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Analysts predict Wii sales will continue to drop photo

As the prices of the other consoles out there continue to steadily drop, sales of the Wii have taken a turn for the worse. In fact, last month, Wii sales were down a whopping 39 percent from the previous year. Industry analyst Michael Pachter doesn't foresee things getting any better, either -- not unless a Wii price cut is on the horizon. Here's what he had to say:

With the core PS3 and Xbox 360 models priced only USD 50 higher than the Wii, we expect year-over-year sales of Wii hardware to continue their annual declines until the company either changes its bundle or lowers price ... Wii unit sales are 50 per cent below last year’s level over the last five months, and we think that September sales will repeat the pattern.

GamesIndustry.Biz reports this is called "price fatigue." I can't help but feel that with the madness of the Wii sales previously, most people that want one already have one -- but if the console drops to $199, we may see that theory proved wrong. If you don't have a Wii, would you buy one if the price dropped?


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JamnOnTheOne's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:08
JamnOnTheOne
"If you don't have a Wii, would you buy one if the price dropped?"

Nah...For me personally, there is no "killer app" that makes me want a Wii. It'll take a proper Wii Zelda title (TP doesn't count) to get me to buy one.
killatia's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:12
killatia
Yeah its about time the Wii gets a price drop.
snoogans775's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:14
snoogans775
ABSOLUTELY YES!!!

Then again, there's plenty of hardly used $200 dollar Wii's out there already. Those also usually come with an extra controller too, so I think I may still buy a used one when I finally finish saving.(#20 a week for two months now!)
PreacherMan89's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:18
PreacherMan89
Don't get me wrong, the Wii is a great console but I think the price tag should be about $180 just because it lacks in graphics (Yes, I know. Graphics don't make the game) and sometimes gameplay. Some games on the other hand kick ass. SSBB for example.
Magnalon's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:20
Magnalon
The Wii's price is spot on at $250. It has enough quality titles to certainly warrant a purchase, and the Virtual Console is really coming into it's own.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: everyone already has a Wii, hence the low sales.
Psy-Phi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:22
Psy-Phi
The wii should be cheaper until they impliment some onboard RAM or HDD that's worth something. The very limited space is terrible. I've had to remove games from my Wii because it couldn't even hold 2 pages worth of downloads.
Naim Master's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:23
Naim Master
The Wii has a lot of great and quirky games, the problem is that most of them lack length and replay value...
xaliqen's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:26
xaliqen
I already have one, but I wouldn't buy one right now for the same price. I hardly use it anyway.

It's late in the product life-cycle and my bet is on Nintendo coming out with a product update within the next year (like DS-->DS Lite-->DSi). At the same time, the Wii craze is dying, so they're really going to have to up their game or risk losing the market again (like they did fourteen years ago).

Here's hoping Wii 2.0 has a hard-drive, some power under the trunk and, most importantly, third-party developer support. Then again, I already have a PS3 and an Xbox 360...

Then again, Wii could have a good couple of twilight years if they refocus on pushing out more really solid virtual console and WiiWare games.
FistfulOAwesome's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:28
FistfulOAwesome
Nintendo has no reason to lower the Wii's sale price. It may be in a slump now, but you can be guaranteed sales will rise back up once New Super Mario Bros. and Wii Fit Plus are released (along with Wii Sports Resort still selling like crazy).

Nintendo just needs to wait it out. Lowering the sale price won't guarantee higher sales for long. They'll eventually reslump if the console's value isn't perceived as high (i.e. not enough quality games for certain customers). That would leave Nintendo with the same number of consoles sold with less money being made (because of the lowered price).

If they do decrease the price, I'd assume it would only be to 200$, because of the removal of Wii Sports (which is 50$). That would really mean that the console itself is not selling for less, the package would simply be gone. Alternatively, they could keep the current price and repackage it with Wii Sports Resort/Motion Plus.
VaeVictus's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:33
VaeVictus
I should hope the sales would fall off. I made the mistake of buying one a few months ago and have turned it on only to be disappointed by: the Conduit, Star Wars TFU. I also tried Super Mario Galaxy, and while the game wasn't bad, it just wasn't for me. I am excited about the 2D Mario, but once I beat that, I will probably sell or trade it in. The cost is/was too high from the beginning, and unless it drops to $129, will continue to be too expensive. The games look ugly as hell on my HDTV, and yes, I have official Nintendo component cables and 480P set.
ran24's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:34
ran24
Sales may pick up slightly with their bigger titles, but I wouldn't be surprised if sales stayed in the relatively low levels now until a drop of $50 is made. Whoever wanted one already has one, and the majority of the games are garbage. The only reason I'd buy one is for the interesting VC titles, and $250 is too high for a unit that I'm only going to buy VC games for.
ran24's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:37
ran24
Sorry, I meant I'd be buying mostly WiiWare games (I often get the terminology mixed up). There's some pretty cool looking stuff there
killatia's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:39
killatia
@ Psy-Phi,

You can get a bigger sd card and play Vc/Wiiware games off the card.
gamadaya's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:42
gamadaya
That theory will definitely be proved wrong. Don't even think about doubting the ridiculous number of units Nintendo would push with a price drop.
Everyday Legend's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:44
Everyday Legend
@ VaeVictus
"I've got something in my pocket for youuuu..."

A price drop has to happen in order to maintain competitive edge, or they need to pack-in MotionPlus to remain @ 250, or pack-in with WiiFit to hit a 300 price point. If not, a dark 4th quarter may be imminent.
Occams electric toothbrush's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 12:56
Occams electric toothbrush
I own a Wii. I play it every 6 months or so. I'm only keeping it for No More Heroes 2. Though I'm still glad to have it for Suda 51's work. Price drop couldn't hurt.
Br0th3rGr1mm's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 13:07
Br0th3rGr1mm
@killatia - Wii hardware only supports a 2GB SD card. Not really a long term storage solution.
killatia's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 13:10
killatia
@ Br0th3rGr1mm,

The Wii been updated to take up to 32 gigs SDHC cards.
John Johnson's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 13:18
John Johnson
There's no way this Agnates fellow isn't a troll.

I agree with several above comments, which I will amalgamate thusly: Wii's actual value is set at whatever price you think having access to WiiWare is worth, plus the meager fun to be had playing the random Wii game once in a blue moon (probably drunkenly).

I would probably personally set this price at $150 dollars, but I could see people going lower (depending on the nostalgia factor presented by WiiWare).
Conan-san's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 13:24
Conan-san
Here's the thing, who's fault is this?

Exactly, it's Nintendo's fault for not puting quality controll on like they did back in the NES era and hence we're back to the atari times with them.

Well, whatever, mine is a Homebrew Wii, I can buy games, install them to my HD and make merry, so I don't fucking care.
Vanor's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 13:32
Vanor
Yes, because the analysts have been SO spot-on about the Wii's performance thus far. /eyeroll
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 13:34
brainderailment
Price was never a reason for me not to get a wii. It could be as low as $100 and I wouldn't get it. I only even have 2 or 3 GC games. There isn't a single game that is wii exclusive that interests me.
Tony Ponce's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 13:35
Tony Ponce
@Conan-san

You obviously never owned an NES, did you? The popularity of the Angry Video Game Nerd throws a wrench in your "quality control" argument.
Steel Brotha's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 13:42
Steel Brotha
The Wii is basically an upgraded Japaese NES.
Motion Control/Reading: Power Glove/ Gun for Duck Hunt
Online Capabilities: The Jap NES could be used to order groceries and gamble online.
Unnecessary Add-Ons: Wii had Every Wii- Mote Add-Ons. NES had R.O.B.

I thought that was funny.
NihonTiger90's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 13:51
NihonTiger90
$50 isn't going to cut it. Nintendo has to go bigger. Think $149.99. They have to really show themselves as an economic deal in these times. The only bad news is they have little real support from third-party publishers, who are more content to wait it out for Natal and the PS3 Wand where they can do the same things they'd do on Wii, but with prettier graphics.

And sadly, graphics still sell above gameplay, even in this era.
seamonkey420's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 13:51
seamonkey420
nope.

i sold mine for a reason. waggle is boring after a few months.
GoldenGamerXero's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 13:56
GoldenGamerXero
Maybe now some other consoles could get some sales. I hope for the day where all consoles are equal in sales and everyone can stop caing about which console is the most/least popular. It really doesn't say much about the quality of the console as if it was good before when it was selling like hotcakes how does it suddendly become worse when the sales slow down?

@Conan-san

Honestly I never got that arguement. I'm not saying there's no bad Wii games because there's quite a lot but I don't see that much more than I do for other systems to the point where I think you would either have to be a fucking moron and actually search to find that many really bad wii games. The DS probably has more crap on it that the wii but it just gets away with it.
king kong five's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 13:57
king kong five
"If you don't have a Wii, would you buy one if the price dropped?"
No... but that's regardless of the price, I just wouldn't buy one because the Wii isn't my thing. As far as "real" gamers go, very few of them are going to buy Wiis due to a price change. The gamers who are into the Wii already own one, and the ones who aren't won't just won't change their minds just because it's cheaper. I think Nintendo's best chance is to keep doing what they've been doing: promoting the Wii as the best choice for people who aren't traditional "gamers" but are looking for something fun.
pedrovay2003's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 14:05
pedrovay2003
I can't believe people are still "blaming Nintendo" for some imaginary problems. Sales are low because that's what happens after everyone who wants a Wii has already bought one. Even if they never sold a single console or game after this very moment, they'd be fine, and they'd all go home and go to sleep in their solid gold beds.

Honestly, I don't even think the Wii needs a price cut, but if they're planning on doing it, $50 would be the most I'd go. It was the most affordable from the start and is still cheaper than both other companies' offerings (save for the 60gb 360, which is being overshadowed by the Elite now.)
HiddenAHB's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 14:06
HiddenAHB
Why do you think the Wiimote it's shaped like a coffin?
Nintendo forsee this, and they will have to act quickly or they will lose all those soccer moms.
Jon B's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 14:09
Jon B
"If you don't have a Wii, would you buy one if the price dropped?"

No. Selling mine was like building up a huge wad of dust and selling it on eBay. Both had equal playtime.
None.

Plus, from what I can see, new games work remarkably better on emulators, too. 1080p and AA and all that jazz. Ironically enough though... there's still no games I'd want to play on that thing. None that I can't get for the GC anyway.
stevenxonward's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 14:10
stevenxonward
I'll buy one after a price drop. It'll let me NOT-emulate 8/16-bit games. I'm all for that.
PEICanada7's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 14:17
PEICanada7
I'll probably get one after a price drop, and when the black one comes out. People always say there's no games for system, but just look at the backlog of games for it now. Its looking just as good as the 360/PS3 backlog of games, and a lot of the games are really cheap now. Plus 2010 is looking to be a really good year for the Wii, starting off with No More Heroes 2/Sin & Punishment 2 that are suppose to be coming out in Jan of next year!
FistfulOAwesome's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 14:27
FistfulOAwesome
@NihonTiger90

"sadly, graphics still sell above gameplay, even in this era."

Wii Fit (21.83 mil): http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=7480®ion=All

Wii Play (24.11 mil): http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=2666®ion=All

Wii Sports Resort (4.1 mil in less than 3 months): http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=24656®ion=All

Metal Gear Solid 4 (4.19 mil): http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=6970®ion=All

Gears of War 2 (5.17 mil): http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=16548®ion=All

End point: Gameplay almost always sells the game, not graphics. The two "Hardcore" ultra graphics games sold far less than the "Casual" shitty graphics games. I don't even forget to mention that, of the current game systems, the DS has the shittiest graphics and is stomping every other system out there (as do it's highest selling games).
starhawl's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 14:31
starhawl
Anyone who is a student of video game history knows that having a majority of crap games even if you have great ones will cause a gaming system to fall. Honestly if anyone didn't see this sort of thing happening eventually with the Wii was being ignorant. I personally find it ironic that Nintendo who brought the world out of the gaming crash of 1983 wouldn't learn from the mistakes of Atari.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 14:32
Holyetheline
I have a Wii. They need to do more than just a price drop, though.
starhawl's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 14:52
starhawl
you may be right on alot of things you said but like economic growth in china its unstable.
ejamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 14:54
ejamer
I love fanboy comments for articles like this. You'll never find such a varied assortment of unsubstantiated, conflicting, ignorant, and foolish opinions all stated as obvious fact anywhere else.
:)
PEICanada7's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 15:01
PEICanada7
"Anyone who is a student of video game history knows that having a majority of crap games even if you have great ones will cause a gaming system to fall."

Oh really! So the PS2, PS1, SNES, and NES all failed did they? There was a ton of crap on all of those systems as well. Because they were the most popular systems of they're generations, not because they were bad systems. All popular systems are filled with shovelware, but people like you seem to act like shovelware wasn't invented until the Wii came along.
Ninja In Distress's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 15:11
Ninja In Distress
The problem is that because of the graphic limitations and the control scheme, third party games are either A) amazingly dumb-downed, or B) just don't come out on the system at all. "Man, this Arkham Asylum game is pretty cool, have you played it? Oh, thats right...you bought a Wii, didn't you?"
xiaolinstyle's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 15:12
xiaolinstyle
No.

Waggle ware not for me.

Nintendo hasnt announced its next Mario/zelda/metroid-box yet? So tired of hearing about Wiiktendo, and how much no one cares about playing the Wii anymore.

Fad over. Ninendont keep making systems please. You suck at it. Just make games. Sega had the right idea.
ace of knaves's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 15:13
ace of knaves
What with their Present and Future Channel, I'm simply shocked Nintendo couldn't see this coming. Now I don't know what to believe in.
silvain's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 15:32
silvain
Jesus, I'm sorry a lot of you need to see Wii fail because it supports some strange inferiority complex you have.

You're not saving gaming with your mythical insight. I promise.
nashon19801010hotmailcom's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 16:19
nashon19801010hotmailcom
whats a hard core gammer
Paviel's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 16:38
Paviel
@ace of knaves: Are you sure they didn't see this coming? I haven't read anything about Nintendo being surprised that sales are decreasing.

And the state of the economy over the last year or so proves that anything that goes up must come down.
EnigmaticHarle's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 16:57
EnigmaticHarle
I patiently await for some new Linkage before I will buy the Revolution.
-PL-'s Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 18:26
-PL-
I never play my Wii, but I refuse to sell it for that glimmer of hope that something good might come out on it someday.

There really are some great games on it... they're just so few and far between. With PS3 and 360, it's like "I want that game, ooh I can't wait for this game and this game to come out." With Wii, it's like "man... when's the next mario/zelda/metroid coming out? That has a chance of possibly being awesome."
matrixdude171's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 19:02
matrixdude171
Sure, it is partly due to price fatigue, but pure market saturation. You can't continuously sell TONS of Wii's to the public and not reach a point where pretty much everyone has one that's going to buy one.
h5e5l5l5o5's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 19:59
h5e5l5l5o5
150 bucks my ass! Its not PS2! hahah, 200 dollars is very fair.

Besides software is more important than hardware. As long as the hardware can play the game. This is where the other companies fail.

Nintendo didn't do so hot with the hardware, but the first party software is great!
TheJesusNinja26's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/14/2009 21:02
TheJesusNinja26
Ha ha ha awesome!!! That is what they get for catering to the CASUAL market for the last 2 years. The Wii is no longer an interesting prize giveaway at work, or on the radio. Hey REGGIE the casual market only buys a few times a year, where as the rest of us that created the demand for 3 consoles buy if the game is good, and you Nintendo have stunk at making great games for this console. Aside from Kororinpa and Resident Evil 4 (and that was a remake)

Maybe next console you'll actually go truly next gen, not a game cube with waggle, oh and make games that GAMERS actually WANT!

I owned two Wii's and regretted buying them both, they just collected dust. They
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