No Bang For Your Buck

If Skeeter gets an Ocarina then Ocarinas for everybody!

I reserved my copy of Ocarina of Time recently and it got me thinking, "why isn't there a bonus pre-order item with it in the States?" It would be nice to have the option to get a bonus item with one of the best games of all time remastered in 3D. It seems that the companies in America seem to think the games will sell on their own, which they will, and they don't need to include any gimmicks to get people to shop at their store. For example, I waited for weeks to pre-order the Pokemon games because I was waiting for Gamestop to show their bonus pre-order item. They didn't do one for Pokemon Black and White and I was surprised because Gamestop usually does something like releasing Pokemon figures  The store doesn't have to have pre-order bundles but it is a great way to get people to buy the game in their store. I have been seeing that overseas the pre-order Zelda bundles range from hats to an actual Ocarina. Wow, an actual Ocarina. I know I wasn't good with the Recorder they make you play in Elementary school but still, come on American companies. If the store is going to charge a lot of money for games, and they do sometimes, then the least they could do is give you something for your patronage. Maybe since times are bad, the companies don't want to waste their time with "Free" items but it seems like the more you give people for free, the more money they are willing to spend in your store. I know I look for the best bonus bundle before I make my purchase. If the Swag is Mario or Zelda related, I want the best because I like to have things that other people might not have and that's usually what the pre-order stuff is. Now with eBay you have the chance to get the bonus items from other nations but then you have to overbid on them and then pay for shipping. That's a bigger hassle than  just waiting for your "homeland" store to show their hand and release their bundle. Companies should just Wise Up and do more pre-order bonuses. It would make the store more money and at the same time give fans things other people won't have. I know I like my Donkey Kong Country Returns banana Wii-mote holder. Free things would generate more business so I can't understand why pre-order bonus items are scarce these days for the big name franchises. It seems that without pre-order things, it's showing that the store doesn't necessarily care if they get your business. Pre-order bonuses usually generate more business for the store and besides, who doesn't love free stuff? It usually makes where you're going to buy much easier. No Bonus=Not getting my business. Nintendo fans like to get special items that have that special feel to them, like a remote holder or figures. I know I would love to have the chance to play an actual "Ocarina of Time."