580°

Rumor: Wii U Price and Release Date

At a recent press conference, GameStop announced a possible price and release date for Nintendo's newest system, the Wii U.

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rantgaming.com
MattyF4678d ago (Edited 4678d ago )

Had this been announced during the GameStop manager's conference, there would have been a lot more talk on it. So this story seems highly unlikely.

EVILDEAD3604677d ago

Complete game-changer for Nintendo if this turns out to be accurate.

The demand will for this product at that price will be through the roof the entire year.

It will top charts for two years straight and force both MS and Sony's hand.

Come in a $250 and a $299 360 or PS3 still would be hard competition.

But it's really hard to believe when even the original Wii has bundles over 200 dollars right this very minute.

The plot thickens..

Evil

nerdkiller4677d ago

didn't nintendo president say it wasn't going to be cheap.if it is 200 i guess i can stop my bitching about nintendo not making hardcore games cuz you get what you pay for

AWBrawler4678d ago

Bull crap it'll be at least $250 at most $350

ChunkyLover534678d ago

Every single Nintendo home console has sold for $199 at launch, with the exception of the Wii. Drive for the Wii was the reason it was $249, Nintendo has already said they will not do the same mistake they did with the 3DS and that fans will be shocked and surprised at the price.

I agree that it probably wont be $199, but $249 wouldn't be bad either. I think people would buy it up in droves if its either of those prices.

gaffyh4678d ago

Seriously doubt that it will be $249 and it will never be $199, $349 is probably the most likely price point. Mainly because the controller will cost a LOT more to make than a conventional controller due to the integrated screen, but also because a weak Yen means that they need to charge more in the US to compensate.

Plus this is a new piece of hardware, so at first at least, they want to sell it for as much as possible to the first few buyers.

ronin4life4678d ago (Edited 4678d ago )

@Gaffyh
they won't be taking advantage of early buyers again, as they said they have learned their lesson from the 3ds.

The controller was stated to cost only $50 to manufacture in one report (i forget by whom), which is highly believable as current gen controllers are HEAVILY marked up.

The yen is a problem, though making more console sales than straight profit may be a risk worth taking, as the 3ds price drop has shown us. Nintendo was actually willing to take a loss on the 3ds, something they have never done just to get systems moving. While the wiiu won't be sold for a loss, I can see them selling at just above even.

I feel $200 is unlikely myself, but still quite possible.

WeskerChildReborned4678d ago

If it was $200 then that would be awesome but i think $250 will be the lowest price.

Withdreday4678d ago

Best case for Ninty: launch $299, make a little cash, and then introduce a $50 price cut the moment 720 or PS4 launches. Which ever comes first.

Anon19744678d ago

I think this thing will fly off the shelves at $200. I just question if they'll be able to keep it in stock over the holidays at that price. I've been a little sceptical of the Wii-U's appeal at this point, but at $199, they'll move some units.

joeorc4677d ago (Edited 4677d ago )

There is no way they could get it down that cheap if the chipset is as robust as many people on this forum, and media outlets are saying. For one the chips they are using is IBM , now this is not ARM Holdings for chips that are cheap enough to get in full production when even in retail the components that they would be using for the WIIU far and away would exceed $200.00 OR $249.00 that's the problem even embedded PC component costs would net you higher costs than ARM Holdings. An since we know that IBM is infact making the chips it's going to cost more not just for Nintendo but also the consumer.

When you go for more power even just above the PS3 or The XBOX360 I would say people better get ready for a price at launch higher than $299.00 IF Nintendo would not want to take a loss per system sold. Think about this for a sec, the game controlled pad has a 7" touch screen included inside the box, even by that how much do people think that component is by itself?

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4677d ago
Biohazard88604678d ago

if its 200 it will sell like crazy

eagle214678d ago

WOW! That would cause a frenzy. Heck, a pre-order frenzy.

FlairSomewhere4677d ago

So.....

How is a Wii U going to go for the same price as a 3DS XL, explain THAT to me.

That just gives consumers less confidence in their purchase.

I don't want this to be cheap.

ZoyosJD4678d ago

$200 price point is BS. The current consoles would break even at that price, and this is more powerful hardware with an excess controller screen expense.

Ck1x4678d ago

Just because the current consoles might only be breaking even at $200, doesn't mean that a company can't build a better more powerful system for the same asking price and still make money on it. The Sega Saturn was technically on paper a more powerful console than the PS1, but PS1 games generally always looked much better and was a cheaper system to produce.(I mention the Saturn because Sega just threw all sorts of processors in this thing and didn't care how they worked together!). The GC had better graphics all around over the PS2 and it too was cheaper to manufacture and Nintendo made money at $200. A price at which Sony was most likely still losing money on every PS2 being sold at that time.

ZoyosJD4678d ago

I would be inclined to agree if every comparison you listed wasn't from the same gen.

ps1 - 1994
SS - 1995

PS2 - 2000
NGC - 2001

360/PS3 - 2006/2007
WiiU - 2012

We are talking about a 6 years difference in hardware, not 6 months. And the WiiU can obviously run at higher resolution, fps, and has a second/ third screen to support with its hardware. So don't give me any it's just equal to 360/ps3 power BS either. It will be more expensive unless they plan on losing major money on each console.

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470°

Nintendo Switch 2 sales shatters records, most-sold console in 24-hour period

The Nintendo Switch 2 has set a new record by selling over 3 million units within 24 hours, tripling the PlayStation 4’s previous launch day sales.

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tweaktown.com
Jin_Sakai16d ago

Crazy. Switch 2 is going to do very well.

darthv7216d ago (Edited 16d ago )

No doubt, but.... the current price is out of the realm of the average parent / kid to buy like the SW1 was. So this launch achievement is from those of us with more disposable income.

The number of SW2 specific titles pales in comparison to the variety of SW1 games that get a performance boost right out of the box on this. And like the SX and PS5 before it, you can bet the majority are going to be using it as a means to better enjoy their existing titles that can benefit.

This may have been quick out of the gate... so was the WiiU. I quite enjoy it for what it is, but am keeping my expectations in check.

GenoPurpel16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

The Switch 2’s price point is great and fine and it’s still cheaper than the current gen of consoles aside from the Series S.

The only place I think they will fall short is their software sales, which also in turn may affect the hardware sales but not significantly. Parents will be fine paying for the system for their kids, but one look at an $80-$90 price tag for a single video game, that is where a lot of people will draw the line. Maybe not so much the people who are in the “willing to pay because I buy deluxe editions anyway” crowd, but for parents specifically, more sacrifices are gonna need to be made in their choices of gifts for their kids.

OtterX16d ago

As a parent of 3 with a very modest income, it was very affordable bc I already had an immense library of games, and the Mario Kart bundle came out to only about €50 more than a standard bundle. Both Zeldas were upgraded w Family Expansion Pass that I already had. Many games were upgraded for free. The only additional game I bought was Fast Fusion for 14.99 which was a great purchase!

Killer2020UK16d ago

People seem to forget that the Switch was $299 at launch which in today's money is roughly $400. That makes the Switch 2 a $50 increase when inflation is taken into account compared to the original.

Yes, people have less spending power on average compared to 2017 (Switch launch year) but this is not the MASSIVE price hike that people are making out Nintendo to be doing.

raWfodog15d ago

“No doubt, but.... the current price is out of the realm of the average parent / kid to buy like the SW1 was. So this launch achievement is from those of us with more disposable income.”

It could also be many people rushing to buy to avoid any possible tariff hikes in the future, but I think it’s still a good sign that many people still want physical consoles. Congrats to Nintendo! I’m not getting one at this time though (unless I get it for a Xmas present for one of my kids).

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 15d ago
1Victor15d ago

Congratulations Nintendo on finding the happy medium between their weak console and their invincible handheld plus learning from Sony and clearly defining the new console from the old unlike their Wii and Wii U just add a higher number simple yet effective 👍👍

victorMaje16d ago

Are people that keen on $90 games?
Is it true some remasters will also be $90?

DankSinatra16d ago

Tell me you don't research without telling me you don't research.

victorMaje15d ago

Nope. I didn’t research, I don’t own any Nintendo consoles and I had read on here something about $90 games on switch 2, so I guess it’s good now, people can calm down. Have a nice day :)

1nsomniac16d ago

I bought the Switch 2 I won’t be buying games at MK prices. I don’t ever pay over £45 for my games. Even my Nintendo switch exclusives I never paid more than £33 for.

franwex15d ago

I think the typo you put was meant to be $80.
Anyway, the answer to those questions seem to be yes.

victorMaje15d ago

Looks like I’ve been enlightened about the amount. Happy to see it’s not $90.

Sgt_Slaughter14d ago

Don't get your news from clickbait TikTokers/YouTubers, only go to the source (Nintendo) or reliable new outlets like IGN.

No game is $90 on the Switch 2, and they will never go there. Most games will be under $80, too.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 14d ago
gold_drake16d ago

cool
wasnt expecting it not to sell well

Profchaos16d ago

Its crazy that it's both the highest selling console on day 1 and people can walk into a store and buy it with no pre order

Ashunderfire8616d ago

Yup while I was waiting in line from Best Buy for Switch 2, like I did for Switch 1 back in 2017, every waiting 12am was going to get a Switch 2! I was in the no preorder line too!

My friend manage to get 4 Switch 2s at his GameStop store, that was lowkey not busy at all. Got them all for himself and his family. Super easy to get a Switch 2 over PS5.

Profchaos16d ago

The struggle to get a ps5 was real had mates wait over 2 years for stock i got lucky and got it day 1 but still

Ashunderfire8615d ago

I know and I also struggled getting a preorder for the PS5, when Walmart, Best Buy among other retailers open their preorders a day early before most of us realize it. I got my PS5 launch day thanks to YouTube Live Streamer Jake Randell. He helps people get preorders and launch consoles.

Neonridr15d ago

the PS5 also released during a global pandemic.

Ashunderfire8615d ago

It’s funny how I got disagrees for speaking the truth for what I experienced getting the Switch 2. Nintendo had more copies of Switch 2 than Sony for the PS5.

Don’t be butthurt about this very fact. People on here disagreeing with crazy reasons lol

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 15d ago
hiawa2316d ago

Doesn't that mean Nintendo made sure they had plenty of stock available at retail.

Profchaos16d ago

Yeah it's nice to see they prepped for it

adamwparker16d ago

Yeah, I remember reading an article over two years ago with Nintendo stating that they were going to do all that they could to make sure their next console didn't have the PS5/XBox reseller swiping /no stock fiasco happen to them.

Looks like they made sure production met demand. Refreshing to see that the reseller thing didn't trend and I hope a lot of people who bought multiple units for the sole reason to resell then at $1000 are now stuck with them.

jznrpg15d ago

It also means there isn’t a chip shortage when PS5/Xbox came out during pandemic

gold_drake16d ago

to be where fair, we had a current gen come out during covid ha

repsahj15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

I remembered I tried 7 pre-order events during the PS5 launch. I gave up and ended up buying 1 from a scalper. But now, I already secured 1 pre-order Switch 2 unit in my country very easy and without problems.

Neonridr15d ago

kudos to Nintendo for ensuring a healthy amount of stock.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 15d ago
Terry_B16d ago

Unlike the Switch 2 , the Playstation 4 was not sold on the same day in most regions.

16d ago
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80°

Nintendo Has Confirmed It Will Be Attending GamesCom 2025

Company skipped last year's event.

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nintendolife.com
Obscure_Observer35d ago

Not surprising at all.

I mean, they´ll be releasing a new console in a few weeks.

repsahj34d ago

I hope they show new Switch 2 exclusive games.

130°

Nintendo Predicts to Sell 15 Million Switch 2 by March 2026; Switch Has Sold 152.12 Million Units

Nintendo has announced its financial results for the full fiscal year, alongside an update to Nintendo Switch shipments and more data, including a prediction for Switch 2 hardware and software.

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simulationdaily.com
gold_drake47d ago

well, the switch 2 has two holidays in the us, thanksgiving and Christmas.

so id say its fairly possible. the rest of the world will also grab them

Abriael47d ago

Yeah doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility as long as they have enough supply.

Si-Fly47d ago

Do people buy each other games consoles for Thanksgiving? I’m in Europe and always assumed it was just Christmas where gifts were exchanged.

Skate-AK47d ago

I don't think it's so much Thanksgiving, but that Black Friday is the day after.

darthv7246d ago (Edited 46d ago )

That time is often referred to as the start of the Xmas shopping season. For the last few years, retailers would do 'black Friday' deals at various times throughout the year. While many still prefer to start their shopping in the mid to late November, others will just buy when they feel the time (and prices) are right for them.

gold_drake46d ago

i guess its more black friday, should have been more clear ha

GotGame81846d ago (Edited 46d ago )

Thanksgiving kicks off the Christmas Holiday.

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47d ago
Agent7546d ago

Switch and Switch are a different kettle of fish. A sell out at launch by the diehards, strong sales, then the non diehards will be put off by the £75 ($99) games, including the stupid download cards which are topping £65 ($85). Not rocket science to work out how the Switch 2 is going to pan out. The PS5 has sold well, but games at £70, sales have been low. As game sales drop, prices will rise. Sony could knock out all their games for £40 and still make a killing selling more games. There's no denying that a gaming crash is looming.

Rancegamerx46d ago

I agree, I don't see the Switch 2 selling anywhere near the numbers that these predictions suggest or what the general buzz is implying. While the initial sales will likely be strong, driven by diehard fans, I anticipate a gradual decline. It may not drop off immediately, but over time, sales will inevitably taper.

PRIMORDUS46d ago

Not paying for something that's not worth more than the price it was advertised, which is $449 - $499.

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