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GameStop offering $699 Wii bundle Thursday

[UPDATE 2] Pricey "convenient package" includes $250 console and $449 of unnamed games and accessories; PS3 preorder plans still under wraps.

[UPDATE 2] PLEASE NOTE: GameStop and EB Games are now listing details for the bundle at their online stores.

How badly do US gamers want a Wii? GameStop is thinking "very." Last night, the retailer and its subsidiary EB Games sent out a mass e-mail saying that, starting late on Thursday, gamers will be able to order the Wii from the two companies' online stores, GameStop.com and EBgames.com, in the form of an expensive bundle.

"This Thursday evening (CST), November 9, your opportunity to get in on the excitement arrives when the Wii Bundle becomes available for purchase online at GameStop.com," read the e-mail. "You'll get the best games, accessories, and more in one convenient package delivered right to your door--all for under $699 plus tax and handling." (Emphasis added.)

By itself, the Wii costs only $250 and comes with the Wiimote and Nunchuk controller, power and AV cords, sensor bar, stands, and Wii Sports. Given the GameStop Wii bundle's steep price, one would wonder what assortment of add-ons and games are worth around an extra $449. Apparently, the customer-service reps at GameStop are also wondering. "We don't know what the bundle contains," a rep told GameSpot. "We also don't know when they go on sale. We won't know until Thursday."

Catch number two is that there will only be a single Wii bundle to (not) choose from, unlike the Xbox 360 bundle assortment GameStop offered last year. "I can confirm there is only one bundle with the same games and accessories," said the same rep. "And no, we don't know what they are either."

Last but not least are a series of caveats all too familiar to console-launch veterans. "Quantities are extremely limited and there will be a limit of 1 Wii bundle per household, limited to US delivery only," read GameStop's e-mail. "Ordering a bundle does not guarantee shipment at launch and orders will be shipped on a first-come, first-serve basis. The bundle will be removed from the site as soon as we have reached our expected quota." The Wii launches in the US on November 19.

Gamers put off by the bundle's high price will only have one next-gen alternative on GameStop.com--the Xbox 360. "There are currently no [set] plans for a new PlayStation 3 pre-order program," the GameStop rep said. [UPDATE] A recording on the GameStop help line said that there was simply "no new information" available, implying the PS3 preorder plans were not currently available to the public. The company had offered a very limited number of unbundled PS3 and Wii preorders on a first-come-first-served basis at its retail outlets on the morning of October 10, all of which sold out within minutes. Confirmed preorders of Sony's console, which launches in the US on November 17, are currently fetching upwards of $1,500 on eBay.

431 Comments

  • Chikimefuiki

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 12:55 pm GMT

    It must be worth it if its that much? But still since EB/gamestop stores are the only ones that are selling it they could lure people into buying it when it might actually not be good. But, no one knows until thursday.

  • Brianpro

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 1:54 pm GMT

    With 699 dollars you can by a damn ps3. And only get one game. Wait a minute....PS3 only has one good game.

  • xtremeg4m3r

    Posted Dec 3, 2006 7:42 am GMT

    With 699 dollars you can by a damn ps3.

  • Princecake

    Posted Nov 27, 2006 5:35 pm GMT

    I was ready to buy PS3 at the retail price but obviously not going to pay 2500USD+ for it gonna wait till it's actually 600USD - probably better that way since first wave is nothing but sh.. Wii will definitely keep me occupied meanwhile

  • zemognavi

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:22 pm GMT

    Theres no point to buying bundles...youre not saving any money and it comes with games that you dont even know if you like...

  • ApeEscapeExpert

    Posted Nov 15, 2006 9:52 pm GMT

    WHOA! Who wants to buy a $699 bundle when you can just buy the $250 Wii and one game? That bundle will never suceed. The price is way too high, higher than the price of the PS3 itself! Also, there is more than just price, it's value.

  • SHIMANGOO

    Posted Nov 13, 2006 11:08 pm GMT

    well for the holiday seasons i think that the wii will do the best.

    its the price moms are willing to pay, and theres more to go around.

    but the ps3 will be the victor in the long run.

  • _Sam_

    Posted Nov 12, 2006 1:57 pm GMT

    Too bad I can't afford it

  • Mariofan1314

    Posted Nov 11, 2006 8:14 am GMT

    The stores rear me aren't and can't take anymore Wii Pre-orders because to many people already did!

  • scottwilkins

    Posted Nov 10, 2006 8:37 am GMT

    Due to bundles and shortages, we can expect the 360 to be the overwhelming console of choice for this holiday season. Economics rule the land these days. We'll get a better view of system acceptance next year. I'm still betting the PS3 will be the last of the pack in a few years. Too expensive, too fragile of media (blu-ray is just bad guys, sorry) and too late to market with old technology (remember, the 360 cpu and ps3 cpu are identical core designs...)

  • djjamaligator

    Posted Nov 10, 2006 6:06 am GMT

    چه وعزی بابا قرار بود 250 بیشتر نباشد

  • silverann

    Posted Nov 9, 2006 5:41 pm GMT

    Anybody see the bundle? I've stayed there website for 3 hours but nothing changed??!

  • SpongeBlade

    Posted Nov 9, 2006 5:13 pm GMT

    Wtf, was it sold out already? =\

  • dshiels

    Posted Nov 9, 2006 12:58 pm GMT

    Setup bundles are good thing if they are packed with the right games when put on sale, remember what it was like at the Gamecube lunch? You had a choice of Waverace or Luigi's Mansion which wasn't the greats line up as you would expect, but it came with two controllers & memory card. What you really have to think about is how many people are going to use it, so is there a point to having and extra controller or what games are shipped with the bundle at sale, can they be used with the second controller if there are muilt-player games available with the bundle. There's no point in paying extra cash for something you don't need if it's just for you to use or can't be used yet! Having a choice in what your buying for your needs is better!

  • blackthegame

    Posted Nov 9, 2006 4:39 am GMT

    wii news

  • stripeknight

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 9:16 pm GMT

    A wise old man of the mountains once told me and I quote "do not purchase costly new game bundle packs packing one good game and a bunch of goo that you wouldn't light on fire and use as kin-ling".....as such I will decline this most generous offer probably being pushed by the producers of Trauma Center: Second Opinion, Red Steel, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz and Madden NFL 2007 with a monetary kick back to whoever organized this wallet sucking deal.

  • amsscorpio

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 8:55 pm GMT

    Gamestop and EB GAmes I think are like completely disorganized stores thatripp you off a lot , specially if you want to trade in games , so as for me I wont be after this bundle becasue it simply costs too much

  • xtiansk8

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 6:04 pm GMT

    i think it's a pretty good package, but to expensive though. I'll just stay w/ the rill pacakge.

  • crmdd27

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 5:35 pm GMT

    Its a good deal but id rather go with the PS3

  • RKFS

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 5:32 pm GMT

    FORCED TO BUY IT? You've got to remember that GameStop/EB Games is only one store and it's not like the price means they'll have unlimited supply...

  • LorenaLarue

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 5:05 pm GMT

    Sounds like a Wii with 3 extra remotes + nunchucks + 4 classic pads + component cable + all the games.

    Well maybe not all the games.

  • darknferno12

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 4:18 pm GMT

    let me rephrase that the who want to buy the Wii at launch are forced to buy the bundles( Where JUST talking about Ebgames/Gamestop (.com) here)

  • MrPuzzlez

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 4:17 pm GMT

    Nice, but still too pricey. I'll stick to the normal package...

    even though I can't afford it...

  • aletorro

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 12:55 pm GMT

    darknferno12 - how are you forced to buy the Wii bundle? Does Gamestop, EB Games or Nintendo for that fact got you at gun point making you buy it? Is Nintendo Wii only going to be available at launch and never again throughout history? Seriously I'm dying to get my hands on a Wii...you wouldn't even know...but I'm not willing to pay that much for it...I can only wait even if its for a month or less or more who knows...I will buy one, I'll just buy it with the stuff I want when i want it...I can only wait and see what are the plans for EB Games and Gamestop for the PS3....
    ---------------------------------------------

  • darknferno12

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 12:34 pm GMT

    Maybe some people don't understand you ARE FORCED to buy the Wii bundle if you want just the system (and don't have the time to wait in line for a week or wait two months for more to be in stock) because you can't pre-order it in store anymore they've stopped doing that plus it's was $60 (online it's free) and will most likely be sold out on launch in store (plus a pre-order is a shot to buy it not a guarantee) so this is why we are FORCED to buy the bundle

  • MegaManX9101

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 12:27 pm GMT

    Only want 2 of the 6 bundled games... and We are about to get a few SD cards for the camera (ill be stealing one of those)

    Oh well, im sure some people will still apreciate this bundle.

  • LoWpS

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 12:19 pm GMT

    funny, if i had enough money i might actually have shelled out the 450. oh, wait, i think i DO have enough money. hm... nevermind, the bundled in games dont all agree with me.

  • BeefBoy25

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 11:59 am GMT

    it sounded good...but i only want 3 of the 6 games included in the budle

  • Karribuhater115

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 11:51 am GMT

    I'm going to be paying £220 overall for my Wii. £20 deposit at Gamestation for my reciept declaring that I preordered the 17th Wii that will come into the store, so it's looking good for me getting one before Christmas, £160 for the rest of the console and £40 for Zelda Twilight Princess, that's cheap enough for me and it'll tide me over until I get the PS3.

    Does anyone know if a Wii will fit into a normal sized backpack? Only because if I do get it before Christmas I don't fancy walking around with it on show since I don't drive i'd have to catch the bus or walk, people can get crazy near Christmas if they can't get the newest console for their little darlings.

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 11:51 am GMT

    That's one of the reasons I don't even bother shopping with GameStop and EB. Their bundles are just ridiculous.

  • rbarahona

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 11:33 am GMT

    Very interesting... I think that they did a similar thing with the 360 when it launched. As much as I would love to get one on day one, I think that I will have to wait until at least part of the hype goes away.

  • DaGame300X

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 11:31 am GMT

    this is the dumbets thing ive ever heard. do they really need to do this. by making these offers it will be even harder for people to get a wii on launch. this is mad lame.

  • aletorro

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 11:20 am GMT

    That's a rip-off, I'm dying to get my hands on a Wii at launch, but I just want to pay 300$ (Wii + a game). I hate all this bundles that try to squeeze you of your money, I hate even more the fact that there are people who can't wait a week or two to buy the console and pay those prices, making stores like Gamestop and EB-Games do all this crazy stuff. You all want it to stop, then don't buy stuff from them...that ought to teach them a lesson...

  • jaredgood1

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 11:19 am GMT

    FYI, EB now has the full description of the bundle:


    Nintendo Wii Console (includes 1 remote controller, 1 nunchuck, cables, sensor bar, console stand, and Wii Sports game)
    Wii Memory SD 1GB
    Additional Wii Remote Controller
    6 Games: Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Trauma Center: Second Opinion, Red Steel, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz, Madden NFL 2007
    12 Month Product Replacement Plan
    Game Informer Gift Subscription

  • BlackDragon110

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 11:17 am GMT

    The Nintendo Wii bundle includes the following items:

    Nintendo Wii Console (includes 1 remote controller, 1 nunchuck, cables, sensor bar, console stand, and Wii Sports game) Wii Memory SD 1GB Additional Wii Remote Controller 6 Games: Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Trauma Center: Second Opinion Red Steel Marvel Ultimate Alliance Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz Madden NFL 2007 12 Month Product Replacement Plan Game Informer Gift Subscription $694.88 plus tax and handling I have to say that this bundle isn't really that great of a deal since you could buy all of this stuff separately and pay just about the same amount.

  • ghsacidman

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:35 am GMT

    Boycott game system bundles, it's that simple. Everyone is so impatient though, and can't wait an extra month for Wii/PS3, that they order stupid bundles anyway.... There are 4 million consules promised at launch of the Wii... the dudes at my Gamestop here said they are getting a shipment just for non-pre-order sale... Just show up midnight the night before, don't buy stupid bundles, and maybe they'll stop ripping us off.

  • kails

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:31 am GMT

    Man what a ripoff

  • thps48

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:31 am GMT

    I hope this doesn't mean no Wii standalone's...Xp

  • GamesAnytime

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:27 am GMT

    I think that anyone D_U.M_B enogh to fork out that much $money$ for a super expensive Wii Bundle, Deserves to be ripped off.

  • samuraismurf

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:24 am GMT

    F THAT I'M GOING TO CHURCH.

  • nappan

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:23 am GMT

    Anyone who isn't laughing their ***es of at the idea of the "bargain console" being priced in a bundle that costs more than a PS3 is crazy. Gamestop has the business sense of a special olympian, and if nothing else does, this proves it.

  • specialed

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:22 am GMT

    j_vega07 said: "It's funny that they are also selling the strategy guides too..........I mean who is the idiot who buys a guide for The Legend of Zelda and not explore it......if you are i feel sorry very sorry for you"

    Well, there is more than ne type of gamer out there. Even though YOU might like to explore and find every last detail of a game without any help at all, and you and others might be good at doing it and enjoy just exploring anyway, there are countless others that might not want to go through the hastle of spending hours on end trying to find objects or power ups or anything else. I enjoy games, dont get me wrong, but I woudl be the one to buy a guide mainly b/c I dont have time to spend looking for hours for something. I have a life outside of gaming that requires alot of time, therefore, by the time i got back to the game, I would have forgotten where I was or what I was doing or what I was looking for.

    Guides are there for people that need or want that extra help, but still enjoy the game's graphics, sound, gameplay, etc...It doesnt spoil anythign for me if I have a guide.

  • Shad_Zero

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:15 am GMT

    that's awesome

  • RandyAU93

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:10 am GMT

    snakes2solid: Personally, I like a variety of games. Four of the games in this bundle (Zelda, TC2, RS and SMB) were already on my watch list, and I have no problems with either of the other two tittles; MUA has gotten good reviews on the other consoles, as has Madden (although I'm no fan of the NFL exclusivity that EA enjoys). Basically, if I were able to buy all this now, that'd do me for a while.

    I'm wondering if this bundle is partially to keep away speculators, since their potential profit will get gobbled up at the start.

  • gamerchikrpg

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:03 am GMT

    um....expensive don't ya think? i'm getting a wii because i can't afford anything else. i think that may be the case for many others too.

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:03 am GMT

    That's too much they r asking for!!!

  • snakes2solid

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:02 am GMT

    just look at 6 games for a second... o.k.. i'm gonna play Zelda first and stay on that one for weeks, maybe a month?... so the other ones are gonna sit on my shelf and lose value,,,,then when i acutally play them if they're any good...they'll have dropped in price and i can get them used or cheaper on ebay.... that's just 1 reason the deal is for idiots only!!!!... or maybe for people who have no other videogames to play..and it's their first system!!

  • caybeirwouleyfe

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:01 am GMT

    Damn, calm down you don't have to pay 700$ for this . YOU CAN still just pay 250$ and get a game with it. Anyway if you're thinking of buying plenty of Wii games with accesories this would be great. And its stll cheaper than the cheap ps3 (anyoe buying a ps3 will get 2 games (500+120=620$) a extra sixaxis and 2 20$ memory sticks(620+50+40=710$!) )

  • RandyAU93

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 9:59 am GMT

    plagueart: Good point, but in order to get warranty service from Nintendo, you have to send the product in and wait for the replacement ... it works, but it takes about 2-3 weeks sometimes. In theory, EB GameStop's plan would let you bring your broken Wii into any store and walk out with a new one from their stock (if any) right then.

    That said, Nintendo consoles are renowned for their reliability, and I would see no reason why the Wii would be no different. It's like buying hurricane insurance in Iowa.

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