GoldenEye: Source Forums

Debriefing => Off-Topic Lounge => Topic started by: Kratos on August 23, 2012, 07:18:04 am

Title: Why 1990s SNES Games Were so Damn Expensive
Post by: Kratos on August 23, 2012, 07:18:04 am

(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8wuw6IEQm1qd4q8ao1_1280.jpg)

Notice how a small chunk goes to the devs. 

My bro paid $60 for NES Excite Bike back in the 80s-90s. Good ol times.

Title: Re: Why 1990s SNES Games Were so Damn Expensive
Post by: TriDefiance on August 23, 2012, 03:43:24 pm

Think of this.. You paid $60 for a game that has lasted several decades because it had a hard shell that protected the game's motherboard. Now you pay $60 for a flimsy disc that if you drop, spill, or scratch, could ruin the game all together. Back then, quality was still top priority. :)

Title: Re: Why 1990s SNES Games Were so Damn Expensive
Post by: kraid on August 23, 2012, 05:40:53 pm

I don't like that they sliced up one of my favorite games. Well... at least only virtual.

Title: Re: Why 1990s SNES Games Were so Damn Expensive
Post by: Kratos on August 23, 2012, 06:15:29 pm

Quote from: TriDefiance on August 23, 2012, 03:43:24 pm

Think of this.. You paid $60 for a game that has lasted several decades because it had a hard shell that protected the game's motherboard. Now you pay $60 for a flimsy disc that if you drop, spill, or scratch, could ruin the game all together. Back then, quality was still top priority. :)

Hmm never thought about that.

Title: Re: Why 1990s SNES Games Were so Damn Expensive
Post by: VC on August 23, 2012, 10:01:56 pm

Don't forget, too, that fifteen years' inflation would make $60 then at least $85 today.

I don't think your argument really holds about build quality.  Carts were the way they were because they had to be. They were selling rom chips on PCB's, so they required packaging that would thwart shorts and static-charged fingers from touching pins.  If they could've saved money by reducing protective casing, they would have.

Title: Re: Why 1990s SNES Games Were so Damn Expensive
Post by: Kratos on August 24, 2012, 03:39:15 am

Quote from: VC on August 23, 2012, 10:01:56 pm

Don't forget, too, that fifteen years' inflation would make $60 then at least $85 today.

I don't think your argument really holds about build quality.  Carts were the way they were because they had to be. They were selling rom chips on PCB's, so they required packaging that would thwart shorts and static-charged fingers from touching pins.  If they could've saved money by reducing protective casing, they would have.

VC LIVES!! Very Correct!

Title: Re: Why 1990s SNES Games Were so Damn Expensive
Post by: TriDefiance on August 24, 2012, 04:25:59 am

Quote from: Terrowrist on August 24, 2012, 03:39:15 am

VC LIVES!! Very Correct!

Lol :P