Wii U Appears to have been given an official price by Walmart

F

Fracdaddy14

CAG Veteran
I haven't posted in a long time. But this is too good not to share.

I was researching new links for purchasing Wii U games to post to videogameencyclopedias.net and I came across a Walmart link for the Wii U console itself. It had a price listed as $349.99. This price is very inline with Nintendo’s hints and doesn’t seem like a placeholder price. No release date is given and the official Walmart Site doesn’t list anything about a date or price in its Wii U console page. Please give credit if you want to post elsewhere as a courtesy.
 
[quote name='myl0r']That's a bit higher than I was hoping. $250 seems close, but low, as $300 just feels right.[/QUOTE]

I definitely thought it would be $299.99, but with affiliate sites, I don't even have links for any Wii U Games from Gamestop, EA Origin, or Walmart. Yet, Walmart has an affiliate link with a price of $349 for the console itself. If it was a real "placeholder" I would imagine they would list it at $499 or $599 or even $399, but $349 seems odd for a placeholder price.
 
[quote name='camoor']I still don't understand the Wii U gimmick

I dont know how they are going to sell these things.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I just don't see it doing that well. Especially once the next Xbox and PS are out and make it seem outdated already.
 
How does ZombiU look real good? Serious question. It looked like a multitask trainer more so than survival horror. Control gimmicks can make games more immersive, I can see the potential, but I don't see that out of ZombiU.

Falling into the same trap early motion games did on the Wii. It's going to be Red Steel all over again, although I remember a lot of people hyping that too.
 
That would make sense. $350 price tag would explain why they didnt drop the price details at E3. I would rather pay $200 and just get it with the Pro controller and no gamepad.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Yeah, I just don't see it doing that well. Especially once the next Xbox and PS are out and make it seem outdated already.[/QUOTE]

They expect people to take lots of dumps and baths.
 
Yeah, I just don't see the tablet/portable aspect of it being that appealing when so many people in the 18-35 key market have smartphones and/or tablets already. Besides that, the PS3/Vita combo already does that type of stuff anyway.
 
[quote name='elessar123']They expect people to take lots of dumps and baths.[/QUOTE]

Oo that is a good reason to get the gamepad. I love pooping and gaming at the same time!!
 
So. Let's say it does come out at $350. Let's also say that it's $150 for an additional WiiU tablet. That's $500 total. Thanks, but no thanks Nintendo.
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']So. Let's say it does come out at $350. Let's also say that it's $150 for an additional WiiU tablet. That's $500 total. Thanks, but no thanks Nintendo.[/QUOTE]
This sounds disconcertingly plausible.
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']So. Let's say it does come out at $350. Let's also say that it's $150 for an additional WiiU tablet. That's $500 total. Thanks, but no thanks Nintendo.[/QUOTE]

That is pretty bad. One reason the Wii sold so well (aside from the new gimmick) is the cost was low. One reason no one ever bought a PS3 is because they priced themselves out of the marketplace for the longest time. $500 for two pads is crazy. They even said that most developers havent even bothered working on anything that uses two pads yet too.

$250-300 and I will pick one up on release date just because, any higher and I will just wait for them to pull an Apple and drop the price $100 a few months later.
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']So. Let's say it does come out at $350. Let's also say that it's $150 for an additional WiiU tablet. That's $500 total. Thanks, but no thanks Nintendo.[/QUOTE]

Well, given that it won't support multiple tablets (they call it a gamepad, but using your term to avoid confusion) at launch, I don't think it is going to be an issue. (Not that I think it will cost $150 for a second controller. I think $80-$90 is more realistic.)

I also think the games that support more than one tablet are going to be very limited. It was revealed that performance was going to take a hit with more than one on the system (Probably because it wasn't designed for more than one of those controllers.) so I don't think there will be huge amount of games that will do that.

As for the price, I'll wait until Nintendo makes an announcement. For all we know, this is something unofficial they through out there to see what the reaction would be. I personally think it will be $299.
 
[quote name='TheLongshot']Well, given that it won't support multiple tablets (they call it a gamepad, but using your term to avoid confusion) at launch, I don't think it is going to be an issue. (Not that I think it will cost $150 for a second controller. I think $80-$90 is more realistic.)

I also think the games that support more than one tablet are going to be very limited. It was revealed that performance was going to take a hit with more than one on the system (Probably because it wasn't designed for more than one of those controllers.) so I don't think there will be huge amount of games that will do that.

As for the price, I'll wait until Nintendo makes an announcement. For all we know, this is something unofficial they through out there to see what the reaction would be. I personally think it will be $299.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you about the dual pad support, however, if you offer it and market the system as being multiplayer capable, get ready for the sticker shock associated with having to buy two of them.
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']I agree with you about the dual pad support, however, if you offer it and market the system as being multiplayer capable, get ready for the sticker shock associated with having to buy two of them.[/QUOTE]

Well, the typical multiplayer setup is going to be a WiiU gamepad and multiple Wii remotes. Or, like the Wii, multiple Wii remotes (or the new controller pro) if you aren't doing asymetric gameplay.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Yeah, I just don't see the tablet/portable aspect of it being that appealing when so many people in the 18-35 key market have smartphones and/or tablets already.[/QUOTE]

I agree. And I can already hear my family asking me, "Can I use the WIIU tablet thingie as an iPad?" Where Nintendo was way ahead of the game on motion control, they're way behind this time on tablets. I dunno, though, maybe the WIIU tablet doubles as a fully functional Android device.

Woo boy, can't keep a straight face on that one.

However the price comes down, they've got to change the name. If they keep the WIIU name, 50% of their marketing budget is going to be spent educating consumers on the fact that, No, it's not a new peripheral for the Wii, it's part of a completely new console.
 
[quote name='Scorch']As I expected, it looks like it's too much work.. also, generic.[/QUOTE]

Totally.

I don't think that tendo understands why people loved the Wii. It was cheap and easy to understand, even old people who were afraid of computers could pickup the Wiii controller and play the bowling minigame.

This Wii U is going in the opposite direction.
 
[quote name='dothog']However the price comes down, they've got to change the name. If they keep the WIIU name, 50% of their marketing budget is going to be spent educating consumers on the fact that, No, it's not a new peripheral for the Wii, it's part of a completely new console.[/QUOTE]
CNN just published an article about E3 in which the author seemed confused about whether the Wii U was an accessory for the existing Wii, or a whole new console.
 
[quote name='Strell']We're taking Walmart's word for pricing now? Really guys?[/QUOTE]

Nope. Everyone just got together and made this thread just to fool you. Job well done!
 
If they are launching this thing for $350 and plan on competing with much cheaper Xbox/ps consoles of similar power then they are fucking insane.
 
No way I am buying this at $350.

Will probably just wait a year/two when they have a bundle for ~$250.

At $350, the WiiU is extremely underwelming.
 
I think this price is based on the Nikkei rumor that the Wii U price was going to be 30,000 Yen. However, that rumor was also bundled with the 3DS LL rumor which was proven false.

I want to believe Reggie isn't dense enough to price this thing above $300. I really, really, really want to believe. There's that little nagging voice in the back of my head that says otherwise.
 
I use LinkShare to create the links for people to click on and I get comission for any games bought from them. Similar to how sites like CAG use links. But this is the first time I ever saw one with a price. I honestly believe this is the real price, but I believe after E3, there will be a pack-in game (I've seen rumors of NintendoLand and New Super Mario Bros. U) and other possible incentives like VC DL games.
 
[quote name='Blaster man']If they are launching this thing for $350 and plan on competing with much cheaper Xbox/ps consoles of similar power then they are fucking insane.[/QUOTE]
Especially since their target audience is kids who will have to get their parents to buy it. "Hey dad! This new wii is out and is $300, will you get it for me?" Dad looks to son. " lolno "

Now a look at the Nintendo HQ about this situation:

Exec: Runs into to the office waving a paper around " Boss! Are you fucking crazy!? How are we going to sell this for that price and get away with it?"

Boss: Leans over to the right looking at the exec from behind a computer screen. :) " Just pop out a game or two with Mario or Link in it. Hell, slap a sticker or decal of them on the console, that will work too. You guys really put way too much thought into this :roll: "

Exec: Turns around walking out the door with a wtf look. " Ok, you're the boss."

A few months later.......

Exec: Walks into the boss's office with the sales report. " How did you do that?"

Boss: Looking down at his phone. " It's all about the angle, really."

Exec: " Not Angry Birds, I mean the sales within the last few months."

Boss: " Dude, that shit works everytime." :rofl:

Exec: 8-[ :bow: :applause:

Boss: :lol: :booty: :cool:
 
Except that now it's more like:

"Hey dad! This new wii is out and is $350, will you get it for me?" Dad looks to son...

bruce-lee-crescent-kick-o.gif
 
[quote name='cochesecochese']I think this price is based on the Nikkei rumor that the Wii U price was going to be 30,000 Yen. However, that rumor was also bundled with the 3DS LL rumor which was proven false.

I want to believe Reggie isn't dense enough to price this thing above $300. I really, really, really want to believe. There's that little nagging voice in the back of my head that says otherwise.[/QUOTE]

Believe.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=477559
 
There are tons of people who eat up consoles at launch regardless of price, they might as well launch it at a stupid price and reel the suckers in.

Didn't half a million people buy a PS3 during its first month at $600? And for Resistance, of all things. Thing might as well had no software and people still would have picked it up.
 
[quote name='panzerfaust']There are tons of people who eat up consoles at launch regardless of price, they might as well launch it at a stupid price and reel the suckers in.

Didn't half a million people buy a PS3 during its first month at $600? And for Resistance, of all things. Thing might as well had no software and people still would have picked it up.[/QUOTE]

This is a good point. Even if people don't want the system, there will always be that "hot new item" hype if they release it during the holiday season.
 
[quote name='panzerfaust']There are tons of people who eat up consoles at launch regardless of price, they might as well launch it at a stupid price and reel the suckers in.

Didn't half a million people buy a PS3 during its first month at $600? And for Resistance, of all things. Thing might as well had no software and people still would have picked it up.[/QUOTE]
You seem to have forgotten that the first Bluray players were released around that time and were extremely pricey. Not only was this an cheaper alternative to those, it was a gaming console with no sub fee to play online and and had the capability to be a toned down PC.
 
[quote name='panzerfaust']There are tons of people who eat up consoles at launch regardless of price, they might as well launch it at a stupid price and reel the suckers in.
.[/QUOTE]

Thats a good point. Especially with brands like Nintendo or Apple. Their "fans" will really bite at any price just to have it on day one. They could release the Wii U at $500 and there will be stories about the millions of people camping out to be first in line at Wal Mart to pick it up.
 
[quote name='panzerfaust']How does ZombiU look real good? Serious question. It looked like a multitask trainer more so than survival horror. Control gimmicks can make games more immersive, I can see the potential, but I don't see that out of ZombiU.

Falling into the same trap early motion games did on the Wii. It's going to be Red Steel all over again, although I remember a lot of people hyping that too.[/QUOTE]


haha this is funny. i enjoyed red steel. but i do understand your point here. i just liked the idea in zombiu. one bite and ur dead. one bite and u lose all ur skills and stuff. respawn as a new survivor and rebuild skills and go find ur old zombie to regain items.... sounds interesting. maybe
 
$350 for a slightly upgraded Wii? Just sell the game pad separately. Make more money that way. And I take it they've dropped motion sensing now? Whicha the Kinect takes over as lead in motion sensing, seems a backwards step.

Ah well, Nintendo has losing touch with gamers since the Wii. Good thing we have PS3 and Xbox 360.
 
[quote name='Ather']$350 for a slightly upgraded Wii? Just sell the game pad separately. Make more money that way. And I take it they've dropped motion sensing now? Whicha the Kinect takes over as lead in motion sensing, seems a backwards step.

Ah well, Nintendo has losing touch with gamers since the Wii. Good thing we have PS3 and Xbox 360.[/QUOTE]

Wiimotes (motion sensing controllers) are compatible with WiiU. So might still be there. I really hope they get rid of it though, I hate those crap controls.
 
i dont see how $350 for a new release console is considered high...when current gen consoles are $299. $350 depending where you get it will also net you rewards points so that's probably $10 off right there or more. It'll sell well, just because it's new and shiney and not $600. I see kids w/iphones and ipads all the time now this isn't any different except the probability of you getting jumped for your Wii U is much lower.

Zombie U sounds like Day - Z Arma mod, which sounds good...just different.

I'm excited about Wii U, but until more titles are released and available, it'll just watch videos of their line up until a price drop if I even get one.
 
ZombiU's gameplay concept of dying, probably a lot, and finding your old zombified character to get is very intriguing and reminds me of Demon Souls/ Dark Souls. I just hope the gameplay is up to par in the finished version or it could be a real mess. I think Nintendo's price will seem reasonable next holiday next to $500 Xbox 720 and PS4s.
 
The Wii U looks awful... It actually makes the Wii look really, really good in comparison. I might re-buy a Wii when they drop to $99 new. The Wii U has so much gimmicky BS going on, you can barely keep track of it. Which game uses what insane combination of which controllers, okay so I don't look a my huge & beautiful HDTV for this game I look at the crappy controller screen.. awesome.. oh, I have to flick things from this little screen to the big one like shooting an arrow? Awesome. :\
 
[quote name='Chris in Cali']Which game uses what insane combination of which controllers[/QUOTE]

YES

Back in the 80s hardware and gadgets were still relatively novel, that's why stuff like the Zapper, R.O.B. the Robot and the Powerglove moved units.

But these days people want immersion, we want to get closer to virtual reality. Wii, Move, and especially Kinect are all on the right path. Wii U is a baffling step backwards.
 
Even if it launches at $300 I'm not sure I'm drinking the kool-aid this time Nintendo. There just isn't enough to compel me right now into buying this. I think I'd rather wait until a couple of price drops and there are a lot of good games for cheap. I guess my backlog doesn't help things. I can't help but think this will be passed by once Sony and MS release there next console.

I think I'd almost rather spend the $600 to get the crazy VR glasses for Doom 3...except I don't have a 3D TV...but that actually sounded pretty cool in comparison to the all the other e3 news.

I think the thing that irritates me the most is you could release a side scrolling Metroidvania game or a new Starfox to get people excitied...yet all they do is whore out Mario again and again and again and again. I think a lot of people would be more excitied to see that level of dedication (largely because most Mario games turn out rather well) to the other characters or to a new IP.

Nintendo had momentum in their favor and could have killed this e3 but they just let it pass on by.
 
[quote name='Vinny']This is a good point. Even if people don't want the system, there will always be that "hot new item" hype if they release it during the holiday season.[/QUOTE]


Many people spent more then the $150 MSRP for the kinect sensor at launch and it was compatible with almost nothing. I'd rather spend $300 on a new nintendo console then half that much on an Xbox add-on.

That being said I will get neither.
 
they should honestly sell it for 199.99 at that price your going to be able to get anyone on the fence to buy right away as well as those who would buy it just for the exclusives. considering how lack luster their e3 was itd be a good way to guarantee sales and get more of these consoles into homes. hell at 200 id buy one.
 
$350 would be reasonable if there was huge buzz about the console but honestly there's nothing at this point that would make me buy it for anything over $250 and even then it'd be a hard sell right now because their E3 presentation was pretty meh and that's coming from a huge Nintendo mark.
 
[quote name='Erad30']$350 would be reasonable if there was huge buzz about the console but honestly there's nothing at this point that would make me buy it for anything over $250 and even then it'd be a hard sell right now because their E3 presentation was pretty meh and that's coming from a huge Nintendo mark.[/QUOTE]

From everything at E3, it seems like they are selling a port machine to all the Wii owners that missed out this generation. I'd sure be interested in knowing how many of these core games are out there that don't already own a ps3 or Xbox 360. I guess to me it just seems like they sold so many consoles to casual gamers and those people aren't going to want mass effect 3, assassins creed 3, saints row 3, darksiders 2, and any other hardcore game. So that leaves (hard)core gamers. How many of us don't already have at least one of the other consoles? Why the hell would someone go and buy this thing, especially for 350? I own all 3 consoles this gen and I'm sure as hell not getting another console roughly equal to two of my current consoles. Once the price is low enough I would get it for the exclusives and because it can replace my regular standard definition Wii but I'm certainly in no hurry to buy a Wii U.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top