Video game retailer GameStop has apparently restocked their shelves with used copies of the critically acclaimed Japanese role playing game Xenoblade Chronicles, and is selling them for a $90 premium price.
The Wii game, which was released in 2012, had apparently gone out of print before copies started to recently reappear on GameStop shelves. In response to vocal consumers, the retail giant claims they were able to conjure up additional used copies of Xenoblade Chronicles to place in their ever-shrinking Wii section. This is what they had to say to Kotaku:
GameStop regularly receives feedback from our PowerUp members regarding old titles they would us like to bring back, such as vintage games like Xenoblade Chronicles. We were recently able to source a limited number of copies of this title to carry in our stores and online.
In fact, we have sourced several more vintage titles that we will be hitting stores in the coming months, including Metroid Prime Trilogy.
As always, our pricing for these games is competitive and is based on current market value driven by supply and demand. PowerUp Pro members always receive a 10% discount and earn PUR points on pre-owned purchases.
The strange thing, as noted by Kotaku, is that GameStop has an exclusive deal with Nintendo to distribute Xenoblade Chronicles, making them the only retailer who is able to provide new copies of the game. This would seem to give them a great deal of control over the “current market value.” Basically, they’re pointing to what the game is selling for on eBay as the market value, while at the same time being partially responsible for any scarcity in the first place.
One has to wonder at this strange business philosophy. What do you think about it? If GameStop fails to to sell enough copies at the $90 price mark, will they lower the price and keep they game around or will the profit then be too small to warrant reserving the shelf space? Does $90 for Xenoblade Chronicles sound reasonable?
Hey, Metroid Prime Trilogy!