Skylanders: SwapForce: Is It Really Worth It?

So here's the thing. I really really like Skylanders. But I have not the time nor the money to spend collecting SwapForce characters when I have not even started collecting the non-variants from Giants. Christmas is coming up and I was in GameStop today and noticed all of their Dark Edition starter packs. They also had tons and tons of both INfinity and SwapForce characters there. Now, if I were rich I'd buy them all at once and not think twice. But I don't understand how collectors can spend so much money on these toys, who don't even correspond to that great of a game. The target audience for Skylanders is too narrow.

Let's time travel back to 2007. UB Funkeys. Now, this game was pretty much just Skylanders before Skylanders existed. It was a PC game that required what was called a Hub and little vinyl characters that would be placed on it. When you did, that character would appear in your game and would unlock different areas and items within the game--just like Skylanders. But the thing about Funkeys is that when adults bought it for their kids, then sat down to play it with them, they got addicted too! Adults loved playing that game just as much as the kids. With Skylanders, the only adults who play are those who are obsessive collectors, who are really into "playing" with their kids, or who never grew up. Skylanders is by far a kids game. It's simple and childish--which I'm not saying is bad! It's just that it isn't reaching as wide a fan base as it could. What kinds of games do adults play on the computer? Card games? Gambling games? Relaxing zen games? Funkeys had mini games for every age group. From dominoes, to pinball, to racing, to boxing, to puzzles, to mah-jongg. They have something for everyone, as well as a multiplayer feature so that you could play and chat with other online users. They only reason I believe Funkeys did not survive was because it was only available as a PC game. Had they thought to develop it for any console games it would have been more successful than Skylanders before Skylanders was even thought of.

Also, if you have any suggestions for how to go about purchasing Skylanders for little to no money, do tell. I am still interested in completing my collection. That is all.