Availability and Pricing

Nintendo will launch the Wii on November 19 in the Americas for $249. The price will include the Wii console, one wireless controller with a nunchaku attachment, and a copy of Wii Sports which includes tennis, golf, baseball, bowling, and boxing minigames. The console will be available only in white at launch, but, knowing Nintendo, we wouldn't be surprised to see a multitude of color choices throughout the system's lifetime. Extra Wii controllers will cost $40, and the nunchaku attachment will sell for $20.

The Wii will launch in Japan on December 2 for 25,000 yen, roughly $213. The Japanese package includes the console, one wireless controller, and a nunchaku attachment just like the US package, but it has a lower price because it doesn't come bundled with a game. The classic console controller will be available separately for 1,800 yen in Japan, and $20 in the US.

In comparison, Sony will sell the PlayStation 3 at $499 for the 20GB model and at $599 for the 60GB model. It will be interesting to see how many console buyers opt for the more affordable $249 Wii system since it will be available just days after the launch of the PlayStation 3.