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Feature
Calculating The Cost: Budgeting For Holiday 2018's Game Releases
Each year, the video game industry unloads a ton of games during the lead up to the end of the year. The holiday season has always been a crowded time for entertainment releases, but in the past several years, the game-release schedule has bloated almost to the point of absurdity. With that in mind, I decided to see just how much the holiday season of gaming could potentially cost someone.
I took our release schedule for the final five months of the year and placed the entries into categories. After grouping them, I found the MSRP for each game (and, unfortunately, removed the games that don't have any prices available). What I was left with was a snapshot of the how much money the most noteworthy releases of holiday 2018 could set you back.
The numbers this feature resulted in are startling. Of course, there are few, if any, people who will purchase games in this manner, but it provides interesting data points that speak to the holiday season in a few different ways. Still, if you're like me and like to play as many new releases as possible, you're going to need a plan of attack in order to prevent going broke.
For my personal plan, I started by listing out all the games I absolutely want to play right away. Then, I went through the complete list again, making a new list of games I would like to play sooner rather than later. Finally, I made a list of games I want to play but can wait a bit for either a dead period in releases, or for the price to drop; I've been burned too many times by buying a game right at launch, only to see it drop dramatically in price before I ever even turn it on for the first time.
There's another way to play as many games as possible without emptying your wallet: Keep an eye out for sales. With the holidays coming faster than we think, retailers everywhere are gearing up to slash prices in the weeks prior to December. Black Friday has always been a sure bet for great deals, but nowadays, the deals stretch for months as storefronts try and tempt potential purchasers.
If you can stick to your plan and shop for deals, you might just come out of this holiday season with your bank account intact. If you want to see just how much various categories of games (as well as the total cost of all noteworthy games), check out the lists below.
Remakes/Remasters
All Remakes/Remasters – $320
| Title | Release Date | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Okami HD (Switch) | August 9 | $20 |
| Shenmue I & II | August 21 | $30 |
| Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate | August 28 | $60 |
| Yakuza Kiwami 2 | August 28 | $50 |
| Spyro Reignited Trilogy | November 13 | $40 |
| Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu | November 16 | $60 |
| Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee | November 16 | $60 |
Fighting Games
All Fighting Games – $330
| Title | Release Date | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Blade Strangers | August 28 | $40 |
| SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy | September 7 | $50 |
| Dragon Ball FighterZ (Switch) | September 28 | $60 |
| Soulcalibur VI | October 19 | $60 |
| My Hero One's Justice | October 26 | $60 |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | December 7 | $60 |
RPGs
All RPGs – $1,130
| Title | Release Date | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Yakuza 0 (PC) | August 1 | $20 |
| Monster Hunter World (PC) | August 9 | $60 |
| We Happy Few | August 10 | $60 |
| World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth | August 14 | $50 |
| Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate | August 28 | $60 |
| Yakuza Kiwami 2 | August 28 | $50 |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition | August 31 | $60 |
| Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker | August 31 | $60 |
| Destiny 2: Forsaken | September 4 | $40 |
| Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age | September 4 | $60 |
| Immortal: Unchained | September 7 | $50 |
| Black Clover: Quartet Knights | September 14 | $60 |
| Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna The Golden Country | September 21 | $40 |
| Valkyria Chronicles 4 | September 25 | $60 |
| Pathfinder: Kingmaker | September 25 | $40 |
| Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise | October 2 | $60 |
| Assassin's Creed Odyssey | October 5 | $60 |
| Fallout 76 | November 14 | $60 |
| Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu | November 16 | $60 |
| Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee | November 16 | $60 |
| Diablo III: Eternal Collection (Switch) | Fall | $60 |
Shooters
All Shooters – $270
| Title | Release Date | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Strange Brigade | August 28 | $50 |
| Destiny 2: Forsaken | September 4 | $40 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 | October 12 | $60 |
| Battlefield V | October 19 | $60 |
| Overkill's The Walking Dead | November 6 | $60 |
Sports Games
All Sports Games – $420
| Title | Release Date | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Madden NFL 19 | August 10 | $60 |
| Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 | August 28 | $60 |
| NBA 2K19 | September 7 | $60 |
| NBA Live 19 | September 7 | $60 |
| NHL 19 | September 14 | $60 |
| FIFA 19 | September 28 | $60 |
| WWE 2K19 | October 9 | $60 |
PlayStation 4 Games
All PlayStation 4 Games – $2,835
| Title | Release Date | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Overcooked 2 | August 7 | $25 |
| Dead Cells | August 7 | $25 |
| Madden NFL 19 | August 10 | $60 |
| We Happy Few | August 10 | $60 |
| Death's Gambit | August 14 | $20 |
| Phantom Doctrine | August 14 | $40 |
| The Walking Dead: The Final Season | August 14 | $20 |
| Shenmue I & II | August 21 | $30 |
| Guacamelee 2 | August 21 | $20 |
| F1 2018 | August 24 | $60 |
| Little Dragons Cafe | August 28 | $60 |
| Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 | August 28 | $60 |
| Yakuza Kiwami 2 | August 28 | $50 |
| Strange Brigade | August 28 | $50 |
| Blade Strangers | August 28 | $40 |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition | August 31 | $60 |
| Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker | August 31 | $60 |
| Destiny 2: Forsaken | September 4 | $40 |
| Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age | September 4 | $60 |
| Immortal: Unchained | September 7 | $50 |
| NBA 2K19 | September 7 | $60 |
| NBA Live 19 | September 7 | $60 |
| SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy | September 7 | $50 |
| Spider-Man | September 7 | $60 |
| NHL 19 | September 14 | $60 |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | September 14 | $60 |
| Black Clover: Quartet Knights | September 14 | $60 |
| Valkyria Chronicles 4 | September 25 | $60 |
| Life is Strange 2 | September 27 | $40 |
| FIFA 19 | September 28 | $60 |
| Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise | October 2 | $60 |
| Mega Man 11 | October 2 | $30 |
| Assassin's Creed Odyssey | October 5 | $60 |
| Disgaea 1 Complete | October 9 | $50 |
| WWE 2K19 | October 9 | $60 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 | October 12 | $60 |
| Lego DC Super Villains | October 16 | $60 |
| Starlink: Battle for Atlas | October 16 | $75 |
| Warriors Orochi 4 | October 16 | $60 |
| Soulcalibur VI | October 19 | $60 |
| Battlefield V | October 19 | $60 |
| Just Dance 2019 | October 23 | $40 |
| My Hero One's Justice | October 26 | $60 |
| Red Dead Redemption II | October 26 | $60 |
| Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game | October 30 | $60 |
| Overkill's The Walking Dead | November 6 | $60 |
| Hitman 2 | November 13 | $60 |
| Spyro Reignited Trilogy | November 13 | $40 |
| Fallout 76 | November 14 | $60 |
| Wreckfest | November 20 | $60 |
| Darksiders III | November 27 | $60 |
| Just Cause 4 | December 4 | $60 |
| Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight | December 4 | $60 |
| Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight | December 4 | $60 |
Xbox One Games
All Xbox One Games – $2,245
| Title | Release Date | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Overcooked 2 | August 7 | $25 |
| Dead Cells | August 7 | $25 |
| Madden NFL 19 | August 10 | $60 |
| We Happy Few | August 10 | $60 |
| Phantom Doctrine | August 14 | $40 |
| The Walking Dead: The Final Season | August 14 | $20 |
| Shenmue I & II | August 21 | $30 |
| F1 2018 | August 24 | $60 |
| Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 | August 28 | $60 |
| Strange Brigade | August 28 | $50 |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition | August 31 | $60 |
| Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker | August 31 | $60 |
| Destiny 2: Forsaken | September 4 | $40 |
| Immortal: Unchained | September 7 | $50 |
| NBA 2K19 | September 7 | $60 |
| NBA Live 19 | September 7 | $60 |
| NHL 19 | September 14 | $60 |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | September 14 | $60 |
| Valkyria Chronicles 4 | September 25 | $60 |
| Life is Strange 2 | September 27 | $40 |
| FIFA 19 | September 28 | $60 |
| Forza Horizon 4 | October 2 | $60 |
| Mega Man 11 | October 2 | $30 |
| Assassin's Creed Odyssey | October 5 | $60 |
| WWE 2K19 | October 9 | $60 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 | October 12 | $60 |
| Lego DC Super Villains | October 16 | $60 |
| Starlink: Battle for Atlas | October 16 | $75 |
| Warriors Orochi 4 | October 16 | $60 |
| Soulcalibur VI | October 19 | $60 |
| Battlefield V | October 19 | $60 |
| Just Dance 2019 | October 23 | $40 |
| My Hero One's Justice | October 26 | $60 |
| Red Dead Redemption II | October 26 | $60 |
| Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game | October 30 | $60 |
| Overkill's The Walking Dead | November 6 | $60 |
| Hitman 2 | November 13 | $60 |
| Spyro Reignited Trilogy | November 13 | $40 |
| Fallout 76 | November 14 | $60 |
| Wreckfest | November 20 | $60 |
| Darksiders III | November 27 | $60 |
| Just Cause 4 | December 4 | $60 |
Switch Games
All Switch Games – $1,417
| Title | Release Date | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Iconoclasts | August 2 | $20 |
| Salt & Sanctuary | August 2 | $18 |
| Overcooked 2 | August 7 | $25 |
| Dead Cells | August 7 | $25 |
| Okami HD | August 9 | $20 |
| Minit | August 9 | $10 |
| Cosmic Star Heroine | August 14 | $14 |
| Gone Home | August 23 | $15 |
| Little Dragons Cafe | August 28 | $60 |
| Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate | August 28 | $60 |
| Blade Strangers | August 28 | $40 |
| De Blob 2 | August 28 | $30 |
| Freedom Planet | August 30 | $15 |
| The Messenger | August 30 | $20 |
| NBA 2K19 | September 7 | $60 |
| SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy | September 7 | $50 |
| Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna The Golden Country | September 21 | $40 |
| Valkyria Chronicles 4 | September 25 | $60 |
| FIFA 19 | September 28 | $60 |
| Dragon Ball FighterZ | September 28 | $60 |
| Mega Man 11 | October 2 | $30 |
| Super Mario Party | October 5 | $60 |
| Disgaea 1 Complete | October 9 | $50 |
| Lego DC Super Villains | October 16 | $60 |
| Starlink: Battle for Atlas | October 16 | $75 |
| Warriors Orochi 4 | October 16 | $60 |
| Just Dance 2019 | October 23 | $40 |
| My Hero One's Justice | October 26 | $60 |
| SNK 40th Anniversary Collection | November 13 | $40 |
| Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu | November 16 | $60 |
| Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee | November 16 | $60 |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | December 7 | $60 |
| Diablo III: Eternal Collection | Fall | $60 |
Microsoft Exclusives
All Microsoft Exclusives – $60
| Title | Release Date | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Forza Horizon 4 | October 2 | $60 |
Sony Exclusives
All Sony Exclusives – $290
| Title | Release Date | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Yakuza Kiwami 2 | August 28 | $50 |
| Spider-Man | September 7 | $60 |
| Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise | October 2 | $60 |
| Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight | December 4 | $60 |
| Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight | December 4 | $60 |
Nintendo Exclusives
All Nintendo Exclusives – $420
| Title | Release Date | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| WarioWare Gold | August 3 | $40 |
| Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate | August 28 | $60 |
| Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna The Golden Country | September 21 | $40 |
| Super Mario Party | October 5 | $60 |
| SNK 40th Anniversary Collection | November 13 | $40 |
| Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu | November 16 | $60 |
| Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee | November 16 | $60 |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | December 7 | $60 |
Murderers' Row
The Murderers' Row of Holiday 2018 – $625
| Title | Release Date | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Dead Cells | August 7 | $25 |
| NBA 2K19 | September 7 | $60 |
| Spider-Man | September 7 | $60 |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | September 14 | $60 |
| Forza Horizon 4 | October 2 | $60 |
| Assassin's Creed Odyssey | October 5 | $60 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 | October 12 | $60 |
| Battlefield V | October 19 | $60 |
| Red Dead Redemption II | October 26 | $60 |
| Fallout 76 | November 14 | $60 |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | December 7 | $60 |
All Notable Games
All Notable Games – $3,767
| Title | Release Date | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Yakuza 0 (PC) | August 1 | $20 |
| Iconoclasts (Switch) | August 2 | $20 |
| Salt & Sanctuary (Switch) | August 2 | $18 |
| WarioWare Gold | August 3 | $40 |
| Overcooked 2 | August 7 | $25 |
| Dead Cells | August 7 | $25 |
| Okami HD (Switch) | August 9 | $20 |
| Minit (Switch) | August 9 | $10 |
| Monster Hunter World (PC) | August 9 | $60 |
| Madden NFL 19 | August 10 | $60 |
| We Happy Few | August 10 | $60 |
| Death's Gambit | August 14 | $20 |
| Phantom Doctrine | August 14 | $40 |
| The Walking Dead: The Final Season | August 14 | $20 |
| World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth | August 14 | $50 |
| Cosmic Star Heroine (Switch) | August 14 | $14 |
| Shenmue I & II | August 21 | $30 |
| Guacamelee 2 | August 21 | $20 |
| Gone Home (Switch) | August 23 | $15 |
| F1 2018 | August 24 | $60 |
| Little Dragons Cafe | August 28 | $60 |
| Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate | August 28 | $60 |
| Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 | August 28 | $60 |
| Yakuza Kiwami 2 | August 28 | $50 |
| Strange Brigade | August 28 | $50 |
| Blade Strangers | August 28 | $40 |
| De Blob 2 (Switch) | August 28 | $30 |
| Freedom Planet (Switch) | August 30 | $15 |
| The Messenger | August 30 | $20 |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition | August 31 | $60 |
| Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker | August 31 | $60 |
| Destiny 2: Forsaken | September 4 | $40 |
| Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age | September 4 | $60 |
| Immortal: Unchained | September 7 | $50 |
| NBA 2K19 | September 7 | $60 |
| NBA Live 19 | September 7 | $60 |
| SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy | September 7 | $50 |
| Spider-Man | September 7 | $60 |
| NHL 19 | September 14 | $60 |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | September 14 | $60 |
| Black Clover: Quartet Knights | September 14 | $60 |
| Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna The Golden Country | September 21 | $40 |
| Valkyria Chronicles 4 | September 25 | $60 |
| Pathfinder: Kingmaker | September 25 | $40 |
| Life is Strange 2 | September 27 | $40 |
| FIFA 19 | September 28 | $60 |
| Dragon Ball FighterZ (Switch) | September 28 | $60 |
| Forza Horizon 4 | October 2 | $60 |
| Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise | October 2 | $60 |
| Mega Man 11 | October 2 | $30 |
| Assassin's Creed Odyssey | October 5 | $60 |
| Super Mario Party | October 5 | $60 |
| Disgaea 1 Complete | October 9 | $50 |
| WWE 2K19 | October 9 | $60 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 | October 12 | $60 |
| Lego DC Super Villains | October 16 | $60 |
| Starlink: Battle for Atlas | October 16 | $75 |
| Warriors Orochi 4 | October 16 | $60 |
| Soulcalibur VI | October 19 | $60 |
| Battlefield V | October 19 | $60 |
| Just Dance 2019 | October 23 | $40 |
| My Hero One's Justice | October 26 | $60 |
| Red Dead Redemption II | October 26 | $60 |
| Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game | October 30 | $60 |
| Overkill's The Walking Dead | November 6 | $60 |
| Hitman 2 | November 13 | $60 |
| SNK 40th Anniversary Collection | November 13 | $40 |
| Spyro Reignited Trilogy | November 13 | $40 |
| Fallout 76 | November 14 | $60 |
| Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu | November 16 | $60 |
| Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee | November 16 | $60 |
| Wreckfest | November 20 | $60 |
| Darksiders III | November 27 | $60 |
| Just Cause 4 | December 4 | $60 |
| Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight | December 4 | $60 |
| Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight | December 4 | $60 |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | December 7 | $60 |
| Diablo III: Eternal Collection (Switch) | Fall | $60 |
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