View Full Version : Best Way to Score Discounted DS Games?
Maddgief
06-15-2006, 09:25 AM
I didn't know if this was a specific deal request or not, so I'm putting this here.
The NES was the last time I was attempting to buy Nintendo games and I remember even back then that the prices were nearly always fixed in place at the MSRP.
Is this still the case all these years later, specifically for DS games?
Is Ebay the best way to go to get games at less than MSRP or are Nintendo games like every other system now and they drop in price over time? From what I've seen in some of the older DS games, this doesn't appear to be the case.
I've seen that CC often discounts games upon release, but if you don't get to it the first week it's out, your SOL.
What's the pattern, DS veterans? Ebay? Wait for drops? Shatter the display case with a crowbar, grab and go?
Arkay Firestar
06-15-2006, 10:09 AM
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11?
noodles
06-15-2006, 11:26 AM
I have had a lot of luck building a collection of DS games through EBay. I typically like to check the Buy It Now's and sort by lowest price asked. Every now and then I stumble across someone selling a game at or below my target ($20 or less).
I know I am not going to land NSMB, Kirby, or Mario&Luigi:PIT that way, and dont expect to...but every now and then I find a gem like Metroid Prime: Hunters, and knock on wood I havent been scammed so far. I'd like to think my target seller is Joe Average looking to get rid of some games, as opposed to someone running a virtual store and trying to maximize profit by charging $10 to ship. *shrug*
I got NSMB for $25 at CC upon launch. I scored Mario and Luigi Partners in Time for $18 on Overstock.com's Deal of the Day a while back. Sometimes its just timing. I find the best way though usually to get games cheap is to make your own deals....trade-ins, trading games, or maybe selling some stuff.
Maddgief
06-15-2006, 12:59 PM
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11?
Who'd a thunk? ;)
swetooth9
06-15-2006, 01:18 PM
as a general rule of thumb, nintendo games dont have as many universal price drops as other games, so you'll have to keep your eyes peeled (on these forums of course ;)) for some good deals
Arkay Firestar
06-15-2006, 01:20 PM
I didn't mean to be a smart-ass, but I also didn't quite get your question. The best place in my mind will always be Fry's, although I've noticed they haven't been as consistent as in the past at giving discounts on new games.
The biggest deal for me was the BB 10 dollar coupon, which of course will likely not happen again, but since you asked I'm just sharing. I got Mario for 25, Mario and Luigi for 20, and Animal Crossing for 25...I also got Electroplankton from Overstock for 20 shipped, which was a sweet deal (since its not worth more than that :)), and thats about it...I paid full price for Tetris and Brain Age (though Tetris dropped later)
The most consistent method is either to see what Fry's has on day 1 (NSMB, a high profile game, was 27 there), and if that fails, and you really want to get the game for less than retail, then you just have to wait a month until Target, Circuit City, and BB discount it. I know you knew all this, since you've been around for about a year, hence my smart-ass first answer, because beyond this I don't think there's any "secret" asian import site or abundance of hidden coupon codes that you don't know about...its either make the effort early on or just be patient, and you'll manage to save 5-10 bucks each time.
guinaevere
06-15-2006, 01:30 PM
My younger brother loves half.com for a lot of his games.
I wait for good deals on used games at EB or GameRush, though I'm picky and will only buy if the game has it's original case and instructions.
Other than that, check CAG fairly often for good deals.
Maddgief
06-15-2006, 01:51 PM
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97447
W00t!
zman73
06-15-2006, 02:18 PM
I amassed a nice collection of about 10 games before I even bought a DS from the Kmart conversion sale, got alot of great titles for under 10 bucks apiece... got a few more from random EB/GS/GS/CC clearance sales
Point being, keep an eye out on these forums, if you HAVE to get the game, like me with NSMB, you wont mind paying a little extra now (although I got it for about 23 bucks)
Vinny
06-15-2006, 02:23 PM
I've amassed most of my DS games from trades and sales... I only had 4 or 5 games but in the last 2 or 3 months I've doubled that thanks to trades and EB's B2G1 free deal.
You gotta watch for deals and if there's a game you don't want, put it up for trade with a wantlist. I've gotten some pretty amazing deals from trades.