Wii: Price, date, new features, pack ins revealed

[Julius Seeker]

When they said less than 250, it looks like they did mean $249.95, and it is launching November 19th. The system comes packed in with one Wii mote (retail value 40 dollars) one Nunchaku (20 dollars), the Wiimote sensor bar, batteries, and cables. Over 25 Wii specific games at launch. Games will be priced no higher than $49.99.

Virtual Console games will cost $5, $8, and $10 with approximately 30 first party games being available at launch. Third party games are still yet unspecified, but it appears that a number of Sega games, at least, will also be available for launch.


Wii sports is packed in. It includes 5 sports titles: Bowling, Tennis, Boxing Baseball, and Golf.

Opera Browser included with the console for Web Browsing and downloads. Other options include a media center (which includes a Photoshop-like application, which allows photo storage and editing, etc...), DVD playback, various channels (including weather channels and world news updates). No confirmation, but very likely they will have game news updates on one of the channels.

Avatars can also be created for both online and offline play and web applications. The avatars can be transferred to internal memory on the Wii-remote in order to be used on other systems. Whether stats, player details, and controller configurations are included in this remains to be seen.

Expect further details in the next couple of weeks as TGS rolls around.

[Flip]

VC prices are a little high, but everything else sounds pretty good. I was hoping for a staggering launch price, though, like 150-200.

I'm still on the fence about the wiimote. Games like Guitar Hero that use odd controllers and stuff are fun, but i dont know if i want a system dedicated to it. Like the DS where 90% of the games try to incorporate touch or sound, it is neat at first, but do all the games need it?

I know there are shells and stuff for normal play, but i am willing to bet that most of the wii games will use the controllers features and games that dont will be on the 360 or PS3.

[Lox]

I'm taking the November 19th launch date lightly until I hear it officially from Nintendo. That's a Sunday. Since when does a company launch anything on a Sunday?

I was hoping for an earlier launch, especially an earlier launch than the PS3.

[Zeus]

At least it's coming with Wii Sports if it's going to be $250. I somehow doubt anyone was going to be happy paying for a $60 game like that (and many would have). I was hoping they'd bundle it with the Classic Controller, but maybe they'll do a thing like in Japan where if you buy 5000 points you get it for free.

The pricing of the Virtual Console games is what was expected. It's basically mimicing the XBox Live Arcade prices. We knew about DVD playback but I'm surprised at the browser and photo capabilities. The browser will require a keyboard to be useful 'cause who the hell wants to go only to the sites that Nintendo has pre-programmed? The photos should work well with the mouse-like controller.

I'm a little disappointed the controller doesn't come with rechargable batteries. But if it's anything like the Wavebird, we'll hardly notice the cost as it'll take about 100 hours of gameplay to wear them down. For Seek that may mean only a week of play, but for the rest of us, it'll mean a month at the beginning and multiple months after that (I change my Wavebird ones every 6 months).

And you know they'll be selling a recharger pack like the Xbox 360 controllers.

[Lox]

Yeah, I was hoping for rechargeable batteries too, but if it gets a ton of game time on the 2 AA's then I can live with it.

I'm cool with the VC prices. They don't seem too bad. I would have preferred a $200 price without Wii Sports though. I wasn't going to buy that game on it's own so I guess that is why they did it this way.

[Zeus]

Yeah, I was hoping for rechargeable batteries too, but if it gets a ton of game time on the 2 AA's then I can live with it.

I'm cool with the VC prices. They don't seem too bad. I would have preferred a $200 price without Wii Sports though. I wasn't going to buy that game on it's own so I guess that is why they did it this way.

I think they were going to go for $230 at the least for the system anyways (hoping for $200), so it's kind of a happy medium

[Flip]

When did consoles stop coming with 2 controllers? It is the worst. Especially for the Wii, which is more of a party console than the others. Pop another 50-60 for another wiimote, then 10-20 for some shells, and you have a 300-350 system...

[Oracle]

Hasn't Nintendo always released consoles on Sunday? And isn't the Xbox getting a game on November 19th as well, the first game for that system ever released on a Sunday? Can't remember the name of the game, but it's supposed to be a fairly significant one.

[Zeus]

When did consoles stop coming with 2 controllers? It is the worst. Especially for the Wii, which is more of a party console than the others. Pop another 50-60 for another wiimote, then 10-20 for some shells, and you have a 300-350 system...

If I'm not mistaken, the Super Nintendo was the last console to come with 2 controllers without a special bundle. Same with a game. I'm pretty sure that neither the N64, PSX, PS2, DC, Saturn, Xbox, or Xbox 360 came with more than just one controller and no game, so it's kinda new again that we're getting a game with the system. Mind you, it's nothing more than just a tech demo. I'd rather have the system with no game for $200, but this is a happy medium, even if I accept it begrudglingly.

The remotes are $40 almost for sure, just like the 360 and PS3, which also come with one controller only. Same for any system, so that shouldn't be affecting your decision process regarding which system to buy. Also, the GC controller, which is what, $15 new now (less used), is compatible with the Virtual Console games. The shell is likely to cost at least $20 IMO (no announcement yet).

[Julius Seeker]

Sunday or Saturday is usually the best day to launch anything, those are the days that people get off work. Saturday seems more logical though so there are two purchasing days.

As for the price, I too was hoping for something cheaper, but that's only because I know I am going to buy it, and it just means more money to shell out. The Wii Sports I really wanted, and it seems they have added to the game, the boxing and bowling weren't there before. The Photoshop is new, but I had heard of the browser before, and I suspected built in controller memory to some capacity. The game price was expected, but to have it confirmed is nice. The virtual console price I am alright with, at the used game stores, some N64 games still actually go for over 30 dollars (Ogre Battle and Resident Evil 2) and I remember seeing Super Mario 1 + Duckhunt at EB games for $5.99 and Ninja Turtles on SNES for $12.99; then again, where I live, prices tend to be higher than most other places. The difference between the Virtual Console and the actual cartridges is the VC games likely won't have all the issues that earlier SNES and NES games had (saves erase, etc... FF III and any game before it had those problems, but later games like Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, and Mario RPG never had the problem). Though, cheaper is always better, because I do plan to buy VC games.

As for systems packed in with two controllers, I think the Genesis was the last system to do that, perhaps the SNES as well (but I forget now). It would seem to make sense to launch it with two controllers since a lot of the games seem to focus on multiplayer.

As for a keyboard, they will probably release one of those, they just recently announced a steering wheel and a blaster. I remember how long it took to write things online with the Dreamcast back in the day =P Of course, the Wii's browser is lightyears ahead of the Dreamcast's, so likely some things have been learned along the way.

One thing that has not received much attention yet is the Connect 24 feature, but I suppose that mainly has to do with the games. I do suspect that Connect 24 will include Wiimail, news, and weather updates for the non-gaming functions.

[Zeus]

One thing that has not received much attention yet is the Connect 24 feature, but I suppose that mainly has to do with the games. I do suspect that Connect 24 will include Wiimail, news, and weather updates for the non-gaming functions.

Videos and demos of Wii and DS games, that should be the central focus, along with updates, of the Connect24 thing

[Blotus]

My only problem with the pricing is the Wiimote and Nunchaku being sold seperately. What kind of bullshit is that? I'm pretty sure you need both to play games like Red Steel, Zelda, and Galaxies, so what is the point of that? And at $60USD? No way I'm paying $70-80 so my firends can play. Lame. This information had better be false.

[Don]

A lot of people swear $200 is the awesomest price ever when it was first speculated that the system will cost $200. Now that it's revealed to be $250, some people still say it's the awesomest price ever!

Bundling games just isn't a good idea. There's a reason no one has done that since about forever.

[Kupek]

Which people are you talking about? Everyone here seems to be saying "It's higher than I hoped, but I'll still get it."

[Torgo]

The price is fine with me. I put away $250 not long after they announced that it would cost less than that.

I'm more happy that Metroid Prime was pushed back to 2007. I don't think my fragile soul could've handled a Zelda and Metroid on the same day.

[Julius Seeker]

My only problem with the pricing is the Wiimote and Nunchaku being sold seperately. What kind of bullshit is that? I'm pretty sure you need both to play games like Red Steel, Zelda, and Galaxies, so what is the point of that? And at $60USD? No way I'm paying $70-80 so my firends can play. Lame. This information had better be false.

Seems expensive, but the same price as the Xbox 360 controller. I already know a ton of people around here getting a Wii, so I don't need to worry about additional controllers right away (I only ever owned one PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube controller because I never had any problems getting my hands on others when I needed to).

[Zeus]

Whoa, Wii games are region free?

http://wii.ign.com/articles/732/732748p1.html

Fucking finally!

[Zeus]

My only problem with the pricing is the Wiimote and Nunchaku being sold seperately. What kind of bullshit is that? I'm pretty sure you need both to play games like Red Steel, Zelda, and Galaxies, so what is the point of that? And at $60USD? No way I'm paying $70-80 so my firends can play. Lame. This information had better be false.

Yeah, it's fucking stupid if you ask me. That's gouging for no reason. They should be sold together for $40 US / $50 Cdn and that's it.

Looks like the nunchuck attachment isn't exactly going to be standard off the bat, huh? But it makes so much sense for it to be used almost all the time. I say by the end of 2007, they scrap this whole selling them separatly bullshit and you'll only be able to buy them together.

As it stands now, I only get my extra controllers used if it's that expensive for both. I don't want a Wiimote without the nunchuck attachment, period.

[Zeus]

A lot of people swear $200 is the awesomest price ever when it was first speculated that the system will cost $200. Now that it's revealed to be $250, some people still say it's the awesomest price ever!

Bundling games just isn't a good idea. There's a reason no one has done that since about forever.

Don, just for ten seconds get your Nintendo hatred out of your head and re-read what you just posted. "Bundling games isn't a good idea"? What the hell are you talking about? EVERYONE complained when the newer systems didn't come with games (Saturn and past), everyone was saying "what the fuck, I'm paying that much for a system and I'm not even getting a game?". We had all grown up with packaged games since the NES and even Atari days. We've all just gotten used to it, but it's a damned good idea. The system was going to come out at $249.99 from the second they announced that it would be less than $250.

What they're actually doing is putting in the nunchuck attachment (which is idiotically sold separately) and a glorified tech demo of a game, Wii Sports, to give people the perception of an increased value. But EVERYONE AND THEIR MOTHER, save only for the hardcore, irrational Nintendo haters, loves the idea of a packaged game. Hey, a game for free (or at least the appearance of free)? Who the fuck doesn't want that. Even if it's something you'll absolutely hate (say any Nintendo-published title for you) you sell it and get money or trade towards something you do want. There's absolutely no downside to getting a free game.

And the ONLY reason it hasn't been done in forever is 'cause the companies wanted to a) save money on the core package and b) gouge you for more in the face of increasing component costs. They figure why give it away if we can make money off of it? That's why it's not bundled in Japan 'cause they know that market will pay for it.

And everyone was hoping for $200 but realistically, it was always going to be $250. At least we get a tech demo game package with it.

[Julius Seeker]

My only problem with the pricing is the Wiimote and Nunchaku being sold seperately. What kind of bullshit is that? I'm pretty sure you need both to play games like Red Steel, Zelda, and Galaxies, so what is the point of that? And at $60USD? No way I'm paying $70-80 so my firends can play. Lame. This information had better be false.

Yeah, it's fucking stupid if you ask me. That's gouging for no reason. They should be sold together for $40 US / $50 Cdn and that's it.

Looks like the nunchuck attachment isn't exactly going to be standard off the bat, huh? But it makes so much sense for it to be used almost all the time. I say by the end of 2007, they scrap this whole selling them separatly bullshit and you'll only be able to buy them together.

As it stands now, I only get my extra controllers used if it's that expensive for both. I don't want a Wiimote without the nunchuck attachment, period.

Actually, based on the competition, it is priced quite well. Particularly since the Xbox 360 controller is 60 bucks and is just a plain controller.

Also, complaining that the analog should be packed in free with every controller is as ridiculous as complaining that every system should come packed in with 4 controllers.

The Wii remote will probably cost 40 dollars or 45 dollars in Canada. That will be all you'll need for most multiplayer games.

[kali o.]

Like I said, if it didn't hit a price point of $149-199, Nintendo will end up 3rd place again.

Casuals will dismiss it, gamers will opt up to the 360.

We can bump this in a few years so I can say, just like last gen: "I told ya so".

[Andrew, Killer Bee]

I'm more happy that Metroid Prime was pushed back to 2007. I don't think my fragile soul could've handled a Zelda and Metroid on the same day.

Haha, word to that.

The American bundle is so close to being perfect it hurts. At $250 it really needs another controller, but oh well. I'm excited.

As far as where we'll be in a few years, I think the game is open. Microsoft and Sony clearly have stronger technological platforms, but Nintendo have a lot more room to move price-wise and the Wii has the same potential, at least, as the DS (which nobody, even the most ardent Nintendo fanboys, recognised at its launch).

[Eric]

Fuck Wii, Burning Crusade comes out 10 days later!

[Lox]

Like I said, if it didn't hit a price point of $149-199, Nintendo will end up 3rd place again.

That is my one fear with this pricing: that it's not far enough away in the U.S to make people ignore the 360. It is a $150 difference though, which is pretty big.

But at least...

Casuals will dismiss it, gamers will opt up to the 360.

They won't be doing that in Japan.

[Julius Seeker]

Metroid Primce III looks awesome now, IGN posted a video, the game looks a lot of fun. A very large improvement over the already great previous games.

[Zeus]

Like I said, if it didn't hit a price point of $149-199, Nintendo will end up 3rd place again.

Casuals will dismiss it, gamers will opt up to the 360.

We can bump this in a few years so I can say, just like last gen: "I told ya so".

3rd likely, but not as far back in America or Europe, I think. And closer in Japan, by a good chunk, than this generation (Cube is outselling Xbox 360 there, so it's not even a factor). Mostly because the real casual gamers, the ones who were interested in the DS and see the current consoles as too expensive and too complicated, will be interested. You wouldn't believe how many people I've seen and talked to here in Toronto or at my bud's EB who didn't get a game system after the SNES or early N64 until the DS; it, suprisingly, really has appealed to the true casuals. And if you look at the US sales charts over the last 8-12 months, you'll see a lot of DS games on it for a while.

Don't forget, they're getting a game with it at launch, so it'll be perceived as being more of a value than just $50 cheaper than the 360 bundle no one wants. I think it's a crock, but the masses won't see it that way. I think it's going to have at least a minor DS effect mostly 'cause it's so different and easy to use. Everyone laughed at the DS vs the PSP and look at the running chainsaw the DS has stuck up the PSP's ass.

Who knows, maybe even Don will buy one and hide it in his closet and play it so no one can see him?

[Don]

Nintendo has only dominated the handheld system market ever since it existed. Nintendo fans, of all people, shouldn't be the one wandering if DS was going to beat PSP. It takes a colossal amount of screw up to overcome the kind of dominating position Nintendo has (like say, N64 vs PSX) in the handheld market. I thought DS was just a gimmick too but that doesn't mean games will suddenly look worse just because you have 2 screens instead of 1. If it was at least as good as the GBA, which is certainly looks like it is, it will certainly hold onto its market position fine, which it did.

As for Japan, I don't live there and neither do you, but maybe people can find comfort in the fact that a xenophobic nation with a buying habit that is extremely abnormal from rest of the world does support their system of choice.

[Kupek]

Like I said, if it didn't hit a price point of $149-199, Nintendo will end up 3rd place again.

Casuals will dismiss it, gamers will opt up to the 360.

We can bump this in a few years so I can say, just like last gen: "I told ya so".

Told us what? Beyond something to shoot the shit about, I don't care what <i>place</i> the systems are in. As long as they stay afloat - and they're much more than that now - I'm happy, because I'll get the games I want.

[kali o.]

Like I said, if it didn't hit a price point of $149-199, Nintendo will end up 3rd place again.

Casuals will dismiss it, gamers will opt up to the 360.

We can bump this in a few years so I can say, just like last gen: "I told ya so".

Told us what? Beyond something to shoot the shit about, I don't care what <i>place</i> the systems are in. As long as they stay afloat - and they're much more than that now - I'm happy, because I'll get the games I want.

I agree. The only reason I want Nintendo to do good is because I like to play their games and if selling consoles gets them to continue making zeldas and metroids and mario games (sports included) then I want them to sell those consoles. I'd rather not have Nintendo turn into a crappy 3rd party gaming company like Sega did. I would prefer to see Nintendo not have to sink to the level of having Mario games turn into the crap that Sonic games have become or have it make a game called "Mega Primate Sphere"... That might actually make me sad.

Funny...I'd prefer they go 3rd party. They simply don't have the diversity or finances to compete in the industry (console) any longer without specifically pursuing a niche market focused on family entertainment and value (ie: a Toy). Personally, I think it would be disappointing to see Nintendo go that route.

As for your comment Kupek, I don't recall saying I cared whether you enjoyed Nintendo games or not. I think my exact words were something along the lines of "It will be 3rd place again" and "bump this in a few years so I can say I told ya so again". I thought the string of thought and concise wording made it clear....my apologies

[Julius Seeker]

Told us what? Beyond something to shoot the shit about, I don't care what <i>place</i> the systems are in. As long as they stay afloat - and they're much more than that now - I'm happy, because I'll get the games I want.

I agree. The only reason I want Nintendo to do good is because I like to play their games and if selling consoles gets them to continue making zeldas and metroids and mario games (sports included) then I want them to sell those consoles. I'd rather not have Nintendo turn into a crappy 3rd party gaming company like Sega did. I would prefer to see Nintendo not have to sink to the level of having Mario games turn into the crap that Sonic games have become or have it make a game called "Mega Primate Sphere"... That might actually make me sad.

Funny...I'd prefer they go 3rd party. They simply don't have the diversity or finances to compete in the industry (console) any longer without specifically pursuing a niche market focused on family entertainment and value (ie: a Toy). Personally, I think it would be disappointing to see Nintendo go that route.

As for your comment Kupek, I don't recall saying I cared whether you enjoyed Nintendo games or not. I think my exact words were something along the lines of "It will be 3rd place again" and "bump this in a few years so I can say I told ya so again". I thought the string of thought and concise wording made it clear....my apologies

I am sure Nintendo is quite happy making 4 billion on the Gamecube as opposed to losing 5 billion on the Xbox. I do not see any logical reason for them becoming a third party, it would make more sense from a business standpoint for Microsoft to do that instead.

[kali o.]

I am sure Nintendo is quite happy making 4 billion on the Gamecube as opposed to losing 5 billion on the Xbox. I do not see any logical reason for them becoming a third party, it would make more sense from a business standpoint for Microsoft to do that instead.

I'd love you to back up that number from CONSOLE sales with any link or source....uh huh.

Future isn't too bright for Nintendo in the home colsole market, but I'm pretty sure I've covered my reasoning previously in a post somewhere here.

As for MS going 3rd party, they used to be...sorta. On the PC. If they fail in the home console market, I could see them shifting their gained resources in that direction again (however, with the successes they have been seeing, Japan aside, and all their aquisitions of development studios, I don't see this as being likely anytime soon - they have deep pockets).

[Kupek]

As for your comment Kupek, I don't recall saying I cared whether you enjoyed Nintendo games or not. I think my exact words were something along the lines of "It will be 3rd place again" and "bump this in a few years so I can say I told ya so again". I thought the string of thought and concise wording made it clear....my apologies :roll:

No one said anything about which would end up in what place. You're the only one who brought that up. So who are you going to gloat to?

[kali o.]

As for your comment Kupek, I don't recall saying I cared whether you enjoyed Nintendo games or not. I think my exact words were something along the lines of "It will be 3rd place again" and "bump this in a few years so I can say I told ya so again". I thought the string of thought and concise wording made it clear....my apologies

No one said anything about which would end up in what place. You're the only one who brought that up. So who are you going to gloat to?

My apologies, I didn't realize I needed someone to disagree with me to marvel over my own predictive powers 3 gens in a row...lol

While predicting the future is quite the trick, a more impressive feat would be if you actually gave me something remotely logical to respond to in this thread

[Kupek]

I'm not arguing that you're wrong. I'm arguing that no one cares.

[kali o.]

I'm not arguing that you're wrong. I'm arguing that no one cares.

You didn't argue anything. You've made 3 nonsensical replies that have no relation to anything I've said (when did I say you were arguing I was wrong, for instance?!).

I know you "don't care"; I gave you a pat on the head, a brief acknowledgement and sent you on your way a few posts ago...yet here you are again.

Shit, at this point I'd do backflips if you were actually arguing some point I could reply to...lol

[Zeus]

Nintendo has only dominated the handheld system market ever since it existed. Nintendo fans, of all people, shouldn't be the one wandering if DS was going to beat PSP. It takes a colossal amount of screw up to overcome the kind of dominating position Nintendo has (like say, N64 vs PSX) in the handheld market. I thought DS was just a gimmick too but that doesn't mean games will suddenly look worse just because you have 2 screens instead of 1. If it was at least as good as the GBA, which is certainly looks like it is, it will certainly hold onto its market position fine, which it did.

As for Japan, I don't live there and neither do you, but maybe people can find comfort in the fact that a xenophobic nation with a buying habit that is extremely abnormal from rest of the world does support their system of choice.

Why I even bother.....guess old habits die hard :-)

Yeah, Nintendo has only ever dominated the handheld market since its existence. Never mind the 90+% market share they had in the 80s...

There were A LOT of people doubting the DS, myself including, and I'm supposed to be the #2 Nintendo die-hard fanboy here. I played it at E3 before it came out and was highly unimpressed. It played and presented like a pure gimmick, that's it. Heck, they've been doubting the Gameboy since before it came out. Why the hell would you want a monochrome, calculator-strength system (the original GB had the same guts as a certain model Texas Instruments graphic calculator) when you can have the Game Gear, Nomad, Turbo Express, Neo Geo Pocket, or Lynx? Every single time one of those handhelds came out, it was "here's the end of the Gameboy".

Particularly in this era of high-priced, handheld electronics (iPoDs, cellphones, Blackberries, portable DVD players), the dominance Sony's shown in the previous 10 years, and the decaying Gameboy and weak-ass competition technology-wise in the DS, NO ONE thought the DS would dominate like this, not even Nintendo. And when they were neck-in-neck in the US for the first year (in Japan it's been an ass-fucking from the beginning, just moreso recently) everyone was sayin' "Crazy Japanese, maybe Nintendo won't be so dominant anymore in the handhelds".

Now that the DS is outselling the PSP about 5-to-1 in North America (strangely, it's coincided with the release of the DS Lite, another one of Nintendo's cash-grab tricks, like fucking selling the nunchuck controller separately; but wait, maybe it wasn't the current DS owners they were targeting?) as well (my bud at EB says in a normal month for the company in Canada, it's about 5 or 6 to 1; in a heavy month, it's closer to 10 to 1), everyone is saying "What a brilliant job they did with yet another technologically-inferior system. Now why is that, Don? How can they do this every freakin' time when these much more impressive and powerful systems are against them? I let you try and work that one out yourself. Like I've said many times before, just try and be a little objective even though we know you have a love affair with Sony and give some credit where credit is due.

The only reason we talk about the Japanese market is because they're the second biggest market in the world (behind the US). From an overall success point of view, you have to consider it, just like you do Europe. Since the DS is wasting the PSP in all three markets (I think it's close to 5-to-1 in Europe, too), there's no question anymore.

[Zeus]

Told us what? Beyond something to shoot the shit about, I don't care what <i>place</i> the systems are in. As long as they stay afloat - and they're much more than that now - I'm happy, because I'll get the games I want.

I agree. The only reason I want Nintendo to do good is because I like to play their games and if selling consoles gets them to continue making zeldas and metroids and mario games (sports included) then I want them to sell those consoles. I'd rather not have Nintendo turn into a crappy 3rd party gaming company like Sega did. I would prefer to see Nintendo not have to sink to the level of having Mario games turn into the crap that Sonic games have become or have it make a game called "Mega Primate Sphere"... That might actually make me sad.

Funny...I'd prefer they go 3rd party. They simply don't have the diversity or finances to compete in the industry (console) any longer without specifically pursuing a niche market focused on family entertainment and value (ie: a Toy). Personally, I think it would be disappointing to see Nintendo go that route.

They can't go third party, if they do, they lose their competitive advantage and they stop being even remotely as profitable. Even if they're VERY third, like they were with the 'Cube, they still made shitloads of money on it. It wasn't just the GBA and DS boosting them all these years, just recently. They even had their first ever losing quarter last year, but they've made so much over the years on it, it's not a prob.

I've posted an article that explains that well a few times. If you care, I'll post the link again.

[kali o.]

They can't go third party, if they do, they lose their competitive advantage and they stop being even remotely as profitable. Even if they're VERY third, like they were with the 'Cube, they still made shitloads of money on it. It wasn't just the GBA and DS boosting them all these years, just recently. They even had their first ever losing quarter last year, but they've made so much over the years on it, it's not a prob.

I've posted an article that explains that well a few times. If you care, I'll post the link again.

Yeah, I believe I remember that article. It was a good one. I don't disagree with what it said either...so Nintendo goes niche market or goes 3rd party for consoles and potentially pulls a Sega. Either way, gamers lose.

/shrug

[Julius Seeker]

Microsoft pursued a niche market with the Xbox 360, Sci fi, 90% of the games involve Witches or Space Marines.

[kali o.]

Microsoft pursued a niche market with the Xbox 360, Sci fi, 90% of the games involve Witches or Space Marines.

Huh?

[Zeus]

They can't go third party, if they do, they lose their competitive advantage and they stop being even remotely as profitable. Even if they're VERY third, like they were with the 'Cube, they still made shitloads of money on it. It wasn't just the GBA and DS boosting them all these years, just recently. They even had their first ever losing quarter last year, but they've made so much over the years on it, it's not a prob.

I've posted an article that explains that well a few times. If you care, I'll post the link again.

Yeah, I believe I remember that article. It was a good one. I don't disagree with what it said either...so Nintendo goes niche market or goes 3rd party for consoles and potentially pulls a Sega. Either way, gamers lose.

/shrug

Yeah, which is why it's better that they just keep making the systems. As long as they can sustain themselves, they won't have to sacrifice their quality (yes, Don, they do have quality) or innovation due to the limitations placed on them by another hardware manufacturer. Look at how little Sega has innovated since they dropped hardware. The DC had tons of stuff that was new and different (hello, Seaman) and now we see shit from them. Maybe that's why they're working so close with Nintendo now on their newer stuff?

So, even if Nintendo is very third, like the GC outside of Japan, it's worth it for them and us to just keep making hardware.

[Zeus]

Oh, all you Canadians, the Wii is officially $280 Cdn, read it in the Toronto Star. Finally, we're seeing some realistic conversion rates from these companies. I've also noticed that the $20 US games are more often than not coming in at $25 Cdn more recently. Still a bit high, but it's better than the $30 (or $1.50 conversion rate) we saw exclusively 'til this year.

[Don]

If you talk about Japan just because it's the 2nd biggest market in the world, then I expect all of you Nintendo guys to cry how Metroid sucks every time that game is mentioned because the Japanese didn't like it very much.

[Zeus]

If you talk about Japan just because it's the 2nd biggest market in the world, then I expect all of you Nintendo guys to cry how Metroid sucks every time that game is mentioned because the Japanese didn't like it very much.

Again, you don't pay attention. I have posted many times about how Metroid is a North American phenomenon only. If you're going to ask for stuff like that, you'll have to actually start keeping track of what people say.

[Zeus]

Fuckers took out region-free on the Wii...

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3153746

[Andrew, Killer Bee]

Too good to be true anyway :\.

This on the back of modding likely to become illegal in Australia due to our unilateral trade agreement with the States (MOTHERFUCKER) = sad, sad Andrew.

[Lox]

Fuckers took out region-free on the Wii...

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3153746

The way it sounded to me was that they didn't ever claim to have it region free but rather that the 1st party titles would be meaning that it's up to other developers whether to use Region Coding or not.