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[Impeccable]

$50 too much.

 

[Clay Davis]

if this is real, it will be 249 gbp,

a direct conversion then. that would be disappointing, but i'll hold onto the hope that nintendo will do a proper conversion and not rip uk fans off with a inflated price.

 

[Javier]

I'll probably end up getting the biggest bundle. I definitely want to try out everything, and it'll likely include stuff that I'll end up buying later anyway.

 

[Starwolf_UK]

Might as well do as reply rather than edit...

if this is real, it will be 249 gbp,

Not quite. How NOE does currency:
$=Euro

£=1.1 Euro because its still 2008 (its about 1.2 these days).

So $250 Wii U is £228.

Remember $250 excludes 20% sales tax UK price has on it...plus maybe its more expensive to ship things to Europe etc (warehouse rent is more, wages of workers etc...).

 

[Somnid]

$50 too much.

Too much for what?

 

[ScreenSplitter]

I think £250 is the max I'd pay, being a poor little college student. It depends if we get the price war between retailers that happened with the 3DS, or Nintendo actually set a reasonable launch price this time.

Give me a bundle with Rayman Legends & ZombiU. Day 1.

 

[Hero]

And now people are arguing a Wii U bundle without the Game Pad?

Come on.

 

[near]

Might as well do as reply rather than edit...

Not quite. How NOE does currency:
$=Euro

£=1.1 Euro because its still 2008 (its about 1.2 these days).

So $250 Wii U is £228.

Remember $250 excludes 20% sales tax UK price has on it...plus maybe its more expensive to ship things to Europe etc (warehouse rent is more, wages of workers etc...).

At £228 I'll support at launch, any more than that and I'll wait until it hits £200.

 

[blixa]

a direct conversion then. that would be disappointing, but i'll hold onto the hope that nintendo will do a proper conversion and not rip uk fans off with a inflated price.

it's not a rip-off.. it's just that the dollar is weak compared to the gbp, hence appearing cheaper.
250 for them is the same as 250 euro for eu, even though it's not the correct amount when taking into account currency exchanges.
only if you import would it be cheaper, though then there's tax and customs over that, along with a region lock and a stepdown converter would be needed.. not worth it at all.

 

[Thoraxes]

They could also not include the GPU.

That would really reduce costs.

Options are options right? You can just buy one after, but you'll have to build it yourself.

 

[cyberheater]

The thought of the pro pad being $50 makes me weep (maybe I'm just cheap though...). Now I see why the classic controller is wired (even the £15 classic controller I didn't buy until I found a £7 offer and the CC Pro I perceive as getting for £10).

That said if its the $350 package won't it be more than $50 as bundle incentive tends to be having more? In that case I go with more built-in memory being likely (and USB 3.0). Maybe even comes with eShop credit (that would be a good incentive to get people on the eshop and not contain more physical items rather than the reverse of 5000 Wii points with "free" Classic Controller).

Spoiler

I said ages back I'd pay more for a region free SKU (like how a multiregion blu-ray player may cost more)...have I just jinxed it

Edit: Made new reply...

Doesn't Nintendo now just allows the retailer to set the price? There is no recommended retail price set in the UK.

I think if the US retail price is correct. I think we'll be able to pick one up for £199.99 online somewhere.

 

[Clay Davis]

I think £250 is the max I'd pay, being a poor little college student. It depends if we get the price war between retailers that happened with the 3DS, or Nintendo actually set a reasonable launch price this time.

Give me a bundle with Rayman Legends & ZombiU. Day 1.

i would love a bundle with those games. zombiu is a must buy for me, it looks great and has some unique and interesting mechanics and gameplay choices. i think rayman looks good also, but cant afford both.

i currently have 300 pounds set aside, if it's more, i intend to trade in my ps3 and all the games i own.

it's not a rip-off.. it's just that the dollar is weak compared to the gbp, hence appearing cheaper.
250 for them is the same as 250 euro for eu, it's adjusted.
only if you import would it be cheaper, though then there's tax and customs over that, along with a region lock and a stepdown converter would be needed.. not worth it at all.

thanks for the explanation. i take back my rip off comment in this case.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

i would love a bundle with those games. zombiu is a must buy for me, it looks great and has some unique and interesting mechanics and gameplay choices. i think rayman looks good also, but cant afford both.

i currently have 300 pounds set aside, if it's more, i intend to trade in my ps3 and all the games i own.



thanks for explaining that. i take back my rip off comment in this case.

Yeah, as a zombie fan living in Britain, ZombiU is a dream come true for me. Should be a fun game to show off the Wii U's capabilities. I'd probably choose it over Rayman Legends, even though that game is beautiful and I'd prefer both. I also might interchange the latter for Pikmin 3.

I'll pool together Christmas money from relatives and ask for just money from my parents, and I should be able to afford it.

 

[Crazyorloco]

Great prices. Also nice to see a date (it's earlier than I expected - just about two months away!!!) I wonder what the $350 version has...

Now i'm considering getting this day one.

 

[superchunk]

Nintendo has always responded that the gamepads will not be sold separately. I'll go so far as to say that a broken gamepad will be treated like a broken console, with no option but to ship it back to Nintendo for repair or replacement, unless you opt to buy an entirely new system.

They said that when they also said the system will only work with ONE gamepad. However, last E3 they said the system will now work with TWO gamepads, but at launch there will only be games that use one.

So expect that as the dual gamepad feature is added with a update to the firmware we'll see gamepads for sale in stores.

Probably anywhere from $60 to $100... I'd bet on $80 personally.

 

[sssstententen]

I think Nintendo are brilliant.

Its amazing how they can make, just through software and interesting hardware variations (not revolutionary, just varied) stuff we've had for the past 4-5 years seem desirable, and it works.

The fact that they have nearly every generation underperformed on graphics but have made profits consistently up until the beginning of this decade, man. It really just goes to show you that all people want is software.

WiiU will do great at this price, I just don't think I'll be on board.

 

[hachi]

They said that when they also said the system will only work with ONE gamepad. However, last E3 they said the system will now work with TWO gamepads, but at launch there will only be games that use one.

We've been over this. Why refer back to my first post on the matter when the issue was further argued across several subsequent posts between jerd21, Dreamwriter, and myself on that same page?

We're all well aware of the dual gamepad support, but many of us dispute the unsupported assumption that they will therefore be sold separately.

 

[Eric C]

I think Nintendo are brilliant.

Its amazing how they can make, just through software and interesting hardware variations (not revolutionary, just varied) stuff we've had for the past 4-5 years seem desirable, and it works.

The fact that they have nearly every generation underperformed on graphics but have made profits consistently up until the beginning of this decade, man. It really just goes to show you that all people want is software.

WiiU will do great at this price, I just don't think I'll be on board.

Nintendo hasn't done that at all until the Wii.

SNES>Genesis
N64>PSX
GameCube>PS2

 

[Gummb]

Nintendo hasn't done that at all until the Wii.

SNES>Genesis
N64>PSX
GameCube>PS2

he said just the past 10 years.

[EDIT] nvm, read it wrong. Yeah... they have only "underperformed" 1 generation.

 

[Rich!]

Might as well do as reply rather than edit...

Not quite. How NOE does currency:
$=Euro

£=1.1 Euro because its still 2008 (its about 1.2 these days).

So $250 Wii U is £228.

Remember $250 excludes 20% sales tax UK price has on it...plus maybe its more expensive to ship things to Europe etc (warehouse rent is more, wages of workers etc...).

It will be £250 minimum in the UK.

Wii was £180 for much lesser tech. 3DS launched at £230. N64 was £250 at launch. Also, three major games retailers all have their estimated prices set at £299.99 for preorders.

 

[metalslimer]

You can tell who started gaming last gen when people talk about how weak nintendos systems have always been. Cheap is a better word but at least on the handheld side it has always been better to go the cheap route and nintendo seems to have forgotten that with the 3ds

 

[TheFLYINGManga_Ka]

$250 is a good starting point.

Very curious to see what the bundle will be about. Really don't care for NintendoLand but wonder what else is in it?

Pikmin 3 + NSMB-U is good enough for me to get one.

 

[Daschysta]

We've been over this. Why refer back to my first post on the matter when the issue was further argued across several subsequent posts between jerd21, Dreamwriter, and myself on that same page?

We're all well aware of the dual gamepad support, but many of us dispute the unsupported assumption that they will therefore be sold separately.

If Wii-U supports 2 gamepads they are obviously going to sell it by itself at some point, why wouldn't they? I see no reason why they wouldn't, at the very least they would release a bundle including some game that supports 2 gamepads prominately that comes with both the game+ extra gamepad.

 

[Emitan]

I expected $249. I'd charge $199 though.

 

[Bumhead]

It will be £250 minimum in the UK.

Wii was £180 for much lesser tech. 3DS launched at £230. N64 was £250 at launch.

Not really sure what your point is there. Has this ever made any difference to the history of anything in terms of tech launch prices?

The PS2 launched at £299 for what is lesser tech than now. The Sega Saturn launched at £400 for what is lesser tech than now. Consoles aren't priced comparatively with previous tech standards.

FWIW I can quite easily see the Wii U being £250 here, but if it is I don't think it'll be because of anything to do with past console prices.

 

[Duane Cunningham]

You can tell who started gaming last gen when people talk about how weak nintendos systems have always been. Cheap is a better word but at least on the handheld side it has always been better to go the cheap route and nintendo seems to have forgotten that with the 3ds

You're right, but it's awesome for us as customers this time around. With 3DS, they put out a slightly overpowered system (compared to DS, GBA and GB when they launched) and had to price cut it for damage control (which seems to have worked pretty well). So WE get a nicer-than-usual Nintendo handheld for the usual Nintendo handheld price. It's not a mistake they'll make again, but hey, it was nice for us to get away with it this time around!

 

[Rich!]

Not really sure what your point is there. Has this ever made any difference to the history of anything in terms of tech launch prices?

The PS2 launched at £299 for what is lesser tech than now. The Sega Saturn launched at £400 for what is lesser tech than now. Consoles aren't priced comparatively with previous tech standards.

FWIW I can quite easily see the Wii U being £250 here, but if it is I don't think it'll be because of anything to do with past console prices.

All I am saying is that history repeats.

It will not be cheap here.

 

[cyberheater]

It will be £250 minimum in the UK.

Maybe at GAME but I'm sure you'll be able to get it for £199 at shopto or Amazon.

 

[Phife Dawg]

Since Nintendo likes doing the Yen to Dollar as 100:1, and Nikkei is reporting Wii U to cost 30,000 yen, then maybe Wii U would be $300?

That's the price point I am expecting but iirc Iwata just said over 20,000, so in that regard the 25,000/250 price point is not totally out of the question.

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

Yes.

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.

Maybe this is some kind of joke? Wii has WiFi out of the box, WiiU will too. If you want to use cables for whatever reason you need the USB adapter that much is true.

If 250 is an unbelievable price for the low tech wii u i hate to see what people expect for ps4

We don't know much about the tech yet. As for PS4, if the rumored specs are real be prepared for another round of 599 or a lot of blood loss on Sony's end.

 

[pakkit]

It seems Nintendo managed to not break their promise about never launching above $250.

 

[fse]

Seems to be priced like I thought @ $249. Would explain a lot about the system I was wondering about.

 

[King_Moc]

It will be £250 minimum in the UK.

Wii was £180 for much lesser tech. 3DS launched at £230. N64 was £250 at launch. Also, three major games retailers all have their estimated prices set at £299.99 for preorders.

I notice you conveniently skipped on the gc. Maybe because it's not consistant with your statement. It was £120 (or thereabouts) i believe. Ridiculously cheap considering the tech.

Try to include all the relevant facts next time.

 

[Rich!]

I notice you conveniently skipped on the gc. Maybe because it's not consistant with your statement. It was £120 (or thereabouts) i believe. Ridiculously cheap considering the tech.

Try to include all the relevant facts next time.

No, I skipped the GC as its the odd one out of many.

Jesus christ, no reason to be so condescending. I also still have strong ties with the gaming team of a large retailer in the UK, and they are not expecting anything below £200.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

Maybe at GAME but I'm sure you'll be able to get it for £199 at shopto or Amazon.

This. The greedy bastards will always charge the most.

 

[Mushroomer25]

Hmm. Interested how they're going to handle the staggered price point. I don't see them shipping with multiple Wii U pads, since it still seems like they want to keep that feature under-the-radar.

I'd imagine one bundle comes with a Wii remote, and Nintendoland might also be an optional pack-in... But I just can't place how all this lines up, exactly.

 

[cyberheater]

This. The greedy bastards will always charge the most.

Indeed. I refuse to ever buy new consoles or games at GAME anymore.

 

[Bumhead]

All I am saying is that history repeats.

It will not be cheap here.

Potentially not, I agree. But looking at previous console prices is literally just a bunch of random numbers, at this point. I don't think you can glean anything from them.

Closest thing would be the 3DS launch price of £230, but that's a price with allsorts of mistake implications that I'm pretty sure Nintendo don't want to repeat. I think the current price of £179.99 for the 3DS XL is much more relevant at this stage. I'd like (but don't expect) a price point of £219.99, but even that conservative estimate puts the Wii U a clear £40 more than the most expensive 3DS. I don't think thats an insignificant gap in terms of Nintendo's price strategy.

 

[Emitan]

Hope one comes with a pro controller. Probably will pick up Zombi U and Rayman at launch.

 

[Rich!]

Potentially not, I agree. But looking at previous console prices is literally just a bunch of random numbers, at this point. I don't think you can glean anything from them.

Closest thing would be the 3DS launch price of £230, but that's a price with allsorts of mistake implications that I'm pretty sure Nintendo don't want to repeat. I think the current price of £179.99 for the 3DS XL is much more relevant at this stage. I'd like (but don't expect) a price point of £219.99, but even that conservative estimate puts the Wii U a clear £40 more than the most expensive 3DS. I don't think thats an insignificant gap in terms of Nintendo's price strategy.

The problem is, you're relying there on the basis that Nintendo are the ones who will set the retail price. They wont be, retailers will be.

 

[lefantome]

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.

Yeah but what if the wiipad is too expensive and they can't sell it below 300$?
They can sell the wii u without it for 50$ less.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

Indeed. I refuse to ever buy new consoles or games at GAME anymore.

Paid £270 for my launch day 3DS with Pilotwings and Rayman 3D. Never again.

Yeah but what if the wiipad is too expensive and they can't sell it below 300$?
They can sell the wii u without it for 50$ less.

I don't think you've really read any of our counterpoints. There's no point selling a SKU at $50 cheaper if it totally defeats the object of the console itself.

 

[futnownarcade]

Too much for what?

Too much for the average person who bought a Wii to justify upgrading, that is for sure.

 

[majik13]

We've been over this. Why refer back to my first post on the matter when the issue was further argued across several subsequent posts between jerd21, Dreamwriter, and myself on that same page?

We're all well aware of the dual gamepad support, but many of us dispute the unsupported assumption that they will therefore be sold separately.

but what about me?

 

[Dr.Palutena]

I expected $249. I'd charge $199 though.

And this is why you dont run Nintendo.

 

[nordique]

I can confirm this is legit, by the way. We have a VPD account for our shop and there's been Wii U listings of this sort there for a while, but I don't remember there being three at these prices for sure.

My initial take on these:

$250: WiiU + GamePad ("Wii Upgrade Pack," no AV cord, Sensor bar, AC adapter, nor Wii controllers; besides, there's a sensor bar on the GamePad and it works with HDMI)
$300: WiiU + GamePad + Wiimote + Nunchuk + Cables (For those who don't have a Wii)
$350: WiiU + GamePad + NintendoLand + Wiimote + Nunchuk

Very interesting, Lupin. This is what I think too; an "upgrade" pack at $250 makes sense though would be a radically different approach from Nintendo's other North American consoles @ launch

That said, some of the other thoughts such as a "hardcore CoD bundle" have been interesting too

will be neat to see which direction this goes in

 

[Daschysta]

Yeah but what if the wiipad is too expensive and they can't sell it below 300$?
They can sell the wii u without it for 50$ less.

Wtf? The Game pad is the freaking system! It is the hook, it is front smack in every promo, advertisement and demo that has occured. It is the entire philosophy of the Wii-U system.

You cannot possibly think that they wouldn't include it, absolutely preposterous.

 

[Emitan]

And this is why you dont run Nintendo.

No it's because my hair wasn't good enough.

 

[Baconsammy]

So we're still debating the validity of Amazon US's Nintendo hardware supplier? The company that hasn't been supplying Amazon US with any hardware for about a year now. Think I'll wait for Nintendo.

 

[Daschysta]

Too much for the average person who bought a Wii to justify upgrading, that is for sure.

Why is that? They paid 250 dollars for the Wii, and no games are being made for that anymore. If they want new software in the Wii/Mii line they will buy the new console, just like anything else. Casual consumers get tired of the same software after 5 years too.

 

[TunaLover]

It could be the first time in history that Nintendo release multiples skus at launch for a home console. Interesting.