The Wii U will retail for no less than $300 when it comes out this fall, according to unnamed sources "closely involved with manufacturing and distributing Nintendo products."
According to these sources (cited by Forget The Box), the total cost of materials to make a Wii U console is estimated to be around $180. That includeds the Wii U's innovative screen-based controller.
- NEWS: Wii-U Release Date Leaks
According to these nebulous sources:
“Cutting production costs to maximize profits is Nintendo’s main concern with the Wii U. They are cutting costs in the Wii U’s hardware to build back confidence in investors. Nintendo wants investors to view Wii U as a less risky proposition. ”
I don't think $300 is an unreasonable prediction for the price of the Wii U, but I don't have anything that says that this is more than an educated guess on someone's part. I advise caution in accepting this amount.
Let's assume, though, that the Wii U is going to cost $300. Do you think that's a fair price for the first console of the next generation? Given what you've seen of the device, is that a good price?
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HalcyonDays
$300 sounds cheaper then what I thought it would cost, all the stuff that I saw it could do at E3 made me think it would be higher. Either way I getting it when it launches, the controller seems cool, all of Nintendo's first party titles, and it looks like at e3 last year Nintendo realized that while the wee had a lot of 3rd party support it was mostly shovel ware and that there will be quality in most of the 3rd party games.
Oh my I just said I was excited for this even know I own a 360 and PS3. I can't be cool or Hardcore and that means I have a job :P I swear are most of you on here jobless kids because if not how do you even have money to consider being part of this hobby? I work at home depot I am not rich but at least I can say I am not a cheap scape. As for the hating of Nintendo how cute you all are, you losers actually have no lives like fanboys that consider your self hardcore. Ya hating on motion controls and obsessed about graphics is just sad. You know why I will buy the console its for the games. I could care less about how powerful it is because it doesn't matter. All that matters is it will be more advance then the Wii. Other then that ya PS4 and 720 better be more powerful if they plan to come out several years later. But like I am saying I don't care I will still get all of them because its about the games. And you want to know why I do not care how powerful a system is because It can never have a life span and be as powerful as new PC components. But who I am kidding a few of you are actual logical people that are gamers, the others are idiots that say there hardcore and are a stereo type of what is wrong with gaming. Most people blame developers but the consumers have to take the blame as well. If you want to be graphics focused then why do you play on consoles? Go to PC but you can't if you complain about price and want high end graphics. Don't get me wrong I love pc gaming but I am not as serious as a lot of people. And If you hate motion control then you can not say this industry is not being innovative. Ya there has been shovel ware but there are games that do get it right.
I bring this up because all the comments I read its like your letter to Nintendo or that people actually care that I stopped playing Nintendo console. First complaining about price on this site is stupid what good does it do? And second if you stopped playing Nintendo then why comment on this article? Do you really think people care about your hardcore cheap lives? And how does that work how can you be a hard core gamer and be concerned about price. Unless you think you are and in reality your not and your just core. I want to know what makes a person hardcore gamer? I own over 100 games, 12 consoles, and 5 handhelds what am I, I am not casual. But yet the only definition I can put on being hardcore is graphic obsessed FPS morons. And I do play FPS games too but I rarely hear hardcore people labeling them selves that in any other genre. Whats Ironic is Hardcore can be used as an insult if you frequent any retro gaming sites.
I don't know what more can be done with graphics games look great now unless you want realistic looking game that looks as real as can be. Then the only other are to go is storage. All I know is graphics never got to me, I can play any game and enjoy because of the gameplay. In all honesty those who are graphic obsessed and only play what they think is cool (hardcore) should not use that term. The fact is you made the term an opinionated gimmick. Oh well maybe some one could try to explain to me why I would like to consider myself hardcore but yet only idiots can use that label.
Real Quickly I am not a nintendo fanboy Nintendo is not perfect but the hate it got in this article was stupid hate. Again I do not hate FPS, I own all halos, All but 1 of the call of duty's and I have Kill Zone 3 and Resistance. And if you respond please give me you thoughts on what hard core is because I do know what Casual and Core mean. I thought some one who played and took games serious, has played all genres, can play any game for any system such as 8 bit or 64 bit games, and could spend days in length to any game was hardcore. But the vibe I get on this site Is, I am hardcore because I hate motion controls, play only M rated FPS or Action games and Focus on graphics.
DaMan6021
$300 is reasonable and what I'd expect. But if it's only on par with Xbox 360 and PS3, I wouldn't call it "the first next gen system", but "the last current gen system".
bigtimvan
if this system don't turn out well it might be the last home system nintendo makes. The wii sold well at first because the gimmick of motion gaming then it stoped getting good games and no one wanted to buy it anymore. every thing since the wii from nintendo has been 100 percent gimmick i already sold my wii,3ds for normal DS. im at the point im done with nintendo and its kids and family gaming gimmicks.
onepiece226
The PS3 launched at 599.99
The 360 launched 399.99 even so the new Star Wars bundle is 399.99
The Wii launched at 249.99
The 3DS and Vita launched at 249.99 while the Vita has the 3G at 299.99
So if the Wii U a NEW console launches at the SAME price as a 3G handheld that's just not reasonable?
It's VERY reasonable.
FossilHead4
BullFreakin'Horse@#$%, if this thing is really gona by $300 the I don't think it's going to be selling like Nintendo wanted it to.
SilentStrikers
Sheesh talk about a rabid base of posters here. There are those of you who are basing ~RUMORS~ as actual fact when you have zero idea about it. Oh sure you read it somewhere... I could post possible specs too. Does that make it what the new system will be? Of course not. So why do you believe what is said by so-called "inside sources"? Countless times in the past those have been not just wrong, but was out in left field.
Until some ~Official~ specs are released, NONE OF US here know what the hardware will hold. Not to mention NONE OF US HERE will know how the system plays once it is finally released. Calling it crap, garbage, or new innovation, is just plain idiotic at this point. All any of us can do is just wait until the system is released THEN make/pass judgements on it AFTER trying it out first hand. Either by buying it yourself and playing, or trying out one of the many soon to be demo setups the stores are going to have for it.
In the end, I personally dont care what the specs are. Dont care if the graphics are "top notch". What I DO care about when new systems come out are:
1) Will it have a decent 3rd party backing?
2) Will the system be FUN to use?
3) Will it be worth while for both casual and hardcore gamers?
Just remember, graphics and sound are not everything. Nor is power. It is how you use what you have. That is why the NES and SNES ruled for so long. Quite a few games on the 360 and PS3 have shows us that games can look and sound great, but play like crap. So try something new and learn some patience and see for yourself before passing judgement on something new. You never know, it may surprise you.
Biggey
Honestly, I have been a fan of Nintendo for as long as I can remember, but I think it would be hard for me to throw down $300 on a device that may not even be as powerful as the current generation of devices. (Hopefully those rumors aren't true.) And from what I have seen so far, I really don't see the appeal of having the second screen, I'm sure there are interesting things that may make it fun, but I really hope it doesn't borderline on the gimmicky side of things. The only way I am possibly going to pay that much for this new console is if there are some features that have so far been unannounced about the Wii U that makes it more special than it seems now, and it has to have a lineup of games that is absolutely undeniable. Nintendo really does have their work cut out for them. I hope they can do it!
thejman85
i also dislike nintendo gave up on the wii and am done with nintendo sorry
jjfan1
The price point isn't shocking. I assumed as much and agree that it is a good educated guess. I enjoyed Ninty since the NES days and continued to enjoy them however the Wii left a sour taste in my mouth. I was skeptical of the wii when we called it the revolution and waited a year to pick one up just to see if it was a fad. I will do the same for the wiiu. I stille can't get past the name. So many other things to call it. oh well. I will say that I would also like better specs but while having great high end is nice, its the games that truly matter. I will wait and see what ninty puts together with its 3rd and 2nd parties before I shell out my money. I will say Ninty should be more concerned with its consumers than its investors. We are the ones buying these machines. Without us, they do not make any money...
bobthebaptist
I say less than 450 but more than 300, only time will tell though.
jmc8888
There's also another drawback that isn't being considered. They are asking the casual gamer who may be perfectly happy with their Wii, to want to purchase a new system. Cheap parents told their children they could get a Wii because it was cheaper. Now the poorer tech will be 100 bucks more than the basic 360 model. Whoops.
Casual gamers (the REALLY casual ones) will be happy with the Wii lineup for another 10 years if their Wii system holds up. Given the depression, I don't knock people for not wanting to spend, because a huge portion of our society and world at large are in this boat.
You also have to understand the mindset of a kid trying to get their parents to buy them a system. They got their parents to buy the system because it was.....
a) low cost
b) gets them to exercise (I'm sure this alone sold millions of Wii's)
Well now a kid (or their sibling) will be asking a parent who probably barely accepted buying a Wii to pay that much and more again, in the midst of a depression, for a system that is redundant in the sense that they ALREADY have a system for which their children can exercise with. The Wii.
Also while the controller aspect looks cool (it is poorly implemented when you consider the overall package). Then think of this. From no motion controls to Wii is a huge leap in interactivity. From Wii to Wii U? That leap isn't there. As a guess it isn't 90 percent there.
Paying a premium for that 'special controller' is what you're doing, and I don't see how this doesn't end badly.
ManWhoWasNotThere
may cost $300, is still a terrible piece of crap...
ImpurestCrowd
I could be wrong but didn't the Wii come out of the gate at $249.?
ImpurestCrowd
If all reports are true of the next Xbox and PS not having backwards compatibility and unable to play used games then the Wii U may be a nice alternative to them, especially at $300. Hopefully nintendo can get the online right this time with friend names instead of codes and more online features.
Wozman23
Sadly, like a lot of others, I've grown to dislike Nintendo. Their downfall in my eyes started with the Gamecube and hit rock bottom with the Wii. With other console manufacturers pushing out technologically impressive consoles below cost and pushing the boundaries, Nintendo just seems to be falling behind. They're playing catch-up, and if rumors prove true, they're doing a horrible job at it. Making a profit off the relatively low priced console, while satisfying investors, doesn't sound great for consumers.
Quality software for the Wii can be counted on a hand or two, and all of them are 20 year old franchises. I too would just prefer Nintendo get out of the console business and let me play the occasional Mario, Zelda, and Donkey Kong on my Sony console. Maybe then they could focus on making some new, innovative games.
Offbeatalchemy
There's already been reports out saying the wii u won't even be as strong as the current gen, let alone sony's and microsoft's next systems. and if the 300 dollar price point is remotely accurate, it all fits
Most of the money, probably is going into this new screen controller interface right? decked out in bluetooth, motion controls, speakers, and a HD touch screen, that can get pricey. let's say by some miracle, they can be manufactured at 60 bucks a piece. that leaves 120 dollars for the console itself. that just about the price a wii cost to manufacture at launch.
and anyone who knows computer components knows that if it's only 120 dollars that can be put into ram, a graphics card, and a processor plus all the cables, a motherboard, and all the ports and wireless interfaces thats required AND the ability to be backwards compatible with wii games?..... yeah some of the fat needed to be cut somewhere and my guess is probably the performance .
wikipedia already states that it's going to use something similar to a 4 year old GPU and CPU. that doesnt exactly scream state-of-the-art. the 360 and PS3 were expensive on launch, but for the time, had the power of high end gaming PC's almost twice their prices and had the newest tech available.
This isnt new for nintendo, however. their power is always low compared to competitors. xbox and ps2 beat the gamecube, the ps1 beat the n64. even sega genesis beat the super Nintendo in terms of raw power. Nintendo's strong point was always strong, creative gameplay design, a family oriented brand and games, and is generally more affordable. this doesnt look to be any different. Just know that on launch, itll look more like a ps3 launch title rather than a new generation. it's a big step forward compared to the wii, but very far behind the pack.
jmc8888
Remember folks, they are banking on the idea that you will pay a premium for crap specs simply because of the 'experience' the controller brings (or the perception of what it brings).
jmc8888
Way to expensive for a step backwards, and only a mention that games will be more adult and contain FPS the likes that 360/ps3/pc gamers would want.
Another drawback? Anyone with a PC that bought a dx11 device in the last 2 or so years has better graphical capabilities.
Why should anyone that has even a 5770 in their pc...bought for about 150 bucks when brand new over two years ago, buy something crappier two years later for twice as much (as the launch price of a 5770?)
Why should anyone buy a Wii U if they have a 360/ps3...which in many respects will still be better than the Wii U?
Throw in the ever deepening greatest depression in the history of mankind, and Houston we have a problem.
Sure the controller is cool...but what of it? So I can game while crapping...then give it back to a friend/roommate/sibling afterward? Who cares if I can 'game on the go'...doesn't help me much while driving. Also, who wants to lug that thing around? Would rather play tower defense games on my cellphone, which is all the 'gaming on the go' I need...with internet capabilities.
This is Nintendo's first console of the LAST generation.
I think even at 199 this would be a hard sell, but possibly doable, until at least the guaranteed next stage of the economic depression hits.
This is a piss poor time for any console to be released. Here's a hint MS/Sony/Nintendo...don't release a console until AFTER Glass-Steagall is re-implemented. Then once it IS, THEN START working on it...and it better be able to play better than Unreal 4 engine at 150-200 fps at 1080, preferably those numbers at 1600. If the system can't do this, it isn't next gen (with a little extra for future proofing).
Once again another Wall Street Company that makes poor decisions based on Wall Street's piss poor metrics which dictate their actions. Idiot practices equal idiot decisions.
It's painfully obvious to anyone who isn't a muppet that the Wii U should be cancelled outright. But because it's Wall Street, the obvious won't be done, and they'll put out this loser of a system. Sure the suckers might think otherwise, but there's always suckers. Otherwise someone at Nintendo who botched the whole concept of the Wii U might get fired, for gasp, being an idiot not worthy of their position. Instead Wall Street will allow them to fail upwards.
I hope Nintendo doesn't fail because of this, but it would serve them right for being complete idiots.
lunchbox23
It doesn't matter what the cost is, it matters what titles will be available on launch day to determine if it is even worth getting the new console.
Scarface007
thats bs
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