If this keeps up any longer, I'm going to lose all credibility because of all the Wii rumors I've been posting lately. While I do try and pick out the more juicy and probable ones, in the end they're still rumors, and pretty soon, you guys are going to start comparing me to one of those blonde, giggly gossip-mongers from your highschool days. That said, this is something I've been wanting to post for the last day or two, but managed to resist the temptation ... until now.
DPAD have a post up on their website claiming that they managed to squeeze a few details about a Wii price drop in '07 out of a talkative Toys-R-Us manager. Instead of trying to explain it all, I'm just going to quote them here:
As he would soon explain, Nintendo will be "relaunching" the Wii console sometime before or at the beginning of Spring 2007. The launch, which is said to see many different colors for the Wii system (as seen at E3), will also be accompanied by a hefty price drop from $250 to $200. For those that believe such a drop would be too radical, keep in mind Miyamoto's own statements that the original plan was to develop a system under $100. Also note that it is undetermined if the "better system" statement includes technical upgrades to the Wii, as recent rumors have suggested.
Now, while it would be nothing short of incredible if this were true, do keep in mind that everything said above came from the mouth of a chatty TRU manager. However, there are numerous facts that would serve to support this rumor:
Miyamoto stated very clearly that Nintendo wanted to release the Wii at much lower than $250. The only reason they couldn't do so was because major retail chains complained the system would have a "low basket value". While there's absolutely no way the system would be cheaper than $100, Nintendo's tradition of pricing their consoles at $199 may yet continue.
The PS3 launches in Europe sometime in March. A properly-timed Wii price drop would definitely put a dent in Sony's sales at launch. Also, the Wii would have a considerable number of games in its library by then, and would look more appealing from that perspective. There's also that little matter of the numerous colors we saw the Wii in, back at E3...
Wii Sports would be available as a separate title by then, and though it would be a stupid thing to do, Nintendo could easily put Wiis on shelves without the game included. Then again, the primary reason Wii Sports was included with the system was because it would give people a rough idea of what developers could do with the Wiimote. By the time Spring '07 arrives, we won't need Wii Sports to show us the remote's potential any more.
Once again, everyone ... this is pure speculation, and though this rumored price drop is likely, don't get your hopes too high.
Contest:
10:26 PM on 12.15.2006
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Will demand be out-priced by January? Probably not.
Just because they make girly games doesn't mean Nintendo is any less business savvy than the big boys.
Don't you wish!
In any case, the likelihood of a price drop next year seems pretty high. It's not so much a matter of if at this point, but when.
you don't need to wait until spring to show you the remote's potential.
elebits. check it.
Price drop is very achieveable but I doubt they will move on it as early as March and it'll be coordinated with a X360 price drop if anything. I might be wrong but has Nintendo ever dropped more that $25 off a system price?
Upgrades. I doubt it. I'm still interested as to why they feel they need a new machine to do dvd playback, I'm guessing it won't be necessary and will be software only or they'll go the Pany route and release a DVD/HD player with Wii hardware inside. Gfx, hard drive etc etc is historically a no no, they may improve their hardware but they take their time making it obsolete. I'd stick with a early next gen to exploit an expanded (presumed) market they won over with the Wii and before Sony/MS can respond with their next gens.
WiiSports. Costs them nothing and probably paid for itself as an internal development application. Maybe they'll go online with it and other titles at a $15 price and bundle another title. Doubt this'll happen until you get a metriod/galaxy/ssmb etc out there.
Colours. This is a no brainer, we all know they're coming. Question is will they sell at a slight premium compared to the white and how long do we have to wait. Not that I'd consider buying a new console just for the colour, they should have made the Wii case changable and then put out $50 cases.
So, I'd say the following. Colours coming early next year, we'll know well in advance as it'll be used as a booster. Possible price reduction but nothing near $50 unless other market pressures force this ace from their sleeve. Upgrades may address some issues, but this will be small items that won't affect gameplay, larger flash memory and wireless sensor is all that comes to mind so far. I'd love to see original Wii content online along with stuff like WiiSports/Play, perhaps swap out WiiSports for a 5000 point card and let people bundle their own packages when they get home.
Jelster, I'm inclined to agree with the points you make in that last paragraph. They could also easily substitute Wii Sports with additional controllers (or just throw more controllers in there anyway). I'm guessing by "better system", he also means that the console will contain all firmware upgrades released up until that point.
Colors would be nice, and judging by nintendo, its a given.
I do tend to agree a little with JuanoTejano. I'm doubtfull a toys r us manager would know something like that. It reminds me of when retail stores try to predict when a console/game is really coming out.
And also its only been a month or so into the console's life span. I belive it would be too soon to see any price drop.
The 360 has been out for a year or so now, and no sign of a price drop.
My bet would be new colors and thats it.
199 for current model minus wii sports
I'd like to see.
Software DVD functionality available for download.
Hardware HD-DVD player also with Wii internals. Perhaps chuck in some upscaling and a hard drive with is also configured as Wii storage and you'd have a nice HD-DVD player there. Of course this wouldn't be a Nintendo product, they'd just license the Wii hardware.
And Ishaan, you never had credibility to begin with, let alone common sense (your rumour article on Saturn games on the Wii was laughable. Not enough space in the Wii for Saturn games, not enough buttons on the Classic controller or Gamecube to properly play Saturn games either). Summa you are not...
Well at least you finished with a compliment. :)
I dunno I just think some of these rumours could be squashed with a little bit of common sense, but instead are sensationalized.
it add nothing you could just buy an dvd palyer for cheap ore get an ps2
I want the red wii ^_^
Oh, and why does this rumor keep reminding me of the DS lite? If this happens, it's going to be by Nov, next year.
VIVA WII60!
Also Ishaan I'd like to appologize. I didn't really mean to dump on your article (as much as it sounds like I did, again my bad) but the last few Wii rumours you've had up were kind of hit or miss. Your coverage of the Wiimote patent infringement, the No More Heroes dev interview and your top ten Wii games of 2007 articles all stick out in my mind as stuff I enjoyed reading (on a side note, MK:Armageddon over Mario Galaxy and Metroid? REALLY? :P).
Keep up the good work and don't mind me, I was just squashing a rumour. :P
It's fucking spelled "rumour"! Down with americanisation! Say yes to U and no to Z!
Otherwise, keep up the good work.
brad drac, trust me, I'd love nothing more than to use British spelling ... I'm Indian myself, so I always spell with a "U". Sadly, majority of our readers are American, so I'm always asked to use American spelling to reflect the fact that we're an American site.