Time for a Wii price cut?
CNET News Poll
A lot of folks have been talking about a potential PS3 price cut to spur sales, but with Wii sales on the way down, the question is will Nintendo need to do some price trimming of its own to keep its system from floundering?
Last week, Silicon Alley Insider posted an article titled "Nintendo Wii Losing its Shine," in which author Dan Frommer cited some interesting figures. Yes, the Wii remains the best-selling game console, with 340,000 units sold in the U.S. in April (that gives it a 2-1 advantage over the XBox 360 and nearly a 3-1 advantage over the PS3 for the month). And yes, Wii Fit, Mario Kart, and Wii Play made up three of the top four games. But Wii sales are down an eye-opening 52 percent year-over-year.
The article goes on to mention that Citi analyst Brent Thill finds this notable "because the Wii is no longer supply-constrained, is relatively cheap, and didn't have to compete with huge games on other consoles, such as Grand Theft Auto 4."
One could argue that with its lead, Nintendo can afford to wait until 2010 to cut prices. It also doesn't hurt that in just a few weeks, Nintendo's going to roll out its new Wii Sports Resort and Wii MotionPlus motion sensor add-on, which should give the platform a little boost. Yet bloggers continue to take swipes at the Wii, mocking it for having PS2-level graphics, gimmicky controls, a limited selection of good games, as well as accessory requirements that raise the cost of ownership to less affordable levels. And while the Wii's precipitous sales drop may be a reflection of the gaming industry's recessionary blues, it's also probable that the Wii's hype has worn off and it is now harder for the Wii to stand on its own merit.
What do you think? Is the Wii just fine where it is at $249.99? Should it cost $50 less? Or would you never buy it anyway, no matter what it cost?
Hunkered down in New York City, Executive Editor David Carnoy covers the gamut of gadgets and writes his Fully Equipped column, which carries the tag line "The electronics you lust for." He's also the author of "Knife Music," a novel. E-mail David. Follow David on Twitter.
Ultimately if you own a playstation or xbox, and would only get a wii as a 2nd system, you'll regard the investment as overpriced and limited b/c your first system can do all the things that the wii can do, and probably more in terms of networking and media. If the Wii was you're only system, you wouldn't be complaining, but because you view it as a gimmick, you expect it to be cheap. I'll tell you what though, it's not a gimmick to the millions of kids that play this thing.
Also a price cut is the dumbest idea ever. The worst thing a company can do is take a smash hit product by lowering prices when sales can't keep up in an attempt to keep demand at an unrealistic level. Overstimulating demand by lowering the value of a product will enviably lead to a collapse in demand, it's econ 101.
In what part of this planet is the Wii not keeping up with demand?
Last time I looked, there were mountains of unsold Wii's in any games shop I looked at, and Wii sales were down a massive 52% in April, from April last year, and Wiii sales in Japan gave dropped over 60% so far this year.
One of the Wii's biggest demographics is the geriatric old women at retirement homes across America. If the older gamer is a "smaller and smaller group" like you claim, it's the Wii that is going to be the first to suffer, especially as the market gets hit with a flood of used Wii's as these Wii grannies pass on to the next world.
There, fixed that for ya.
You mean the most popular game system, the PS2, with over 140 million units sold, yes?
@ omahachocolate :"It's almost like it ruffles these guys' feathers to state the facts - people love the Wii because it actually entices interaction and something beyond eating Cheetos and drinking Mt. Dew during an overnight session of Halo. "
Like waving your gimmicky Wiiband about like some demented idiot?
@ omahachocolate :"PS3 and XBox are awesome. But, PS3's used to cost $600, and the XBox was higher-priced than it is now, too"
The 360 Arcade is a snip at only $200 a pop, that's $50 cheaper than the Wii..and its up to 10 times as powerful as the Wii, and come with a heck of a lot more and better games.
@ omahachocolate :"First off, the Wii was the only console that has ALWAYS come ready to play out of the box"
The 360 Arcade comes with to the tune of 5 free games, ready to play right out of the box, and its cheaper than your Wii.
PS3 and XBox are awesome. But, PS3's used to cost $600, and the XBox was higher-priced than it is now, too. Not until they opened up their eyes to the point that consumers don't want to drop $600 on a console and pay $60 a game did it start selling well. And, for the clown that bought someone's PS3 off of eBay on day 1 for $1500 - idiot! And you're probably one of those out there mocking the Wii users.
Lastly, I also feel it's a bit hypocrytical to have PS3 & XBx fans criticize Wii consumers for the need to purchase "add-ons" to make it playable. First off, the Wii was the only console that has ALWAYS come ready to play out of the box. Call it lame if you want, but they've bundled a Nunchuk, a Wii-mote and Wii Sports since day one. PS3 & XBox came with one controller and no games to start with... of course, that's since changed in order for them to try and generate more sales. Also, how many PS3/XBox owners only have one controller? That's about worthless, and they're $50 a pop usually. How's that better than what a Wii's hardware cost is? And, lastly, the software is definitely more graphically enjoyable on the higher-end systems, but again, you pay $60 a disc for new releases. Wii games are usually 15% less expensive and even better than that sometimes.
These consoles aren't designed to go head-to-head with one another anyway - but my 7 year old daughter truly loves being able to get involved in video games at such a young age (she's been playing since she was 4). Oh, BTW, I have a PS3... but I actually call it a Blu Ray player. :)
The ultimate problem for the Wii is that their is nothing in the system that can't be done better on an XBOX or PS3. With the Wii's dated graphics engine and overall horsepower...Microsoft and Sony may release something that sweeps the Wii under the rug.
It's true that Wii doesn't have the library of games that the Xbox and PS have but when you have a family and your kids want to play, you aren't going to whip out Killzone or World at War anyways.
Comparing the Wii and the HD consoles is like comparing apples and oranges.
It's all a matter of preference. For me, the Wii is the system that has the games I like. Other people prefer the titles offered on 360 and PS3, and that's okay. Plus, it only makes sense that the Wii has more shovelware. It's the top seller and has a wider demographic that includes more new gamers making it ideal for shovelware developers.
I think a price cut would be nice right now, but demand is high enough as it is. I would really like some cheaper controllers though...
Congrats to nintendo on a smart business move by making a profit from day one and shame on them for allowing third party developers to push so much garbage and for not better supporting their system and supporting creative new games. instead its the same novelty mini game junk that lost its novelty shortly after the launch.
The wii was should have launched at 200 and should be 150 right now.
Well, actually nintendo does sell games. Only in the form of Mario though. I just meant 3rd party games. Can't think much of games in wii without a "Mario" on it.
All in all, Wii for me still remains the most expensive console with less experience. 360 is second because of the extra $100 for wi-fi and $50 XBL. PS3 would be the cheapest for me as you would only need to buy games. Although you would likely want to buy a HD cause most games required to be installed. Although not costly as much as the customized 360 HD.
PS3 -> console of choice because i think its cheaper with the additional BRD.
360 -> great console. with a nice set of games.
Wii -> Expensive console if you plan on gettin 4 sets of controller. Meaning with the nunchuk and the soon to be released motion-plus addition. and you'll probably want at least one classic controller if you dont have a gamecube controller. only buy it if...uhm...well...you see a really good game?? or if you always have alot of buddies to play with. other than that, just get a ps3 or a 360.
You don't need wifi to get online with the 360. As a matter of fact, the CAT 5 that the 360 comes with, is better for fast paced online gaming than wifi ..there is less lag.
And you can get silver membership on XBOX Live for nothing per month,
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by Danderson1389
May 20, 2009 12:43 AM PDT
- I don't really understand why you guys all believe that the wii is over priced its gimmicky in a sense, but it is in a way that is fun. And, how is it over priced? really. It's $250 for the console and $55 per extra controller. Is that any different than the PS3 or Xbox 360? These consoles are more expensive (yes with better graphics I know) but with each additional controller costing $55-60 as well, so how is the wii in the long run any different than the other consoles?
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by Kwasiowusu
May 23, 2009 1:58 PM PDT
- @ Danderson1389 :" It's $250 for the console and $55 per extra controller. Is that any different than the PS3 or Xbox 360? "
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (34 Comments)Yes.
The 360 Arcade costs only $200, that's $50 cheaper than the Wii, and it comes with 5 free Arcade games, and it's much more powerful than the Wii to boot.
@ Danderson1389 :"These consoles are more expensive "
Like I said, the 360 Arcade is cheaper.