DJ Hero spins for $120, Band Hero for $200 - Retail Radar

GameStop listings suggest Activision is testing premium price points with Guitar Hero spin-offs; Modern Warfare 2 gets $80 special edition.

In Activision Blizzard's pre-E3 investors conference call, CEO Bobby Kotick set a goal to get gamers who might have spent $50 on the company's products in the last console generation to spend $500 on them this time around. Recent product listings on Amazon.com and GameStop's online store suggest a few ways the company is trying to reach that goal.

The gaming retailer is currently accepting preorders for DJ Hero (complete with turntable peripheral) for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation 2 with a $119.99 price tag attached. There is some dissension on the PS2 edition of the game, as Amazon.com currently offers the turntable bundle of the game for $99.99. While Guitar Hero gamers have become accustomed to a price break on the Wii editions of the franchise, no such benefit will be extended on DJ Hero if the retailers' listings prove accurate. It's worth noting that Activision's other title sporting a brand-new peripheral this year, the skateboard-equipped Tony Hawk: Ride, is also listed for $119.99 on both GameStop and Amazon.

Even some of the company's tried-and-true peripheral-based products are seeing a price hike. While prices on Guitar Hero 5 are comparable to those of last year's Guitar Hero World Tour, GameStop's product pages for the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii Band Hero bundles--which include a drum kit, guitar, and microphone along with the game--all carry a $199.99 price point. (Amazon lists only the stand-alone version of the game at present.) When it came out, the World Tour bundle included the same basic components and a $189.99 price point.

Finally, GameStop and Amazon indicate that Activision is planning a collector's edition of the much-anticipated Infinity Ward shooter Modern Warfare 2. Scheduled for release on November 10 alongside the standard editions of the game, Modern Warfare 2 Collector's Edition for the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 carries a list price of $79.99. Unfortunately, the product page contains no information about what gamers will be getting for the extra $20 above and beyond the standard edition's $59.99 price point.

Please note that though retailer listings frequently jump the gun on publishers' product announcements, they should not be taken as final confirmation of a game's existence, and the absence of a listing should not be considered as proof that a game isn't coming to a given platform.

344 Comments

  • inmyloveroom

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 2:36 am PT

    wtf !!! 120$ are you kidding me ???

  • rockwii13

    Posted Aug 4, 2009 6:49 pm PT

    Why does it matter if you play a real instument? My inspiration and love for music was found through Guitar Hero. I listen to music that is over 50 years old now, way before I was born. How would I have been exposed to this great music: Guitar Hero. It was also my inspiration to pick up a real guitar, so why bash it for showing us this music?

    But please Activision, stop releasing so many "Hero" things! That's why Rock Band games are so special; there aren't 5 different ones released a year!

  • DS_fan5452

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 8:12 am PT

    People saying that they enjoy playing real instruments to the peripherals... that's awesome... but u forget some of us are MUSICALLY RETARTED!!!! I found out that i have no capabilities in playing instruments or singing, but GH has great music, and it is a rhythm game which makes it different than playing an instrument. So leave us musically impaired beings alone. Besides this is an awesome social game

  • DS_fan5452

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 8:01 am PT

    this is great, cuz i just got the world tour band kit for $100, now i just need to add the game to my collection... that is if I like the setlist.

  • izmickey

    Posted Jun 22, 2009 12:30 pm PT

    This is ridiculous. With that kind of cash i can either buy an xbox360 to go along with my PS3 or buy all the kickass exclusives PS3 is gonna get this year or just show the many and wave across the face of Robert Kotick and watch him get upset at knowing he'll never get my money? hmmm..... what to do.

  • izmickey

    Posted Jun 22, 2009 12:22 pm PT

    @spartan117chief and the reward for playing a real guitar......chick magnet. Right on dude.

  • speedy5212

    Posted Jun 22, 2009 12:17 pm PT

    ck02603 , lolz well said . Even if i buy this , it will be when the price goes down till least 60$

  • MundoChinese

    Posted Jun 22, 2009 2:40 am PT

    This is sad.... I'm not going to buy any of this plastic garbage.... please stop making new plastic, focus more on new innovations within the video games... :S

  • spartan117chief

    Posted Jun 22, 2009 2:40 am PT

    You know what. I bought a Real guitar and have never enjoyed anything as much. It's become one of my favorite hobbies and it'll last me the rest of my life. I used to play Gh and Rb up until GhWt. Now, only every so often for fun. Real instruments are so much more fun and rewarding. Try it out!

  • spartan117chief

    Posted Jun 22, 2009 2:35 am PT

    Peripherals, peripherals, peripherals! Christ! I Don't want anyyyyyy!
    HEY LOOK HERE: Listen, get GH3 for PC then look-up how to get custom songs. It might take a tiny bit of work, but you can get (or make) any freakinggggg song you want, for Free. Don't be lazy, save money...I'm never buying another guitar game thanks to this awesomeness.

  • FallenOneX

    Posted Jun 21, 2009 11:48 pm PT

    The only one i really have a problem with is Tony Hawk. $120 for a game and a Wii balance board only good for one game right now. Skate 3, here I come

  • ck02623

    Posted Jun 21, 2009 11:00 pm PT

    And they want SONY to drop their price????

  • rockwii13

    Posted Jun 21, 2009 7:05 pm PT

    The prices ARE kinda rediculous. I've been buying Guitar Hero stuff for a long time on the PS3. If Activision is going to possibly drop putting their guitar games of the PS3, why are the prices so high?

  • Suicide-Panda

    Posted Jun 21, 2009 7:07 am PT

    why do people need to buy new guitars and drums etc, don't all the old ones work just as fine on them?

  • ldonyo

    Posted Jun 21, 2009 6:51 am PT

    Why anyone would buy this, let alone play it, is completely beyond me. Why Activision and GameStop think people will spend $100 or more to do so is even more ridiculous.

  • kiblespoop

    Posted Jun 21, 2009 5:44 am PT

    I've always wanted to play a game with songs that I hate while interacting with it to play the most obnoxious sounds you can insert. Awesome. It's a test to see what's more annoying: an actual amateur dj or a virtual one.

  • FinalDuo1886

    Posted Jun 21, 2009 3:05 am PT

    I could never understand, how these game got the point they're at today?

  • mjnoir1

    Posted Jun 21, 2009 12:04 am PT

    This will be the begining of the end for peripherals the game companies once again are letting their greed get the better of them. I just wish the game community would tell the companies a big F U and not buy this crap. i really hope people reject these bundles in droves. maybe then the companies will get back to making games and not figure out new ways to rip us off.

  • imperial_agent

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 4:34 pm PT

    I admit... DJ Hero looks kinda fun. But I already have waay to many guitars and music-based games.

    I might just sell all of them, and with that money get GH 5 and DJ Hero. It'll clear up space in my room, give me some extra cash, and I'll be able to replace them with the latest music games. WHen I have company over, it's always fun to have these music-based games on hand, so I'll probably get DJ Hero if I can somehow get some money and free up some room space.

  • Nihonomaru

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 4:32 pm PT

    Firstly lol @ daabulls23. Secondly there should be the choice of what you buy band hero with |:, so for the people who are pro at the drums get the kit only e.t.c

  • Alex_09

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 3:59 pm PT

    I'm just waiting for chef hero.

  • D3A7HJ0K3R

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 2:23 pm PT

    And Activision says they're going to drop the PS3 because of sales issues.
    I wonder why **cough** Hero games**cough**. Guess we'll never know.

  • D3A7HJ0K3R

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 2:20 pm PT

    Cant wait for Rage Hero, the game where you geet pissed off of all these (Insert random word here) Hero games. AND GUESS WHAT IT COSTS WAY LESS THAN THE OTHER HERO GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • HardcoreBunni

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 11:30 am PT

    A game with peripherals that costs more than a console when there are hundreds of amazing games that cost way less? No thanks.

  • bassmaniac20005

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 11:17 am PT

    $200 for a video game and peripherals I don't want? I'll stick with Rock Band instead.

  • BlackBaldwin

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 11:11 am PT

    I never was one for these sort of games. I never saw the point in spending all of that money for something that I could easyly get bored with tomorrow. Seriously people do yourself a fav and just buy a cheap guitar and actually learn how to play the music you won't regret it....

  • daabulls23

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 9:45 am PT

    The PS2 edition is as much as the PS2 itself.

  • Chrysus

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 3:13 am PT

    Activision are making a mokery of everyone who buys their prehiprials.
    The price for the Gutiar Hero set you could of bought a 2nd hand instrument to play it for real. Tony Hawk's Ride - you can get & skateboard & a year pass at a skate park. Now this? Just buy a dex & do it for real.

  • Ringx55

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 7:45 pm PT

    What fail. GH3 with a single Guitar only cost 89 CAD

  • Excedra

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 5:37 pm PT

    epic fail....

  • madSomnambulist

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 3:04 pm PT

    Beatmania rolled for $60 with controller and barely grabbed the sales of the most direhard rhythm game followers, so I have no idea how $120 is going to run well. Short of the best imaginable reviews and consumer brainwashing, I smell Rock Revolution deja vu. I know Beatmania isn't exactly a household name in the States, but I'd really really suggest anyone that'd consider buying DJ Hero track down a machine at a local arcade before a pre-order or purchase.

    ...As for GH5, how many people are going to buy a full set of everything again? The more casual incoming 'new' band game purchaser is going to look at the shelf and see Rockband2 and its new lower price and grab it. In fact, Rockband not even needing a new full version this year should be evidence of the deperate cash grab.

  • bourne2live

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 2:34 pm PT

    BTW does anyone realize that for the price of one Band Hero you can buy two PS2s.
    what a ripoff

  • bourne2live

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 2:20 pm PT

    CAN U STOP WITH THE HEROES ?!? Guitar Hero was a sensation when it originally came out. Now the whole series is just overcrowded, and Activision is just making it worse. I mean come on DJ Hero ?!?

  • azureblade89

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 1:36 pm PT

    What the hell is Band Hero again? Isn't it just like...guitar hero: WT and 5? Now that's taking greedy to a whole 'nother level.

  • JGoWild

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 11:46 am PT

    When the first "Hero" franchise came out, I thought it was innovative, quite frankly I liked it a lot. But I knew it was a one time experimental gameplay deal only. But now they are just pushin it. Not only that but Activision is also startin to sound a lot arrogant these days, just listen to what Activision has to say in the "Activsion pulling plugs on Sony". God, they sound just like EA from the days when EA was like that, but now EA knows that if you want to get respect and money at the same time then you have to work hard on it. And for all this talk, I am goin to stop buyin Activision products startin from today. I know it aint gonna affect Activision what-so-ever, but hey its a start.

  • necronaux

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 11:20 am PT

    $120 bucks? Whoa! And how many songs are there to (?) scratch too? So, if real guitarists complain that people’s time would be better spent learning how to play a real guitar, d’ya think ‘real’ DJs will be commenting on how kids should really learn how to move a turntable back and forth? I hope not.

  • Enterprise-E

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 10:05 am PT

    Talk about taking people for a ride.

  • pycho22solid

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 9:32 am PT

    The "hero" franchise is anything but heroic...especially when you buy a bunch of overpriced plastic instruments

  • SylvanC94

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 2:53 am PT

    Can't wait for War Hero. $1,000 for Modern Warfare with a real M-16 to shoot at the TV with.

  • nurse_tsunami

    Posted Jun 18, 2009 10:13 pm PT

    Activision is going to announce a new game called Money Hero, where you give them lots of money for overpriced peripherals and special editions.

  • StreetRacer91

    Posted Jun 18, 2009 10:09 pm PT

    $80 for a special edition is a little too common nowadays. Just like $60 dollars was the special edition price last gen. Coincidence? I don't think so.

  • missonrs

    Posted Jun 18, 2009 10:00 pm PT

    just like someone metioned earlier that the skate board made good sense via price but this is just too much. this is probably wwhere people will catch on and start complaining about. i was planning on buying dj hero but now you can forget it.

  • Flat_Line_____

    Posted Jun 18, 2009 8:43 pm PT

    Man..... DJ Hero for $80-$100 would have been Ok... even though it's not THAT much more, Well... yeah it is that much more. I guess I'll have to wait 6 months to a year to enjoy it..

  • RazerBlade13

    Posted Jun 18, 2009 8:25 pm PT

    WOW.
    I never play those music games cause I rhythmmically challenged. But come on, you could by a refurbished 360 for the cost of Band Hero. Gaming is starting to become a pricey hobby.

  • Razorbak1986

    Posted Jun 18, 2009 8:19 pm PT

    that's... a lot more than I ever expected. I was expected a price somewhere close to the old Guitar bundles or $80-$90. I've lost interest. That's just a tad too much. I'll play it at someone else's place.

  • firehawk998

    Posted Jun 18, 2009 7:51 pm PT

    DJ Hero is one of those game where without the damn peripheral the game cannot be enjoyed with a full extent. Thats why the geniusus at Activision decided hey lets rip off the customer with this. Whatever interest I had with DJ Hero is now gone.

  • lordshodan

    Posted Jun 18, 2009 7:14 pm PT

    not that I hate the other games, I am just willing to pay for DJ Hero and hoping there will be a special discount for buying 2nd turtable controller. I will save money for that one that's for sure.

  • hannify

    Posted Jun 18, 2009 7:12 pm PT

    I think it is time to boycott these products. More we buy more they will make.

    Enough is enough with these peripherals.

  • Linkman0714

    Posted Jun 18, 2009 6:42 pm PT

    ugh these games are gettng waaayyyy too expensive

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