Wii = ultra affordable?

[Teasy]

Xbox 360 core + memory card plus free game = $329.98
Wii with built in memory plus free game = £249.99

Yes Wii is a lot more affordable, for the difference in price you can buy two more Wii games.. And that's without considering a wireless controller for the 360 or the fact that 360 games are $10 more expensive then Wii games. Wii may have less technology for the money, but for a console that's just released its extremely affordable.

I'm not really thrilled with nintendo any more so then Sony or Microsoft. Supply and production of the Wii and both versions of Twilight Princess is terrible around my area. I either have to simply wait or get lucky from an online etailer that likewise isnt going to stuff a bundle down my throat. I was hoping to play this game when it launched, not have to wait a month and a half to even find it. :???

I agree here, considering how simple Wii's hardware is compared to the competition Nintendo should have been able to produce a huge amount of consoles by now. I mean yeah Wii is selling extremely well, perhaps even better then Nintendo expected (much better then N64 or GC were I am that's for sure). But surely Nintendo could have stock piled more consoles then they thought they'd need for launch. That way they could control the shipments in order to keep sellouts going but also not find themselves caught in a situation where they simply can't come anywhere near to keeping up with demand. I mean according to my local Toys R Us they haven't even got a single extra shipment to them since launch in the UK!.. That was a few days ago but even still..

 

[scooby_dooby]

Xbox 360 core + memory card plus game = $329.98
Wii with built in memory plus game = £249.99.

What Wii game? Wii sports? Pretty flawed comparison.

It's not affordable at all IMO, $500 for a machine like 360 or PS3 is worth it for what you get, cutting edge hardware.

With Wii they expect me to pay $275 for a machine slightly more powerful than XBOX1? Hell no.

It's about 30% more expensive than it should be to be considered really affordable. Doesn't matter to Nintendo though, they're selling out...

 

[Teasy]

What Wii game? Wii sports? Pretty flawed comparison.

A flawed comparison because you think a game like Wii Sports isn't as good as a game like Gears of War, don't be silly, its totally subjective. For instance I bought Gears of War, played it once and sold it..

Its not affordable at all IMO, $500 for a machine like 360 or PS3 is worth it for what you get, cutting edge hardware.

How does being affordable depend on how much hardware you get for your money?..

 

[pc999]

So $10 more for a controller is very expensive, but the same price increase for each game you buy is not?

How said that?

Personally I think that every first party controler is expensive, specially when you can get a third party one as good and much cheaper. It happens that Wii is the most expensive of all (meybe not if relative to the cost, but that dont really matter) and there isnt third party controllers (yet), so it is expensive.

About the price of others console games that is really very expensive (even the low price ones) and I made it clear here in this forum many times (althought one can say that it is "justified" which I dont really care anyway), but the console by itself it isnt (in fact it is great deal) and if you want to compare both then Wii to be even in the same league shuld be 100$ cheaper and have more 50-100$ of HW in it (or just be 150-200$ cheaper )

Also remember that this thing of 1$=1euro is really unfair to people in Europe (here it is much more expensive).

So I think that Wii and acessories is indeed expensive for the features I am looking for (which includes a significant (=|360 level) update in the specs) to buy with that amount of money.

Wii may have less technology for the money, but for a console that's just released its extremely affordable.
..

Both N64 and GC had a cheaper price and (overall) much more advanced tech inside.

 

[Natoma]

You know, I remember these same arguments being made when the PSP came out in comparison to the DS/DS Lite.

 

[Teasy]

Also remember that this thing of 1$=1euro is really unfair to people in Europe (here it is much more expensive)

But doesn't the Euro price include tax while the US price doesn't?

 

[Teasy]

Both N64 and GC had a cheaper price and (overall) much more advanced tech inside.

I agree, but that doesn't change anything I said really.

 

[OtakingGX]

You know, I remember these same arguments being made when the PSP came out in comparison to the DS/DS Lite.

My favorite quote is this:

PSP vs DS is gonna become the NEW analogy of choice for demonstrating Nintendo incompetence.

Maybe that's why the Wii has been getting such hot press and Sony so much negative spin. The PSP vs DS is the new analogy of choice...

 

[scooby_dooby]

A flawed comparison because you think a game like Wii Sports isn't as good as a game like Gears of War, don't be silly, its totally subjective. For instance I bought Gears of War, played it once and sold it..


How does being affordable depend on how much hardware you get for your money?..

Wow, how could you miss such a simple point? With the 360 you could choose which game you wanted, with Wii you are forced to get Wii sports, if you don't want Wii sports then you're stuck with a game you don't want. Stupid comparison.

And none of these consoles are truly affordable imo. But at least with PS3 and 360 the price is justified.

btw: If you only played GOW once you never gave it a chance. I never really fell in love with it until the 3rd act, and that sentiment is echoed throughout many reviews and impressions.

 

[Ben-Nice]

How can you determine what is affordable for somebody else? If I made $3 an hour none of the consoles would be affordable. If I made $100 an hour I would think all 3 are affordable. Do you mean which console is worth the money? Then it becomes the whole value debate which has been beat to death.

 

[Laa-Yosh]

Wii is overpriced, it's just that a lot of you are willing to pay that much for it

The hardware costs almost as much as an X360 in the US; here it's exactly the same as an X360 Core. I think it's obvious that it gives you far less then the 360. No HD, no power, limited media playing abilities (you can watch a lot of content and listen to music on the Xbox) and they seriously rip you off for any accessories. Second controller is a must if you want to have fun with someone.
Games also cost as much as any next-gen game, although they obviously are a lot cheaper to make; here Zelda and Gears are at the same price.

Now compare this all with a PS2 and it's obviously an expensive piece of gaming. Only a few people will spend this much on a christmas present for their kids, nephews or grandsons - you want a console, get a PS2 or GC if you want kiddy games. You want the child to run around, get him a bike.
So most of the buyers are enthusiast adults, or gamers alienated from today's game types. As strange as it sounds, Wii is more of a competitor to the X360 and the PS2 as it is one to the PS2 or GC. But it's more like trying to reach new markets, instead of competing in the exsting ones.

I seriously think that Nintendo will see the sales fall down this spring...

 

[Skrying]

Fun with family and friends. Nintendo in a way is trying to make gaming a social experience, a real social experience. When you play Wii Sports with a group of friends quite possibly one of the best gaming experience to be had, with a game that's not even good at that!

To most gamers I guess that is a hard concept to sallow, we are typically a breed that doesn't get around much. Maybe that's why this forum dislikes the Wii so much, the majority of it is completely opposite of the target Nintendo audience.

Tired of hearing about the graphics, etc, if you are arguing about that with the price of the Wii then you clearly have already shown its not for you.

 

[dobwal]

Affordability and value are two different things. How much value you place in a object has nothing to do with if you can afford it or not.

The Wii is the most affordable console whether or not you place any value in it whatsoever.

Would I call the Wii, "ultra affordable"? Not really. Its easy to say that $250 is more affordable than $600.00, but the price disparity is probably too small for the use of the term, "ultra".

 

[scooby_dooby]

How can you determine what is affordable for somebody else? If I made $3 an hour none of the consoles would be affordable. If I made $100 an hour I would think all 3 are affordable. Do you mean which console is worth the money? Then it becomes the whole value debate which has been beat to death.

I think it's pretty simple, you judge based on the majority, which is middle class, and imo anything over $200 can't really be considered 'affordable' for a gaming console.

With that said, I can't believe how many people I know who are buying Wii's, or want a Wii. I think this baby is a hit, but time will tell. The question about Wii has always been it's legs...

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Wow, how could you miss such a simple point? With the 360 you could choose which game you wanted, with Wii you are forced to get Wii sports, if you don't want Wii sports then you're stuck with a game you don't want. Stupid comparison.

I can't imagine anyone wanting a Wii and not wanting Wii-sports though. There's like 2 games that showcase the Wiimote in this 'everyone can play' mode. If you want a Wii and don't care for things like Baseball and Tennis...I question why you're wanting a Wii!

How can you determine what is affordable for somebody else?

You can't. But the OP was asking what we thought, and we can each give our opinions on whether we think it's affordable for us

 

[Laa-Yosh]

The Wii is the most affordable console whether or not you place any value in it whatsoever.

You mean, from this generation. Compare it to the GC or the PS2 though, and it suddenly becomes quite expensive. Is the Wiimote gameplay worth twice as much money? You decide...

 

[Readykilowatt]

Some "console ******s" are demonstrating "PC ****** type arrogance". As for value, as far as I'm concerned the PS3 is too expensive, the Wii is just about right and the Xbox 360... well, let's say I have no desire to get it.

 

[dobwal]

You mean, from this generation. Compare it to the GC or the PS2 though, and it suddenly becomes quite expensive. Is the Wiimote gameplay worth twice as much money? You decide...

Since the OP's topic revolved around Wii's affordability in relation to the PS3 and 360, I didn't think the exclusion of the PS2 or last gen was needed in my post.

However, value is subjective. Some people would find zero value in the PS3 even if it sold for $3.00. Does a large chunk of the gaming market find value in the Wii? That has yet to be determined. What we do know is that ~2 million Wii have sold at $250.00 or the European and Japanese original price points and those 2 million find value in the Wii at those price points.

If one wants to really find out if the Wii's is deemed of value at $250.00 or the other region's original price points then we need ample supply (enough to saturate demand) of all three consoles at their original price points and simply sees if the Wii can compete. If it can, then the question of "is the Wii of great value at $250.00 USD" will be answered.

 

[Cheezdoodles]

Xbox 360 core + memory card plus free game = $329.98
Wii with built in memory plus free game = £249.99

Erm, why are you using different currencies?

But since you think Wii sports is a full fledged game, how about this equation:

XBox 360 Premium Console Bundle + PGR 3 + Free Extra Wireless Controller = £289.99 Play UK bundle

The equalient of that would be, Wii + game (£249.99) + Wii Remote (£ 39.99) +Nunchuk controller (£ 19.99) = 309,99

Notice that i didnt add the price of two classic controllers (if you were to play a classic game with a friend)

 

[pc999]

But doesn't the Euro price include tax while the US price doesn't?

Probably, but what I know is that it costs less than 200$ to make but if I want one I will need to pay more than 160% of that.

I agree, but that doesn't change anything I said really.

No it just shows diferent POVs, you take a relative one and I take a absolute one.

I seriously think that Nintendo will see the sales fall down this spring...

I agree that if they dont do nothing to the price and if their good games still mostly Nintendo ones (ie no PS2 ports or remakes).

But if they price it according to what should be and start to show good third party games and online I think they can still sell very well.