Dark Spire to anyone that likes 1st person dungeon crawlers and don't mind a hard game that can be unfair at times. If you find it at $5 it's obviously cheap enough to give a try even if your on the fence about it.Definitely agreed. While old school design is all well and good, an FAQ is really necessary unless you love trial-and-error puzzle and quest solving. Only about 10 hours in myself, just about to reach the third floor.

[irishsoccermbw]

At this price, I'm going to have to buy it :) thanks for the update.

[eastx]

I got two complete copies with CDs. Thanks Lude!

[mis0]

Snagged the only copy at my local Gamestop (after meeting up with a local CAG for a trade). The cardboard box is SUPER messed up but the game itself is sealed and the CD was included as well. Can't complain too much since it was $5.xx out the door. Cool!

[Gothic Walrus]

According to the store locator, most of the GameStops near me still have it in stock.

It's definitely worth a shot for $5. :D

[MrEKO73]

Every Used game I've ever purchase online from GS has looked like its been run over by a truck...and probably was. I've never purchased a "New" game off there B4.

[tetrisgrammaton]

decent game. the crawling is fun, the combat is not.

[Snake2715]

Anyone want to pick me up one?

[bvharris]

Every Used game I've ever purchase online from GS has looked like its been run over by a truck...and probably was. I've never purchased a "New" game off there B4.

I haven't purchased new from Gamestop online in a while, but when I did I seem to remember them always coming sealed. After all, they come from a central warehouse I'd imagine, not pulled off the store shelves. I could be wrong though, like I said it's been a while.

[sabanoo]

I haven't purchased new from Gamestop online in a while, but when I did I seem to remember them always coming sealed. After all, they come from a central warehouse I'd imagine, not pulled off the store shelves. I could be wrong though, like I said it's been a while.

I think there was some GS sale over the summer where lots of people ordered new online and a few got copies that had been opened (as if they came from a store). Not sure what their policy is as I've never ordered from GS online before.

[token2k6]

so do you still get the cd bundled w/ this? or are those probably gone??

[bvharris]

so do you still get the cd bundled w/ this? or are those probably gone??

You should get it. You're entitled to it, since every new copy of the game comes with it. If you buy it at GS and don't receive it, point out that you should have.

[ktims777]

Picked up a COMPLETE SEALED copy this morning at the Homestead, FL store. They have 1 new copy left, However it is a gut and i know some people have issues with that.

[token2k6]

awesome! yeah I think I can grab it several stores around me have it, why not...now the question will be to open or keep it sealed. I have never played a game like this...

[Josef]

Picked up a COMPLETE SEALED copy this morning at the Homestead, FL store. They have 1 new copy left, However it is a gut and i know some people have issues with that.

The *good* thing about this being gutted is they most likely kept the actual game/CD still sealed while gutting the outer cardboard box.

[bvharris]

awesome! yeah I think I can grab it several stores around me have it, why not...now the question will be to open or keep it sealed. I have never played a game like this...

For the low price of $10.xx you could do both. :D

[InFlames215]

I would love it if someone could pick one up for me. Please?

[ktims777]

The *good* thing about this being gutted is they most likely kept the actual game/CD still sealed while gutting the outer cardboard box.

Thta is indeed the case for this one. The associate (who I am friends with) pulled that one out first then saw they had a complete sealed one so gave me that one instead.

[UjnHunter]

I grabbed this when it was $9.99 and it came with soundtrack cd and cardboard box...

[eau]

I grabbed this when it was $9.99 and it came with soundtrack cd and cardboard box...
Ditto.

[Gothic Walrus]

Well, that was easy. Five bucks for a pristine copy - game and soundtrack both sealed, and the cardboard box was in good shape (although a little dusty). :)

They also had copies of Rock Revolution (at least for the 360) for $5 new, but...no.

I think there was some GS sale over the summer where lots of people ordered new online and a few got copies that had been opened (as if they came from a store). Not sure what their policy is as I've never ordered from GS online before.

$20 Street Fighter IV, wasn't it?

I have no idea what happened there because that entire sale was one of the oddest things I've seen on CAG, between the opened "new" games and the fact that it only lasted for a day. GameStop usually doesn't ship opened "new" games from their website, from my experience; I suspect what happened there is that once demand got high, they began to ship out former display copies that stores had been unable to sell and sent back to the central warehouse.

That's irrelevant here, though, because you can't even order this one online right now.

awesome! yeah I think I can grab it several stores around me have it, why not...now the question will be to open or keep it sealed. I have never played a game like this...

Given how long this game has sat on the shelves - even at $10 - I don't think there's much benefit to keeping it sealed. I'd just play it.

[Squarehard]

Given how long this game has sat on the shelves - even at $10 - I don't think there's much benefit to keeping it sealed. I'd just play it.

Agreed. Not to mention, this is probably not going to be one of those "rare" games that will start to increase in price even though its an Atlus title. And its much more beneficial to just play it since, well, its a pretty good game. You can probably keep the soundtrack sealed though.

[token2k6]

Grabbed two w/ CD (i'm pretty sure after posts and purchase that all will have CD), still in box w/ sealed tape circle (more over-sized than the usual GS sticker, cannot imagine trying to get it off) They had 3 in the drawer, none on the shelf or gutted, clerk had no idea it existed or that it was $5. Tried turning him onto CAG and I got a blank stare...

[sabanoo]

$20 Street Fighter IV, wasn't it?

I have no idea what happened there because that entire sale was one of the oddest things I've seen on CAG, between the opened "new" games and the fact that it only lasted for a day. GameStop usually doesn't ship opened "new" games from their website, from my experience; I suspect what happened there is that once demand got high, they began to ship out former display copies that stores had been unable to sell and sent back to the central warehouse.

That's irrelevant here, though, because you can't even order this one online right now.


I believe you are correct and now that you mention it I remember it happening with SF IV. And yeah it doesn't really apply here since it's only available in store...

I was pretty happy to get this for $10 but I'd have to say I'm excited now that it's $5.

[EnronLackey]

Tried turning him onto CAG and I got a blank stare...

Dude .. dont turn em .. let them get seduced and hooked by the CAG phenomenon on their own .. hehe

[ghostmedicine]

I grabbed this when it was $9.99 and it came with soundtrack cd and cardboard box...
Yes, same here...although it did take me 2-3 Gamestops before I found one that actually had a sealed game case inside the outer cardboard box. I haven't even had the chance to play the game yet.

Actually, preference question for you Atlus DS game buyers who open and play said games: how do you handle the large clear circular stickers on either end of the outer box? Do you slide a knife through them or do you remove them completely? I haven't decided what I will do, and also can't decide why this would matter...but hey.

[token2k6]

Actually, preference question for you Atlus DS game buyers who open and play said games: how do you handle the large clear circular stickers on either end of the outer box? Do you slide a knife through them or do you remove them completely? I haven't decided what I will do, and also can't decide why this would matter...but hey.

the only way to be sure is cut it with a knife first, slightly and slowly start to peel it back, and if paper 'elements' stick to it, stop immediately, push it back down, and act like you didn't try to do anything ;)

[bvharris]

the only way to be sure is cut it with a knife first, slightly and slowly start to peel it back, and if paper 'elements' stick to it, stop immediately, push it back down, and act like you didn't try to do anything ;)

This was going to be my exact answer. I am a surgeon with an exacto knife, but the second I see white I press it back down and look around like I just got caught shoplifting.

[ghostmedicine]

Hmm...well, I got my Dark Spire sticker off cleanly without pulling up any paper from the box (this was when I got it about a month ago or whenever it was still $9.99)...the Gamestop price sticker was a little tougher, but not too bad. I have a Legacy of Ys via Amazon that arrived with the clear end stickers very loosely applied...i.e., not pressed down over the flap. I'm just trying to decide if leaving the sticker half remnants on the box is fine. Kinda ruins a bit of the aesthetic, I think.

[Rollobobo]

Picked u 2 of these....

They trade in for 12.50 at Gamecrazy.

With bump-ups....I was able to turn it into 30.00 dollars for both games (TOTAL)

[xycury]

the only way to be sure is cut it with a knife first, slightly and slowly start to peel it back, and if paper 'elements' stick to it, stop immediately, push it back down, and act like you didn't try to do anything ;)

that's the only way sometimes... those stickers are bad news bears bad....

[Chairman_LMAO]

Nice deal. I'm going to head out and get one now.

[eugaet]

Damn, was going to pick up a couple copies as gifts and every single local copy is gutted. GS doesn't want my money.

[pigeon12]

Thanks OP. I was able to score a half-chewed box copy at my local GS :)

[Chairman_LMAO]

I picked up a copy. Unfortunately, it was gutted, but I had them check other GameStops, and none had a sealed copy, so I bought it anyway. They didn't have the cardboard box out, so it was pristine, and it came with the soundtrack still sealed. It was worth $5, I think.

[slidecage]

grabbed 2 .... might go back for more monday if anyone wants them...

will be gutted copies

[V Gundam]

Thanks OP! Got 1 with cd and box was on the floor but in near mint condition!

[cat_tango]

I got one. I had been looking to buy this game when it first came out but the price was too steep for me, I'm glad it dropped and I'll probably start it this weekend. That is, if I can stop playing Dissidia. :/

[zev10bucksperhour]

Thumbs up I guess, for $5 you cannot go wrong. I ebay'd my new copy a few months ago only thing I enjoyed with the game is the soundtrack that I burnt before selling.

[jimijumper]

picked up a sealed copy today...thanks OP!

[Gamer SDP]

did you guys have to ask a worker to get it for you (behind counter or in back) or are the games on display. I'm also guessing you were able to open the cardboard box to check its contents before buying (for cd and sealed game).

[xDerekRx]

thanks op. Grabbed a good condition gutted. Will look for a sealed one somewhere.

[Twizz]

Thanks OP, I'm a bit late in my post. I picked up the last copy on Saturday at a local Gamestop. The outer box was gutted but the game box itself was sealed. I don't have a DS Lite but been deciding between DS Lite or DSi.

Question to anyone, what does the soundtrack come in? Mine was in a yellow Gamestop sleeve.

[ghostmedicine]

Question to anyone, what does the soundtrack come in? Mine was in a yellow Gamestop sleeve.
You should have received the soundtrack in a cardboard sleeve (it has a slight glossy finish) with the cover art of the game on the front and the tracklist, etc. on back (I don't have it in front of me, sorry). There's also a clear sticker on top of the sleeve so you could tell if it was opened previously or not. The soundtrack sleeve fits inside the outer cardboard box along with the DS game case.

[Drkirby]

Picked one up today, so I hope its enjoyable. Outer box is shot, but the case is in good shape, and the bonus CD was sealed (They kept it in the same drawer as the extra new DS games)

[Monroeski]

Glad I didn't grab that $10 copy a day or two ago. :D

Hope there are some copies near me. I could use some new portable games in the next 4 weeks.

[Twizz]

You should have received the soundtrack in a cardboard sleeve (it has a slight glossy finish) with the cover art of the game on the front and the tracklist, etc. on back (I don't have it in front of me, sorry). There's also a clear sticker on top of the sleeve so you could tell if it was opened previously or not. The soundtrack sleeve fits inside the outer cardboard box along with the DS game case.



Thanks, I will check to see if that's inside the box when I get home. The guy didn't even bother to put it in the cardboard box. For the price I can't complain, thankfully they didn't try to keep the soundtrack. Thanks again.

[lombarvm]

Thanks OP! For $5 I am willing to take a chance on this one.