Wii price, date to be announced "by September"

Nintendo president apparently in no rush to confirm Wii day and system price; has no regrets for console's name, not scared of M'soft portable.

At Nintendo's pre-E3 conference, Reggie Fils-Aime, now president of Nintendo of America, disappointed some fans when he said, "As for date and price [of the Wii], we think it's best to keep those details quiet a little longer." He wasn't kidding.

Ever since the release date and price of the Wii wasn't announced at E3 2006 last month, hardcore Nintendo fans have been frantically clicking "refresh" on gaming sites in hopes of hearing an announcement. According to a report from the Associated Press, those gamers can probably give their index fingers a rest, as an official announcement might not come for a while.

The release date and price of Nintendo's console will be announced "by September," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told the AP. The company has been taking a "wait until the last minute" strategy with its console, letting Microsoft and Sony show their hands first.

One of the biggest pieces of news at E3 2006 was the pricing and November release date of Sony's next-gen console, the PlayStation 3. The $599 price tag for the high-end SKU has caused a lot of fallout among gamers, and now potential Sony customers have about six months to picture themselves $600 bucks poorer. When Microsoft announced the $299 and $399 pricing of the two SKUs of the Xbox 360 last year (which also had a November release), it waited until mid-August.

It has been confirmed that the Wii will launch sometime in the fourth quarter of this year for less than $250. However, it's the specifics that still remain unknown, which could very well be in flux as Nintendo uses the extra time to gauge market reaction to the PS3 and Xbox 360.

While Sony has been criticized for the price of its upcoming console, Nintendo has taken a fair amount of flack for the name of its console. Iwata thinks the name Wii is just fine.

"I have never thought the name was a mistake," Iwata told the press in Tokyo. "Some people seem to have a problem with it now, but I think they'll grow to like it." According to the AP, Iwata cited the naming of the Game Boy as another Nintendo product whose name was initially frowned upon before gaining acceptance.

Speaking of the portable space, several rumors have predicted that the sector is about to get more crowded, with Microsoft possibly joining the race in 2007 or 2008. Nintendo has long held dominance in the portable market, and doesn't plan to change its strategy even if an "Xboy" is released.

"Whatever Microsoft does [with portable gaming] won't change what Nintendo will do," said Iwata.

As for the company's current portable darling, Iwata said that Nintendo will boost production of the DS Lite to 2.2 million units per month worldwide.

260 Comments

  • g-master999

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 2:37 pm PT

    ANNOUNCED by September?! Aww man!!!!!!

  • ganondorf_002

    Posted Jun 15, 2006 12:30 am PT

    Whyyyyy? I want it now, I can't wait anymore.............................................................
    It's alredy September? What do you said? No!
    Whyyyyyy?!?!?!!!?
    Wake My Up When August Ends.........................

  • Cronaroth

    Posted Jun 13, 2006 11:43 pm PT

    oh well-im just gonna finish my backlog of games-and I got a 360 recently so that'll hold me over (im getting Wii at launch) and I got my DS Lite-im set-for a long time ^_^

  • solidbb

    Posted Jun 10, 2006 12:22 pm PT

    Even thoughI love my Xbox 360 I will be getting a Wii. After E3 it got me interested. Zelda, Red Steel, and of course Mario seem like a good lineup and even though I hated the controller at 1st it looks like it will be fun. Peace

  • vashvsgoku

    Posted Jun 9, 2006 10:00 am PT

    i was a ps3 fan until that price was announced. im all for the wii now (still dont like the name). give me more info on the downloadable library of games though! i want some excite bike, punchout, any old zelda and mario, mario rpg, paper mario, and pokemon snap... uh, well not the last one.

  • lordoverallbaby

    Posted Jun 9, 2006 9:42 am PT

    fanboys fanboys fanboys! tsk tsk tsk. cmon nintendo, sony and bill gates dont care about you or your myspace.com web sites droneing on and on about how you beat super mario sunshine in 3 hours 10 minutes and no pee break. cmon! get a clue! they love yer money and thats it! what should matter is how nintendo shot themselves already in the foot with this stooooopid name! my god what will the fanboys do if they want to post to their myspace.com sites that they beat super smash brothers 2 (yes i know there is more to the title than that, get over it!) in twenty minutes without taking a pee wii break. what if someone wees on the wii? the repercussions for fanboydom is mind bending!

  • gtimandan

    Posted Jun 9, 2006 5:03 am PT

    Surely MS fanboys would embrace a handheld unit on which to get their Halo fix, and additional folks would probably give the MS handheld a try if it's not crazily-priced.

    MS is smoking some uber ganja, tho, if they think they or anyone else is going to impede on Nintendo's colossal grasp of the handheld market. It's like saying Hyundai is going to topple GM. Niche market, at best, for the X-handheld, and the success rate for handhelds against Nintendo is 100% failure prior to the PSP, which that machine had an automatic, rabid fanboy base [again, niche market; too expensive; only embraced by Sony-fanboys].

    I'd be interested in the MS handheld as long as the price is palatable [Nintendo-style].

  • gtimandan

    Posted Jun 9, 2006 4:55 am PT

    Remember several weeks ago when "Wii" was announced and "Revolution" was shelved? Remember all the rumblings and nay-saying?

    Have you noticed that everyone now easily throws the Wii name around comfortably?

    It's been embraced. No prob. It's just a name. Camaro is not a word, but the public embraced it some 30+ years ago. Wii is no different - just have to get used to hearing it.

  • gtimandan

    Posted Jun 9, 2006 4:51 am PT

    Nintendo machines have historically launched at $249.99, so it should be no surprise when the Wii arrives at that price point. Anything less would just be gravy and would solidify Nintendo's dominance over the insanely-priced PS3, which I wanted until E3.

  • psychic

    Posted Jun 9, 2006 12:34 am PT

    Well 3 months to go, I can't wait, i'm got used to the Wii name but i don't know when i want to order one.

  • psychic

    Posted Jun 9, 2006 12:30 am PT

    Well, 3 months to go, summer will as long as time was frozen.

  • Tauman

    Posted Jun 9, 2006 12:00 am PT

    A release date for a release date? >_>

  • japanesegoth

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 10:59 pm PT

    "I might get the Wii for my nephew for Chritmas because he needs something besides the lamecube. Also after a disappointing PSP I won't bother with the xbox handheld if and when it comes out because it will be alot of rehashed xbox games. Nintendo will never be dethroned as King of Handhelds they will stay in business just off that. But I think its dumb to release the price in September because then People have like 2 mos max to save for a system when they arent' sure and whats that going to do for people who want to possibly preorder it. "

    that doesn't even make sense. if people are planning on getting it, then they've had plenty of time to save. we already know it will be no more than $250, and then $50 for a game. that's $300 minimum that you should have ready by then if you want the system and a game to play. and if it turns out to be less than $200, then you've got an extra $50.
    it's not like you wouldn't start saving up for it just because you don't know the exact price...and why would anyone pre-order it unless they were going to get it no matter what price they decided on? people who don't really follow the game industry most likely won't reserve it anyway.

  • japanesegoth

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 10:43 pm PT

    does anyone here listen?! they have already said that it won't be any higher than $250.

  • Cronaroth

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 9:42 pm PT

    we all know it's gonna come out during the holidays anyways-just start saving now like I am-im planning on it being $250-so im saving with the thought of that is what it's gonna cost.

  • ragin_cajun44

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 9:00 pm PT

    Don't worry about saving. It's gonna be cheap enough. Game's probably gonna be $50. DS kinda is showing what Nintendo is doing for Wii. Kinda like a sample. Just like the PSP did for the PS3. Nintendo=Interactive Sony=More Computer Based and Microsoft=Still showing off there Xbox Live and need's to worry about the competition.

    (P.S. and who knows..the "Xboy" could do good.)

  • rbarahona

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 7:06 pm PT

    Definitely Wii will be a cheaper console, that's for granted. As for the name, I'm actually liking it, although at first I disliked it a lot.

    As for the portable market. I'm sure that Nintendo is cooking up something for the portable market so I'm sure that they won't lose ground on this sector.

  • ocdog45

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 6:55 pm PT

    won't get on the release date, but we'll see if i have pocket change for it later

  • slife_basic

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 5:22 pm PT

    So they have a tentative date to announce the release date?
    The weakest of sauces...

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 4:37 pm PT

    jesus always helps me find my posts

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 4:37 pm PT

    where's my post, jesus christ

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 4:36 pm PT

    i wish the Wii was $600 like it's daddy the PS3

  • elfman27

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 4:24 pm PT

    dante200x

    ARE YOU A MORON YOU MUST BE TO BELIVE THATTHE DS IS BRIGHTER AND MORE COLORFUL. srry about the capitalize letters.

  • elfman27

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 3:59 pm PT

    Enoslives7
    Are you stupid its a whole new gamesystem not a gamecube2 you idiotic sony lover. If you dont like nintendo then dont post messages on stuff about nintendo!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • bulldog7

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 3:28 pm PT

    the WII NEEDS to retail for no more than $199. Honestly, it should probably be $149, no higher, especially since it's a current gen system launching in a next gen era. But I'm really excited for it!!!!!

  • schalkwijk

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 2:32 pm PT

    Wii will, Wii will, ROCK YOU
    the combination (great, innovative games)+(downloading wicked old games)+(cheapness) = GREAT CONSOLE
    and for u who are planning to get a ps3 mainly bc of the graphics... i ask you this. whats gonna be more realistic, if it LOOKS like ur shooting a gun, or if it FEELS like ur shooting a gun?

  • strife22

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 2:15 pm PT

    I THINK ITS A GOOD IDEA TO HOLD THE PRICE FOR THE NOW BECAUSE WOT IS THE BIG DEAL KNOWING IT KNOW, IF U ARE GONNA SAVE TO GET IT, THEN SAVE UR MONEY ANYWAY AND U MIGHT HAVE EXTRA CASH TO BUY GAMES WITH. I THINK THEY HAVE A CARD UP THEIR SLEEVE ,I HAVE A FEELING THERE IS SOMETHING THEIR ARE NOT TELLING TILL THE NEAR DATE THAT THE PLAYSTATION IS RELEASED. AND ITS GONNA BE SOMETHING BIG. MAKES U WONDER WITH ALL THIS CHANGE HOW IS IT GOING TO EFFECT THE GAMING WORLD.

  • GameRevolution3

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 1:27 pm PT

    It's obvious that Nintendo is waiting for the Ps3 to come so they can check out the specs and the what the people think about it.
    Nintendo is smart.

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 1:24 pm PT

    Nintendo, with the delicious DS, you've shown us that NONE OF US NEED TO BE AFRAID OF MICRO$HAFT HANDHELD...! they're looking very left-behind already. also, .... Wiiiiii !!!!!!!

  • heedoy

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 12:31 pm PT

    http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=2756
    like it was saying dat the old games are going to be under 10 bucks

  • mcsteve61

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 11:31 am PT

    call the console whatever you want: if its less than $250 its simply amazing.

  • bobreturns

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 10:56 am PT

    it is still gonna be cheap

  • enoslives7

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 10:50 am PT

    WHO CARES ?? the gamecube 2 is gonna flop just like the gamecube 1

  • RagnarokPhoenix

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 10:37 am PT

    We're in for a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong summer.

  • MrPuzzlez

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 10:23 am PT

    But what about the pretty DS lite colors?!? I want pretty colors without fisting out 200 smackers on a Jap model!!

  • azizrulez

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 8:43 am PT

    why do they wanna keep us waiting instead of us having to start saving for the release

  • REVOLUTIONfreak

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 8:43 am PT

    well, that excludes the possibility of an august or september release, or a September release. I doubt that they will release it in october if they announce pricing and dates in late September, so that leaves November for launch. Wow.....thats a shocker....

  • BadmanX

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 8:35 am PT

    Just relax, people. There's really just a few options here. The Wii will either launch in October or November and it will either launch for $199 or $249. That's pretty much it. There are no other options. Yes, an exact date and price would be nice, but at this point just plan to drop around $250 on a Wii in November and you can't be disappointed.

  • zzatlantazz

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 8:29 am PT

    People in North America will be able to buy a Wii for 199.99 dollars, and it will be available to buy sometime late October. Maybe October 23? Thats my guess, but until then- will just have to wait out the summer and play with our Nintendo Lites.

  • AlphonseElric23

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 8:27 am PT

    As long as it doesnt cost $250 then I dont care. $200 or $150 would be nice!

  • i_like_evil

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 8:26 am PT

    Nintendo has played the waiting game before with Online Gaming and has been very successful with it. I have utmost confidence that we will see the same again. . .

  • shasam712

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 8:16 am PT

    This is definitely going to be a long summer.

    I'm not sure why they are taking so long either, unless its another supprise....what!?!?!? $100 with a game!!!...ok, so its not going to be that low, but a lower price than $250 would mean this whole waiting game would make sense.

    Maybe I could just hibernate this summer and then wake up to a crazy price announcement or something, that would be cool.

  • smackbang

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 8:14 am PT

    Bet Nintendo lauch their console a week after they announce.

  • sasuke55

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 7:41 am PT

    I might get the Wii for my nephew for Chritmas because he needs something besides the lamecube. Also after a disappointing PSP I won't bother with the xbox handheld if and when it comes out because it will be alot of rehashed xbox games. Nintendo will never be dethroned as King of Handhelds they will stay in business just off that. But I think its dumb to release the price in September because then People have like 2 mos max to save for a system when they arent' sure and whats that going to do for people who want to possibly preorder it.

  • skinnypete91

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 7:38 am PT

    AWESOME!!
    well... no, it would be better if it was next week but still cool!
    Wii FTW!

  • Draqq_Zyxorian

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 7:19 am PT

    I think Nintendo is trying to strike at the most advantageous time. They want to wait to see how Microsoft and Sony will react to the innovations of the Wii to secure their place as that "second console". After the GameCube, I'm glad to see they have kicked into high gear.

  • SunnySimantov

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 7:08 am PT

    Man you all sound like you're gonna pee in your pants. It's just a console and believe me if you have ANYTHING to do this summer it will go much faster than you all say - instead of waiting for a.. console.

  • jonathanober

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 6:39 am PT

    Not sure if this was said yet. But wouldnt it be sick, just sick! If Nintendo announced the price, let say Sept. 1st, and then at the end of the conference said, oh yea, we will be shipping them to stores in two weeks!!

    Price would be a nifty 199 and with the two weeks to reserve one, or get in eBay lines, that could be enough to drum up a lot of interests.

    The only thing I see potentially dangerous with a move like this would be getting enough units to the places that need them the most, with higher reserve numbers...

    we shall see.

  • FallenOneX

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 6:26 am PT

    While it's probably wishful thinking, Sept. does give Nintendo more time to judge the market and play around with some features. I know I wasn;t the only one to notice that they didn's say anything about the DVD playback add-on/device that was mentioned before. Maybe it'll be inculded, Perrin did say i an interview that the packaging wasn't finalized yet. I'm not going to let it bug me though. Just like people are getting a PS3 regardless of cost, I'm getting a Wii and a 360 by X-mas.

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 5:57 am PT

    You would think that, but the xbox is $399US but $499CDN and thats more than the 13% exchange rate it should be, ... but thats Microsoft, rounding up. Ninty hopefully won't follow in their foot steps.

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