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[terrisus]

They sold a handheld without the madotory charger in most of the world.

If they're willing to take out something as integral as a charger then a Gamepad isn't outside the realm of possibilities.

A mandatory charger which had already been sold with millions of systems (not only the 3DS, but the DSi as well).

It would more be analogous to, as suggested, selling it without the sensor bar, video and power connections, Wii controller, or any other parts it shares in common with the Wii. They're mandatory and integral, but they're also something that, like with the charger, millions of people already have.

Considering the WiiU gamepad hasn't been sold before, though, the "Millions of people already have it, no point having them all re-buy it when they already have one" thinking that was the case with the charger doesn't work for the WiiU gamepad.

 

[subversus]

$249 price is nice. Suitable for the Nintendo machine.

 

[kitchenmotors]

Is there going to be out of the box internet? Wii is a joke you gotta pay $20 for adapter to go online. Did they fix their store too so purchases are tied to account not console? If the answers are what I want to hear I might give the Wii U a look.

What Wii did you buy? I got mine on launch day and I was able to connect it to my wireless internet as soon as I hooked it up. The same can't be said for the 360, which you had to buy a wireless adapter for an insane amount of money for years unless you were hooking it up via ethernet.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

People think not including a charger equates to not including the integral "hook" of the system? Really? Like, actually, really?

 

[kitchenmotors]

I can't wrap my head around as why people insist on naming Wii U + Gamepad as separate entities and even suggesting the gamepad may not come with some SKU's it doesn't make lick of sense, even after considering we're talking about Nintendo.

Nintendo is going to be taking out the 3D screen from the Nintendo 3DS!

 

[Baconsammy]

Nintendo is going to be taking out the 3D screen from the Nintendo 3DS!

Replace it with a high res non-3D screen and I'm in.

 

[kitchenmotors]

Replace it with a high res non-3D screen and I'm in.

I already have a Vita, no thanks.

 

[SmokedMeat]

I bought a 500 gb external for less than 100 dollars a few years back which is a lot less than Nintendo would have sold a proprietary hdd for.

How do you know what Nintendo would sell a proprietary HDD for? They dumped a SNES rom on a disc and sold it for $30.

 

[DR2K]

A mandatory charger which had already been sold with millions of systems (not only the 3DS, but the DSi as well).

It would more be analogous to, as suggested, selling it without the sensor bar, video and power connections, Wii controller, or any other parts it shares in common with the Wii. They're mandatory and integral, but they're also something that, like with the charger, millions of people already have.

Considering the WiiU gamepad hasn't been sold before, though, the "Millions of people already have it, no point having them all re-buy it when they already have one" thinking that was the case with the charger doesn't work for the WiiU gamepad.

Millions of people do not have said chargers as well. If they're willing to take out a vital $10-20 charger, then a more expensive gamepad is also possible. The end goal is the same, bring the price down as soon as possible.

 

[twinturbo2]

$249 being the lowest point/

Ridiculous you can get a brand new nxt gen console for that and a Kinect bundle is still more expensive (and apparantly have no plans to cut this holiday)

$249 - no pack in, Wii mote, 1 Screen
$299 - Nintendoland, 1 Screen
$349 - Nintendoland, 2 Screens

If the $349 bundle does have Nintendoland and 2 screens, that's probably going to be the one I get. I already have a vanilla Wiimote and a black Wiimote with Motion Plus built in (got that with the Flingsmash bundle), so I have that covered.

Do we know if the WiiU has an HDMI port yet?

 

[Persona7]

I wonder how much of a loss they are taking at 249.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

Millions of people do not have said chargers as well. If they're willing to take out a vital $10-20 charger, then a more expensive gamepad is also possible. The end goal is the same, bring the price down as soon as possible.

Bring the price down of a product that's exclusively focused around... *gasp* The Gamepad!

Just no man. Just no.

 

[WillyFive]

Replace it with a high res non-3D screen and I'm in.

What will it play in that high-res screen? Games don't magically look better if you play them on a higher-res screen, usually from the Wii they look worse The system would have to support higher-resolutions.

 

[kitchenmotors]

Millions of people do not have said chargers as well. If they're willing to take out a vital $10-20 charger, then a more expensive gamepad is also possible. The end goal is the same, bring the price down as soon as possible.

At what cost? At the cost of the ENTIRE Wii U experience? That makes no sense whatsoever. Not even Sony, who is known for boneheaded moves lately, would be this dense to pull a move like that. The baseline console is going to have a Wii U pad, end of discussion.

 

[DR2K]

I wonder how much of a loss they are taking at 249.

Should be offset by the the other SKUs surely. If the other ones have Mario Wii U, then it's a no brainer for most buyers.

Bring the price down of a product that's exclusively focused around... *gasp* The Gamepad!

Just no man. Just no.

How are you enjoying the 3DS experience without electricity? If Nintendo announced a SKU without a gamepad I wouldn't be surprised is all I'm trying to get at.

 

[Delio]

Millions of people do not have said chargers as well. If they're willing to take out a vital $10-20 charger, then a more expensive gamepad is also possible. The end goal is the same, bring the price down as soon as possible.

Er really? I dont get this logic at all.

 

[jerd]

Millions of people do not have said chargers as well. If they're willing to take out a vital $10-20 charger, then a more expensive gamepad is also possible. The end goal is the same, bring the price down as soon as possible.

Much of their audience did though. I have 3 chargers that will fit a 3DS just from the DSis in my house. Those who don't can buy it separately. They saw no point in charging people an extra $10 for something many already have at least one of. Nintendo is pitching the Gamepad as a controller, not a peripheral or an accessory. These situations are very different.

 

[Graphics Horse]

Should be offset by the the other SKUs surely.

Definitely, they will be wanting what Iwata calls 'Nintendo-like profits'.

How are you enjoying the 3DS experience without electricity? If Nintendo announced a SKU without a gamepad I wouldn't be surprised is all I'm trying to get at.

You can have a few hours of fun with the 3DS out of the box

Their original line was they weren't even going to sell the gamepad on its own.

 

[Like the hat?]

The game pad is the control device
They have constantly said that the console itself is just a box
The controller is the focus of the system
They will not release a wii u without a controller.

 

[Haunted]

It's actually a cunning ploy by Microsoft and Sony to keep expectations of the price extremely positive, so that when they'll finally announce it to be 349 US DOLLARS the gaming boards will flood with fanboy tears and backlash.

exactly

 

[jerd]

How are you enjoying the 3DS experience without electricity? If Nintendo announced a SKU without a gamepad I wouldn't be surprised is all I'm trying to get at.

I would understand your point if the Gamepad were being pitched as an accessory or alternative controller. It isn't. Nobody owns a Gamepad right now. Millions upon millions upon millions own chargers.

 

[DrForester]

I bought a 500 gb external for less than 100 dollars a few years back which is a lot less than Nintendo would have sold a proprietary hdd for.

Nintendo has stuck with nice, universal HD for the DS , 3DS and Wii (and I think it's confirmed there's a slot on the WiiU). I don't know why anyone would expect proprietary memory or Hard Drives.

I'm sure just like with the SD cards though, that SanDisk and other companies will slap the Wii logo on a regular USB HDD and sell it for 20% more than the ones on the other side of the store in the PC section.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

How are you enjoying the 3DS experience without electricity? If Nintendo announced a SKU without a gamepad I wouldn't be surprised is all I'm trying to get at.

You can find a DSi/3DS charger on Amazon for £2.49.

The gamepad would likely be more expensive, not to mention it's needed for the console. This isn't an extra Wiimote so you can play Wii Tennis together, you probably need the thing to navigate the menus/change settings.

 

[Kyzer]

Basic $249- Wii U Gamepad, Nintendoland,
Multiplayer Bundle $299- Wii U Gamepad, Nintendoland, Wii Remote/Nunchuk, (For multiplayer with Nintendoland)
Pro Bundle $349- Wii U Gamepad, Nintendoland, Wii Remote/Nunchuk, Wii U Pro Controller

 

[Baconsammy]

I already have a Vita, no thanks.

My Vita couldnt play 3DS and DS games, which is why I sold it. Beautiful screen and all.

What will it play in that high-res screen? Games don't magically look better if you play them on a higher-res screen, usually from the Wii they look worse The system would have to support higher-resolutions.

I know what your tag says, but come on, do I really need to explain that it was a joke?

 

[DR2K]

Much of their audience did though. I have 3 chargers that will fit a 3DS just from the DSis in my house. Those who don't can buy it separately. They saw no point in charging people an extra $10 for something many already have at least one of. Nintendo is pitching the Gamepad as a controller, not a peripheral or an accessory. These situations are very different.

You're just splitting hairs. I'm aware many people had a charger, but many people did not or if they did it had to be traded in if they swapped consoles. Logically both of them being cut is for the same reason, reduce costs.

 

[kitchenmotors]

My Vita couldnt play 3DS and DS games, which is why I sold it. Beautiful screen and all.

Touche.

 

[hatchx]

How nice would this be:


249.99 - WiiU, gamepad, Nintendoland
299.99 - WiiU, gamepad, Nintendoland + Harddrive + Wii Remote+
349.99 - WiiU, gamepad, Nintendoland + Harddrive + Wii Remote+ + additional game (NSMBU, ZombiU, as the options)

 

[Plinko]

Still can't believe people in here are arguing that there will be an SKU with no gamepad.

That makes zero sense. It's the main feature of the entire system.

 

[test_account]

I don't see how it's impossible Nintendo have a core bundle with only Wiimote and no Wiipad

They have been showing demos for the majority of games using only the Wiimote.

Isnt this for multiplayer only? Can you play i.e New Super Mario Bros U with the Wii controller only?

 

[moozoom]

European ( French ) retailers are also beginning to list the preorders : Fnac has listed a 349€ bundle releasing 12/07
(Yay,seems $=€ again)

Source : http://www.gameblog.fr/news/30928-la-wii-u-le-7-decembre-en-france-a-349

 

[jerd]

You're just splitting hairs. I'm aware many people had a charger, but many people did not or if they did it had to be traded in if they swapped consoles. Logically both of them being cut is for the same reason, reduce costs.

I guess I'm just not understanding what makes these situations similar. One is a controller not only integral to the experience, but one that the company has said the system is all about. Nintendo said the console is just a box, the controller is the experience. I just don't see it happening. I'm not sure what the point of the console is without the controller. Maybe you're right, but I seriously doubt it.

 

[hyduK]

How nice would this be:


249.99 - WiiU, gamepad, Nintendoland
299.99 - WiiU, gamepad, Nintendoland + Harddrive + Wii Remote+
349.99 - WiiU, gamepad, Nintendoland + Harddrive + Wii Remote+ + additional game (NSMBU, ZombiU, as the options)

Harddrive needs to be in the 250 version.

 

[Bisnic]

I don't see how it's impossible Nintendo have a core bundle with only Wiimote and no Wiipad

They have been showing demos for the majority of games using only the Wiimote.

Think about it for one second. One second.

The whole reason the Wii U exist in its current form is because of the controller.

What you're saying is like selling the Wii without a Wiimote.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

You're just splitting hairs. I'm aware many people had a charger, but many people did not or if they did it had to be traded in if they swapped consoles. Logically both of them being cut is for the same reason, reduce costs.

It's more like splitting a hair, then splitting a tendon. One is needed, the other isn't.

 

[Baconsammy]

Still can't believe people in here are arguing that there will be an SKU with no gamepad.

That makes zero sense. It's the main feature of the entire system.

Yeah it's silly. Nintendo's recent history of not including a charger with a gaming handheld illustrates that Nintendo can and will make idiotic decisions, but I highly doubt they'd ever sell the Wii U without a wii u controller.

 

[Forever]

Is there going to be out of the box internet? Wii is a joke you gotta pay $20 for adapter to go online.

What?

 

[clemenx]

It's remarkable how Nintendo brings out the stupid in many people (Both in favor and against) The internet wouldn't be the same without them.

 

[terrisus]

You're just splitting hairs. I'm aware many people had a charger, but many people did not or if they did it had to be traded in if they swapped consoles. Logically both of them being cut is for the same reason, reduce costs.

Many people had a charger. Millions of them were sold, regardless of what was done with them. And at a bare minimum, the active userbase of the DSi and 3DS systems provides a floor for the amount of people with at least one charger.
No one has a WiiU gamepad

It's definitely not splitting hairs to say that the situations are dramatically different.

 

[schwabdizzle]

My Amazon rewards Credit Card and Prime Membership are ready.

 

[EvilMario]

$250 WiiU + pad
$300 WiiU + pad + HDD
$350 WiiU + pad + (bigger)HDD + game

Switch the game into the $300 bundle, and then the HDD only into the $350 and you have it right.

Seems very unNintendo to start with three different bundles at launch though. Consumer confusion is already high enough with the Wii U name.

 

[The Lamonster]

huh? Nintendo still hasn't officially announced a release date yet? For a system that's potentially supposed to be available in two months?

God, Nintendo is really fucking up all-around with the Wii U. Bout time to drop the hardware routine and just make video games.

 

[TheNatural]

Why would there be bundles in increments of 50 to only add a game?

It makes no sense, unless Nintendo is planning an ass Sony move and short supplying the cheapest bundle.

You can just buy the system and get any game you want for the same price (or $10 more depending on MSRP.) That defeats the purpose of a bundle.

 

[gamergirly]

You're just splitting hairs. I'm aware many people had a charger, but many people did not or if they did it had to be traded in if they swapped consoles. Logically both of them being cut is for the same reason, reduce costs.

Dude. In what universe would Nintendo cut the centerpiece from their hardware in which their games will be BUILT from the GROUND up for? They're not gonna release Super Mario U and then "hope" people have a Gamepad. That's past the dumb rack. It WILL be included, regardless of what bundle you pick up.

Not in defense of them leaving out chargers for other regions, but at least you can PLAY the game. Even if your system dies 6 hours later lol. Nowhere comparable situations or reasoning

 

[ScreenSplitter]

huh? Nintendo still hasn't officially announced a release date yet? For a system that's potentially supposed to be available in two months?

God, Nintendo is really fucking up all-around with the Wii U. Bout time to drop the hardware routine and just make video games.

Oh no, you're one of them. Go fantasize elsewhere

 

[Like the hat?]

What if the 3 skus are listed because they were told it'd be 249, 299, or 349? So when it is announced, the other two will be deactivated?

 

[Steph_E.]

I guess I'm just not understanding what makes these situations similar. One is a controller not only integral to the experience, but one that the company has said the system is all about. Nintendo said the console is just a box, the controller is the experience. I just don't see it happening. I'm not sure what the point of the console is without the controller. Maybe you're right, but I seriously doubt it.

I have finally got it figured out!!!

For $249.99 you get the box - as in the cardboard box with nice pictures of the WiiU splashed all over it. For $299.99 you get the game pad included with the said box. And for $349.99 you get a Wii U console in the box as well. Please note that none of these packs include any cables etc, but they will be available at all major retailers for a nominal charge.

 

[hachi]

Some of these comments are bizarre. You can be certain there will be exactly one gamepad per box. Never two, never zero.

 

[majik13]

Isnt this for multiplayer only? Can you play i.e New Super Mario Bros U with the Wii controller only?

are you referring to the pro controller or the gamepad?

You have to realize the whole system is designed around the gamepad. They will not sell the system w/o one.

The whole ui, front end menu, miiverse, etc, is designed to be used as dual screen, and have touchscreen input. If it wasnt already obvious enough.

And people need to also quite about and additional HDD being packed in as well. When it would be much easier, and probabaly cheaper for them, to just pack in a larger high capacity SD card, more internal flash, or a large usb stick instead. No way will they be bundling in an external HDD.

 

[Concept17]

Damn, was hoping for 99$.

Guess I'll pass.