So what do you guys think about the Wii Price?

[Crusader]

It's finally announced: the Wii will sell for $250 on November 19th.

Is this more than you expected? Is the timeframe good? What launch games do you want?

[L3e]

Everything looks good, but I am still pretty sad that the games don't look good at all. I hope the fun gameplay and controls really make up for it...but I dont know. Honestly I think I would rather play something that looks good on the PS3 or 360, but we will just have to see. I am looking forward to Zelda, Red Steel, and Rayman. Everything else doesn't look so good, but might be fun, idk...

[Danzego]

Originally Posted by L3e

I am still pretty sad that the games don't look good at all. I hope the fun gameplay and controls really make up for it...but I dont know.

XD

Oh man, that made me laugh. The games don't look good at all but you hope the gameplay and controls make up for it? You would rather play something that looks good on the PS3 and XBox 360?

Are you a gamer or WHAT, man?!?!?!


Whatever the case, moving on from THAT.....

I was hoping the price would be lower or that for $250, they would include Wii Sports and an extra controller. It looks like we only get one part of the equation in the package and have to spend 60 bucks (60 BUCKS!!!!!!) for another controller. But at least the system has built in flash memory, so no need to run out and get a memory card for a while, and from what CNet is reporting, Nintendo says that the cable included with the system will be an AV/Component combo cable; money saved there for me too. So really, I'd say the price of the system is right in line with what it should be because of those other two circumstances (and, of course, the Wii Sports pack in).

On to games, I don't see too much in the launch lineup that I'm dying to buy. Wanting to play, sure, but buy? Not with what else is coming out on the DS and PS2 now through the end of the year. Originally, I was intending to walk away from Wii launch day with Metroid Prime 3, Trauma Center, and, of course, Legend of Zelda (there ain't gonna be a game on ANY system that even comes close to the glory; just toss those Gears of War discs in the trash right now ). But with Metroid Prime getting pushed back to next year and the next interesting substitute, Red Steel, getting a cold reception in previews, I might just leave it at Trauma Center, Zelda, and of course the pack in (Wii Sports) and rent the rest to see what's worth it and what's not.

Finally, I find the time frame interesting. Being released on a Sunday is a given, this being Nintendo and all, but two days after the PS3? With a mere 400,000 systems at launch, the hype on that $600 abomination is going to be HUGE. I'm sure Nintendo's intention is to show up Sony by having plenty of systems available at retail right when people are scouring the stores, looking for that last possible PS3. However, I think they would have been better off releasing a week or two before, getting the name out on the street and having their launch hype to their own, and THEN when people come up empty on their PS3 hunts, well, they aren't learning about the Wii right then mostly because it's the OTHER new system that just released.

I say they should have gotten it out a bit earlier (like I said, a week or two), and even if people don't run out right away to get it because they're going to make a futile attempt at getting a PS3, it plants the concept in people's heads. Then, after they've figured out that Sony are a bunch of goofs who can't hold a proper launch, they've got $600 bucks in their hands that they can throw at something that they already are aware of instead of having to be sold on the concept in the midst of their disappointment (not to mention, $250 plus games for something you're just finding out about isn't exactly an impulse buy level item).

Though I'm sure this is all about Nintendo wanting to post better first week launch numbers and cleaning up on some of Sony's scraps is one way to move a few more systems. Either that or they actually believed that idiot Kaz Hirai from Sony when he said "the next generation doesn't start until WE say it does" and they're just releasing two days after the PS3 because of that.

[ALOEUS]

Man i'm glad I have a 360....

[Crusader]

Originally Posted by ALOEUS

Man i'm glad I have a 360....

Meaning what, exactly?



Astute and plenty of input as always, Dan. I agree that launching after the PS3 is a gamble; a gamble based from Sony's lack of hardware. I don't think they'd have attempted this type of launch if Sony wasn't short on stock. They're taking advantage, but again, it's a hell of a gamble.

I have a perfect example of why this is a gamble:

I was at a bar and this middle-aged, married guy mentioned he wanted a video game system, and of course, the one he talked about was the PS3. All he knows is what company has the history of keeping the market with lots of games. He had a bad taste in his mouth after listening to a friend and buying the Dreamcast to only have it essentially die out shortly after. Of course I began educating him on the Wii, but he was still skeptical because it's just not a Sony.

It's certainly a gamble to go up against the PS3 due to the ever-increasing numbers of casual gamers. I might've saved one sale for the Wii as this particular gentlemen goes to find a PS3 and finds out there is only 400,000 of them. Now that he's heard of the Wii, he MAY go that route if he's an instant gratification sort. But a lot of these types of people have it in their brain that shiny and powerful with bells and whistles is the only way to go. It's materialistic America at its best.

Risky, risky, Nintendo. But I'll be the first to congratulate them if they succeed in exploiting Sony's current weakness.

[Danzego]

Originally Posted by ALOEUS

Man i'm glad I have a 360....

I second Roger's question: meaning what, exactly? I have a 360 also, and I fail to see the point. Do you have any real, intelligent input on the whole thing, or just a seemingly inane comment?

Back to the issue at hand, the best Nintendo can do...what they HAVE to do...is not just rely on price alone or simple "everybody games" like Wii Sports. That'll fly in Japan, just as it did on the DS, but over here, the DS has been doing great because the software lineup is excellent. They're essentially punching Sony in the throat over and over again with great game after great game on the DS and they're mopping the floor with the PSP.

Of course, that's the handheld market, where people tend to know more about games to begin with, not like the console market where there are way more casual gaming type folks who hear from their buddy that Halo is good, so they run out and buy an XBox because they were told to, or whatever the situation may be. But the same situation that Nintendo has created with the DS could very well work its magic with the console market and the Wii.

Here's to hoping. I say it's about time Sony got their asses handed to them, as they've gotten way out of line due to two past generations of the amount of success they've had. Ken Kutaragi and cast need to come back down to Earth for a while.

[ALOEUS]

Insert inane comment here _______

[Crusader]

Originally Posted by ALOEUS

Insert inane comment here _______

Yet another useless post. Come on, dude, you're better than that. How about some quality participation?

[GibtheGamer]

Man, launching TWO days after Sony's PS3 is defenitely a gamble...and, apparently, it's a gamble they think they'll win. Especially for the reasons you guys have already listed...and the biggest being the amount of hardware available at launch.

Another point you guys have made that I feel may put the dice in Sony's hands, is Sony's name. Roger's example fits the bill for the casual gamer perfectly. They just know the name. They also think: "You get what you pay for" and can probably justify the amount of dollars with "quality" hardware... Not to mention the Blu-ray device inside that people are now seeing on shelves and would rather pay to Sony's PS3 rather than buying the DVD player alone.

This is a very, very provacative situation and I am EXTREMELY hyped to see what happens. This is history in the making by all accounts. My only standpoint is: I hope we don't lose any console makers, it's only going to hurt the gamers. I'd like to see Sony get knocked down a peg (down to a humble minded corporation), and defenitely don't want to see Nintendo lose yet another console war... It's a mixed bag for me, for sure, but I don't want the gamers to lose here.

Whatever happens, it's almost upon us. Gear up people!

[ALOEUS]

What I was getting at was there's no way i'm forking over $600 for the PS3 as i've read things that hint at their games just might cost more than the $60 that M$ is charging and they took out the rumble feature in their controller which i've grown to love. As for the Wii i'm more likely to get later on down the road but with nintendo's rep for aiming at kids I may not even bother with it either. The one thing might sell me on the Wii would be the old school games they have to offer for DL.


I hope that's a little less inane.