With all of the speculation about the launch price of Nintendo's new console, Wii U Only takes a look back at the launch prices of past Nintendo consoles.
Looking at the past pricing to predict future pricing is pointless. Past prices were done specifically to that product, for that target market, and in that time period. Since then the time period has changed, the target market has changed, and the product has changed, so the price will be adjusted according to these new conditions.
At 200 bucks it would be cheaper than most tablets out there, and would be at the price of a bottom-line 360 or PS3, although 250-300 would attract more people in the casual market but also make it seem like something valuable and not so cheap and plasticky. The Wii-U looks like a Fisher Price tablet with its cheap plastics and goofy placed joysticks lol
They may have multiple packages in different price tiers for those who already have compatible Wii accessories. Say a base pack with console, controller and maybe NintendoLand, then a deluxe pack with all of the base stuff and a nunchuck and sensor bar. Anyway, can't wait for the 13th... I'm excited to finally see price and release date.
Nintendo really loves that $199 price tag, now I don't think the Wii U is going to be $199, but I do think $249 just like the original Wii is not out of the realm of possibility. At $249 a lot of people will want one, I don't care how badly they go on about Wii Specs or this or that. I truly believe just about every gamer wants an HD Zelda or Metroid and will want a Wii U if only for those fabulous HD Nintendo first party games.
initially i see it at around $250, but being that the tablet isn't cheap and you will most likely get another if you want to play 2 players i would think that a seperate tablet would run about another 100 bucks. throw in a game or 2 and you're looking at something close to 500...i haven't had friends come over to play anything since the 1st playstation so a 2nd controller will not be a priority to me... overall, it'll be several months to a year before i even consider buying one, unless they decide to surprise everyone with a new zelda or metroid game in the 1st week of release.
consoles should all launch with a game like they used to.. Wii U, pro controller, gamepad, hdmi cable, nintendo land all for $250 would be something i would buy on day one.. It would all sit there collecting dust til zelda comes out but thats a steal..
Good article. Let's everybody see how things REALLY were in comparison to how they are now. The Wii U launch doesn't really look that bad in comparison.
The most important less learned.
Launch Lineup doesn't mean anything at all. 90% of the games worth playing are released after launch.
With the N64 All I had was Mario 64 & Wave Race, but both were really fun games so it was enough.
Nintendo said we would be "shocked". Anything like their past pricing history would be epic shock.
Nintendo really loves that $199 price tag, now I don't think the Wii U is going to be $199, but I do think $249 just like the original Wii is not out of the realm of possibility. At $249 a lot of people will want one, I don't care how badly they go on about Wii Specs or this or that. I truly believe just about every gamer wants an HD Zelda or Metroid and will want a Wii U if only for those fabulous HD Nintendo first party games.
Adjusted for inflation:
NES a bit less than $200
SNES a bit more than $300
N64 around $280
GC around $250
Wii around $270
I wish we were to get a $250 price tag, but something closer to $300 looks like the price they may go after.
I didn't know the NES was that cheap back then. I owned one and I never actually paid attention to the price.
initially i see it at around $250, but being that the tablet isn't cheap and you will most likely get another if you want to play 2 players i would think that a seperate tablet would run about another 100 bucks. throw in a game or 2 and you're looking at something close to 500...i haven't had friends come over to play anything since the 1st playstation so a 2nd controller will not be a priority to me...
overall, it'll be several months to a year before i even consider buying one, unless they decide to surprise everyone with a new zelda or metroid game in the 1st week of release.