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Wii

Nintendo Makes Wii Price Drop Official, Dates New Super Mario Bros.

by Pedro Hernandez - September 23, 2009, 7:32 pm EDT
Total comments: 25

Nintendo announces the price drop, along with a new promotional tour and a release date for the next Mario game. UPDATED with Japanese price drop details.

Nintendo has officially announced that the price of their Wii console will drop to $199.99 USD effective Sunday, September 27. The hardware will still come packaged with a copy of Wii Sports, a Wii Remote, and a Nunchuk.

Nintendo has also announced that the price of the console will drop from ¥25,000 ($273) to ¥20,000 ($217) in Japan on October 1.

In addition to lowering the price of the Wii, Nintendo also announced a new U.S. promotional tour. Called "World of Nintendo", the event starts on October 2 in Long Beach, California and will hit select cities nationwide.

Finally, New Super Mario Bros. Wii has also received a release date after having a vague Holiday 2009 date since its debut. The newest Mario title will hit North American retail on November 15.

WII AT $199.99 BEGINNING SEPT. 27

World of Nintendo Events, Key Software Releases Further Demonstrate System's Incomparable Value

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 23, 2009 – Beginning Sunday, Sept. 27, the world's most popular home video game system gets even more appealing. On that day, Nintendo's suggested retail price for its record-setting Wii™ drops by $50 to $199.99. The new $199.99 Wii price point delivers the full iconic Wii gaming experience, including the motion-sensing Wii Remote™ controller, Nunchuk™ controller and Wii Sports™ software, and furthers Nintendo's mission to expand the gaming universe by making video games accessible to more and more consumers.

Wii ownership also opens an avenue for players to the industry's most diverse and unique collection of home console games. Key upcoming releases include Wii Fit™ Plus, launching on Oct. 4, and the first truly multiplayer Mario™ title ever, New Super Mario Bros.™ Wii.

Both new and veteran players in America can jump into this new Mario action when it arrives on Nov. 15.

And beginning Oct. 2, consumers in select cities will have a new, convenient way to decide which Nintendo adventure to tackle next. On that day, a novel series of sampling events called "World of Nintendo" kicks off in Long Beach, Calif.

"Wii has reached more video game players than any game system before because it attracts everyone—both men and women, and people of all ages," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Our research shows there are 50 million Americans thinking about becoming gamers, and this more affordable price point and our vast array of new software mean many of them can now make the leap and find experiences that appeal to them, whatever their tastes or level of gaming experience."

The inherent social nature of Wii is fully demonstrated in a groundbreaking way with New Super Mario Bros. Wii, the first Mario game ever to allow four players to take part in the action at the same time. That same dynamic is propelling the enthusiastic response for Wii Sports Resort™, while the release of Wii Fit Plus includes everything you love about Wii Fit™, along with new multiplayer elements and the ability to customize workouts to fit individual needs.

Talkback

Mop it upSeptember 23, 2009

I think this lowered price should help spur sales, and not just for the first few weeks either.
Which of the three systems sells the most this holiday season will probably depend on which company can manufacture the most.

I had heard that New Super Mario Brothers was coming out on November 27th but apparently that was the date for Europe. I'm glad it is coming out sooner because now I don't have to wait as long. By the way, does this mean the official title is "New Super Mario Brothers Wii"? Because I can't tell you how terrible that name is...

TJ SpykeSeptember 23, 2009

I'm not sure about your comment in your second sentence. The PS3 sales have already dropped back down in Japan after a 1 week boost the new model/price cut got it and I think it will do the same in North America (a 1 month boost followed by a drop back down to bad sales). The Wii will continue dominating in sales like it has been for the last couple of years.

Mop, the titles has been official since the game was announced at E3. Nintendo never said it was a working title. Besides, how is it any different than "New Super Mario Bros." or "Mario Kart Wii"? The title sounds fine to me (not saying it couldn't have been more creative, but it's not bad).

Nintendo hasn't exactly been knocking it out of the park with unique game names this generation.  I'm surprised Mario Galaxy wasn't called "New Mario Game for Wii".

Mop it upSeptember 23, 2009

You don't think the PS3 will sell well during the holidays like everything else does? I guess we'll see, but I think the price cut will create a lasting effect for North America, where the PS3 fares better to begin with.

"New Super Mario Brothers" was already a bad title on DS. But obviously that didn't affect its sales, nor will it affect the Wii one. Nintendo's never been good with naming schemes..

broodwarsSeptember 23, 2009

I see this price cut hurting the competition more than helping Nintendo.  Yeah, there will be a sales bump like every console gets with a price drop, but the drop's only $50 so who knows how high the bump will be or for how long.  The real sales bump will come once the software lineup finally starts seeing some consistently awesome games (hopefully this fall is a taste of things to come).

Mop it upSeptember 23, 2009

Quote from: NWR_Lindy

Nintendo hasn't exactly been knocking it out of the park with unique game names this generation.  I'm surprised Mario Galaxy wasn't called "New Mario Game for Wii".

Okay seriously, when has Nintendo ever been good with titles? Super Mario 64 is basically the same as "New Mario for Nintendo 64". Remember how many games on the Super NES had "Super" in the title? Or how many games on the Game Boy Advance had "Advance" tacked on? Nintendo is continuing these trends with Wii and DS, it hasn't gotten worse, although they might be applying it to more of their games than they used to.

I think such a naming scheme may be more of a Japanese thing as well, since they don't seem to care so much about titles.

BlackNMild2k1September 23, 2009

Quote from: TJ

I'm not sure about your comment in your second sentence. The PS3 sales have already dropped back down in Japan after a 1 week boost

Media Create: 6/15 - 6/21
PS3 10,359

Media Create: 08/24 - 08/30
PS3 1,040

Media Create: 08/31 - 09/06
PS3 151,783

Media Create: 09/07 - 09/13
PS3 55,344

People, we have the numbers, lets use them (source of sales numbers)
PS3 didn't drop back down after 1 week, but the high surge didn't last as long as hoped. The PS3 is doing good as of last week and would continue to do better than it has done in quite some time even if it's sales dropped by another 50%.

EnnerSeptember 23, 2009

Quote from: Mop_it_up

Quote from: NWR_Lindy

Nintendo hasn't exactly been knocking it out of the park with unique game names this generation.  I'm surprised Mario Galaxy wasn't called "New Mario Game for Wii".

Okay seriously, when has Nintendo ever been good with titles? Super Mario 64 is basically the same as "New Mario for Nintendo 64". Remember how many games on the Super NES had "Super" in the title? Or how many games on the Game Boy Advance had "Advance" tacked on? Nintendo is continuing these trends with Wii and DS, it hasn't gotten worse, although they might be applying it to more of their games than they used to.

I think such a naming scheme may be more of a Japanese thing as well, since they don't seem to care so much about titles.

How can you say that when you have such names as End of Eternity, I Would Die For You, Where Do Babies Come From, and Shin Megami Tensei!

I think it's Nintendo being the straight to the point ones which is fine by me. Makes better sense than tacking on numbers or subtitles at the end of a title.

broodwarsSeptember 24, 2009

Quote from: Enner

Quote from: Mop_it_up

Quote from: NWR_Lindy

Nintendo hasn't exactly been knocking it out of the park with unique game names this generation.  I'm surprised Mario Galaxy wasn't called "New Mario Game for Wii".

Okay seriously, when has Nintendo ever been good with titles? Super Mario 64 is basically the same as "New Mario for Nintendo 64". Remember how many games on the Super NES had "Super" in the title? Or how many games on the Game Boy Advance had "Advance" tacked on? Nintendo is continuing these trends with Wii and DS, it hasn't gotten worse, although they might be applying it to more of their games than they used to.

I think such a naming scheme may be more of a Japanese thing as well, since they don't seem to care so much about titles.

How can you say that when you have such names as End of Eternity, I Would Die For You, Where Do Babies Come From, and Shin Megami Tensei!

I think it's Nintendo being the straight to the point ones which is fine by me. Makes better sense than tacking on numbers or subtitles at the end of a title.

What's wrong with Shin Megami Tensei?  It's the name of a franchise, no sillier than "Super Mario Bros.", "Chibi Robo", "Star Fox", or a host of other Nintendo game titles I can't think of right now.  Where the MegaTen names get ridiculous is when you add the subtitle to the franchise name, like "Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2 - Raidou ... vs. King Abaddon".

THIS WEEK'S WORST KEPT SECRET IN GAMING

GoldenPhoenixSeptember 24, 2009

Quote from: NWR_Lindy

Nintendo hasn't exactly been knocking it out of the park with unique game names this generation.  I'm surprised Mario Galaxy wasn't called "New Mario Game for Wii".

Yeah their names are terrible, not nearly as creative as "killzone 2" or "God of War 3".

I am disappointed they aren't introducing a new SKU for the Wii that includes motion plus, maybe that will come soon?

Mop it upSeptember 24, 2009

Quote from: GoldenPhoenix

I am disappointed they aren't introducing a new SKU for the Wii that includes motion plus, maybe that will come soon?

Seems doubtful as it is selling well enough on its own.

Quote from: Enner

How can you say that when you have such names as End of Eternity, I Would Die For You, Where Do Babies Come From, and Shin Megami Tensei!

You're right, they also come up with titles which don't make any sense.

KDR_11kSeptember 24, 2009

Quote from: GoldenPhoenix

I am disappointed they aren't introducing a new SKU for the Wii that includes motion plus, maybe that will come soon?

Supposedly they're doing that in Europe.

EnnerSeptember 24, 2009

Quote from: broodwars

Quote from: Enner

How can you say that when you have such names as End of Eternity, I Would Die For You, Where Do Babies Come From, and Shin Megami Tensei!

I think it's Nintendo being the straight to the point ones which is fine by me. Makes better sense than tacking on numbers or subtitles at the end of a title.

What's wrong with Shin Megami Tensei?  It's the name of a franchise, no sillier than "Super Mario Bros.", "Chibi Robo", "Star Fox", or a host of other Nintendo game titles I can't think of right now.  Where the MegaTen names get ridiculous is when you add the subtitle to the franchise name, like "Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2 - Raidou ... vs. King Abaddon".

Nothing wrong at all. I think it's a cool name. However, I have a shaky grasp on its translation. New Goddess Angel... no that doesn't sound right.

Quote from: Mop_it_up

Quote from: Enner

How can you say that when you have such names as End of Eternity, I Would Die For You, Where Do Babies Come From, and Shin Megami Tensei!

You're right, they also come up with titles which don't make any sense.

Gah!
But they sound cool. And being cool means they care!

KDR_11kSeptember 24, 2009

I think Tensei is battle or something, tenshi is angel.

StogiSeptember 24, 2009

199, ay?

Interesting. Now if they only released a black one.

Ian SaneSeptember 24, 2009

Quote:

Okay seriously, when has Nintendo ever been good with titles?

The Zelda names aren't bad.  Each sounds suitably epic.  The only questionable ones to me would be Zelda II since it uses a different naming convention and Wind Waker because, well, waker is not really a word.

Nintendo's best name is for F-Zero: Maximum Velocity which in Japan is actually called F-Zero For Game Boy Advance.

At least Nintendo doesn't have weird naming conventions like GTA or Resident Evil where the game with "4" in the title is quite clearly not the fourth title.  The worst name I've ever seen though is Super Castlevania IV.  It is not the fourth "Super Castlevania" and is not a super version of "Castlevania IV".  It is the sequel to the Castlevania trilogy on the NES but Konami couldn't decide whether to call it "Castlevania IV" or follow the SNES naming convention and go with "Super Castlevania".  So they combined them.  Idiotic.

Anyway good for Nintendo for cutting the price.  Hey, they did what I wanted them to!  How about that? ;)

AVSeptember 24, 2009

i was hoping Nintendo would be smart and rename it . "super mario brothers 5 " .

I was hoping nintendo would do more than $50. A demo disk of games would be great or free wiipoints.

EnnerSeptember 28, 2009

Quote from: KDR_11k

I think Tensei is battle or something, tenshi is angel.

Ah, I figured I messed up that part. Thanks for the correction!

KDR_11kSeptember 29, 2009

Quote from: Ian

Anyway good for Nintendo for cutting the price.  Hey, they did what I wanted them to!  How about that? ;)

So now you can buy a Wii too?

NinGurl69 *hugglesSeptember 29, 2009

Why did Ian want it again?  The price drop doesn't make Zelda launch any faster, 3rd parties release blockbuster games, nor Wii less casual.

Smash_BrotherSeptember 29, 2009

Every new Wii should come with a free 2000 Wii Point card, just to get people to figure out how the hell to use it and learn about the VC/WiiWare that way.

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterSeptember 29, 2009

Quote from: Smash_Brother

Every new Wii should come with a free 2000 Wii Point card, just to get people to figure out how the hell to use it and learn about the VC/WiiWare that way.

Actually, all new Wiis now come with a video that explains what you can do when you connect your Wii to the internet, which includes a walkthrough of the Wii shop channel, Virtual Console games and WiiWare games. So figuring out what the Wii Points card work shouldn't be too hard.

PeachylalaSeptember 29, 2009

What would be more hilarious?

Watching a hardcorez try to figure out how to use a Nintendo points card, or playing Star Fox 64 and failing?

NinGurl69 *hugglesSeptember 29, 2009

Is that a trick question?  Cuz I have been tricked.

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