Wii release details (US, Japanese and European details inside)!

[King Jericho]

Taken from IGN.com: http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/732/732669p1.html

US Wii Price, Launch Date Revealed
The news we've all been waiting for.
by Kathleen Sanders and Matt Casamassina
September 13, 2006 - Nintendo fans finally have a price and release date for the company's new generation console, Wii. The Big N is set to officially announce that the system will hit retail in North and South America for $250 on November 19. The New York Times published with the story and seems, in fact, to have beaten Nintendo Co. Ltd with the news.


Nintendo's Wii console will come packaged with one Wii remote, one nunchuck attachment, an AC adapter, an audio/video cable, a sensor bar, sensor bard stand, a Wii console stand and two batteries. The US package will also come bundled with a copy of Wii Sports, a compilation sports game that best shows off the mechanics of the system's unique controller. Wii Sports features tennis, baseball, golf and previously unannounced bowling and boxing games.
Nintendo said it would provide Wii owners with more than 25 unique games this year.

Wii's much talked-about Virtual Console download service, which enables gamers to purchase classic games, will offer a library of some 30 titles when the system launches. Titles will include entries from the Mario, Zelda and Donkey Kong franchises, Nintendo said. Virtual Console games will cost between $5 and $10 each. Specifically, Nintendo Co. Ltd. announced that Virtual Console games would cost 500 yen ($5), 800 yen ($8) or 1,000 yen ($10); we're presuming these prices are for NES, SNES and N64 games respectively.

The Big N confirmed that it would charge $50 for its new Wii games, which is $10 cheaper than the cost of typical Xbox 360 titles. (Please note that this is First-Party games, prices have not been announced for Third-Part Wii games -- publishers are free to set their own prices on Wii titles.)

Nintendo Co. Ltd. revealed that Wii's various controllers would be available to buy separately at launch. The Wii remote will cost 3800 yen or about $40; the nunchuck 1800 yen or about $20 and the classic controller 1800 yen or about $20.

In a surprise announcement, Nintendo said that it wanted to make Wii a living room centerpiece by shipping the system with features outside of the videogame realm. Wii will include a photo channel, enabling users to display their digital photos through the console. It will also boast regularly updated news and weather channels. In addition, the system will ship with the Opera Web browser, enabling users to connect online.

One of the channels available on Wii is called the "Mii Channel." Here, players can customize avatars by selecting from a variety of face shapes, hair styles, color schemes, and so on. The hook is that these avatars can not only be stored on the console itself, they can also be transfered to the Wii remote itself -- presumably so players can easily access their personalized characters and take them with them when playing against friends.

Sony recently announced that it would ready 400,000 PS3s in North America and another 100,000 in Japan for the system's launch. Nintendo said it plans to ship 4 million Wii units worldwide by the end of the year.

Nintendo will launch Wii in Japan on December 2 of this year for 25,000 yen, it revealed. North America will get the system first.

Nintendo of Japan has added an amazing breakdown of the Wii's various interfaces to its overseas website. Everything is in Japanese, but the videos speak for themselves. Readers can click right here for a 14-page walkthrough of the system's ambitious features. Included in the list of options are demonstrations of the forecast, Mii, and photo channels. The forecast launches a virtual globe that can be spun in any direction. In the photo channel, users can load hundreds of their favorite photos and edit them in real-time. It's possible to message friends with Mii character profiles and to send pictures in messages. And the videos demonstrate surfing the Web with Wii's Opera browser. These are absolute must-see videos.

----

The U.K conference is tomorrow, so we'll find out then. Big suprise in that the U.S is getting it before Japan. Which could mean bad news for Europe, which I think might possibly be released after the Japanese date of December 2nd seeing as the PS3 is delayed til March (Yay!).

Thoughts.




UPDATE:
13:39 - WII LAUNCH DETAILS: European launch date December 8 2006, priced at £179 (249 Euros). Package will include console, Wiimote, nunchuck, cables and all that jazz. Oh and Wii Sports. Er, games will cost £35 - £39 in the UK and 49-59 Euros elsewhere. Europe, for example. Sorry about the slackness there. I was updating two places at once.

[St. Jimmy]

Nunchuck attachment. :rofl:

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Not really a surprise that it's out in USA first. Hell, the DS was. Japan doesn't have a big holiday shopping season so get the US ones out first and then they're cooking on gas.

I presume that UK will be Febuary, if so I shall probably import. I buy all my games from Canada anyways so it's no biggie.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Here's some concrete JAP info from that conference via wiifanboy.com:

Virtual Console pricing revealed! 500 yen for NES games (around 4 USD), 800 yen for SNES (around 7 USD) and 1000 yen for N64 (around 8.5 USD). You can pay via credit card or a "Wii points card". (so hopefully not that $10 thing in America)

Nintendo plans to have 30 Nintendo games and 30 Sega/TurboGrafx-16 games on the Virtual Console by year's end. Ten new VC games will be released each month!

According the press release, the Wii will not come with Wii Sports. The full contents of the package are as follows: Wii console, Wii remote (w/ strap) Nunchuck attachment, Wii AC adaptor, Wii A/V cable, Wii console stand, sensor bar, sensor bar stand and two AA batteries.

The Wiimote will apparently sell for 3,800 yen (32.30 USD), not including the nunchuck attachment. The classic controller and the nunchuck will each retail for 1,800 yen (15.30 USD). (OOOOUUUUCCCCHHH)

Game prices will range from 4,800 yen (40.80 USD) to 6,800 yen (57.80 USD), with Twilight Princess being at the upper-end 6,800 mark.

Wii Sports will be a stand-alone title, retailing at the aforementioned 4,800 yen price point. It will contain five games. Apparently, Shigeru Miyamoto just beat Japanese tennis star Sugiyama at Wii Tennis.

[King Jericho]

Not really a surprise that it's out in USA first. Hell, the DS was. Japan doesn't have a big holiday shopping season so get the US ones out first and then they're cooking on gas.

I presume that UK will be Febuary, if so I shall probably import. I buy all my games from Canada anyways so it's no biggie.

I doubt it will be Febuary (as well as hoping it isn't) because they could make a killing in Europe in the run-up and over Christmas with the PS3 being delayed. And also they always stated we would be playing Wii by 2006. I doubt very much that we'll get it before Japan, but by mid-December I'm sure.

[Destor]

Awesome. (I'm trying not to mark out here.)

[King Jericho]

When Europe finds out details tomorrow, ill be something like 'Oh ok, hmmmm, nice.......sIKWSHDLIUZAD'D'S'#'#weF#'FTP9W3P8JKDS;LKSDALhasdlkjbcvkjd'p;wa;l',;asp'k';p!U("*209812781011!!¬'

[Fignuts]

What are the launch titles?

[ClockShot]

Apparently. You could pre-order this bad boy right now.

http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=&products_id=6998&

[Triple A]

Definitely buying this.

[Dorkchop]

I just read that on IGN. I'm very excited about this.

[Savio]

Does nintendo have any gta type games? (besides the simpsons one)

[Destor]

By GTA do you mean sandbox games?

[DS]

Does nintendo have any gta type games? (besides the simpsons one)
No

[Kalyx triaD]

Hell shit-fuck yeah. I can bag a Wii with a single paycheck. I mean let's be honest; that's the best news on next-gen we've got since... Gears of War.

Not looking good for Sony.

[D Mac]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[DS]

Hell shit-fuck yeah. I can bag a Wii with a single paycheck. I mean let's be honest; that's the best news on next-gen we've got since... Gears of War.

Not looking good for Sony.
Yeah, I'm sure they are really disappointed that their $600 console will sell out in the first week.

Wii looks pretty good for what it's worth but I won't buy one at first.

[Kapoutman]

I'll try to find a place that takes pre-orders pretty soon.

[Requiem]

Or you could just throw your money in the trash. Same difference.

[Savio]

I do like how it comes bundled with "Wii Sports"

[Kalyx triaD]

Yeah, I'm sure they are really disappointed that their $600 console will sell out in the first week.

Wii looks pretty good for what it's worth but I won't buy one at first.

It's easy to sell out when you're sending about 47 units globally.

[DS]

Why are you bringing the 360 launch into your argument?

Sony's 500,000 (with 100,000 guaranteed to be sold out by November 12th) are going to be easy sell out just as well.

[Kalyx triaD]

I'm getting a 360 soon but fuck it in any case; Wii's gonna own. To be real it doesn't matter if PS3 sells out, I won't have one. I will have a Wii, one of the first shipment units if I can. Did you read up on the Wii Channels? I won't even use the damn thing like they want me to, but it's the little things like that which makes me think Wii will hit the public in a different manner.

On the conventional side of things, 360's gonna lock down that market.

If it wasn't for certain games the PS3 would be doomed. There's too many WTF facts about it for me to see a decent future for it. It'll sell, like McD's cheesburgers sell.

But everyone likes Whoppers better.

[Requiem]

Anyone who says the PS3 would be doomed (at all, for any reason) is an idiot. Sony pretty much controls the Japanese market. Even if they were to not even release the system in the US or Europe, the console would still be a success simply because of Japan.

You're completely ignoring the facts and are only looking at what -you- like. Sony already has an established market in Japan, and I guarantee it will succeed there with -no- problems whatsoever. They could release the shittiest launch titles ever, and it would still sell huge over there.

The U.S. market is nothing compared to what they'll sell over there. The 500,000 or whatever that they're shipping over here will sell fine, but unlike Microsoft, they have a much larger audience over there. (Yes, I realize the 360 still did pretty good over in Japan, but in no way 'dominated' in sales)

[Kalyx triaD]

Damn right it's about what I like. Get this:

-PS2 won the last generation. But what was everybody I knew playing: XBox.
-XB360 sold well over here. Number of people I know with one: 1.

There's a street sense that goes with my thoughts for a system's success or failure. So before you guys say I'm poppin off at the mouth like a Sony-hater or Wii-fanboy I just wanna say I'm appliying common sense in the matter. Wii is gonna be casual, 360 in between, and PS3 will appear to the hardcore (and well paid/spoiled). PS3 will sellout, but that only tells me how many dopes forgot about Sony's legendary first shipment issues, doesn't seem to mind a format that won't even matter in 5-6 years, and doesn't care spending RENT for a videogame console.

If Sony's gonna win the next-gen wars (globally) they gotta come better than the gambles they're taking. Somebody sued Microsoft for some of 360's issues; this is a new climate for companies. They'll have good numbers, but what I read and what I see tend to differ. Real shit I'm saying, dudes.

Talking about Sony's success overseas is more idiotic than me foreseeing it's failure right where I can see it. But time will tell right?

[DS]

What? Sony isn't the only company that had problems with their consoles. I remember there were plenty of problems with the 360 and I remember having to blow on my cartridges, which didn't even matter after Sony came out with games on CD, for my Nintendo. But apparently the winners of the console wars are decided by whatever the people you know are playing. Who cares about globally or even out of the city?

[road doggy dogg]

TWO MORE MONTHS


I'm already trying to cancel my WoW account.

[Kalyx triaD]

But apparently the winners of the console wars are decided by whatever the people you know are playing. Who cares about globally or even out of the city?

Is it so hard to grasp? Why do I give a shit what some dude is playin in Tokyo? Why do any of you give a shit? What matters to me is what will have my attention, or where it falls on my gaming priority. I see myself using the Wii casually. The 360 has some hardcore stuff and will have the better network. PS3? I wanna play MGS4, DMC4, TKN6 (all sequels mind you) but will not for a long time (unless I hit some jackpot). Sony doesn't seem to have us common gamers in mind, so understand my meaning of failure when I say it. All these wallstreet numbers are cute and all and I'm happy all these rich kids are snagging that Blu-Way player but that means jack to us common folk.

And Sony isn't the only company with issues with their products, but the Madden-like love people have with the Sony name alone makes the broken product case worth hearing. Like how said Madden isn't the perfect game but it's popularity will make it's faults stand out all the easier for those not under EA Sports' spell.

[Requiem]

lol, the only reason I even said anything was because you just flat out stated that the PS3 would be -doomed- were it not for a few certain games. I stated why it wouldn't fail no matter what, simply because of the overseas following as compared to over here. Then you went on to say how that doesn't matter. Of course it matters. It has everything to do with the PS3 not failing as you kept saying it would.

[Kalyx triaD]

Sony doesn't seem to have us common gamers in mind, so understand my meaning of failure when I say it.

[DS]

What is your meaning of common gamer then? Because I would say that Sony is tailoring to common gamers more than people who only pick up and play every now and then.

[Requiem]

I don't see how they will fail because of that at all. I'm by no means rich, but anyone with an income of some sorts should be able to afford it. It isn't as if you have to go out and buy one the second it comes out and drop everything.

I plan on taking some money from a couple paychecks, putting it aside and buying one. People are making a huge deal out of the price, when it's not a big deal at all. I'm a 'common gamer' as you call it. Not really hardcore into any gaming like I used to be. I play console games casually.. I dabble with Guitar Hero, rent a game every once in a while. About the only games I play actively are PC games, and even then my PC hasn't had a lot of money spent on it.

So by all of that, I would consider myself a common gamer, yet it still isn't going to be a big deal to buy one. The only thing you seem to be complaining about would be that because of how they're doing things, you won't be able to get one immediately. But since you don't really care about the PS3, then why even complain about that?

[Requiem]

Let me rephrase that. You complain about the number they are shipping, and the price of the system. It seems that in reality, you would really like to get one but those things prevent you from doing so.. so instead you'll say that you don't give a crap about the system because they aren't making things easier for you to get your hands on one.

Pretty much what it sounds like.

[DS]

Let me rephrase that. You complain about the number they are shipping, and the price of the system. It seems that in reality, you would really like to get one but those things prevent you from doing so.. so instead you'll say that you don't give a crap about the system because they aren't making things easier for you to get your hands on one.

Pretty much what it sounds like.
That's exactly what I'm thinking. Sounds like he just can't get one so he's going to put it down to make himself feel like he doesn't need one.

[Requiem]

That really seems like what most people are complaining about. Why else would they complain about it if they really didn't care about the system?

The price and amount shipping should have no effect on them at all if that was the case. Oh well. I'll enjoy purchasing my PS3 when they send out a second shipment, when I've stashed some money away like the rest of us average joe common gamers. Won't bother me at all, and I'll still get to enjoy it.

[Kalyx triaD]

Let me rephrase that. You complain about the number they are shipping, and the price of the system. It seems that in reality, you would really like to get one but those things prevent you from doing so.. so instead you'll say that you don't give a crap about the system because they aren't making things easier for you to get your hands on one.

Pretty much what it sounds like.

Thank you. Can't everybody be like the Duce, man? He gets it.

And DS, a common gamer does NOT have 600 bones to toss at a retailer. Granted Blu-Ray are much higher, making the PS3 something of a bargin... For someone who wants a Blu-Ray player. I don't, BTW. I wanna play videogames on a videogame console. Extra stuff is okay but not when it's money out of my ass for it. This is my biggest issue with the console, paying for something I didn't ask for.

[DS]

Like the $20 add ons for the controllers? So it's going to cost me $80 for a full set of controllers for 1 person. And what do you mean you don't have $600 to buy something with. You said yourself that you could buy a Wii with a single paycheck. Here's an idea...save your money. Heck, 2 paychecks could land you a PS3 and you wouldn't have to worry about using the stuff you didn't ask for.

[Requiem]

Did you not read what I just said? I'm pretty much the exact definition of a common gamer, and I have no problem spending $600 on a good gaming system. I remember saving for months when I was really young just so I could buy an N64. Bought it with my own money that I got from allowances and such, and even got a couple games.

For someone with a job, putting away a little bit of money from every pay check is -not- a big deal. And hey, if you don't have a job, that's your own fault. Don't blame the company. So you don't get one right away. Who cares? Is it a contest? Not unless you're going to make it into one.

[Kalyx triaD]

You're both right. Thanks.

[Silent]

How'd I know this topic would turn into a console war. I have a 360 and will get a Wii and am going to try my hardest to get a PS3, love for all the systems!

[Funky Fly]

I'm with Silent on this. Ideally, we should like all three systems for their unique offerings. The only thing with me, though, is that if I get a PS3, I'll have little to draw me to a 360 (not much of an FPS guy).

[Fignuts]

Launch title info pleeeeeeaaaaaaasssse.

[Destor]

I'm with Silent on this. Ideally, we should like all three systems for their unique offerings. The only thing with me, though, is that if I get a PS3, I'll have little to draw me to a 360 (not much of an FPS guy).Yeah, I hate the FPS genre, but I think the Wii will change that.

[Fignuts]

Yeah Red Steel looks pretty cool.

Also, funky if you are implying that you do not like metroid prime, than I have lost all respect for you as a human being.

[Funky Fly]

I like certain FPS titles (Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Metroid Prime and a couple of others), but I am not really into the genre. Basically, a game has to be damn near perfect for me to get into it. :-\

[King Jericho]

God dam, their stalling the release information for the European Wii launch at the press conference! I MIST KNOW NOWWWWWWWWW!!!1!!!

[King Jericho]

Woooooooo! December 8th, awesome, only a week after Japan and 3 after the US.

84 days to go. :love:

[packt up]

FPS on consoles are pretty lame compared to PC FPS anyway.

I've never owned a console in my life but I've played on a fair few and I have to say I'm coming around to the Wii. Still a stupid name though.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Hey KJ, any word on a UK price (or Europe at least)?

[The Destroyer]

I seem to remember it being in the £170 ballpark.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

My Wii is ordered, with Zelda and Red Steel... Debating Trauma Centre too.

Wii60 FTW

[Mike the Metal Ed]

Hey KJ, any word on a UK price (or Europe at least)?
£179, with a Remote, Nunchuk and Wii Sports.