I read about a sale on PS2 games at Toys R Us that’s on until Saturday. They’ve got all their “$29.99″ Greatest Hits games on sale for 50% off. I picked up Smugglers Run and Devil May Cry - each for $15.

I have some theories on what this sale could mean. When Sony came out with the “Greatest Hits” program, it was aimed pretty squarely at the used game market. I mean, it’s tough to sell a used copy of “SSX” when you can get a new copy for $30 (or $20 US.) I think it’s been successful, and nobody is really hurt too badly by it (except the people who used to buy the latest game when it comes out, then sell it six weeks later, but we hate those people anyway. ) Anyway, I think this $15 game sale could be Sony’s way of testing the waters for a “Super Greatest Hits Hyper Mega Pack” or something - in order to try an get a piece of the rental market. It kind of makes sense, in that I’d rather buy a game for $15 than rent it for a week for $7 - after it’s been around for a while. New game rentals won’t be hurt by it, since they’re only competing with old games, and the people who rent old games aren’t usually keeping up with the latest releases anyway. The only potential problem would be if the people who buy the $30 greatest hits games decide to wait and see if they get knocked down to $15 eventually too. Personally I doubt that would happen if they only chose a few of the Greatest Hits to mark down further, or wait a year or something. And really, it just generates sales, and makes money, by creating a third spike in demand. If they can sell DVDs for $15, why not games? Especially once the initial investment has been recouped.

I hope I’m right, but really, I think it’s just Toys R Us’s way of getting me to come into the store.

Simpson’s quote of the day: “Please get out of my store, and thank you come again.” - Apu