Wii officially below $250

[Zeus]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6151827.html

Not that it comes as a suprise or anything, but it's official now.

I was hoping they'd release the $250 pack with the virtual console controller and maybe even the Zapper shell and make the "core" system $200. I think that would be the best price point. But I think they might make it $300 and $250, respectively, unless Xbox 360 does a large price drop in November

[Julius Seeker]

Both Gamecube and N64 were announced having a pricepoint below $250, both launched at $199. I am expecting a $149.99 pricetag just based on the price of other systems currently out with similar power.

[Zeus]

Well, every single Nintendo system has come out at $199, but if they think with the extra cost of the PS3 and Xbox 360 that they can get that extra $50, you know they will.

[Sephy]

To me this just screams $249. And that's pretty much what I expected.

[Oracle]

I'll pay $249 :p

[Torgo]

If Twilight Princess is released within the year, then the Wii would be the first console I'd buy at launch price.

[Julius Seeker]

I keep forgetting about the huge inflation on the American dollar since the launch. Going by Canadian dollars, Gamecube launched at $299 Canadian, as did the N64, but $250 US is now only about 270 Canadian. So it's actually cheaper. Unless, I have it backwards and now the Canadian dollar is worth more..... Zeus? You're an economist aren't you?

[Flip]

Not to sound like a yuppie, but the money doesnt really matter. I can afford both/either, i just want to have fun with my games and i have yet to figure out which will give me the most fun.

[Zeus]

If Twilight Princess is released within the year, then the Wii would be the first console I'd buy at launch price.

It's a launch title on the Wii, guaranteed

[Zeus]

I keep forgetting about the huge inflation on the American dollar since the launch. Going by Canadian dollars, Gamecube launched at $299 Canadian, as did the N64, but $250 US is now only about 270 Canadian. So it's actually cheaper. Unless, I have it backwards and now the Canadian dollar is worth more..... Zeus? You're an economist aren't you?

Well, if you look at the PS3 pricing structure, you'll see that they've adjusted for it. Back when the GC and N64 were launched, it was almost $1.50 Cdn for $1 US, so $200US to $300 Cdn made sense. But, for the PS3, $500 US is $550 Cdn and $600US is $660 Cdn, which puts their exchange rate at $1.10 Cdn for $1 US, which is right about where it is right now.

Just like Nintendo has with the GC, where it's $100 US but $120 Cdn. They're not quite as generous, but they've made the adjustment. Likely, if the Wii is $200 US, it'll be $250 Cdn and if it's $250 US, it'll be $300 Cdn. This is more because that's what they think they can get for it and not for pure exchange rate.

One rule in economics and business: you charge whatever you think you can get for something, period. DVDs cost about $3 after manufacturing and shipping but they sell for $20 or more (usually). But people will buy them at that price, so they'll charge it.

Likely, at these prices, you won't see Canadians feeling ripped off or going to the US to get their systems, like they would at the old pricing structure. So Nintendo will still maximize it's money with a similar pricing structure as above in Canada.

[kali o.]

If the Wii launches for more than $149 US, they chance MS making a move...

[Zeus]

If the Wii launches for more than $149 US, they chance MS making a move...

I think so as well, but I think the $199 mark is more of a magical number for the masses. It'll give NintendHo a chance to make the extra coin while being "affordable". I distinctly remember studies during the launch of the 'Cube stating that interest dramatically drops off after $199 and another huge drop after $299, which would explain why Microshaft put a core system out there at $299.

The $50 dif between $150 and $200 is much smaller than the dif between $200 and $250. They launch at $250 and they're dead IMO

[Julius Seeker]

Actually, if I were in charge of things, I probably would launch for about $224.99. Nintendo announced that they will be shipping 6 million units this fiscal year (about 1 million more than PS3) and it looks like most analysts seem to think Nintendo will sell all of them even at $250. The way I look at it though is that the MS core system is only $300, that's only 50 dollars less. Plus if they want to sell the whole "Gaming Revolution" or "a system affordable to everyone" which includes undergraduate college/University students who usually run on a tight budget; then they will have to launch for less than $200. I do not think that Wii sales will effect 360 sales.

Just my opinion, I could be completely wrong on this as I am just going on how I think most of us would likely act in this situation: If people are deciding between the two systems, and Wii's price is low enough, then they will buy both systems.

Oh yeah, it seems Reggie Fils-Aime is now President of NoA. That means if Nintendo makes some sort of decision you don't like, there's a face to blame =)


On a side and personal note: For me, it's not about the price being non-affordable, it's more a factor of my version of Jimini Cricket being a Weinstein. For $250 USD, I could purchase a new DS game every month for a year.

[Julius Seeker]

Wii, is officially below $220 now (Announced in Japan).