In the run-up to Christmas -- and with the launch of the Wii U imminent -- Nintendo is introducing a new, lower-cost Wii bundle at U.S. retail to entice more sales as the console's predecessor approaches.
A new bundle will begin arriving in stores today, with broad availability by October 28. Consumers will be able to pick up the new Wii bundle, which includes a black Wii console, bundled with both Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort, for just $129.99 in the U.S.
This bundle will also come with a Wii Remote Plus and a Nunchuk controller, and replaces the current black Wii bundle that comes with New Super Mario Bros. Wii. There is no word yet regarding whether this price drop will be echoed outside of the U.S.
The Nintendo Wii originally launched back in 2006 for $249.99, and has since received two other price drops, most recently last year when it officially dropped to $149.99.
The console's successor, the Wii U, launches next month for $300, and will be compatible with some of the original Wii hardware, including the MotionPlus Wii Remotes and the Nunchuk.
I would expect Nintendo to drop it as low as $99 with the Wii U release. Anyway, it will be interesting to see if, at this price point, they can actually really reach a different market and revitalize the Wii sales.
Might go the other way though. Case in point is when the 360 was released Microsoft (if memory serves) raised the price on the Xbox1. They had been selling it at a loss and there was no reason to do so anymore. Could see a 150$- wii with a "family pak" type bundle post-wiiU launch.
I don't know why it relevant to you, but I still play games on mine. and I'm kinda hoping Capcom leaves those MH3 servers open for a little bit longer cause I still play that too on Wii.
I do care, and the Wii is still relevant to me :).
La-Mulana, released just a couple of weeks ago, is another great title, from a list of great titles that have come out this year on the often maligned and forgotten Wii.
Still working my way through Xenoblade, loved Rhythm Heaven, and haven't even opened The Last Story (though I did finally get my copy of Fishing Resort a month ago). Beyond the stuff from the last year there is a lot of great back catalog that was missed by many people who simply weren't playing on the Wii. There is a treasure trove of good stuff to be discovered on the Wii!
If someone hasn't got a Wii, or hasn't played theirs in a bit, there are lots of great experiences just waiting to be enjoyed :).
It's too expensive. Console plus extra joysticks, plus requiring old Wii-Remote/nunchucks, makes switching to Wii-U an 'investment' vice just a purchase. Boo on them.
@Curtiss: The Wii U is the same price as the PS3, so I don't think they'll fail on price.
My guess is the Wii U will do okay this holiday season. Maybe not the block-buster, can't keep them on the shelves, sales the Wii did but there is enough pent up demand for a next generation Nintendo console that they should sell fine.
The real question will be if they can reduce the price enough by the next holiday season to keep sales up. And will it compete with Sony or Microsoft's next console.
I think the real question is whether MS or Sony can deliver their next machines < $400. And whether they can actually do that within 2013.
I personally reckon MS might, but it's too weird a position for Sony to sell one machine in SKUs topping $300 one year and a generationaly advanced machine at $400 the next. Any more than that and they really would be breaking people's backs.
La-Mulana, released just a couple of weeks ago, is another great title, from a list of great titles that have come out this year on the often maligned and forgotten Wii.
Still working my way through Xenoblade, loved Rhythm Heaven, and haven't even opened The Last Story (though I did finally get my copy of Fishing Resort a month ago). Beyond the stuff from the last year there is a lot of great back catalog that was missed by many people who simply weren't playing on the Wii. There is a treasure trove of good stuff to be discovered on the Wii!
If someone hasn't got a Wii, or hasn't played theirs in a bit, there are lots of great experiences just waiting to be enjoyed :).
My guess is the Wii U will do okay this holiday season. Maybe not the block-buster, can't keep them on the shelves, sales the Wii did but there is enough pent up demand for a next generation Nintendo console that they should sell fine.
The real question will be if they can reduce the price enough by the next holiday season to keep sales up. And will it compete with Sony or Microsoft's next console.
I think the real question is whether MS or Sony can deliver their next machines < $400. And whether they can actually do that within 2013.
I personally reckon MS might, but it's too weird a position for Sony to sell one machine in SKUs topping $300 one year and a generationaly advanced machine at $400 the next. Any more than that and they really would be breaking people's backs.
There is no way this thing is going to fail...Pre-orders are mostly all sold out--I think Walmart is the only one with the deluxe bundle left.