Overview
Not everyone could afford £9.99. Budget labels like Mastertronic, Codemasters, and Kixx offered games at £1.99-£4.99, making gaming accessible to those priced out of full-price releases. Quality varied wildly—some budget titles rivalled premium games, while others justified their low price. The format proved gaming didn’t require premium pricing.
Fast facts
- Price point: £1.99-£4.99 (vs £9.99+ full price).
- Peak: Mid to late 1980s.
- Markets: UK, Europe primarily.
- Mix: Original games and rereleases.
Major budget labels
| Label | Parent/Style |
|---|
| Mastertronic | Pioneer, original games |
| Codemasters | Quality originals |
| Firebird Silver | Budget line |
| Kixx | US Gold rereleases |
| Hit Squad | Ocean rereleases |
| Encore | Various publishers |
Mastertronic model
| Element | Approach |
|---|
| Pricing | £1.99-£2.99 |
| Distribution | Newsagents, not just game shops |
| Volume | High unit sales |
| Quality | Variable but improving |
Content types
| Type | Quality expectation |
|---|
| Original budget | Often simple |
| Older rereleases | Previously full-price |
| Compilation packs | Multiple games cheap |
| Licensed tie-ins | Quick productions |
Notable budget successes
| Title | Label | Note |
|---|
| Kikstart | Mastertronic | Original hit |
| Dizzy | Codemasters | Budget origin |
| BMX Simulator | Codemasters | Strong original |
Distribution innovation
| Channel | Impact |
|---|
| Newsagents | Wider availability |
| Petrol stations | Impulse purchases |
| Supermarkets | Mass market reach |
| Traditional shops | Supplemented |
Impact on industry
| Effect | Detail |
|---|
| Democratisation | More people could afford games |
| Developer opportunities | Lower barrier to publish |
| Price pressure | Full-price market affected |
| Compilation culture | Value bundles emerged |
Quality spectrum
| Best case | Worst case |
|---|
| Hidden gems | Unplayable rubbish |
| Future hits | Quick cash-ins |
| Classic rereleases | Broken ports |
See also