Yep, I am really considering just doing a Starter Pack, and a few favorites and letting the massive armada of already owned Skylanders do the grunt work next time. I wasn't too thrilled with the Minis and Traps last game, and while I have no objection to the vehicles, the way the "specialness" of the Dark SP has been stripped is a bit disheartening. The real kicker is the savings differential between Launch and just a little later. Final insult to injury remains regular Spitfire still being tied to SPs.
No one had knowledge of Bowser, DK, AND their vehicles going to be available outside of the starter packs...Had this been common knowledge, I would have waited for the standards, not had extra game/portals to deal with (and only been burned for full price on the 2 Dark Starter Packs). A bit more transparency would go a long way imo...I really don't need 5 extra Portals sitting around along with extra copies of the game
Last year's Dark SP at least maintained the "Ultimate" Kaos Trap.
I am seeing more and more incentive to NOT buying than I am to go out on Day 1 and try to secure the assets...after this, I would rather risk missing a character to short/under production than just throwing money away.
Still love the series, and the game, but to have this many add-ons, with this significant of a price cut so early really burns a bit. Imo the Dark SP, Elites, Legendaries, and other alt-decos need to be held in higher regard and subsequently maintain what makes them special. I would expect cuts and sales like this in the summer, but not just a few weeks after launch. While I'm sure it is done with intentions of spiking sales for SuperChargers, it certainly doesn't go without notice for Day 1 Loyalists like myself. The $ I could have saved from Launch Day to Holiday Time (basically 2 months) would have been enough to get next year's game, Wave 1, and a selection of subsequent figures with ease...
On the bright side, I hope that the standard Sky Race Action Pack is well stocked...$17.49 is a good price for the figure+vehicle+trophy. Also, I suppose there is a small chance we could see Roller Brawl and her Tomb Buggy, which would be a nice surprise (especially since they should have been out before Halloween).