Topic: Wii to Launch in Korea This Week

[Nick DiMola]

After a year and a half of waiting, Korea can finally get their waggle on.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15824

 This Saturday, April 26, Wii will be available in Korean retail outlets. Debuting at 220,000 won (approximately $224 USD), the Wii will launch without Wii Sports packed-in.    

Wii Sports will be available at retail, however, along with eight other titles including Wii Play with remote, Rayman Raving Rabbids 2, Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure, FIFA 08, Elebits, Namco Museum Remix, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, and Super Swing Golf Season 2. Games will cost anywhere from 38,000 won (around $39 USD) to 88,000 won (around $90 USD) for Guitar Hero 3 with the guitar controller.    

The Virtual Console will also be available at launch with titles ranging from 400 to 800 Wii points. The titles available at release include Mario Kart 64, Contra III, Cybernator, Super Metroid, Super Mario World, Gradius III, Kirby's Adventure, Super Mario Bros., Antarctic Adventure, and Donkey Kong.    

The launch of Wii was pushed back from last October when it should have originally been released. Nintendo has stated that the release of Wii will begin a greater involvement in the Korean market. There are already several DS games translated and released in Korea.

[Nick DiMola]

Looks like a decent enough launch lineup. Surprised not to see Mario in there in any form. The price seems decent enough, though I have no idea what the value of money is like over there. Maybe someone knows a bit about this and can give some further insight?

[Kairon]

Perhaps Mario is less necessary at launch there since, with the lack of a historically strong console market, he's not as well-known a brand?

[Sessha]

I suppose I can give a little more insight Mr. Jack since I live in Korea most of the time.  The price is fair enough.  But to be honest I wonder how well the Wii will fair here.  I'm interested to see how this will turn out. 

[vudu]

Very disappointed to see Wii Sports won't be a pack-in title.  Shame on you Nintendo for not putting your best foot forward.

[Ceric]

Release Starcraft and Starcraft 2 on it and it will sell... Blizzard Propaganda tells me so...  I'm actually Surprised Pangya golf isn't on there.  Doesn't that have Korean roots?