Reggie: Absolutely No More Wii Price Cuts (Ever?)

[John Funk]

Reggie: Absolutely No More Wii Price Cuts (Ever?)

Glad to see the Wii slash $50 off its retail price? Don't get used to it - Nintendo boss Reggie Fils-Aime says that it won't be happening again.

As we head into Holiday '09 (the preface to the crazier Not-Holiday '10) all three major consoles have seen price cuts to boost flagging sales in a recession. The Xbox 360 and PS3 are sitting pretty at $299, while the Wii is now at $200 - the first price cut the console has received since its debut in 2006.

Speaking with CNBC [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/33183061#33183061], Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said that the company was feeling good about the upcoming holiday season, pointing to the success of its DSi handheld.

"We say that based on the experience of launching the Nintendo DSi this past April, we've already sold 2.2 million units, so we're feeling very good about the holiday," said Fils-Aime. "We define value as what you get for what you pay. With Wii - with the USD 50 price drop - you're getting a lot more value."

The price cut has been certainly helping reinvigorate the Wii, reports GI.biz [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/fils-aime-absolutely-no-more-wii-price-cuts], boosting console sales by 10%. Would we maybe see another price cut in the future, given that Nintendo - as the current leader in the console war - has considerably further to fall from grace?

"Absolutely not," says Fils-Aime. "We lasted 34 months without having to cut the price. We were able to reach over 20 million consumers here in the US at USD 249. The next group of consumers we will get at this USD 199 price point, and we've already seen very strong results after just one week on the marketplace."

Instead, says Reggie, Nintendo is banking on "innovation" to carry it through this holiday season. Innovation such as a device that checks your pulse or something [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/93093-Nintendo-President-Defends-Wii-Vitality-Sensor], apparently.

(Image [http://www.flickr.com/photos/whit3/145438548/])

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[Amnestic]

That's a fucking scary picture of him you got there. Looks like he's saying "You did what to my mother? YOU WANNA FOOKIN' FIGHT ABOUT IT!?"

No more wii price cuts? Well, I guess that means I won't have to worry about getting less and less for my wii when I trade it in?

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

Well. I had something to say. but I forgot.

oh yeah. I'm happy if I can get an hour of gameplay for every ($£) I spend on something.
So far I've had incredible value from my 360 (Thanks to RPGs Oblivion and Fallout 3)

I just don't think a Wii could match that... It can be fun to play some games with the family, but I wouldn't buy one for myself... even with the pricedrop.

[sub]Please Note: No Cpt. Prices were hurt in the making of this comment[/sub]

 

[FightThePower]

It's £200 here in the UK. We had a price hike, so thanks.

Not that I need to buy a Wii anyway, I already have one I don't use.

 

[Mr. Fister]

Not a very flattering picture of Reggie.

And I'm not surprised that he's saying don't count on another price-cut. The Wii is currently tied with the Xbox 360 Arcade as the cheapest current-gen console, a good $100 lower than the standard 360 and PS3 Slim. There's no need for them to lower the price any further than it already is.

On an unrelated note, anyone else glad that all three companies dropped the prices of their systems so don't have to read anymore rumors and speculation of a price drop?

As we head into Holiday '09 (the preface to the crazier Not-Holiday '10)

You got that right.

 

[stabnex]

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring!

I'm sorry, but this newspost has left me sleepy and I must go beat up squishy things using a fun controller in REAL GAME. $400, $250, $200, it matters not, I won't buy the Wii because it's not a real console, it's Fisher Prices Baby's First Video Game that true to third party tradition only works to teach children and stupids how to play nice and not break their other toys.

 

[Chipperz]

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring!

I'm sorry, but this newspost has left me sleepy and I must go beat up squishy things using a fun controller in REAL GAME. $400, $250, $200, it matters not, I won't buy the Wii because it's not a real console, it's Fisher Prices Baby's First Video Game that true to third party tradition only works to teach children and stupids how to play nice and not break their other toys.

You do realise just how much of a child you sound there, right?

 

[stabnex]

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring!

I'm sorry, but this newspost has left me sleepy and I must go beat up squishy things using a fun controller in REAL GAME. $400, $250, $200, it matters not, I won't buy the Wii because it's not a real console, it's Fisher Prices Baby's First Video Game that true to third party tradition only works to teach children and stupids how to play nice and not break their other toys.

You do realise just how much of a child you sound there, right?

If the expression of an honest opinion coming from a video game salesman concerning a video game console is considered childish, then point me to the nearest set of titties.

No real gamers play the Wii because 90% of the games are color matching, point-and-click, ball-bounce-a-thons that no self-respecting gamer would even give the time of day to. Children, Mums, and the Elderly are the core demographic, and the rest only bought it for Wii Mario Kart or SSBB and then put it away in the closet or sold it to me for a kick in the ass and pocket change.

 

[mikecoulter]

*Nintendo "Ohh look that's one of our feet... Quickly shoot it, shoot it!"

 

[Mr. Fister]

*Nintendo "Ohh look that's one of our feet... Quickly shoot it, shoot it!"

I'm curious, how are they shooting themselves in the foot by not dropping the price of their console any further if it's already a good deal lower than the competition?

 

[pigeon_of_doom]

Not a very flattering picture of Reggie.

I don't think a flattering picture of the man exists.

As for his statements on there not being any price cuts in the future? They're strong statements of intent, which could stop people waiting for another price drop and instead buy now, but his statement shouldn't be taken as the unalterable truth. If sales drop for a prolonged period after this initial sales surge caused by the price cut, they certainly won't honour the words of the NOA president, nor would he expect them to.

 

[mikecoulter]

*Nintendo "Ohh look that's one of our feet... Quickly shoot it, shoot it!"

I'm curious, how are they shooting themselves in the foot by not dropping the price of their console any further if it's already a good deal lower than the competition?

Because as of the previous generation they decided to make mainly family friendly consoles and games.

They helped do this by working their hardest to keep bringing the price of the Gamecube down. It just seems they're a little too happy with keeping the price up at the moment.

Also I don't really think the Wii is in direct competition with the PS3 and 360, as it offers a whole different game experience. So really, they're in their own kind of league with the capability to make it easier on the customer base.

 

[misfit119]

While I agree with him about the whole Wii likely not needing a price cut ever again, $199 is a really good price for any console, I think they're forgetting a few things. The Wii is slowly sliding out in sales especially in Japan. They've pretty much already hit market saturation although this price cut is making those who got rid of the Wii buy one again. I wonder how long it will be before we see a needed price cut to make it the most inexpensive choice possible even if that's only another $25 or so.

*Nintendo "Ohh look that's one of our feet... Quickly shoot it, shoot it!"

I'm curious, how are they shooting themselves in the foot by not dropping the price of their console any further if it's already a good deal lower than the competition?

While I obviously don't agree with the first guys statement, how is it "a good deal lower" than the competition? It's the exact same price as a basic 360 unit. Or do you only consider in the elite and Slim PS3 into this equation because the PS3 slim is only about 50 bucks more. Once again not exactly a good deal. So one out of three competing units is even remotely more expensive than the Wii.

Not a very flattering picture of Reggie.

I don't think a flattering picture of the man exists.quote]

Having seen him in person there's no way any pictures could flatter him. ;-) Not an ugly man but kind of creepy looking really.

 

[IamQ]

His eyes stare into your soul...

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

Reggie wants to kill all of us.

 

[GonzoGamer]

Of course they're going to SAY there wont be another price drop. They want people to buy it at the price it's at now.

They like money.

 

[Quadtrix]

That dude fucking scares me.

 

[Teh_Doomage]

I love the inane pictures of Reggie...also, doesn't Nintendo make the most profit per console sold as it is?

 

[j0z]

That picture is creepy...

Meh, they dropped it $50, not a BIG deal, definitely not as big as the 360 or PS3 price cuts, mainly because not a bunch of people were complaining about the price in the first place.It still will not convince me to buy one of those things.

The price cut has been certainly helping reinvigorate the Wii, reports GI.biz [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/fils-aime-absolutely-no-more-wii-price-cuts], boosting console sales by 10%.

10%? Wow, that is quite the spike. Oh... wait...

But, at least prices are FALLING, instead of rising.

 

[Armored Prayer]

Dude! That picture is scaring me!