Pricing
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RTX 5080 gaming laptop deals have finally started returning to their previous sale prices, and my top rig is leading the…
Deals on gaming laptops featuring the RTX 5080 graphics card are starting to reappear, with HP offering its Omen Max 16 model at a significantly reduced price of $2,299.99. This high-end laptop, praised for its performance and design, is now more accessible despite ongoing component shortages affecting newer models.
Morning Consolidation
Nintendo has stated that it is not obligated to pass tariff refunds onto its customers for the Nintendo Switch. The company argues that consumers received what they paid for at the time of purchase. The article also briefly mentions seven PlayStation games.
Acer's Predator Atlas 8 pricing puts the nail in the handheld coffin for me: it is now a luxury market
Acer's new Predator Atlas 8 handheld gaming PCs, featuring Intel's latest chips, are priced between £1,000 and £1,500 (approximately $1,300 to $2,000), indicating a shift towards a luxury market for such devices. This high pricing is consistent with other recent releases like the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ and makes the previously accessible handheld gaming PC market increasingly niche.
Jokes aside, buying the $4,299 Ayaneo Next 2 would mean selling my car
The Ayaneo Next 2 flagship gaming handheld is launching with extremely high prices, ranging from $1,799.99 to $4,299. The article questions the value proposition of these premium handhelds, especially considering the rapid pace of hardware upgrades and the high cost of components. It suggests that such pricing might push the market towards cloud gaming solutions.
Nintendo says Switch fans got "exactly what they bargained and paid for" so they're "not entitled to a rebate" over tariff-inflated console prices
Nintendo is seeking to dismiss a class action lawsuit filed by consumers who claimed they were overcharged due to tariffs. The company argues that customers paid the advertised prices willingly and are not entitled to a rebate, stating they received exactly what they paid for. Nintendo also pointed to other market factors like memory and labor costs influencing price adjustments.
Think gaming handhelds are too expensive? Ayaneo says 'hold my beer,' lists $5,000+ monster
Ayaneo has listed its Next 2 gaming handheld with top-tier models priced over $5,000, featuring an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU and up to 128 GB of RAM. Cheaper configurations with 64 GB or 32 GB of RAM start at $3,699 and $2,999 respectively, with shipping expected by the end of the month. These prices are significantly higher than other gaming handhelds on the market.
Leaked Lego Star Trek bridge looks brilliant, but fans are divided on price
A leaked Lego set recreating the original Star Trek Enterprise bridge is reportedly coming September 1st for $200. The set includes numerous minifigures and iconic accessories, but fans are divided on its price point compared to other Lego sets. This follows other recent Lego leaks, including a Donkey Kong Arcade set.
"Honestly, it's still getting worse" - Valve Steam Machine engineer says component prices are still rising, potentially paving the way for a price increase
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that consumer electronics component prices are still rising, potentially leading to price increases for products like the Steam Machine and Steam Deck. This trend is also impacting consoles, with Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo having already raised prices or planning to do so. Separately, Bethesda Game Studios leader Todd Howard thanked fans for their support following recent announcements about Fallout and The Elder Scrolls projects, emphasizing that the company listens to community feedback.
How Nintendo will beat PlayStation and Xbox to win the console wars - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that Nintendo is poised to win the console wars by avoiding the mistakes of PlayStation and Xbox, who are criticized for focusing too much on power and expensive hardware. The author believes Nintendo's focus on gameplay, creative freedom for developers, and more affordable pricing will attract a larger player base and developers, leading to their eventual dominance.
EA Sports FC 27 Leak Points to Sept. 25 Release — and an Early Head Start for Premium Buyers
A leak suggests EA Sports FC 27 will be released on September 25, 2026, with premium editions and EA Play subscribers potentially getting early access around September 17. Pricing is expected to remain consistent with previous years, with different tiers for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, including support for last-generation platforms.
Steam Deck OLED at $789: Should You Still Buy One in 2026?
Valve has significantly increased the prices of the Steam Deck OLED models, with the 512GB version now costing $789 and the 1TB version $949, reflecting global component cost challenges. This article explores whether the three-year-old handheld is still worth purchasing at these new flagship prices, considering alternatives like refurbished units, the used market, and competing devices, while also discussing the broader trend of rising prices in the handheld gaming market.
AppleCare+ prices just went up for Macs and iPads
Apple has increased the monthly and annual prices for AppleCare+ on Mac and iPad products by $0.50 per month or $5 per year. This price adjustment affects the extended warranty service for these devices.
GTA 6 price is 'ridiculous' says analyst: 'They should be charging $200'
An analyst suggests Rockstar Games should charge $200 for Grand Theft Auto 6, calling its current price of £69.99 for the standard edition 'ridiculous' given its perceived quality. Despite the analyst's comments, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has previously stated a desire for reasonable pricing, emphasizing value delivery to consumers. The game is set to launch on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Capcom Gives Monster Hunter Wilds a 'Permanent Price Reduction' as New DLC Bundles Announced
Capcom has announced a permanent price reduction for Monster Hunter Wilds and introduced new DLC bundles. Certain versions of the game will also be discontinued.
MMO Business Roundup: Sony games discs, Monster Hunter Wilds’ price, and Ubisoft almost figures it out
This business roundup covers several key industry developments, including Sony facing antitrust scrutiny over its decision to cease physical game disc production in 2028. Ubisoft's latest financial report acknowledges that firing experienced developers can harm business, while Capcom announced a permanent price reduction for Monster Hunter Wilds, alongside new bundle offerings.
Former PlayStation Store boss says retail price is "set directly by the publisher" as digital draws ire for being more costly than the physical discs Sony is killing
A former head of the PlayStation Store, Gordon Thornton, stated that publishers, not Sony, set the recommended retail prices for games on the platform. This comes amid concerns that digital game prices are higher than physical copies and that Sony's move away from physical discs in 2028 will exacerbate this issue. Thornton's comments contrast with previous legal claims where Sony suggested it set retail prices under a wholesale model.
Lenovo's Legion C700 cloud handheld feels like the wrong response to a worsening handheld price situation
Lenovo's new Legion C700 cloud handheld, designed for Tencent's START streaming service, is criticized as the wrong response to current handheld market conditions. The article argues that cloud streaming devices, like the Logitech G Cloud and PlayStation Portal, are not the solution to rising handheld prices, especially when compared to more versatile devices like the Ayn Odin 2 or Steam Deck. The author expresses concern that this trend could normalize streaming-only devices, which is undesirable for handheld enthusiasts.
The New PlayStation Black Ops Ports Feel Like The Bare Minimum
The recent PlayStation ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 are criticized for offering minimal improvements over the original games, with no 4K resolution or 120Hz framerate options on PlayStation 5. Digital Foundry notes that the ports retain visual blemishes and lack modern quality-of-life updates, while PC and Xbox Series X|S versions offer better value through mods or backwards compatibility. The high price of $40 per game, plus additional costs for DLC, is a significant point of contention, even with PlayStation Plus discounts.
Expensive and pointless? Black Ops 1 and 2 PS4 and PS5 ports cost a lot of money and barely offer any upgrades over the originals
Activision has released ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, but players are criticizing the high price and lack of significant upgrades. The games do not support 4K resolution or 120Hz framerates on PS5, and offer minimal improvements over older versions. The DLC is also sold separately, increasing the total cost significantly, though discounts are available for PlayStation Plus members.
Call of Duty Black Ops 1 + 2 PS5 Are a Complete Mess
Activision has released Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 for $39.99 each, with Season Passes costing an additional $29.99. These ports are criticized for their high price, lack of modern features like FOV sliders or 120fps support, missing original game modes, and technical problems including input delay and server issues. The situation is particularly notable as Microsoft, which owns Activision, has not released comparable native versions for Xbox players.
