Siliconera has gone through the effort of taking all the
PlayStation Store's digitally distributed PSP game prices and comparing them to the current cost for a UMD hard copy through Amazon. The list is eye-opening, with the prices shifting -- sometimes dramatically -- between which retail outlet offers the better price. It should be noted that third-party retailers selling through Amazon, which are used for some of the prices in the list, can seriously skew results (especially with the shipping cost added). Sony had previously mentioned it seeks to maintain "
pricing parity" between its digital and boxed titles.
Go over to
Siliconera to check out the full list. Oh, and if you'd like to see comparisons to retailers other than Amazon, why not offer your research services to them.
{ Oct 2nd 2009 at 4:15PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
wem003 @ Oct 2nd 2009 4:26PM
Can't really compare a used price (God of war) to a downloadable copy if you want to discuss pricing parity.
B Marriner @ Oct 2nd 2009 4:30PM
No -- $5 is the price of a brand NEW copy of God of War Chains of Olympus on UMD:
http://www.amazon.com/God-War-Chains-Olympus-Sony-PSP/dp/B000R3BN4M
I'm tired of people acting like know-it-alls without looking it up first! =(
Viney @ Oct 2nd 2009 4:33PM
It's not used, that's a new price, but it that list really needs to factor shipping costs into those prices. The 5.25 for GOW comes with a $7.99 shipping fee.
linebeginstoblur @ Oct 2nd 2009 4:35PM
Yeah, it's debatable whether or not you want to call it "Amazon's" price; it's a third-party vendor. Amazon.com themselves are shipping it for $19.49 (free shipping).
Heavytoka @ Oct 2nd 2009 4:57PM
It's only free shipping if the order reaches 25 dollars so unless you buy something else you would still pay the shipping charge
j.howlett @ Oct 2nd 2009 5:21PM
free shipping also only applies to amazon, i've made the mistake of getting something cheap and it shipping separate from my other amazon order and having to pay shipping.
Jonathan @ Oct 2nd 2009 5:12PM
If you don't factor in shipping costs, then this "research" is heavily biased against the PSN store. Try again, Siliconera.
Bodog @ Oct 2nd 2009 8:15PM
Amazon has free super saver shipping over orders $25. Shipping won't be a factor for most games
Jonathan @ Oct 2nd 2009 8:37PM
FSSS only applies to three of the eight games in the list. Of those three, one of them is cheaper on PSN. Then, with FSSS, since it sometimes takes up to two weeks, you have to factor in the convenience of getting the game instantly on PSN against the wait period of ordering off of Amazon.
If you really wanted to break down PSP game prices, you would also factor in the opportunity costs of ordering off of Amazon or going to a B&M store.
vask @ Oct 3rd 2009 2:46AM
theres also the factor of getting a digitally distributed product vs. a physical product.
i mean if your account gets banned or suspended or even hijacked then you can kiss your digital purchases goodbye.
Jonathan @ Oct 3rd 2009 2:50AM
Okay, if you really wanted to go that far into it, then you would also have to consider that if you lose your UMD or it breaks, you're left with nothing.
vask @ Oct 3rd 2009 3:01AM
better knowing its my fault then someone elses.
vask @ Oct 3rd 2009 3:04AM
and its alot less likely to break a umd cd than it is getting banned or hijacked
its happened to me a ridiculous number of times on my steam account for some unknown reason. (i dont give my pw out)
Vidikron @ Oct 3rd 2009 3:10AM
"i mean if your account gets banned or suspended or even hijacked then you can kiss your digital purchases goodbye."
You can back up your games on your PS3 or PC. And I don't think account hijacking is a big issue, the only time I've heard of is when someone was game sharing and the person they were sharing with proved to be untrustworthy. I mean, I could argue that you house could get robbed and someone could steal all your physical media... it happens, but doesn't mean it's likely. Besides, there's likely a way to get your account returned to you anyway. As for banning... simply don't be an asshole and you won't have to worry about it.
[ArchiGamer] [Soon to be a major religion] @ Oct 2nd 2009 5:24PM
Great comparison.....but not including the shipping fees for the games on Amazon, it hard to take this comparison seriously.
HeXeN {KevinConroyDefeatsBatman} @ Oct 2nd 2009 5:45PM
If the shipping also gets added then it's pretty even all around although the PSN games really should be slightly cheaper.
Viney @ Oct 2nd 2009 6:21PM
From the customer's perspective they should be, but retailers are still incredibly important to Sony, and they can't go undercutting everyone and expect the retailers to be happy business partners about it.
deathxrebirth (PSN: deathxrebirth) @ Oct 2nd 2009 9:15PM
Nice list. Would want to see an updated one that factors in resell value (even at the lowest possible price - think Gamestop prices, not ebay) of UMD discs vs, well, no reselling AT ALL.
Until games come down to the price of a regular DVD, I will always care about the ability to resell when I am finished. In other words, I would much rather bite at a $10 CD or a $15 movie in digital, non re-sellable form, than a $40-$60 game. And even then, I rarely go the digital route.
ecco6t9 @ Oct 2nd 2009 9:33PM
I find it funny that people actually thought Digital Downloads would be cheaper than actual retail games.
Nobledevil @ Oct 2nd 2009 10:53PM
Those of use who "thought" were more "hoping" for a small decrease for Sony to encourage digital downloads and discourage selling used games back to Gamestop and getting f***ed out of money.
commen-cents @ Oct 3rd 2009 12:18AM
well theres a number of games that are cheaper, so im glad you found it funny.
Vidikron @ Oct 3rd 2009 3:11AM
The total for every game on the list when downloaded from PSN is $2019.01.
The total if you buy from the best price on Amazon, not including shipping, is $2910.69.
Just FYI.
Nobledevil @ Oct 2nd 2009 10:51PM
Without seeing shipping costs, some of these prices might be close enough for me to just buy from the PSN and play immediately.
Jacksons @ Oct 3rd 2009 12:43AM
Without shipping costs added in this is pointless and stupid. Try again.
Extinction @ Oct 3rd 2009 1:39AM
Walk to a store = free shipping
deathxrebirth (PSN: deathxrebirth) @ Oct 3rd 2009 2:33AM
@extinction
Do you have an Amazon store near you? I sure don't. Go ahead and do a comparison chart of Best Buy and Amazon. I am sure Amazon will win most times (again, without adding in shipping - hell, even with shipping).
Vidikron @ Oct 3rd 2009 3:15AM
Except your local store is likely to be more expensive than Amazon. Plus for some people that means paying tax whereas Amazon may not charge it. So I'd wager you'll come out worse going to a local store. Unless you're buying used of course, then you may come out ahead.
souledge94 @ Oct 3rd 2009 6:01AM
Wheres the gamestop compare? I dont use amazon
Bdood @ Oct 3rd 2009 6:51PM
Hmmm, this list makes psn look bad but then again when you add shipping to the amazon list...well you already know. What about showing Gamestop or Ebay prices?
I'm telling you right now, that price for Daxter made my eyes pop out of my head! I bought it for 4.99 at gamestop...
Bdood @ Oct 3rd 2009 7:56PM
I also forgot to mention another site that sells games...eStarland.
visitant1 @ Oct 4th 2009 10:16AM
Whats messed up is I recently received a email newsletter with GoW:CoO for $39.99? http://playstation.innovyx.net/v?xlWclnTEHWcHcHcqnJcT and that was after I saw it up on the PSN store for $15.99
Erik @ Oct 5th 2009 7:52AM
That "five dollar" God of War has a eight dollar shipping tag. That's a classic case of third party vendors on Amazon upping the price of shipping to hide the true price of the item.