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Did Nintendo Shoot Themselves in their Wii Foot?

joystiq.com — With the Wii releasing 2 days AFTER the Playstation 3, will the $250 pricing, and other details hurt the sells?

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  • NoNom, on 10/12/2007, -14/+122That's assuming the PS3 will ship on time. You never know with Sony.
    • Nobi-Wan, on 10/12/2007, -6/+109I don't think that $250 is too bad, although I was expecting it to be $199 like every other Nintendo console ever released. The thing that really kills it is the Wiimote + Nunchuck combo for $60! This is supposed to be a family console so how do they expect me to buy 3 other controllers for $180 on top of the system itself?
    • CaptanAwal, on 10/12/2007, -28/+16@NoNom

      You're being too generous :D
    • Kharisma, on 10/12/2007, -19/+13I'm sure they'll ship on time this round, but they aren't going to have enough to go around. Nintendo _supposedly_ will have plenty of units.
    • NJank, on 10/12/2007, -8/+50"expecting it to be $199 like every other Nintendo console ever released"

      I still miss the good ol' days. Back when I was saving up my $99 for an NES that came with a game and both controllers, figuring I could mow a couple lawns and grab 2-3 more games in a month (total under $200). Back when my parents said, "You want it? Then save up your money and buy it." And I could.

      Now, comparing numbers, I guess Nintendo pricing really hasn't changed too much. Pulling $25/lawn (it was $10-15), for the Wii that's 10 lawns for the console, another 2-3 to play with a friend, and then 2 for each game. Equivalently, figureing 2 players, 4 games:
      NES: $99+3*$25 ~ $175 ~17 lawns
      Wii: $250+60+4*50 = $510 ~20 lawns
      PS3: $650+40+4*50 = $890 ~ 35 lawns

      Yeah, Wii will see who wins.
    • ZeroG52, on 10/12/2007, -34/+11The Wiimote and Nunchuck are included at the $250 price point. Please read the press releases from yesterday.
    • nopointinnames, on 10/12/2007, -3/+24$200 would have been great but consider inflation with all of this. Back when your SNES came out, $200 was a lot more than it is now. Not sure exactly but I would peg it around $300-$320 for 91' release of the SNES. You are paying less for the Wii and it's goodies compared to back in the day. Plus it's coming with a game that will show off all the cool new things the Wii can do.
    • Robboblob, on 10/12/2007, -11/+32The PS3 will not release until march 2007 in Europe anyway

      http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/5319190.stm

      so its a wii for me! Not that i was gonna buy a PS3 anyway.

    • Innagadadavida, on 10/12/2007, -5/+21@Nobi-Wan

      That's pretty steep for controllers yes, but you have to think about the fact that these controllers have all sorts of new technology within them. Over time the prices will drop, and knowing Nintendo they will probably release a smaller, sleeker, design. Maybe, Wiimote Lite, or Wiimote SP.
    • delhokie, on 10/12/2007, -2/+22@zerog52-

      It only comes with 1 set of controllers (Wii remote and nunchuck)- he means it'll cost you another $60 for a second set.
    • shadgenki, on 10/12/2007, -10/+15Really, once you take into account all of Sony's failures with the PS3 so far, the few points made about the Wii are pretty irrelevant. You won't even be able to buy a PS3 for Christmas anyway, since you won't be able to find one. Now, which do you think will really sell over the holidays? $250 innovative gaming genious or a $500-$600 computer for 1337 FPSers?
    • shakin, on 10/12/2007, -5/+19"The Wiimote and Nunchuck are included at the $250 price point. Please read the press releases from yesterday."

      Yeah, but you only get one of each. Nintendo has so far marketed this system as a social entertainment device. They should have shipped two wiimotes and nunchucks.
    • zediker, on 10/12/2007, -6/+33There are roughly 250,000 locations for the ps3 and wii to ship at in North America. Nintendo is sending roughly 4 million units (worldwide by years end, saying majority are headed to North America, so roughly 2+million to NA), while Sony is sending 400,000 units (hoping for 2 million between japan and NA, so probably 1.2 to NA by march 2007, so maybe 800,000 by year end). So lets do the math, at least for the launch... probably 1.5 to 1.75 million for the NA launch for wii, and 400,000 for ps3. Lets take worst case scenario (since there is no best case for the ps3): 1,500,000 / 250,000 = roughly 6 per store for wii, and 400,000 / 250,000 = about 1.6 for ps3.

      So you honestly think that sony's ps3 launch will even hurt nintendo's wii launch? Most stores will have 1 ps3 if they are lucky, and if they are extremely lucky maybe 2. While most stores are pritty much guaranteed at least 6 wii consoles. All the ps3 consoles will be GONE by the time nintendo launches the wii, and those who didnt get a ps3, might buckle under and buy a wii or even a 360 because its available.

      The main thing here is people dont realize how horrid a 400,000 unit launch really is, its next to nothing! There is no problem with Nintendo's launch date, it actualy gives them two more days to put more consoles on shelves, while Sony will have almost none.
    • millixaw, on 10/12/2007, -3/+14The system package costs $250. The Wiimote/Nunchuck combo costs $60 alone, while Wii Sports would likely have cost $39.99 if sold seperately. Nintendo hasn't bundled a game with a system launch since SNES included Super Mario World. That puts the console's real price at $150. And they're still making a profit from this.

      It's still a good deal for the buyer any way you break it down. People thought Xbox 360's Premium Pack was a good "deal" at the time, and that didn't even include a (real) game.
    • zediker, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9I dont know why im getting dug down, im just showing people the math of the situation. The ps3 will be next to impossible to find unless your that lucky 1 person in your area who has a full pre-order. Of course that doesnt mean the wii will just be sitting on shelves either, but you have a much better chance of landing your hands on a wii if you pre-order it than if you would pre-order a ps3. Or you could just skip the pre-order and pick up a 360 now. But i still fail to see how a nearly non-existant ps3 could hurt the wii launch, perhaps someone can clue me in to why it would.
    • nreynolds, on 10/12/2007, -9/+1@ nopointinmadness

      If you're considering inflation. PS3 is the right price and the Wii is vastly underpriced. But people don't consider inflation. 600's just too big of a number.

      Also, the controller should not be nearly that expensive. All the controller has is some buttons and a sensor that sends a signal to the bar at the bottom of your tv. Everything is done within that bar and the Wii itself, not the controllers, so they SHOULD actually be pretty cheap.
    • Wiinii, on 10/12/2007, -17/+2This is a DUPE:

      http://digg.com/gaming_news/Critiquing_Nintendo_s_Wii_launch_details
    • Agret, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4The Wii is launching well before the PS3. November 2006 VS March 2007, I don't think Nintendo are going to lose anything from a "late launch"
    • zouden, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Actually there are no electronics in the sensor bar apart from 8 IR LEDs. The remote detects its position by looking at the LEDs and sends the information direct to the console via bluetooth.
    • mtnxfreeride, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7I dont get it $60 for controller? I thought nintendo said the controllers were so cheap to make, individual games might include their own special controller
    • shinzuk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Microsoft - Xbox 360 Wireless Controller B4F-00001
      Our Price: $49.99

      Xbox360 50.00 dollars for an official xbox controller at best buy 10$ less then a full mote chuck combo, which isnt a dual shock ripoff design with technology that has been around since original PlayStation and the Nintendo wave bird. you guys can decide but the pricing may be steep now but all they expect everyone to have a wii, your friends will come over with the their own controllers and you can all have a fun time.
    • igraham09, on 10/12/2007, -10/+1@dugdig

      you cant just post numbers and expect people to know what the ***** you are talking about...

      what your comment says to me is that you know the prices of stamps and video games from 2006 and like 1986

      what im GUESSING you were trying to say is soemthing about the inflation and equivalence (or lack thereof) of video game prices

      you need sentences with nouns and verbs and adjectives
    • mrgreen4242, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5"I dont get it $60 for controller? I thought nintendo said the controllers were so cheap to make, individual games might include their own special controller"

      Attachments for the controller are cheap... you can attach things to the main controller, sort of like the nunchuck, that do extra things for very little. The nunchuck has a few (3?) accelerometers, so it's a bit more expensive.

      They're saying stuff like a gun 'handle' that the Wiimote attaches would be cheap enough to make that it could be free with games. Or some kind of bongo drums...

      As far as the comment that the true Wii price is $150... let's try that math again:

      Wii Sports (looks cool don't get me wrong) is a $19.99 game. No way anyone would pay more unless the integrate the games together into a party game and have online play with leader boards, etc. As is, it's a bargin bin game.

      Controllers are $60, but they have to have a controller in the box regarless, so comparing it to other wireless controllers, it's at least $10 more expensive (360 wireless controller is $50), but, we'll be generous and figure they could just include a GameCube controller, which is about $20. So, the ADDITIONAL VALUE you get from the $250 Wii package is at best $40 for an uber-elite controller, and $20 for neat set of demo games, so $190.

      Not bad, but not $150 either.
    • AmazingAndrex, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Sorry, wrong reply web.
    • bastawhiz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1And thats assuming it will ship.
  • thrustbucket, on 10/12/2007, -190/+11I wouldn't buy one.

    Gamecube cpu with extra ram. Just so I can spend $250 on an extra controller? No thanks.
    • MouseCircus, on 10/12/2007, -12/+86***** this. I've been watching you troll and flame on Nintendo related threads ALL day. No more, buddy. I'm blocking you.

      I don't mind trolls, but seriously, you're pushing it.
    • thrustbucket, on 10/12/2007, -156/+4Awesome, one more jackass blind fanboy I don't have to see!
    • sparks2, on 10/12/2007, -8/+62@thrust:

      If he blocks you, HE can't see your stupid posts, you can still see him

      Oh and i'd take a gamecube with extra ram for $250 any day over a ps3 with useless features for $600. Everyone has his/her opinions and your stupid trolling won't change that
    • slimthps, on 10/12/2007, -72/+8@sparks2:

      PS3 with useless features? Last time I checked the Wii has stolen most of these with their new "channels".
    • slimthps, on 10/12/2007, -63/+1nvm
    • getaclue, on 10/12/2007, -66/+14It's pretty ridiculous how people can praise Nintendo and kiss their ass for so called innovation. They're so great with their new wiimote and new gameplay style. The same people who do that also turn around diss on Sony because blu-ray isn't going to fly. Well you know what? SONY AND NINTENDO ARE PRETTY MUCH IN THE SAME BOAT HERE. Who knows if blu-ray is going to be a big hit, and who knows if the wiimote is going to be a big hit? Maybe after two days of waving a remote around when you just want to sit back, relax and play a game people will get tired of playing with that gimmick controller and realize it's actually not at fun and great as they thought. PS3 is in for the long haul, but I honestly don't think Nintendo is.

      and @sparks2
      Yeah.. alright. A $1000 blu-ray player, plus a game console and a 60GB hard drive for $600 is usless. Explain that to me please.
    • Shakermaker, on 10/12/2007, -32/+12I kind of have to agree - I was looking at the specs for the Wii, and although the no DVD playback kinda bugs me, IMO it's really just a souped-up gamecube...

      I say I won't buy one, but the $250 price point does make it kind of tempting
    • gameboyhippo, on 10/12/2007, -17/+16Let's assume that it is a "souped up Game Cube". A souped up console with virtually no load time. A souped up console that I have 50+ games for. A souped up console with graphics comparible to the XBox. I'm in. The controller is just bonus!
    • Zippo, on 10/12/2007, -3/+28Since DVD playback would only require a dongle, what's stopping a 3rd-party company from making one? Besides, who doesn't already have a DVD player?
      I've got at least four devices in my house that can play DVDs, I don't care if the Wii doesn't.
    • Coffeedemon, on 10/12/2007, -4/+26What is a PS3 if not a "souped up" PS2 or PS1 - only difference is they souped it up more and hence you have to pay much more for it. The 360 is just a souped up xbox in the same way.
    • AmazingAndrex, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5The reason they don't release the Wiimote for the Gamecube is not only because they want a fresh start, but they need the controller standardized. Nobody would take advantage of the Wiimote if it was a periphiral.

      Same with the PS3. That's why Blu-Ray is standard.
    • thrustbucket, on 10/12/2007, -11/+1DISCLAIMER: If you consider yourself a Nintendo Fan Boy. If you think they make the best games on the planet. If you are willing to buy their overpriced Gamecube + to insure they survive because you hate the competition..... Please do one thing:
      BLOCK ME.

      Please for the love of all that's holy, all of you, block me, please. I never want to have to hear your inane assanine responses.
    • mrFREEZE, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4"Yeah.. alright. A $1000 blu-ray player, plus a game console and a 60GB hard drive for $600 is usless. Explain that to me please."

      The internal blu-ray drive reportedly costs a little over $100 to manufacture per unit, and the 60GB HDD that it'll ship with (from Taiwan, not China) is manufactured for less than $20. You're right, you're getting a great deal.
    • YumYumKittyLoaf, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4@ Thrustbucket

      Us blocking you would only erase your comments, not ours. So your point of "I never want to have to hear your inane assanine responses." is retarded.

      Oh, and you seem to be taking all the criticisms like a champ. Just... whining and crying and acting emo all over digg.

      I'm not a fanboy either. I never bought a gamecube, it was alright but not worth my money at the time. Seeing Wii, the effect it has had on people and game producers, the interaction you get from the WiiMote, I am more than happy to relenquish a new nintendo system. People might say the WiiMote might be dumb, but it's not the WiiMote, but the producers of games. They'll make it fun, no matter what. It's their job, and if they don't, well, we just won't buy that game.
  • motang, on 10/12/2007, -6/+22I think they will be fine. They have a huge momentum and 250 isn't too bad as compared to 400 for the 360 and 600 for the PS3.
  • Jontastic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+53Here is how I see it:

    Nintendo chose that day for the American launch of Wii for a reason.

    Launching immediately before the PS3 would be less desirable because much of the hype surrounding the Wii launch would be swallowed up by the impending PS3 launch and shortages. (See also Gears of War)

    It's no secret that PS3 will be in very limited supply when it hits store shelves. Moreover, it will be expensive. Nintendo has the added advantage of being widely available during PS3 shortage crisis mode, not to mention it gets the attention of all the people who are angry with Sony because of the high price or because they can't find one (especially during Christmas time).

    Plus, it puts them very close to the post thanksgiving holiday shopping rush. (Notice how they are launching in the America's first.)
    • Paroparo, on 10/12/2007, -3/+22Heh, there will probably be no PS3s available in stores by the time Wii is out. =P
    • thewaz, on 10/12/2007, -6/+30who else is gonna buy a ps3 to sell on ebay?

    • DrSkrud, on 10/12/2007, -4/+9And then all those people that are going to stores to buy PS3's, only to find them sold out, would get to see the Wii sitting there on its fancy display and think "Hey... that looks pretty cool..."

      Especially since Sony's 400,000 units will have to be split over many, many cities. There are a little less than 400 cities with populations greater than 100,000 in the US and Canada, which means an average of about 100 units per city. Pardon my math, but that doesn't leave very many people that will be able to walk away with a PS3 on launch weekend.
    • Tiak, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2I plan on buying 3, all reserved at different stores... Gotta recoup costs somehow...
    • DrSkrud, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7Oops, I'm missing a zero. Still, 1,000 units per city isn't much.
    • YourTechSupport, on 10/12/2007, -7/+27Reasons I'll end up sending a team of ninjas to loot a Best Buy / Wherever for Wii gear instead of a PS3 is thus:

      - The PS3 costs more than the television I'll be buying to play the Wii
      - Sony's Rootkit fiasco, and repeated comments since PS3 announcement on how they want to completely screw over the customer, preventing them from even reselling old games.
      - How they handled every single large gaming conference since the PS3 announcement.
      - If I wanted an overpriced blue-ray player, I'd probably get [some other brand].
      - They've delayed release so many times I was disappointed to see that Duke Nukem Forever will not be a launch title.
      - Nintendo is making product that makes gaming and [other fluffy meme] accessible to normal people, and encourages excercise.
      - Red Steel
      - I can't make stupid puns using the name 'Playstation 3' that I can with 'Wii'
      "I'mma go home and play with my PlayStation Three" just doesn't evoke fear and awe into the minds of my co-irkers.
      - Wii is iPod Shiny, but more affordable and more functional than an iPod.
      - Wii isn't meant to, in the near future, integrate with your tv, sofa, toaster, and fruit *****. It's just a came console.
      - Wii won't require me to sell my kidneys or mortgage my house. I might have to, as I said, provision a team of ninjas to accomplish this task, but ninjas are billable by the hour and in total, wii hardware + games + ninja services will STILL be less than the cost of a PlayStation.

      I know, I'm rambling, but it's early for me, and I'm riding the cereal buzz.
    • Loonacy, on 10/12/2007, -7/+6Here's something I don't understand:
      "Nobody" wants a PS3, Sony sucks, it's too expensive, Wii will be better....
      But the PS3 is going to sell out?

      Disclaimer: I'm probably not going to buy a Wii or a 360, and I'll likely buy a PS3 sometime next year... when there's ACTUAL information about how good/bad it is; instead of just speculation.
    • j_bellone, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Ramble all you want. I'll be buying a Wii and one of the other two (most likely a PS3 if Blu-ray catches on). The fact of the matter is that you're going to be getting different games on both consoles. I don't understand why all of you people bash the other consoles. If you don't want a console, who the hell cares? My real problem is that if the Wii doesn't include a Component cable I'm going to be mighty pissed if I have to buy a $35 cable just to see 480p.

      I expected the controller pricing fiasco, but it was a little higher than I guessed. Ah well, ***** happens, and get it over with already. Hopefully all you people will vent and I'll stop having to read the slew of "Sony sucksorz" posts when I'm actually trying to find out information on the console in an news article.
    • YourTechSupport, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Clint. My bad. I forgot about iPod pricing. The controllers are a tad expensive, but considering it's also a storage device and such. I wish I had a release date for the colored ones. How long do you think we'll have to wait until we see ones with customizable faceplates.
    • stryck, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The pricing is much higher than I'd hoped, but I'm guessing it will be worth it in the end... and if not, wait a year or two and the price will drop down to something more reasonable!
    • mrgreen4242, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"Here's something I don't understand:
      "Nobody" wants a PS3, Sony sucks, it's too expensive, Wii will be better....
      But the PS3 is going to sell out?

      Disclaimer: I'm probably not going to buy a Wii or a 360, and I'll likely buy a PS3 sometime next year... when there's ACTUAL information about how good/bad it is; instead of just speculation."

      I think the point is that the PS3 will sell far, far fewer units over it's life than the Wii, but there will still be a limited number of fans willing to pat the price. Since the launch is, well honestly, pathetic in terms of number of units it will still sell out.
  • smiles23, on 10/12/2007, -5/+21I think e3 told the story of the console wars. Big lines for nintendo wii and small lines for others....
  • ahatter, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15i never questioned getting a wii once not even with a $250 price point.
    • Pic0, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9I did... comes to around $300 if you want to play with someone (second controller)

      :(
    • eSecuris, on 10/12/2007, -13/+3I do now.

      Have to buy the system, a second wiimote just to play they way big N suggest "Family Gaming" then drop more money for a few more games, then you know you are going to want some of the v consle games which are over priced.

      actually just becuase the v consle pricing i might just buy one and work on getting some emulators running so i can just play roms just to spite N
    • wyrdness, on 10/12/2007, -6/+10They've just announced the UK price - £179. What the *****? That's US$337. ***** Nintendo and ***** the 'rip off Britain' attutude that companies have here. I was expecting between £130 and £150. It's only £20 cheaper than the Xbox 360. That price is certainly going to hurt UK sales.

      If if hear one more gripe about the US $250 price, I'm going to ***** scream.
    • gaijintendo, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2It is sad. I was expecting £150. I suspect import tax, and poor Dollar rates at the moment make the situation a little more painful to look at. £150 would be my impulse buy price.
    • brufleth, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4My UK economics are a little rusty but that could be due to import taxes and such that are leveraged against Nintendo being passed on to the consumer.
    • HMTKSteve, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Don't compare US pricing to UK pricing.

      The UK has VAT, the US has sales tax, which varies from state to state.

      In CT (where I live) sales tax is 6%. So my Wii will cost $265. Tack on the second controller and it will cost $328.60
    • Hickeroar, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Pic0 -

      The Xbox is $400 and still only comes with one controller. Extra controllers for the 360 are $50msrp. That makes the console (for two players) $450 minimum plus a 50 or 60 dollar game.

      $310 for the Wii with two controllers is a relative steal comparitively. Everyone is also pretty sure that Wii games are going to be about $40 for new releases...

      There's no contest here. The Wii has proved that other consoles ridiculous prices are just that....ridiculous.
    • NoNom, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Doesn't the UK have a different import tax for computers and consoles? I remember reading an article about a possible increase of the PS2s price because it was in jeopardy of being re-classified as a console instead of a computer.

      Maybe the Wii is labeled as a console while the 360 is labeled as a computer.
    • stryck, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@ HMTKSteve
      Oh god, don't move to Chicago. Sales tax is between 8.25% and 9% here. That's $272.50 for the Wii alone :/

      Still doesn't compare to the over $300 in britain, but dang does it suck to live here compared to say 50 miles away. I'm gonna buy mine in Wisconsin! 5.5% sales tax FTW!
    • JamesGlover, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1So much for earlier comments about leaked release dates that the '£130 was wrong, but not far off.' I had been planning to get a Wii, but at £179.99 I think I'll skip. The almost 40% price hike above the American console can't be justified by VAT (17.5%) and instead appears to e another case of a company trying to screw over the UK consumer.
    • mrgreen4242, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1"They've just announced the UK price - £179. What the *****? That's US$337. ***** Nintendo and ***** the 'rip off Britain' attutude that companies have here. I was expecting between £130 and £150. It's only £20 cheaper than the Xbox 360. That price is certainly going to hurt UK sales."

      VAT is 17.5% right? The $250 in the state doesn't include tax... so 179 - 17.5% tax = 152.34 GBP, which in todays dollar is $285.83. So your being had for $35, before taxes. Sucks, but it's not as huge a deal as you'd like to make it. You should complain to your government if you don't like the taxes.
    • mrgreen4242, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"Everyone is also pretty sure that Wii games are going to be about $40 for new releases..."

      Dunno where you heard that, but it's not correct. Nintendo was very clear that first party Wii games would be the same price as GC games where this generation: $49.99. 3rd party games are up to the developer. Not bad compared to $60 for a 360/PS3 game, still.
  • Pic0, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Pretty good idea. All those people that don't get a PS3 ( assuming they sell out, lol) will have a better chance of getting a Wii and a few games.
  • tont0r, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6I know $60 is a lot for a controller, but even the original xbox controller was $40 when it first came out. im sure it will go down in price over time.
    • toleshei, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5There will probably be a bunch of Third part controllers as well, that will sell for significantly less money. Lets hope some of them are high quality.

    • fantasticFlan, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6This is $40 for an extra controller, $20 for the nunchuck attachment. All the multiplayer on the same box games I've seen just use the main controller.
    • justinwalden, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2While a nunchuck included would have been nice, the fact that is wasn't leads me to think that most games won't require it. Also, there is a lot of complaining about only one controller being included because of Nintendo's commitment to multiplayer, family and friends crap.

      Let's get real for a second here.

      Most people who buy the Wii will be teenagers give or take a few years, Considering the average family size, most will only need 2 controllers at most (none of our dads are going to be playing the Wii, stop dreaming Nintendo.) And there are many people (e.g., me) who only need one controller as they have the Wii in their bedroom and when friends come over, they bring their controller.

      When there is a significant percent of people who will never need that second controller, why would Nintendo add it in and therefore increase the price another $40-50? That would only put it more into the range of the Xbox and PS3.

      Besides, a lot of tech was put into the Wiimote. The controller makes the console this time around. Do you expect it to be the same price as an Xbox remote?
  • tizz66, on 10/12/2007, -8/+3The most disappointing thing for me so far is the fact it comes with the photo management and other 'Channels'. Yes that's right, I'm annoyed they included an extra feature. Nintendo's mantra has always been 'we make games machines', and I feel like this is kinda going back on that. I hope that didn't add anything to the cost of the system.
    • lane.montgomery, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3But you should take note that the extra channels have never been the main marketing push behind the Wii. It is sort of an after-thought that they have slipped in for more technically advanced people who (like me) consider that as another great reason to buy the console.
    • Leo55, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3They proved one thing : NINTENDO CAN DO WHAT SONY CAN.
      I certainly do hope that we can share photos or use it as a ingame object or something.
    • Antaeus, on 10/12/2007, -10/+3more like, NINTENDO CAN COPY WHAT SONY HAS.
    • walkingdogs, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Nintendo copy sony?! Lets reconsider this statement, Nintendo 64 analog stick and rumble, Sorny all of a sudden Look Dual shock, Diamond formation of buttons, Sorny took this as well. Gamecube, best wireless controller (wavebird), Sorny and MS tried to rip this off as well. Wiimote, true motion sensing and depth detection, Sorny, look what we can do six axises of motion. Microsoft, harddrive and ethernet, Sorny addon harddrive and add on ethernet. Microsoft, online content and channels, Sorny, same thing, Nintendo added as well but will wait to see how its implemented but knowing nintendo will be done well. So lets lay off the Nintendo copying sony till we look back in history and look at who really came up with the ideas first and who copied what
  • Sandtiger, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8With a price ofr $250 INCLUDING a game I dont see how a few extra days will hurt the Wii launch. The PS3 is so much more expensive than anything else on the market that it wont matter. The average consumer that would purchase a PS3 (if they can find one at launch) will not be so eager to purchase anything else for a while after dropping that kind of $.
  • nonregulator, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9This will not affect the sales of the Wii, why? Because no one is going to buy the PS3. I know many people who want a wii, and no one who wants a PS3, while anecdotal, it still proves a point. Sony has f*cked up pretty well.
    • Tiak, on 10/12/2007, -13/+4Yes yes, selling a product that can double as a Linux PC and costs you $1200+ to produce for $600 is a HORRIBLE move to get something to the consumer when compared to selling a $150 product for $199 and then forcing consumers to purchase a $50 game with it. (I say this because Wii Sports isn't bundled in Japan and their console is launching for the same price as all Nintendo's $200 consoles launched for in Japan).
    • NSMike, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5@Tiak-
      Well, your view among consumer is in the extreme minority. Generally people aren't going to say, "Wow, this thing costs $1200 to make [*Note - I've not heard that they're taking a 50% loss with this MSRP... I doubt it's that extreme] and they're selling it for $600? That's a great deal!"

      They're going to look at it and say, "$600 is a bit steep... It doesn't come with a game to start me off? Blu-Ray Disc? What's Blu-Ray Disc? [*Note - There are STILL a lot of people unaware of the HD format war] Wait, what's this little thing here that's only $250 and comes with a game? The graphics look nearly as good as the $600 Foreman grill over here... What the heck, I'll give it a try."
    • Antaeus, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2nonregulator thats wierd, in the high school that I go to every single person wants and its waiting for the PS3, you know not everyone is up with checking out websites all day like you I have freinds that still say revolutions instead of Wii and many people still think that nintendo is for kids and not even kids toddlers, all my little cousins and their friends want a PS3 because its "cool".
  • Tiak, on 10/12/2007, -7/+5Yes, it will hurt the sells.... Assuming sells is a typo for "cells", reffering to the processors who will be emotionally scarred because they cost sony twice what Nintendo's entire console cost them and they aren't being used.... Poor cells, we really should get a program out there to start adopting them.

    Though I doubt it will hurt the sales.... >.>
  • xpaladin, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5One question I'm curious about is how much the extra PS3 controllers will cost. Probably not much more than the Wii, or perhaps moreso since (after all) the controller has motion sensing technology now.

    I'm even happier that nintendo will be the only next gen console profitable per unit at launch. Rock on.
  • tastypastry, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I can't wait to get one. I called my local Gamestop yesterday to pre-order one, but they are not taking pre-orders until the first week of October.
  • Tiak, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6The only thing that really bugs me about it is the wii sports package deal. They basicly raised the price by $50 in order to force me to buy the one game for the Wii I had no interest in buying.... No one else sees this as a rather large turn-off?
    • Royal0rleans, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Yeah, to be honest, if it wasn't packaged I probably wouldn't buy it. Not to say that i wouldn't enjoy it...I just wouldn't buy it.
      But there are advantageous to include a first party game for Nintendo, not only because of the profit, but it gives the consumer a solid, well-made game that glorifies the use of the wiimote.
    • EtherGnat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4They didn't raise the price by $50 to include the game--it costs them next to nothing to bundle the game. Even assuming they want to recoup money from lost sales of the game it's only adding $15-20 to the price of the console because only a fraction of Wii buyers would have purchased the game.

      It's always seemed to me that manufacturer bundled games (as opposed to bundles stores make you buy) are a good deal for everybody. Let's say you predict sales of one million copies of a game at $50 ($50m total). Instead you bump the price of a console by $10 and bundle it in with 10 million systems ($100m total). The manufacturer doubles their revenue on the game, and gamers get a game for $10. The manufacturer also makes a fortune when they release SuperBundledGame2 for $50 and everybody buys it because they liked the original.

      In particular I think bundling a game with the Wii was important because it's a new concept and--hopefully--there will be a lot of first time gamers using it. Wii Sports is perfect because it will demonstrate lots of different ways the Wiimote can be used.
  • catch-22, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1interesting article... not dugg because of the horrible wii joke in the title of the post... sigh
  • hornfinger, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1Hmmm, the Wii is reeking of gimmick to me. I am really looking forward to trying one but by trying to release the Wii right after the ps3, it seems to me that they are trying to ride the hype as much as possible to sell units in the wake of no ps3. I would have thought if Nintendo really wasn't concerned about other companies because the Wii was such a unique experience they would just release it asap. If the Europe launch mirrors the PS3 my suspicions will be confirmed
    • xpaladin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2There's no such thing as "do no evil" in business, but Nintendo is in a totally different league than Sony. Nonetheless, they have to stay profitable -- and Wii is being sold at a price where, unlike other next gens, it will be profitable for everyone involved.

      One might argue that they could pass the savings on to consumers, but the reality is stated quite clearly by Nintendo: they're a company focused on games, and not multimedia. They can't rely on Blu-ray or HD-DVD sales commissions to offset any expenses like Sony/Microsoft *might* be able to.
    • jparkinson, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@hornfinger
      News Flash! Nintendo are a business, and a good one at that, no matter how much faith you have in a product, you need to do everything you can to position it well encase it isn't as popular as you predicted.
    • AmazingAndrex, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Nope, Wii is launching December 8th in Europe. You fail.
  • Zippo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5The higher-end PS3 will sell for $699 in Canada... that's before tax, I'd assume. For CAD$280 I get a Wii, controller set, and WiiSports. Even if I buy another game, another controller/nunchuk, classic controller, and a few VC games, I'm still spending less than $500. Not bad at all, if you ask me.
  • eelozano, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Does this article strike anybody else as odd? It seems to completely ignore the other systems in its critique. Fact of the matter is that this will be the least expensive of the three systems and people (parents especially) WILL be purchasing a system for there kids this holiday season.

    So ask yourself...if you are a parent with little to no experience with systems...which system would you purchase for your kid? I personally would get a Nintendo Wii as it is the least expensive and has the Nintendo namebrand that I recognize.

    P.S. I will admit that I am purchasing a Wii, but this is more because I do not want to wait until the PS3 drops in price (and honestly I want to see how it pans out before I drop over half a thousand on it).
    • eelozano, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0I guess the article does state that it is a 'critique'. The Digg title is a little misleading though :D.
    • Bioshocker, on 10/12/2007, -7/+0"Fact of the matter is that this will be the least expensive of the three systems"

      What you mean to say is "2nd least expensive of the four systems". The PS2 is still going to be a very active player in the market this Christmas. Sure hardcore gamers already have one and are going to be all over their next-gen games, but it's going to take a while to convince the majority of the market why they should be paying double the price for their gaming fun, by buying a next-gen system instead of a PS2.
  • codethief, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Well I'll definately be getting one, souped-up Gamecube or not, I don't own a gamecube so that's not a problem for me!! I'm a bit miffed about the controller prices but hell, the Xbox360 ones are £33 each!!!
  • jmdajr, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Less then perfect announcements...
  • seanc28, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4I don't see why people are disappointed that the Wii is $250 and not $199 when you are getting a $50 title packaged with the console. A $199 system plus $50 for Wii Sports gives you $250. Are people going to but the console and not buy a game? Not to mention its the perfect game to test out the Wii remote and see what the controller is all about.
    • wurzelgummage, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Well, it would be nice to pick the game, but I think most people will have wanted wii sports anyway.
    • jmdajr, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5i think most of us would still like to choose what game we want....
    • marvin69, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3Wii Sports is not worth $50.00. It is a tech demo which should be free. N is making the most money convincing us Americans we are getting a $50 game in the box. Wii Spots is worth at the most $5-$15 nothing more.
    • lane.montgomery, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I think most of us would have chosen Red Steel (it's not in-house I know, but still).
    • seanc28, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Yes I would agree that people would like to choose their game but Wii Sports seems like the perfect choice for people to adapt to the Wii controller. This goes without saying that in the rush of the holiday season most stores will prepackage a game with a system anyway. When I got a PS2 at launch Wal-Wart (the only place my dad could get a system) it came with Gameday. Did I want Gameday? Hell no! but most companies will package a game so whats the difference if Nintendo does it? Thats right there is no difference. Either way you will be playing for a game that you may or may not want so it isnt a big deal. As for Wii Sports being a tech demo I won't disagree but the fact that it is a full game that seems like a ton of fun. It may not be worth $50 (I believe Nintendo is actually pricing it at $40) but thats about its definately better than a demo disc.

      As for the comment about most of wanting Red Steele, have you watched the videos? The game looks like trash and the impressions of it havent been great up til this point.
    • B111, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@ nreynolds

      IT's not about inflation, it is about market value. Fact is, $600 is not the value a lot of people will value a game console for. Personally, I've never gotten $600 worth of utility (economics termnology, insert happiness, entertainment, whathaveyou) out of a game console.

      I think $250 is a fair price, and as far as the controllers go, it's always been the case that they want to screw you on the accessories, I'm sure in time 3rd parties will come out with cheaper alternatives.

      I think I may pick one up and put it in the living room, when I brought my (modded) xbox over and hooked 4 controllers to it, everyone was having a good time, although the learning curve for the 'rents was a bit too steep. I think the wii, with a more intutive controls, will be a winner with them (and Nintendo has been the only game platform my mom enjoys anyways, I gave her a DS for xmas and loves it).
    • AmazingAndrex, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@seanc:

      Red Steel has vastly, vaslty improved over the summer. Sword slashes are mapped to your real-time movements, much like Wii Sports, and although not confirmed, since Metroid Prime 3 has an Expert Mode, (mimicking keyboard/mouse perfectly), I suspect that Ubisoft will implement a similar mode to go with the new swordplay.

      Also, the enviroments appear to be much more destructable, and watching the new trailer released yesterday, I can confidently say that Red Steel might be the first true Wii game to show off it's graphical capabilites.

      Basically, it's a must buy.
  • sinner0423, on 10/12/2007, -4/+9These "shortcomings" from Wii's launch are really, really stretching. I've marked this article as inaccurate, because it's nothing but a trollish piece of *****.

    Compare the $250 price tag to the Xbox360 and the PS3 and suddenly you've got a *stellar* ***** deal on your hands. The price tag point is moot - the competitors set the rules already, and they raised the bar way, way too high. $250 is fine for me, I won't have to take out a personal loan to afford a gaming console.

    Ever hear of the Neo Geo? Sony is releasing a rebadged one called the Playstation 3 in a few months, and I'd like to congratulate the 1000 or so rich spoiled kids in this world whose parents will buy one for them. I can guarantee you that there will be a surplus of these consoles in stores, despite the small amount Sony is planning on releasing in the states. Oh, enjoy your high tech Blu-Ray movies too, because there are *tons* of them out for your enjoyment! Why, there are so many that are out right now, the list fits on ONE ***** PAGE. ( http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/ )

    On to the other poorly constructed criticisms this joystiq tard talks about :

    Gaming consoles have historically come with one controller, and a demo game. That's it. Sorry, but you LOSE the argument by default if you start complaining about what Nintendo is bundling with the Wii. But, but the Wii is everything and will cure cancer! You mean for $250 we aren't getting $600 worth of stuff? Yeah, sorry, that's just how things work.

    Compare the Wiimote to other console controllers and their various 'features' at launch, and you're complaining about a gyroscopic wireless gaming remote with built in memory costing $60? Shut up. Seriously. It will come down in price, and I'm sure Nintendo will offer some sort of a bundle package, it would make sense for the holiday season.

    The virtual console games? I can see the gripe, but quite honestly, if you're remotely interested in old school gaming, it doesn't take a genius to google up some rom downloading sites (wink, wink) and get your groove on the old fashioned way. We've been doing it for years, and will probably continue to do so, despite Nintendo releasing them officially on the Wii or not.

    Photo storage - It's a weak selling point, I'll give him that. However, every single console has had stupid worthless accessories/features that we probably wouldn't use anyway. Bottom line is, it's storage, which means, it's up in the air with what we can do with it. I wouldn't mind tossing some music on there, myself.

    I can continue, but you get the point. This article is nothing but FUD, and I have no idea why it was even posted. Don't believe all this internet ***** you're reading about the launch. Speak with your wallet, and don't listen to some random jerkoff from Joystiq.com, and you'll be better off for it. I can tell you however, as an avid gamer, the Wii seems to be kicking some serious ass in terms of opinions on the internet nowadays, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out whose gonna be king of the console wars of this generation.
    • neofreak, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0If it were really a rebadged Neo*Geo I'd be the first in line to preorder one. There was actually games I wanted at launch for it.
  • shiftless, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6The console will most likely appear for sale a week before launch, trickling into certain stores slowly until the launch date like the DS lite did. Overall, two days isn't a make-or-break deal on Nintendo's upcoming explosion of sales. Did you see those lines at E3? Numbers don't lie. Nintendo really is going to hit it big this year.
  • tizz66, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6£179 ($340) in the UK, on Dec 8th.

    *sigh*.
    • Tiak, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Ouch...
    • jparkinson, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Srry, barely nintendo's fault... i still feel for you guys though. But technically you could order a machine from the states, it has already been announced that all 1st-party titles will be region-free... and im sure the rest of the developers will follow suit. But with the cost of ordering one you'll probably end up around the same price.
  • gardnert1, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2since when has a difference 2 days EVER been a factor when choosing a game platform???
  • TheZorch, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2The price, if any of you remember, is about the same as the original Nintendo DS when it started shipping. The Wii will include Wii Sports, a perfect title for getting people used to the new controller and add to that the fact that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is a launch title. This year will be a good year for the Big N.

    $4 and $10 for Virtual Console games isn't bad. If you look at the price lists at places that sell classic games they are around the same price. I'd pay $10 for Zelda 64 or Mario 64 and $4 for the classic Super Mario World or Zelda 4: A Link to the Past (one of the best Zelda games, IMHO).

    What I truely love about the Wii is the addition of Opera. Its the only other console besides the Dreamcast to offer web browsing capability. Opera is a great browser, and using it means the Wii Store can be HTTPS based or XML based which reduces Nintendo's deverlopment overhead. Unlike XBox LIVE which has more overhead for Microsoft due to its proprietary interface.
    • marvin69, on 10/12/2007, -9/+4You have to buy Opera a normally free browser.
    • themacx, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2ever thought about the people that all ready OWN those tittles for years and they now expect to buy AGAIN.... can't they fix that?
    • jparkinson, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2@marvin69

      Opera is free to download for the 1st 6 months... if you're too lazy to get it before that time is up, you deserve to pay for it. Plus i'm sure it had to be specifically designed for the Wii...
    • j_bellone, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Wii-sports is a tech-demo at best.
    • marvin69, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Free for the first six months then you will have to buy it. That's what I understand.
    • JDoggqx, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4"Wii-sports is a tech-demo at best."

      That's why it received the Game Critics Award for "Best Sports Game" at E3 this past year?
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii_sports#Awards

      But if you mean Wii Sports won't be like Madden, you're right.
    • brufleth, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I believe it is free until June.
  • charbarred, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I think they got over-confident. They saw all the places like Digg hyping their product up for free, and decided they are no longer the underdogs. This results in the high prices and confidence that they will bury the PS3. It seems like it's the better system. Hopefully they haven't made a mistake.
    • Pic0, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2I hope their marketing dept. is better than that... lol

      Digg group has only a few people when you consider the population of Earth...
    • j_bellone, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1bury
  • crizznaig, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2everyone here who is crying about the controller costs...
    any other system you buy... you also have to buy more controllers no?
    like a PS3 you have to buy more. I know i had to buy more for my 360...
    it's the nature of the beast...
    let's not forget they are packaging 5 games with it in 1 disc, now sure they are First Party games, but ... still what other system packs 5 FULL games ?!
    not 360 and i seriously doubt PS3 will...

    @getaclue
    most are saying Blu-ray won't fly , because no SONY technology in this respect has taken off.. I.E. Minidisc, UMD, and Laserdisc.... most major motion picture companies aren't making any more movies for UMD, as is too expensive.
    nuff said..

    Nintendo will do well with this system, i can only hope the same for sony, and lets see that they don't delay AGAIN....

    • Pic0, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2Did you miss the name of the system? Wii as in WEE as in more than one...

    • crizznaig, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1@Pic0

      umm as in "WEE" u mean as in We.. like multiple ppl, sure I understand that, but maybe thats not the intention?! maybe its like the noise , Wiiiiiiii, like on a roller coaster you go wiiiiiiii...

      or like that gonads and strife song (the flash animation) "wanna go weeeeeeeeeeee"
      (if you dont know the song check here
      http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/weeee.php)

      Still no system comes w/ multiple controllers, and ..
      @organon
      all i can say is i agree...
    • j_bellone, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2What about the joint-ventures that Sony was a part of - mainly the "DVD" and "CD" formats?

      Take a look at who exactly is backing Blu-ray and tell me again that its not going to be the next multimedia format. That's only some of them as well. But let me help you so you don't need to go searching:

      "The BDA has over 170 members. Its Board of Directors consists of representatives from Apple Computer Corp.; Dell, Inc.; Hewlett Packard Company; Hitachi, Ltd.; LG Electronics Inc.; Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; Panasonic (***** Electric); Pioneer Corporation; Royal Philips Electronics; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; Sharp Corporation; Sony Corporation; TDK Corporation; Thomson; Twentieth Century Fox; Walt Disney Pictures and Television; Warner Bros. Entertainment."

      From Wikipeida.org
    • crizznaig, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Note you say JOINT VENTURES..
      I still dont think Blu-ray will be the way ..
      my guess is HD-DVD will be the better of the two, but this is a whole other battle....
    • j_bellone, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Blu-ray is being developed by more than just Sony, but they are putting the most funding into it. In comparision to HD-DVD it has a lot more backing and industry support (Apple tends not to back technology that is going to be thrown away anytime soon). Do you need high definition video? Maybe you don't, but I surely do, and I enjoy watching my movies with the best sound and video possible.

      Time will tell, but the only thing HD-DVD has going for it is the name and associated with DVD.
  • organon, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2I'd rather have a 60$ controller than 60$ games. You buy at most 3 additional controllers. You will certainly buy more than 3 games. And if you don't buy 3 games, you certainly wouldn't think about buying 3 controllers too. Also ... noone prevents your buddy to bring his own controller with him.
  • Scott2, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I'll admit to some disappointment.
  • darkixion, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4XBox 360 doesn't seem to offer any actually exciting games, just hardware power (plus I'm not handing a penny over to Micro$oft). The PS3 appears to be pretty much the same. The Wii is not only cheap, but it looks like it's already got a much higher percentage of it's games as worth getting. I really like the thinking behind Nintendo's offering: throw innovation and actual fun at the user rather than power and graphical woo-factor. You could create a console that can do 100 googolplex calculations per nanosecond, 512 Exabytes memory and graphics that rival reality, but if the games and gameplay are just variations of the same themes of the past 10 years or then it's got little to offer.

    First Person Shooters are pretty much all the same, it's just the weapons, maps and characters that change. Driving games have little room to innovate too, along with fighting games.

    I miss Magicland Dizzy, Wizball, Flimbo's Quest, Skool Daze and even Alley Kat.
    • brufleth, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1That's why I wasn't impressed with Oblivion. Nothing new, just some pretty graphics on top of a really dull game.
  • shaselai, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0I honestly dont think any PS3 buyer's gonna switch at this point of time. they waited and waited bending on getting a PS3 and they have finally waited till its release...although they might not gget oneat launch but they just need to wait a couple more months to get one. If the news of Wii didnt affect them up till that point i doubt they will just throw in some money for a substitute.
  • marvin69, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Just wait until the retailers force everyone to buy a 'package deal'. They'll force you to buy a Wii-mote and the ninja fighting attachment plus a game you didn't want like Excite Truck and a Nintendo branded memory unit. So, don't worry about the $250 price until March when they drop this practice because you will be spending $350+.
    • terminalpariah, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Who *doesn't* want ExciteTruck? That game looks awesome!
    • themacx, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2"Who *doesn't* want ExciteTruck? That game looks awesome!"

      Yeah right... on a N64 maybe.
    • jparkinson, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0No one is gonna hold a gun to your head and make you buy all the *****... if things do pan out like that, order just the system from the internet. Even if you still end up shelling out $400 to get yourself properly started on the Wii (with games extra controllers etc) you're still $200 better off than buying a PS3, and you still need to buy games...
    • AmazingAndrex, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I like Excite Truck. Give them credit, it's a new IP, and it certainly looks better than Wii Sports, which is the one game that should be on the N64, if you want to go strictly by graphics.
  • tchawla, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1I don't understand why people are complaining about controller price so much. Compare it to the closest console pricewise, the 360. First, the console itself is $150 less.

    Second, if you just want a wiimote (games for casual gamers, most likely), the controller is $10 less than an xbox360 controller. (Throw in the nunchuck and its $10 more). That's $180 for 3 extra full controllers, plus $250 for the system, and that's $430. An xbox360 with 4 controllers is $150+$400 = $550. You're still looking at $120 worth of savings.

    Plus, don't forget that games (which most people will buy MORE than three of) are going to be $50, as opposed to the 360's games which are $60 a pop.

    No matter which way you look at it, it's still far cheaper than the opposition, and still cheap enough for a casual gamer to get his or her hands on. Just look at how much people picked up the DS at $150 for a handheld.
    • themacx, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1compare with the 360???? are you nuts?


      how is 249 dollar compared to 249 Euro fair then? and then look at the poor Brits!

      i thought Nintendo wanted to give the family game play, well if you have 2 kids and two adult that's a lot Wii mote's ad that too the console cost and that thing ain't that interesting no more. That's a problem.
    • j_bellone, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3But I could justify paying an extra $50 for the Xbox 360, or an extra $150 for the premium that includes a Media Center Extender, Hard-Drive, Wireless rechargeable controller, and DVD player. Not everyone has the space to have a DVD player, console, TV, reciever, and anything else you need in the AV cabinet.

      They missed the price-point.

  • jellygraph, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2"Sony Corp. has decided to delay the European launch of its PlayStation 3 (PS3) game console from November 2006 to March 2007."

    5 months... thats almost half a year.

    So Sony can go SHOVE IT UP THEMSELVES for all I care.

    Nintendo used to make the huge mistake of delaying their launch in Europe, and it always killed them. Glad Sony is making the same mistake. And hopefully this will result in what I've been hoping would happen eventually, the downfall of the PlayStation.

    We need a company that is willing to go the extra mile to be creative, inventive and stop recycling the same old "mainstream" garbage, just to turn a buck
    • themacx, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1"Glad Sony is making the same mistake"

      why? a WW launch would be a first for Sony, they tried but failed miserably but then again the 360 WW launch wasn't that impressive either (with 2 "working" consoles per certain stores, and 2 continents ignored), but somehow people want to forget that...
    • mikebot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Sony made the same mistake when they delayed the PSP.
    • jellygraph, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3@ themacx
      >> why? a WW launch would be a first for Sony, they tried but failed miserably

      the ps2 was launched only 1 month later than it was in the united states. thats 1 month as opposed to 5. a big difference.

      >> but then again the 360 WW launch wasn't that impressive either (with 2 "working" consoles per certain stores, and 2 continents ignored), but somehow people want to forget that...

      no one i know has bought an xbox 360. im sure there are many reasons for that... but im sure microsofts launch cockup is a regular butt of office jokes. and so is sony's huge console, banana dildo gamepad and huge price. its gotten ridiculous

      @ mikebot:
      >> Sony made the same mistake when they delayed the PSP.

      part of the reason i lost the desire to buy one
  • tasss, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3This probably won't interest anyone so here goes. i am a casual enjoyer of gaming. Since i left home 8 years ago i have had (and still have) 4 computers for LAN games. I've upgraded and upgraded almsot every year, replaced hardware and carried on upgrading. after all of this i got really tired. New faster better hard drives and graphic cards so that my 2 brothers and some mates could join in whilst we wrecked our way through CS / UT2004 Cnc Generals and so on.

    Than a projector came along and i thought instead of using one of my computers let me get an Xbox360. It can double up as a media center. Woah than came the games and 4 controllers and ever since i have not upgraded any computer nor have i bought any more pcgames. It just kicks playing altogether on a console. So this obviously made me very interested in consoles. I've read the PS3 stories and Wii stories and i'll just say had the PS3 been released when they said it would i would have nabbed one but my 360 is awesome and guess what "it works" like a dream.

    From the beginning Nintendo said they where not trying to displace the other consoles xbox 360 nor try and compete with them, albeit some might say a console is a console i think this is the only similarity they have really. The wii is a totally new way of gaming. This is nintendo at there best and guess what its not going to take up space so will fit right next to my 360. The price is a bit higher, however its still really reasonable and i know no matter what the shelves will be clear in a few hours.

    On top of all this i know that the Wii will be fantastic.
  • bushe, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I don't see what everyone is complaining about the Wii mote + nunchuck is going to be 60 bucks. Big deal a xbox 360 controller and guessing a PS3 controller is 50 so if you get 3 extra to make each console have 4 you still only spending 30 extra bucks compared ti the price difference it is no big deal at all get over it. And i am no nintendo fanboy to be argueing for the Wii but i dont see what the big deal is
    • j_bellone, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1You get can an Xbox 360 controller for $32.99 online, and a wireless one for $35.99.

      The point is that Nintendo was showing the nunchuck and remote as being a controller. It should be sold together even though its an attachment. 100 percent of the launch titles are most likely going to make use of it, and probably the same amount thereafter. They shouldn't be sold seperately.
    • mentalrage, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Its still 40+ after you add in the delivery costs though...
  • jkilby99, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'd say these are all legitimate issues except for one: "Most NES games aren't worth $5." Yes, I've got a number of cartridges I never play but only keep because of my collector's mentality. But what about Kid Icarus? And Ninja Gaiden? And Punch-Out? And Castlevania? And Metroid? And The Legend of Zelda? If you'd rather plunk down $60 for Bomberman Act: Zero instead of spending $30 on the games I just mentioned, then be my guest.
    • j_bellone, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2Yeah, I would, considering I know that I can get those games for FREE online. I owned most of those at one point so Nintendo already has my money. NES games should be free, or damn near it. They're nearing 20 years old now. I could see throwing down UP TO $5 for an SNES game, and no more than $10 for a N64 game.

      When all things are considered it is costing them basically nothing to ship a ROM over the Internet they are going to be making serious bank off this avenue. They should have most defintely preloaded us with the whole collection of Mario because they (for the second time) missed launching with one.
  • MikeOSX, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Everyone is talking about how much extra the Wii controllers are going to cost, but imagine how much it will cost to purchase a PS3 with three extra controllers. And, I'm pretty sure the PS3 will not even have a game packaged in. All in all, a PS3 is going to cost well over $800.
    • MikeOSX, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Sorry for replying to myself, but keep in mind you also have to throw in the cost of an HDMI cable that Im sure Sony will not package with the system. Thats another $100 right there.
    • PFS1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3You can get perfectly decent HDMI cables for $15.
  • Lonecow, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3People are being stupid about this. $250 with a game that shows off the hardware. The main people buying this are hardcore gamers or early adopters. Most of us will buy one, just like how most of us bought a DS.

    Now I don't know about you, but after my girlfriend and my parents saw the Ds with Brain Age, they wanted one, and now they all have one. These are three people who don't play video games at all. What Nintendo did was use us as their salesmen. Same thing here. We will pay the price. I will buy an extra Wiimote right off the bat for my friends to use and try out. I don't need to get the nunchuck right off the bat because none of the Wii sports games even use it, or Warioware which are the games you show to other people to demonstrate how the system works.

    We will sell the Wii, not Nintendo. So bitch all you want, you are buying one anyway.

    Once this process catches on, they take out Wii Sports and drop the price for the casual gamer to jump on board.
  • flipside3, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Sure I was hoping for $200 or even $99 (remember those rumors), but I can live with $250. PS3, is too rich for my blood. Besides coming out a couple days after the PS3 sounds perfect. PS3 debuts to instant shortages and everyone getting mad... 2 days later stacks of Wii's appear to satisfy those frustrated fingers.
  • Nero51, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1No.
  • ChinezePanda, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The Answer is simple...

    NO
  • masterspeaks, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Back to the console. Arent there 2nd party controller makers like MadCatz and stuff that usually work as well as the name brand controller for half the price?
  • Lumiras, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I think that Nintendo is confident enough in the fact that the PS3 will be in shortage and the fact that Sony disenfranchised 70% of their previous users.....I'm sure the Wii will have no problems at all flying off the shelves.

    And, yeah, all the other Nintendo consoles did launch at $199, but did those consoles feature a very innovative control system and a lot of other tech that we aren't used to seeing in a video game system? Of course not. And then you have to factor in inflation, I think that a $250 price point poses no danger at all to Nintendo, especially because it's still priced $150 under its nearest competitor (360 Premium, nobody buys the core)
  • NikoKun, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Sony shot themselves in the foot... Nintendo built wings to fly on, and gave them to the world. LOL

    Ok maybe not litterally... but Nintendo is definantly not the ones with the gun pointed at their toes...

    I think the only way Nintendo might screw up their launch, is if they dont advertize at all... I think as long as Nintendo pays the extra money, to put out tons of great ads and commercials, They'll be just fine.
    When Faced with $600 and $400 price tags on the other consoles, $250 doesn't seem like its that big to most people. So I beleive their price wont hurt them, it should actually add to their sales.
    Based on their Wii ads so far, I'd say they'll get the word out, on how cool the new controller is... so I think that will boost sales...

    you know what... I can't see anyway here, that nintendo could really fail.

    And those of you that claim the $250 price will hurt them, are just pissed at yourselves for getting your hopes up for a 170$ console... and I lol at you.
    Do more research... you'll find Nintendo is giving us a lot of great stuff at launch, well worth the price, without shoving anythign useless down our throats.
  • scotus, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2should have come with 2 wiimotes for the price, or it should have been $20 cheaper, or something. The big issue to me is if they want people to get drawn in to the casualness of it by playing wiisports, the lack of a second remote in the box makes all the difference. I'm sure it will still sell, but I don't fully believe the hype anymore.

    Also, it's almost upsetting/imsulting that Nintendo will be making profits from day 1 on the console. Makes me think we aren't getting much for our money and we're still paying nearly the same price for games as the other systems, which subsidize the hardware.
    • mentalrage, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1They are making profits on the console so we don't have to reimburse them for it on every damn game we buy. Sony and Xbox sell at a loss so they need to charge more for every game they sell.
  • ravenofwinter, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Whatever, I still have more fun playing the original SMB.
  • redivider, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2""The Wiimote and Nunchuck are included at the $250 price point. Please read the press releases from yesterday."

    Yeah, but you only get one of each. Nintendo has so far marketed this system as a social entertainment device. They should have shipped two wiimotes and nunchucks."

    If they did that, they would have HAD to raise the price of the whole package. Then everyone would be complaining about that instead.

    It would be nice if they just threw in an extra set and kept the price at $250, but that's just unreasonable. Considering that they are expecting to sell 4+ million consoles right off the bat, that's $240m in lost revenue (you can pretty much guarantee that everyone will buy at least one other controller set). And even if you forget about the potential revenue, you know those controllers costa significant amount to make, otherwise they wouldn't be selling them fot those prices. So even if it's only say $10 in manufacturing costs for each set, that's still like $40m they're throwing away for not much benefit.

    If you're Nintendo, what would you do? They know it's not a deal-breaker (I can't imagine someone refusing to buy the system solely based on the fact that it only comes with one controller). Some people will grumble about it, but they'll still buy one anyway, and Nintendo will have a couple hundred million extra in the bank.
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