"Wii is $50 too expensive and three weeks too late."

[Zoglog]

http://blogs.ign.com/Matt-IGN/2006/10/02/32421/#comments


Still, Nintendo says it's going after the mainstream audience so I want to see it really do that from the start, and a $249 price point is not quite mainstream enough. This is especially true when you consider that many Wii games are designed to be enjoyed by multiple players and each separately sold Wii remote will cost buyers $39.99 plus another $19.99 for the nunchuk attachment. Add in a classic controller or two and all of a sudden we're well beyond the $300 price point – just so that mom and dad can play Wario Ware.


great perspective, i'd have to agree.

[SMMM]

so what you guys are saying is that it should be $150 and have N64 graphics. great.

[6669]

I agree with the having to buy more Wiimotes, but thats life.

[Plinko]

I agree. It doesn't change my excitement for the system or the fact that I'm getting it on launch day, but I do agree when you look at it from a business perspective. If they were REALLY going after the casual or non-gamer market, the system and controllers would be cheaper. That's why I have never believed that statement. I can see non-gamers saying, "Oh, this looks neat...but $60 total for a new controller? I don't like games THAT much."

[botticus]

Meh, if it was $200, people would complain that it didn't include two controllers. If it was $200 and included two controllers, people would still complain that controllers were $60. If controllers were $40, suddenly Nintendo is pulling a MS or Sony with their hardware, which would be stupid.

The mainstream consumer does not have the knowledge we do. If they think it looks fun and it's a "cheap" introduction to the world of gaming, they'll bite. THEN they'll buy more controllers, THEN they'll buy a classic controller, etc, etc. The fact that the cost is amortized across multiple purchases is what people aren't focusing on. That makes a big positive difference when compared to a $400-$600 one-time purchase.

Much like how the $600 360 + HD-DVD does not seem bad to me compared to the $600 PS3, because you can pick and choose what you need at what cost.

[6669]

I dont know how its 3 weeks late. Even with extra controllers, it still beats the PS3 pricewise.

[botticus]

I dont know how its 3 weeks late. Even with extra controllers, it still beats the PS3 pricewise.Because people built themselves up to think it would be $200 and released in October and now it's too expensive and too late.

[GrimNecroWizard]

The only thing I agree with is the expensive controllers. I'm going to spend $60 for another player then $40 for 2 VC controllers. So $100 more just for controllers.

[Dead of Knight]

Very stupid argument. So both Xbox 360 and PS3 are out of the mainstream because of the price? They certainly don't say that. $250 is a great price considering the prices of the other consoles. The consumers are not going to know shit about how much the extra controllers cost, they will just buy the system a game or two to start. I'm not sure what the hell the problem is with the release date. It's two days after PS3, OMG NINTENDO IS TEH DEDZORS!!!1

[Vinny]

so what you guys are saying is that it should be $150 and have N64 graphics. great.

How'd you get $150? $50 too much would mean that Matt C. is saying the system should've been $200.:-k

I agree with the article though. The system being $250 isn't bad but it's not what I expected. I could've had a Wii plus 2 games for $300 (w/o tax) but now I can only get one game. But it's not that big a deal.

He's definitely right about the controllers. Whereas most 360/PS3 games are only multiplayer online, most Wii games (early ones anyway) look to be multiplayer offline.

So a Wii + 3x Wiimote + 3x Nunchucks = $430 if you want 4 player multiplayer in a household.

The controllers are way overpriced and the idea to sell them sperately is fine but they could've sold both together as well and maybe give the consumer a little break. It's not like Nintendo's losing a ton of money on hardware or anything.

[Cream]

Just... no.

[TimPV3]

Because people built themselves up to think it would be $200 and released in October and now it's too expensive and too late.I don't see how people expected Nintendo to come out and say "we'll release it next week for dirtcheap." People were bitching about Sony making the Spring launch because they hadn't announced launch plans by January (sure it was delayed, but Nintendo only gave two months notice on the Wii, more than was allowed for Sony at the time)

Nintendo will see how mainstream their console is when it's only able to be played in video game stores and not a Wal-Mart, if that's really the case. I've yet to talk to many people who actually know what it is compared to a PS3 or 360, and not confuse the name with weed.

[slidecage]

dont like the price --- too bad there are 100s of other people who will be more then happy to buy the system you will past buy

i was thinking about getting one but right now im probally going to past.

250 for system
30 for memory card
50 for dragon warrior game


330 bucks for a system with one game is Too high for me when there are tons of great games coming on the DS and Ps2

the only way i will run out and buy it first day if they had at least 5 classic RPG games to download (earthbound being one)

[VanillaGorilla]

so what you guys are saying is that it should be $150 and have N64 graphics. great.Some of the games do have N64 graphics. Have you seen Wii Sports?

[ryanbph]

it is overpriced for a souped up cube, but i still want/will get one on launch. I hope they don't drop the ball with the 3rd party excitement over the system

[guessed]

Some of the games do have N64 graphics. Have you seen Wii Sports?

Yes, some of them do, but the system is clearly capable of much more. The games that don't have stunning graphics are meant to appeal to people on a different level -- The simplistic graphics tell non-gamers that the game is simple enough for them to pick up and play.

I have pretty much made my peace with the price. I've known all along that I'm going to pay whatever they want me to pay, but I still think that at a $250 price point, it should have cd/dvd playback, even if there aren't many situations in which I'd use it. I'd rather it be $200, I'd rather it be in my hands now, but I don't think the $50 difference is going to lose them any business. At this point, what I really want from them is to announce Wii Play as a US launch title.

[Ikohn4ever]

see I can pick paragraphs that prove my point too

"In truth, I think Wii is going to perform phenomenally this holiday. I also believe that it has a solid chance of surprising everybody and gaining much more market share than anticipated, particularly in Japan. Unlike GameCube, I think Wii has a chance for the number one spot. "

[SMMM]

How'd you get $150? $50 too much would mean that Matt C. is saying the system should've been $200.:-k



I wasn't referring to Matt as much as the people that were expecting it to be $150 and launching next week since it was just a "suped-up cube".

And the N64 could NOT have pulled off Wii Sports. It's simple, but it's smooth and looks sharp as hell.

[Eastsidecracker]

it is overpriced for a souped up cube, but i still want/will get one on launch.
I agree

[Michaellvortega]

Matt C being one of the biggest Nintendo fanboys this side of the net saying something like that is surprising. I want a Wii, but if all that is worth buying (THIS YEAR) is Zelda TTP then I think I might wait.

[FriskyTanuki]

I think he's three weeks too late to make much of a point. This has already been discussed to death, now it's just somebody more popular saying it.

[rodeojones903]

I think he's three weeks too late to make much of a point. This has already been discussed to death, now it's just somebody more popular saying it.


Yes, but that doesnt mean its not true. :D

[Ecofreak]

Irrelevant. The system will still sell phenominally and beat out the PS3 by sheer fact that the amount of Wii units is so much greater than PS3. As for how it stacks up against the 360, I'm still betting on the Wii due to the amount of press it's been getting in the mainstream media these past several months. And for some reason, I don't hear many CAGers waiting to pick up a 360 this holiday season.

So why should Nintendo rush their launch and thus face potential shortages that piss off customers?

[help1]

Everyday closer we get to the launch, the more questiosn I develop about the system.

[FriskyTanuki]

Yes, but that doesnt mean its not true. :D
It's up to what each person feels the system is worth to them. If it's not worth $250, then you're probably not going to buy it. If it is worth it, you will buy it.

[help1]

Irrelevant. The system will still sell phenominally and beat out the PS3 by sheer fact that the amount of Wii units is so much greater than PS3. As for how it stacks up against the 360, I'm still betting on the Wii due to the amount of press it's been getting in the mainstream media these past several months. And for some reason, I don't hear many CAGers waiting to pick up a 360 this holiday season.

So why should Nintendo rush their launch and thus face potential shortages that piss off customers?

Sorta funny how you think someone who is willing to buy a PS3 will jump on a Wii just because the PS3 is out of stock, when in reality it would seem that the XBOX 360 would be the scond choice or maybe a wii60.

Then again, any1 willing to buy a PS3 for 500/600 is prob not willing to jumo boats.

[Oops! I did it again.]

Meh, if it was $200, people would complain that it didn't include two controllers. If it was $200 and included two controllers, people would still complain that controllers were $60. If controllers were $40, suddenly Nintendo is pulling a MS or Sony with their hardware, which would be stupid.

The mainstream consumer does not have the knowledge we do. If they think it looks fun and it's a "cheap" introduction to the world of gaming, they'll bite. THEN they'll buy more controllers, THEN they'll buy a classic controller, etc, etc. The fact that the cost is amortized across multiple purchases is what people aren't focusing on. That makes a big positive difference when compared to a $400-$600 one-time purchase.

Much like how the $600 360 + HD-DVD does not seem bad to me compared to the $600 PS3, because you can pick and choose what you need at what cost.

Irrelevant. The system will still sell phenominally and beat out the PS3 by sheer fact that the amount of Wii units is so much greater than PS3. As for how it stacks up against the 360, I'm still betting on the Wii due to the amount of press it's been getting in the mainstream media these past several months. And for some reason, I don't hear many CAGers waiting to pick up a 360 this holiday season.

So why should Nintendo rush their launch and thus face potential shortages that piss off customers?

Q to the F to the Tizzle. On both counts.

Well said, guys.

[VanillaGorilla]

Yes, some of them do, but the system is clearly capable of much more. The games that don't have stunning graphics are meant to appeal to people on a different level -- The simplistic graphics tell non-gamers that the game is simple enough for them to pick up and play.

I've never seen people WATCH a game and then think "This game is too complicated for me!". However, I have seen people who see a game and say "That game looks crappy (as in the graphics), I'm not buying that."

$250 is too much for a system with inferior technology, that doesn't even play DVD's (a lot of people use their PS2/Xbox/Xbox360 as a DVD player, and look at it as a game system/DVD player). It's only $50 less than an Xbox 360, which, and I'm sure Nintendo fanboys will debate me on this one, is much more powerful than the Wii. But that vaunted "innovation" and Nintendo's marketing-ploy-within a-marketing ploy of "bringing gaming back to the masses" is gonna make those Wii's fly off the shelves though, right?

[chargeup45]

Then again, any1 willing to buy a PS3 for 500/600 is prob not willing to jumo boats.

Exactly. The Wii could be launched a bit earlier, but it shouldn't be a concern in terms of who gets bragging rights for the holiday season. All three of them will come up with some ridiculous statistic for how their console is the fastest selling in history, but in reality, the launch is for the hardcore anyway. The only item I'm concerned with is the controller being as expensive as it is, and although it probably costs as much or more than the others to manufacture, it still goes against the grain of Nintendo's claims that the console experience is for everyone. Sorry, no way I'm dropping $200 on additional controllers, at least not for awhile.

[slimpip]

I still don't believe the majority of consumers left empty-handed at PS3's launch are going to buy a Wii, which is why I think the launch date of the Wii is ridiculous.

If their plan is to re-capture market share in the U.S. launching 2 days after the PS3 isn't the way to do it. Those people who want a PS3 are going to get one eventually, and even if they do end up buying a Wii, it's probably even more likely they'll end up buying a PS3 too.

All consumer tendencies aside, the Wii's long-term success is going to rely on word of mouth and their launch success will depend on media coverage. Come Nov. 17th and 19th we'll see if it's PS3 or Wii that gets the coverage. My guess is PS3, but you never know.

[botticus]

Okay, I'll bite.
I've never seen people WATCH a game and then think "This game is too complicated for me!". However, I have seen people who see a game and say "That game looks crappy (as in the graphics), I'm not buying that."Seriously, you haven't? And yes, people do say that. And if Wii Sports was full of jaggies and blurry images and whatnot, people would say it looks crappy. Wii Sports does not look crappy, it looks simple. If you judge all graphics by realism and polygon counts, you must not watch hand-drawn cartoons because they aren't 3D, eh? I also hear Okami is a really shitty-looking game because even the PS2 can render it.

$250 is too much for a system with inferior technology, that doesn't even play DVD's (a lot of people use their PS2/Xbox/Xbox360 as a DVD player, and look at it as a game system/DVD player). It's only $50 less than an Xbox 360, which, and I'm sure Nintendo fanboys will debate me on this one, is much more powerful than the Wii. But that vaunted "innovation" and Nintendo's marketing-ploy-within a-marketing ploy of "bringing gaming back to the masses" is gonna make those Wii's fly off the shelves though, right?Yes, the 360 is more powerful than the Wii. No argument. What's your point? Buying the Wii means I can play different games cheaper than I can play different games on the 360. What are the differences? Well, Wii games look slightly better than last gen, but they control very differently. 360 games look a lot better than last gen, but they play exactly the same way. There is nothing FUNCTIONALLY that can be done on the 360 that cannot have been done on the Xbox. I will buy a 360, but to me it holds no more value than the Wii. For that reason, I am waiting till I can snag a 360 for around $200 or so.

And as far as the masses go, they don't use a PS2 or Xbox as a DVD player. They don't have an Xbox or a PS2. They have a DVD player that they use to play DVDs. Or they don't have a DVD player, and 6 years after DVDs became standard, I guess that means they don't care about DVDs.

But thanks for letting us argue these same points again two weeks later.

[dpatel]

I think it will still be worth the price tag, but I have to wonder where a lot of that money is going towards. If the 360 can launch for only $50 more (a year ago, mind you) and Sony can launch at the same time for $250 more (with a blu-ray player), I really don't see why the Wii has to be $250. Of course, this is because of the fact that the Wii is making a profit on each system while 360 and PS3 aren't.

I still think its worth $250, but I also think it is overpriced if you look at the hardware objectively.

[jimbodan]

I agree too, only about the price though, it should have been 200$ with 2 wiimotes and 1 classic controller and wii sports.

[Michaellvortega]

Here's my take on the $50 and 3 weeks andToo late


While I doubt the Wii will be a flop I can with a firm certainty say It won't outsell anything in the long run worldwide. We can say what if this? and what if that? but when Nintendo throws up it's arms and proclaims they aren't competing with the big 2, what can they expect but a eroding loyal fan base and last place?

I just honestly cant see them gaining some if any more of the console pie chart without the bigger exclusives and razzle dazle that the MASS buyer expects and consistently is provided by Sony and MS. You can't honestly expect the devs to jump ship from the 1st place game company to fully support the Wii? Even MS is becoming something more then a Halo box with it's A+ online support(DL content and demos,gameplay,etc) and finally grabbing new exclusives and or blocking Sony exclusives. It's a rough sea ahead for Nintendo but they have to perform on a regular basis unlike the Gamecube. Wii can't afford to have 2 A+ titles a year and 1/3rd the released games of its competitors. Nintendo has said "quality over quantity" in the past and that has unfourtantly be proven wrong. But IT IS NOT TOO LATE.

[David85]

Another one of these... oi....

[2Fast]

I think he's three weeks too late to make much of a point. This has already been discussed to death, now it's just somebody more popular saying it.

Agreed.

[help1]

The problem here is that we have seen the video game prices soar up, for 50 dollars MSRP's to 60 dollars and console prices going from 300 to 400 and above and really we have just adjusted. Because of this perspective, the Wii price looks fantastic, but in reality, its just unfitting.

The gamecube launched at 200 in 2001, and the Wii is launching with a 250 dollar price tag, 50 dollars more in 2006. Now because of the new prices of consoles, this looks like chump change, but really, for something thats just a little bit more powerful than a Gamecube, the price is way too much. We all know how the prices on making electronics plumet faster than fatwalleter's on hoardable deals, and you wii guys are trying to tell me, that the prices of making a gamecube haven't dropped 50 or more dollars in these 5 years!?

And dont talk about how motion sensors and Wii sports add to the price, becasue printing a game costs 5 cents and the motion sensing technology has been out for years and as I said, the longer something have been out, the more and more the production price goes down.

Now don't get me wrong, the Wii might be fun (I havn't played it, but it seems liek 1000's of you have...) and I have NO problem with Nintendo making money off their consoles, but how much are they really making off each console?

[jputahraptor]

$250 system
$180 3 controllers
$50 game
$30 memory card
$25.50 5% tax

$535.50

Just taking prices from what other people on this page said, so excuse me if something is wrong. Even without the extra controllers your still looking at over 350 for one game and a memory card, doesn't sound nearly as nice, throw in some downloads and it would be easy to match what someone buying a core PS3 and a game would cost for what exactly, few controllers and slightly better graphics than a GC but without ps3's next gen bells and whistles.

[Dr Mario Kart]

You dont need a memory card, you've got enough of that onboard flash to handle probably all the saves you could ever save. Also it comes with a really good/fun game that has lots of replayability.

[jputahraptor]

True, but nobody is going to buy a system on day 1 and not buy a game, it would be un-American and there's plenty of good games on launch day to warrant at least one purchase. My point is that if you really get into it with Nintendo and your big argument is price for why nintendo gets the edge that when you look at it your saving little overall and not getting an hd-dvd and all that technical stuff that confuse me. If i spent that 535 what would i have to show for it, a slighty newer system with one game and 4 controllers, eh nothing really exciting, if it were 350 for all that I would say your on to something but wow over 500 for a rabid nintendo fanboy, stick with the portables that's what i say, i get more pleasure from my GBA, psp, and ds then all my system combined but that's just me.

[gunm]

Meh, if it was $200, people would complain that it didn't include two controllers. If it was $200 and included two controllers, people would still complain that controllers were $60. If controllers were $40, suddenly Nintendo is pulling a MS or Sony with their hardware, which would be stupid.

The mainstream consumer does not have the knowledge we do. If they think it looks fun and it's a "cheap" introduction to the world of gaming, they'll bite. THEN they'll buy more controllers, THEN they'll buy a classic controller, etc, etc. The fact that the cost is amortized across multiple purchases is what people aren't focusing on. That makes a big positive difference when compared to a $400-$600 one-time purchase.

Much like how the $600 360 + HD-DVD does not seem bad to me compared to the $600 PS3, because you can pick and choose what you need at what cost.

This pretty much summed it up for me.

[javeryh]

I definitely think it's $50 too much and 3 weeks late. That $50 might be a deal-breaker for me for at least this holiday. The only game that looks good to me that will be out at launch is Zelda so I don't even think I'll be missing much...

[Dr Mario Kart]

Its a good thing market price isnt determined by the amount of fun had rather than clock cycles.

It would be the Wii that would be $600 and the PS3 at $250

[SpottedNigel]

I like how some people have been complaining about having to buy 3 more controllers when they also say only Zelda is on thier to-buy list.

[danito]

Controllers should NEVER cost more then games if you ask me. With that being said, I'm still getting a Wii. It's not as if I have to rush out and buy 3 more controllers on the release date.

[Zoglog]

It's true that the bottom line for personal choice is simply if it's worth the money to you buy it. His statements are not telling you how to make your decisions.

He's just merely stating that given the objective of the Wii, it is $50 too high and 3 months too late. You people are comparing it the high cost of the 360 and the PS3 but that's not what he's talking about. The goal is to get people who would never consider buying a console to pick one up, and ultimately cost is a big deal for the casual gamer.

The Wii is has great potential to be a social console but there is no doubt that u'll have to pay a good amount for it at the price points given now. And considering the hardware costs, Nintendo is definetly passing more of the cost onto users as the other 2 consoles. So from a technical standpoint the Wii is not as good a "deal" as the other 2. But ultimately that's not all gaming is about.

[GizmoGC]

Some of you people are wayto friggin cheap. Its $50, $50 freaking dollars. In 1 hours time you can move crap from GameRush/K-mart over and make that amount.

No DVD...who gives a shit. If you don't have a DVD player by now you really shouldn't even considering buying a next-gen consoles, nor evem a current gen.

The same people bitch in every thread. The same people who apparently have great high paying jobs bitch about $50 making or breaking the purchase of the system. In reality, I couldn;t give a shit because it just means more out there for the people who actually want to enjoy the Wii and not expect it to make me a sandwhich and give me a backrub. Thats what mywife is for!

[Metal Boss]

I have to agree $250 is too much, the technology is nothing new. the wii mote is a gimmick, for 49 dollars more I can get an xbox 360!

[furyk]

Matt C being one of the biggest Nintendo fanboys this side of the net saying something like that is surprising. I want a Wii, but if all that is worth buying (THIS YEAR) is Zelda TTP then I think I might wait.

I still see Zelda as a much better title then Call of Duty 2 or whatever ends up being the best PS3 title.

[Dr Mario Kart]

You must not really know Matt C. He's always ultra critical in trying to push his agenda on Nintendo. He's a graphics whore.

[Spades22]

Ya its too expensive...I was thinking to get a Wii instead of a PS2 since its 100 more, but then I had to figure the cost of an extra controller, memory card, vc controller, and the more expensive price of games, so I Went ps2. Actually in Canada you can get 2 games & The xbox 360 for basically the exact same as if you'd get a Wii and 2 games...

And 50$ is more psychological too...it's a free Zelda TP game bundled in with the system. Had they done THAT For the price they'd sell a crap load of systems.

[racthamp]

I also think it's a bit expensive.. but good for me.. since I'll push off buying it until the price drop..CAT style.... still has too many backlogs to (try) to do anyway :)

PS3 and XBOX360 for sure.. when they hit below $200 ;)

[maigoyume]

the wii mote is a gimmickthats what they said about the ds touch screen :)

[Zoglog]

1st side: "Blabhablhalhbh it's not expensive blahblhabhlb you cheapasses blhablhabh"

2nd side: "Blabhalbhbalh it's expensive blahblahbl 360 ps3 blahblahbahlb"

both sides...... MISSING THE FUCKING POINT.

[Ikohn4ever]

1st side: "Blabhablhalhbh it's not expensive blahblhabhlb you cheapasses blhablhabh"

2nd side: "Blabhalbhbalh it's expensive blahblahbl 360 ps3 blahblahbahlb"

both sides...... MISSING THE FUCKING POINT.


instead of showing the whole article you quote the negative part, not like there was a positive conclusion or anything. Very Fox News of you.

[schuerm26]

Some of the games do have N64 graphics. Have you seen Wii Sports?

Have you looked at an N64 lately? No they don't.

[schuerm26]

Some of you people are wayto friggin cheap. Its $50, $50 freaking dollars. In 1 hours time you can move crap from GameRush/K-mart over and make that amount.

No DVD...who gives a shit. If you don't have a DVD player by now you really shouldn't even considering buying a next-gen consoles, nor evem a current gen.

The same people bitch in every thread. The same people who apparently have great high paying jobs bitch about $50 making or breaking the purchase of the system. In reality, I couldn;t give a shit because it just means more out there for the people who actually want to enjoy the Wii and not expect it to make me a sandwhich and give me a backrub. Thats what mywife is for!

People here are bitching about $50 on this yet TONS of people went out and spent that same $50 on 50 Cent's Bulletproof, $40 on Odama, $30 on generic crap game just to have it. Give me a break on $50 making or breaking a deal.

[Spades22]

How could we be "MISSING THE POINT" if the topic being discussed is "Wii is $50 too expensive and three weeks too late" ???

[botticus]

How could we be "MISSING THE POINT" if the topic being discussed is "Wii is $50 too expensive and three weeks too late" ???I think he's referring to the impact of the price and release date on the mainstream audience. Which we can't really discuss in anything more than theory since none of us are in the mainstream audience.

[Corvin]

I have pretty much made my peace with the price.

Same here. I understand what they are doing, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. I'll accept it, but I'm still a bit disappointed.

The $60 controllers and no component out of the box are still big issues for me.

[PR Mega X]

$250 system
$180 3 controllers
$50 game
$30 memory card
$25.50 5% tax

$535.50

Just taking prices from what other people on this page said, so excuse me if something is wrong. Even without the extra controllers your still looking at over 350 for one game and a memory card, doesn't sound nearly as nice, throw in some downloads and it would be easy to match what someone buying a core PS3 and a game would cost for what exactly, few controllers and slightly better graphics than a GC but without ps3's next gen bells and whistles.

Sorry, this is a BS argument. "If you buy the Wii, as many controllers as you can use, an unnecessary memory card, and a game (ignoring the one *included* with the system), it costs almost as much as a PS3 with one game, one controller, and no extra memory card! Almost."

If people must do these comparisons, it would be nice if they would do it without bias.

[ArthurDigbySellers]

A far as the controller price bitching, I've got news for you. The PS3 accessory list was leaked and the Sixaxis controller is going to sell for roughly $43 in Japan.

Since the Wiimote is only $32 in Japan, and is $40 in the US, I would bet that the PS3's Sixaxis will go for $50 MSRP.

$50 for a glorified Sidewider Freestyle Pro. With the Wiimote, you are getting Bluetooth, rumble, sound, on-board memory, accelerometers, etc. I think $40 is a pretty fair price.

I don't know anyone that is going to buy 3 extra controllers on launch, that is just nuts. So assuming most people get a second Wiimote and Nunchuck, you are spending a total of $360 (system, plus game, plus extra remotes).

So let's look at the same setup for other systems (system, new game, controller, and online access if applicable)

360 core: $450 (system, controller, new game, 12 month Xbox 360 Live)
360 premium: $550 (system, controller, new game, 12 month Xbox 360 Live)
PS3 20 GB: $610 (system, controller, new game)
PS3 60 GB: $710 (system, controller, new game)

[horrido]

Double standard. You know people are looking for something to complain about when you hear - doesnt include two controllers.

News Update! Neither does the PS3, or Xbox360. I mean the cube didnt include 2 controllers, and it was advertised as a multiplayer family console. After adjusting for inflation, the controllers arent THAT expensive, expecially considering it is new technology.

[foltzie]

He's just merely stating that given the objective of the Wii, it is $50 too high and 3 months too late. You people are comparing it the high cost of the 360 and the PS3 but that's not what he's talking about. The goal is to get people who would never consider buying a console to pick one up, and ultimately cost is a big deal for the casual gamer.

The second point is completely false. November is a good if not the perfect time to launch a new product. In Nintendo's case its perfect because they should sell more of their first batch than Sony did and possibly have more units available in time for Black Friday. Launching in August* would have done nothing to help Nintendo position its console and tipped its hand to Sony early and probably left Nintendo without a suitable lineup of games at launch.

*Parent post said 3 months even though the topic is 3 weeks. 3 weeks sooner doesnt matter at all for the casual gamer and only servers to annoy the hardcore. Either Nintendo has enough units to meet the pre-Christmas demand or they wont, launching 3 weeks sooner wouldnt allow them to manufacture any more units.

The first point is also likely to be wrong as well, in this day and age where people pickup $250 iPods without a second thought $250 dollars isnt going to stop a significant portion of the population from picking it up as a pseudo impulse buy when compared to the 360 or PS3 if they are in the market for a game system this Christmas. No parent is going to look at the controller costs when buying the base bundle. Hell, on Black Friday people do all sorts of stupid things like max out their credit cards on sheer whim.

The Wii is has great potential to be a social console but there is no doubt that u'll have to pay a good amount for it at the price points given now. And considering the hardware costs, Nintendo is definetly passing more of the cost onto users as the other 2 consoles. So from a technical standpoint the Wii is not as good a "deal" as the other 2. But ultimately that's not all gaming is about.

This paragraph once again jumps to the logical fallicy that since Sony and Microsoft are subsidizing some of the cost of the hardware, that their consoles are a better deal. Not only is it "not all" gaming is about, its nothing of the sort. Either you enjoy the games (or like its double function as a DVD player) offered on the system or you do not and those perceptions shape the value of a console. The PS2 isnt any sort of a deal in terms of hardware costs and at no point during its lifecycle was it a deal. The deal on the PS2 always came from the sheer number of good games available for the system and early on the DVD player was a big selling point too.

[Michaellvortega]

I still see Zelda as a much better title then Call of Duty 2 or whatever ends up being the best PS3 title.

I still see Zelda TTP as a GC game that I can play without having to put down $250 on the purchase of a Wii to play. You can bash 360/PS3 Launch titles, but when you really look at it Wii has nothing spectacular that blows their launch titles away.

Miyamoto On the Wii: "The Hardware Is Basically A GC."
http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/shiggy/miyamoto-on-the-wii-the-hardware-is-basically-a-gc-205086.php

Nintendo is SOOOO innovative :roll:

[Corvin]

I mean the cube didnt include 2 controllers, and it was advertised as a multiplayer family console.

The cube didn't come with a multiplayer game in the box.

[ryanbph]

thats what they said about the ds touch screen :)
imo it is...it is a great system but very few games that I have/own fully utilize the systems capabilities.

[Kapwanil]

*Shrugs*

At this point my friends and I are just going the less-expensive route. One of them will assuredly buy a Wii, especially if the next Smash comes out relatively soon. He'll have the full controller while the rest of us will just get our own Wiimotes so we can play along when the time comes.

It ends up costing us friends much less since we won't have to grab a Wii at its inception and can keep that extra money on the side, accumulating, for a future purchase if we're so inclined. It also means that the Wii-buyer really only worries about the system and which games to get (which will probably be two at launch).

Not the best method of saving money but, sometimes, you have to evaluate how much you really want/need something at the getgo. I'd love to have a Wii with all four full controllers sitting by my side for impromptu parties but...

[hufferstl]

If the $50 is killing you, wait a year. The price will be $200 and it won't come with Wii sports.

My prediction.

[ArthurDigbySellers]

If the $50 is killing you, wait a year. The price will be $200 and it won't come with Wii sports.

My prediction.

I would have to agree. I think a "core" package will come out after the holidays in the US. Nintendo knows that they will sell out the $250 package through the holidays. To keep sales moving, they'll drop the price to $200, removing Wii Sports, in the Summer of '07, similar to what they did with the DS.

[furyk]

I would have to agree. I think a "core" package will come out after the holidays in the US. Nintendo knows that they will sell out the $250 package through the holidays. To keep sales moving, they'll drop the price to $200, removing Wii Sports, in the Summer of '07, similar to what they did with the DS.

Actually they started to bundle a game with the DS. The DS never had a universal price drop.

[ArthurDigbySellers]

Actually they started to bundle a game with the DS. The DS never had a universal price drop.

Actually it did receive a universal drop. From $149.99 to $129.99.

From Wikipedia:

"The Nintendo DS is currently seen by many analysts to be in the same market as Sony's PlayStation Portable, although representatives from both companies have stated that each system targets a different audience. At the time of its release in the United States, the Nintendo DS retailed for $149.99 USD. The price dropped to $129.99 USD on August 21, 2005, one day before the anticipated North American releases of Nintendogs and Advance Wars: Dual Strike. Despite the system's lower technical specifications and cheaper price, the DS has consistently outsold the PSP, especially in Japan. [5]"

[botticus]

The Wii will drop to $200 shortly after the 360 has a price drop, I would imagine. And I doubt they'd unbundle Wii Sports at that point, seeing as how I don't see them selling that separately at all.

[maigoyume]

The Wii will drop to $200 shortly after the 360 has a price drop, I would imagine. And I doubt they'd unbundle Wii Sports at that point, seeing as how I don't see them selling that separately at all.I'd have to agree with botticus here, do you have any idea how many people would complain if it WASN'T bundled with the Wii, of course there will always be those who have something to complain about regardless

[furyk]

Actually it did receive a universal drop. From $149.99 to $129.99.

From Wikipedia:

"The Nintendo DS is currently seen by many analysts to be in the same market as Sony's PlayStation Portable, although representatives from both companies have stated that each system targets a different audience. At the time of its release in the United States, the Nintendo DS retailed for $149.99 USD. The price dropped to $129.99 USD on August 21, 2005, one day before the anticipated North American releases of Nintendogs and Advance Wars: Dual Strike. Despite the system's lower technical specifications and cheaper price, the DS has consistently outsold the PSP, especially in Japan. [5]"

I stand corrected. I completely ignored the DS until the Electric Blue came out bundled with a game.

[Strell]

Would it really kill anyone to wait and see how it sells?

Shit.

How many times are we going to have this goddamn speculation fest happen arond here?

'Cuz I could go for at least 83 more times.

[terribledeli]

Matt just writes crap like this to get readership up at IGN.

It was like when they had that 360 roundtable blasting Microsoft and their problems. Then when Moore shows up at their door, they get on their knees.

Matt may be shooting his mouth off about Nintendo right now, but once they hand out his system in November...he'll change his tune.

[foltzie]

Matt just writes crap like this to get readership up at IGN.

It was like when they had that 360 roundtable blasting Microsoft and their problems. Then when Moore shows up at their door, they get on their knees.

Matt may be shooting his mouth off about Nintendo right now, but once they hand out his system in November...he'll change his tune.

He certainly seemed to fawn over the Wii when he was showing it off for IGN Video.

Journalism is certainly an impressive combination of trolling and ass kissing.

[ryanbph]

I would have to agree. I think a "core" package will come out after the holidays in the US. Nintendo knows that they will sell out the $250 package through the holidays. To keep sales moving, they'll drop the price to $200, removing Wii Sports, in the Summer of '07, similar to what they did with the DS.

Aren't they supposed to have 4 million of them by jan 1st? I don't think they will sell them out this holiday. The first 2 or so shipments maybe, but they are saying they will have drop shipments weekly.

[integralsmatic]

Would it really kill anyone to wait and see how it sells?

Shit.

How many times are we going to have this goddamn speculation fest happen arond here?

'Cuz I could go for at least 83 more times.

how about a 1000 more times. shit like this will never end.

[camoor]

Your gf is $50 too expensive and three weeks late.

[Zoglog]

instead of showing the whole article you quote the negative part, not like there was a positive conclusion or anything. Very Fox News of you.

yeah because I hid the direct link amirite? idiot -_-

[Michaellvortega]

Would it really kill anyone to wait and see how it sells?

Shit.

How many times are we going to have this goddamn speculation fest happen arond here?

'Cuz I could go for at least 83 more times.

Come on you know it's fun and for the most part in good taste. It adds to the excitement and anticipation of the new consoles. Plus it's a chance to blast Matt over at IGN because he sucks :)

Your gf is $50 too expensive and three weeks late.
LMFAO

[dothog]

I think he's three weeks too late to make much of a point.
Yes he is.

And he's terrible at providing information to readers. He really is. The most interesting thing about his message isn't his opinion. I really couldn't give a shit what he thinks about the Wii launch, especially seeing as how he's been going on about it for a year and a day with juvenile little teases.

The most interesting thing is that he communicated his opinion directly to execs at Nintendo. As I reader, I (and I'm sure others) immediately thought, "I wonder what they said? How did they justify that price and time to him in light of his argument? This could be hot stuff." And he gives me nothing. He has an opportunity to give us the official defense on things we've all wondered about the launch, and instead he gives nothing.

Now I realize his points to follow, where he hypothesizes why Nintendo chose the price they did and time frame they did, probably paraphrase what Nintendo execs told him in reaction to his question. But I don't give a shit about him protecting Nintendo, and I don't like that he continually thinks of his buddies at Nintendo before thinking of the people who read his stuff (backward priorities for a writer/journalist, btw). He needs to act like a journalist and quote people where appropriate rather than play these grab-ass conjecture games that he likes to do.

[Michaellvortega]

Yes he is.

And he's terrible at providing information to readers. He really is. The most interesting thing about his message isn't his opinion. I really couldn't give a shit what he thinks about the Wii launch, especially seeing as how he's been going on about it for a year and a day with juvenile little teases.

The most interesting thing is that he communicated his opinion directly to execs at Nintendo. As I reader, I (and I'm sure others) immediately thought, "I wonder what they said? How did they justify that price and time to him in light of his argument? This could be hot stuff." And he gives me nothing. He has an opportunity to give us the official defense on things we've all wondered about the launch, and instead he gives nothing.

Now I realize his points to follow, where he hypothesizes why Nintendo chose the price they did and time frame they did, probably paraphrase what Nintendo execs told him in reaction to his question. But I don't give a shit about him protecting Nintendo, and I don't like that he continually thinks of his buddies at Nintendo before thinking of the people who read his stuff (backward priorities for a writer/journalist, btw). He needs to act like a journalist and quote people where appropriate rather than play these grab-ass conjecture games that he likes to do.

Agreed, The people that get the exclusives and first looks are the sites with mass amounts of readers and who will bend to the will of the companies that will provide the exclusive. IMO for the most part true gaming journalism is dead.

[Zoglog]

it's a blog, not a news report. I think it's you that has your mindset shifted in the wrong direction -_-.........

[foltzie]

Agreed, The people that get the exclusives and first looks are the sites with mass amounts of readers and who will bend to the will of the companies that will provide the exclusive. IMO for the most part true gaming journalism is dead.

My boy, whenever was that particular horse ever alive?

[Rozz]

Wow.... so many people getting so upset and overexcited over one man's opinion. Geez :-?

[dakdack]

Really, the launch date/price point was clever as far as I'm concerned. If you look at it from a business standpoint. All these little kids who want a ps3 for $600, that you can't even find in a store, 1 week before the Christmas shopping season starts, are going to have a fat chance of getting one.

Thier parents are going to go into a given store, see a Wii for $350 cheaper and sure as shit buy it. Just to, in their hope, make their little bastards happy.

ps3 will sell out in about 20 minutes on launch day. Then a bunch of douchebags are going to sell the damn thing for $2k on Ebay. Wii is going to have so many sales due to the fact no one will be able to get a ps3 and they want something, anything.

I was on the ps3 bandwagon until I saw the price. I make a $$ at work and I still won't buy one on principal. The only way I'd do it at launch is if I sold my soul to find two ps3's and ebayed one of them to pay for the two I just bought.

And in the end it's all about fun, and Wii looks like it will be fun as hell.

Also, it's more powerful than the xbox as far as I understand. The xbox being the most powerful console from the previous generation. So, if the xbox is maybe = to a ps2.25 look at it like the wii is a ps2.5. It's got it's big toe in the graphical waters of the new generation. And play looks as if it's going to kick ass.

So, anyway, the point is that it should be fun and Fils-Aime is a better friggin businessman than any of us like to think we are. And also, go buy yourself a damn upconverting dvd player for $75 bucks from target if it's that important it plays back dvd's (are there cavemen without dvd players anymore?).:applause: rant over.

[help1]

People here are bitching about $50 on this yet TONS of people went out and spent that same $50 on 50 Cent's Bulletproof, $40 on Odama, $30 on generic crap game just to have it. Give me a break on $50 making or breaking a deal.

I like how vague nintendo fanboys are! you all act liek you have played the Wii for 100's of hours and that its awesome, when you ahvnt been anycloser to it than I have! BTW, for peopel that buy 1-2 games a season, 50 dollars is a ton.

[furyk]

I like how vague nintendo fanboys are! you all act liek you have played the Wii for 100's of hours and that its awesome, when you ahvnt been anycloser to it than I have! BTW, for peopel that buy 1-2 games a season, 50 dollars is a ton.

Um, how many people who buy 1-2 games every four months are looking at picking up a console at launch? Few I'd think.

[Corvin]

My boy, whenever was that particular horse ever alive?

My sentiments exactly.

[evanft]

Wow.... so many people getting so upset and overexcited over one man's opinion. Geez :-?

QFT.

[dothog]

Wow.... so many people getting so upset and overexcited over one man's opinion. Geez :-?
I'm not upset about his opinion.

What's upsetting is that he puts these questions to Nintendo, but doesn't bother to give us their responses. Instead, gives his own opinion (or re-casts Nintendo's responses as his own).

And I don't know about anybody else, but if I want to hear why the Wii was priced as it was and why it was released when it was, I'd rather hear the opinion of Reggie or Kaplan than read the musings of Matt C. He had the opportunity to report their reaction to concerns about the Wii launch, but instead he passed it over and 3 weeks later blogged his opinion on the launch. Oh goodie.

[Zoglog]

I'm not upset about his opinion.

What's upsetting is that he puts these questions to Nintendo, but doesn't bother to give us their responses. Instead, gives his own opinion (or re-casts Nintendo's responses as his own).

And I don't know about anybody else, but if I want to hear why the Wii was priced as it was and why it was released when it was, I'd rather hear the opinion of Reggie or Kaplan than read the musings of Matt C. He had the opportunity to report their reaction to concerns about the Wii launch, but instead he passed it over and 3 weeks later blogged his opinion on the launch. Oh goodie.

once again, it's a blog not a news report.......... some people just don't get it

[Metal Boss]

once again, it's a blog not a news report.......... some people just don't get it


yeah... but hey, you gotta defend yourself on the internet though, reputations are on the line here.

[Zoglog]

yeah... but hey, you gotta defend yourself on the internet though, reputations are on the line here.

that's right, you have to fight to become the president of the internet

http://www.omgwtfbbq.com/seriousbusiness2.jpg

[Metal Boss]

a classic



In any case, I just agree that it's dumb to care about what this blogger thinks. We'll see what the WII can do, I'm just hoping for some intuitive use of the wii-mote myself. I'm not going to complain about the graphics... Too much :D

[help1]

Um, how many people who buy 1-2 games every four months are looking at picking up a console at launch? Few I'd think.

Well, im at about 4 games every 4 months, and I buy new consoles (360 and prob a Wii)....

[-Never4ever-]

I kinda agree with the blogger, but it's still the cheapest next gen system on the market by a large margin (360 tard package excluded). OMFG one extra controller costs $60. Guess what, the PS3 & 360 controllers are $50, where as the Wii controller is actually two in one.

In the end, I could care less about extra controllers. Most Wii games are going to be a pain in the ass to play with other people anyhow.

[Michaellvortega]

I kinda agree with the blogger, but it's still the cheapest next gen system on the market by a large margin (360 tard package excluded). OMFG one extra controller costs $60. Guess what, the PS3 & 360 controllers are $50, where as the Wii controller is actually two in one.

In the end, I could care less about extra controllers. Most Wii games are going to be a pain in the ass to play with other people anyhow.

But I thought the Wii was about playing togather? Wii?
100th reply

[seanr1221]

What worries me the most is if the Wii is little more than a souped up GC on the inside, what will games look like in 5 years compared to the 360/ps3? :-/

[Michaellvortega]

What worries me the most is if the Wii is little more than a souped up GC on the inside, what will games look like in 5 years compared to the 360/ps3? :-/

I never thought of that but that is a very good point.

[chargeup45]

What worries me the most is if the Wii is little more than a souped up GC on the inside, what will games look like in 5 years compared to the 360/ps3? :-/

It's something to maybe be concerned about, but Nintendo basically did the same thing with DS, which may not even be as powerful as the N64 hardware was. It's a good thing they made it clear from the outset that the graphics weren't getting much of an upgrade over the GCN...

[seanr1221]

It's something to maybe be concerned about, but Nintendo basically did the same thing with DS, which may not even be as powerful as the N64 hardware was. It's a good thing they made it clear from the outset that the graphics weren't getting much of an upgrade over the GCN...

The difference, to me atleast, is I see the DS as a quick pick up and play thing, or something to do inbetween classes outside.

I like my consoles to be an expierence. The HDtv, the 5.1 sounds...yes graphics don't mean everything, but they play a large role.

[daroga]

The difference, to me atleast, is I see the DS as a quick pick up and play thing, or something to do inbetween classes outside.

I like my consoles to be an expierence. The HDtv, the 5.1 sounds...yes graphics don't mean everything, but they play a large role.
I agree with you, but I don't think graphics are essential to creating an experience.

Shadow of the Colossus, even compared to many PS2 games, looked (and more to my annoyance, ran) like crap, but heavens if that wasn't an enthralling expierence. Where as many games with bump maping out the wazoo just kinda fall flat. The original PS1 Resident Evil is another good example of a medicore-to-poor graphical effort, but still creating an environment completly fitting to the game's intent and experience.

I think the experience factor rests somewhat in the hands of the power of the system, but the lion's share of the responsibility is the game developers': how well they know the system and how much time and effort they put into it. In that regard, that the Wii isn't much different than the Cube, may give the Wii an inital head start on creating immersive games. Coupled with the remote, I think we're in for a lot of treats if developers give a rip.

How it will hold up in the 5 years originally proposed remains to be seen, but I'm more than slightly optimistic.

[Fire]

I kinda agree with the blogger, but it's still the cheapest next gen system on the market by a large margin (360 tard package excluded). OMFG one extra controller costs $60. Guess what, the PS3 & 360 controllers are $50, where as the Wii controller is actually two in one.

In the end, I could care less about extra controllers. Most Wii games are going to be a pain in the ass to play with other people anyhow.

What I don't get is why everyone is so ignorant here about the controller price. Just do two separate ggc transactions at Best Buy, and you get the full controller for the same price as Ps3/360 controllers.

[botticus]

Maybe I just continually show myself to be an absolute non-videophile, but do people really see a consistent, noticeable difference between the first generation games on a system, and the last generation games on a system? Not that there aren't some games that look like crap and some that look great on every console, but is that completely restricted to those created first and those created last?

As far as the GameCube goes, I don't really see that Mario Kart (maybe someone can use an earlier Mario title here) looks worse than Mario Baseball. You can say those games were stylized so the graphical improvement wasn't expected, but I would counter that that's probably how the Wii should go anyway.

[maddfrog]

Maybe I just continually show myself to be an absolute non-videophile, but do people really see a consistent, noticeable difference between the first generation games on a system, and the last generation games on a system? Not that there aren't some games that look like crap and some that look great on every console, but is that completely restricted to those created first and those created last?

As far as the GameCube goes, I don't really see that Mario Kart (maybe someone can use an earlier Mario title here) looks worse than Mario Baseball. You can say those games were stylized so the graphical improvement wasn't expected, but I would counter that that's probably how the Wii should go anyway.

I can see the difference with the PS2, but thats the only one. Also if we were to take the first generation to last generation difference, wouldn't that mean that the Wii would have an advantage since its just like developing for the GameCube?

[seanr1221]

Botticus, the best example I can give off the top of my head is Splinter Cell and Splinter Cell: CT

http://xboxmedia.ign.com/xbox/image/splintercell_03112003_05.jpg

http://xboxmedia.ign.com/xbox/image/article/592/592847/tom-clancys-splinter-cell-chaos-theory-20050302044543406.jpg

And Daroga, I see what you're saying, and you're right, who knows how things will be in 5 years.

[daroga]

As far as the GameCube goes, I don't really see that Mario Kart (maybe someone can use an earlier Mario title here) looks worse than Mario Baseball. You can say those games were stylized so the graphical improvement wasn't expected, but I would counter that that's probably how the Wii should go anyway.
Style plays into it, but compare the near-launch title of Eternal Darkness to Resident Evil 4 on the Cube. Or Halo 1 vs. Ninja Gaiden on the Xbox. There's definite improvment as people learn the system. (And yes, I understand both of those aren't really apples to apples all the time, as ED was hampered by originally being an N64 title.)

Maybe a better example from years past is Super Mario Bros. vs. Super Mario Bros. 3. There's always the anamolies. Some one could justifably argue that Soul Calibur, a Dreamcast launch title, had the best graphics of any game on that system.

But, botticus, I totally agree with you. I'd much rather have Wii games go in the realm of Mario / Wind Waker bright, colorful, almost cartoon-style graphics. The Wii will not be the machine to finally bring us photorealism in-game, and I don't really think they should try. The more detached from reality an art style is, the more detached it can be from the rules of physics and motion. Nothing irks me more than seeing very life-like football players hobble around due to poor animation. If they had a little bit of a "fake" style to them, the animation could be adjusted to be a little goofy (like the Mario sports games for instance) and no one would care, or probably notice.

[camoor]

Nothing irks me more than seeing very life-like football players hobble around due to poor animation. If they had a little bit of a "fake" style to them, the animation could be adjusted to be a little goofy (like the Mario sports games for instance) and no one would care, or probably notice.

Or how about character models that have oven mitts for hands. That always cracks me up.

[FriskyTanuki]

What I don't get is why everyone is so ignorant here about the controller price. Just do two separate ggc transactions at Best Buy, and you get the full controller for the same price as Ps3/360 controllers.
What you don't get is that not everyone can find GGC's. I've never seen one myself, so that's not a very good argument.

[Michaellvortega]

What I don't get is why everyone is so ignorant here about the controller price. Just do two separate ggc transactions at Best Buy, and you get the full controller for the same price as Ps3/360 controllers.

Would that not also work the same for bringing down the price of a PS3/360 control down $5, still making PS3/360 controller cheaper?

[foltzie]

Would that not also work the same for bringing down the price of a PS3/360 control down $5, still making PS3/360 controller cheaper?

You there with logic, out of the thread!

[daroga]

Would that not also work the same for bringing down the price of a PS3/360 control down $5, still making PS3/360 controller cheaper?
If you're not willing to part with an extra $5 for all the new stuff the Wii Controller is capable of, the Wii is not for you.

[help1]

If you're not willing to part with an extra $5 for all the new stuff the Wii Controller is capable of, the Wii is not for you.

And if you are willing to pay 250 dollars to see what the GC err Wii isnt capable of, then the 360 or ps3 isnt for you.

NOTE: I am buying a Wii.

[furyk]

Would that not also work the same for bringing down the price of a PS3/360 control down $5, still making PS3/360 controller cheaper?

Yes you're right. A $45 360 (MSRP $399.99) controller and a $45 PS3 (MSRP $599.99) controller is much cheaper then a $50 Wii (MSRP $249.99 with game) controller and nunchuk.

You there with logic, out of the thread!

Yep I agree. Totally logical argument.

[daroga]

And if you are willing to pay 250 dollars to see what the GC err Wii isnt capable of, then the 360 or ps3 isnt for you.

NOTE: I am buying a Wii.
I have no idea what you're trying to say here, but cograts on getting the Wii.