Opinion - Is the price of Wii justified?

[Steven W]

My opinion on the £180 price tag for Wii. Make your own conclusions, argue, agree or give me a virual slap for talking complete twaddle.

Check out the Opinion for more info.

[Stoo]

I think it's a mistake, especially if Nintendo really wanted to go for the jugular and be the 2nd machine in most people's homes (thus propelling them into at least 2nd place in this round of the console war), they've effectively priced themselves out of that and into the choice between the Wii, the 360 and the PS3 for the number 1 console in a home.

The other way would have been the smart solution into rebuilding market share, but now I think they've blown that, at least for the next year, by which time both the 360 and PS3 will be running at full tilt (and with the inevitable price reductions)...

To sum up: as a single console launch price it's a great price, but if they wanted people to pick up a Wii as a 2nd console It's not going to work without a major price drop.

As good as it may be, I doubt it's got the legs on it to to split the main market on it's own..

[Skillian]

Justified or not, here in the UK we'll be getting the most expensive Wii in the world, and that stings.

With £45 for and additional controller and pretty expensive games, it's not really the all-inclusive party machine I originally saw it as.

[kalniel]

If it's justified, why are they selling it so much cheaper elsewhere in the world? (More than just the tax difference.)

That's my real bone of contention - value is value and I'll pay what something is worth if it cost that much to manufacture etc., but what is so different about Nintendo's delivery system that causes them to raise the prices more than MS raised the X360?

[Raz316]

on first hearing the price my thoughts were "this is an outrage!" before I went outside to throw some bricks through windows. But on reading that, yeah its true, it really isnt that bad. The region locking really isnt that big of a deal for me either, I've only ever wanted to import one game (osu! tatake! ouendan!)

Good article

[charleski]

The US price with Wii Sports but without the nunchuk comes to £156 inc VAT. Add the nunchuk and you have £170, so not too far off.

But as I said elsewhere, £150 would have been a good break point in terms of getting non-gamers to buy it.

[kalniel]

It comes without the nunchuk in the US? I didn't know that.

Edit: the press release I saw said it does come with it..
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/ubbt...s&Number=25199

Nintendo Wii System Contents:
- Nintendo Wii console
- Wii Remote
- Nunchuck attachment
- AC Adapter
- Audio/Video Cables
- Wii console stand
- Sensor bar
- Sensor bar stand
- Two "AA" batteries
- Wii Sports game (Bonus)

So 34 quid (~20%) extra, not insignificant IMHO.

[skuzgib]

I have to say I was dissapointed. £150-£160 would have been an excellent price, but £180 seems just a bit too much for what it is in comparison with the 360 for the casual gamer/present buyer.

[charleski]

Edit: the press release I saw said it does come with it..

So 34 quid (~20%) extra, not insignificant IMHO.

Yeah, I was going by the Hexus news article, but you're right.

[Steve B]

i dont think you can really compare it to the xbox 360 or the playstation 3 at all. Comparing the hardware specifications with the Xbox 360 its got 1/4 core speed, 1/2 gpu speed, 1/5 bandwidth, no HD or BD drive, no built in HDD, no built in ethernet, an out of date Dolby Encoder, and it only does 480p.

somehow, i think if Nintendo had intended to debut this as an Xbox 360 or PS3 rival, they would have shot themselves in the foot.

its a totally different experience, which does not necessarily depend on graphics and processing power, which is what MS and Sony seem to be focussing on.

Its got positional sensing controllers. Having owned just about every console created after the NES, i cant think of one that inspired me to get my arse out of the chair and prance about the living room.

So yes, i do think its worth the money, as it'll hopefully turn couch potatoes into socialites...

[Bluecube]

I am disappointed at the price point but I think it's more psychological than anything else. £180 just seems like a lot more than £150. From a games industry perspective it seems to me as if Nintendo have missed out on a HUGE chance to make the Wii the number 1 console this Christmas. Like it or lump it, graphics sell and the 360 will have graphically accomplished games by the bucket load this Xmas. Ma and Pa will see the base 360 at just £20 more than a Wii so guess what Little Johnny will get? I can see Nintendo once again being marginalised just because of this £30 difference from what was expected...

[Parm]

For me it entirely depends on one thing, the Wii Mote.

At the moment it looks fantastic and seems worth every penny in my opinion.
However, that's just going on looks. I've never used the Wii Mote, heck, I've never used anything remotely similar to it.

It all depends on how well it works, if it works as we all hope it will be, it'll be worth it.

[skirkham]

totally agree with Stoo

i think the pricing is going to cost nintendo dear, it to close to the xbox so has lost its 2nd console to xbox 360 and playstation 3

what i cant believe is how they justify the price £30 for new controllers £20 for free game that £130 for what is an supercharged gamecube. nintendo should have abandoned there make money on consoles policy for the first year or so, and sold it at the price it costs them. They would still be a jump ahead of microsoft and sony who lose money on their consoles

what i once though was nitendos major + the controller will now in my opion do nothing for them in the long term
if controllers a failure the console will be
but if it a sucess it will be negated in 6months to a year when microsoft and sony release their knock offs

that all said i think nintendos biggest problem will be piracy

sony have blue ray
xbox 360 has beeen hacked already but i dont belive people can use it with xbox live
wii dont have any of the format protection past nintendo consoles had and its still mainly a one room console ( everyone playing is in the same room )

[autopilot]

It's a cynical move by Nintendo, they are clearly taking advantage of the PS3 delay. Anyone notice how the price changed near the time that the futher PS3 delay was announced?

I reckon the price will drop like a lead balloon after xmas, and even more near the PS3's release.

[Tom Scott]

For me I believe the price is slightly too high.. For an unproven system (in terms of controls and hardware) £180 is a lot to ask.

Now I'll say what I've said many times before, the Wii in my books is going to be great for after the pub laughs, but for actual "gaming" with a game with longitivity, I can't see its appeal. All this waving arms about and stuff is basically going to tire you out, theres only so long you can hold your hand pointing at the screen and waving about. Therefore, until I've played on one for a length of time, I'm not parting with what is basically the equivalent of 4.5 360 games for me.

Its too much to ask for after the pub laughs.

[Aphex_9999]

As ppl have said, a good price for a stand alone console, but in comparison the extra nearness to the 360 core does detract from the value.

if they chucked in another game and made it £200 i think people would be a lot more receptive. in fact i think people would fall head of heels if they got zelda in there for the extra £20.

just a thought mind you.