Nobody knows what the Wii U will cost. We’ve all had a reasonable guess, of course, and Nintendo has been hinting at a price of over ¥20,000. Well, now the first retailer placeholder has gone up on ShopTo.net and it seems to reaffirm roughly what we’ve been assuming. They’ve listed the Wii U with a RRP of £279.99 and games roughly between £32 and £40.
It should be stressed that this is not an official price. It’s not even a price ShopTo have much confidence in – they’ve excluded it from their usual pre-order price promise so the price can go up before your order is charged and fulfilled. Basically, until it’s included in their usual selling terms, you’d be mad to pre-order it.
But this first indication at least tells us what a retailer would like to sell the unit for and it looks about right to me. Sure, it’s significantly higher than the pre-tax currency conversion from that ¥20,000 figure of £163 but did you expect anything else for the UK pricing?
White and black versions are listed too, so hopefully both will be available at launch.
Source: ShopTo
bmg_123
Better to be safe than sorry!
XisTG
In Portugal, the VAT rate is at 23%. It’ll be fun to see the price tag around these parts.
IAmJacksMedullaOblongata
So, it’s just ShopTo taking a stab in the dark then.
Hmm. Well, Reggie did say people will be “pleasantly surprised” at the price point. I think they know they’ve not got the message across to consumers what the hell this thing is, and pricing it out of people’s reach is going to just add to the possibility of the WiiU failing.
Sub £300 is a good idea. Nintendo know that the hardcore people are more interested in Microsoft’s and Sony’s next hardware. At this price I feel they’re aiming for the “Well, it will give me something new for a year” crowd.
cc_star
I’ve seen some people moaning about it being expensive, but how much do the think a 2011/12 spec machine + tablet controller would cost. We’re not talking 2005/6 innards here regardless of how teraflops it can or can’t do.
Possibly about right price for launch period & then there may be room to drop the price ahead of Durango/Orbis release.
bmg_123
Still have no idea how teraflops affect games…
cc_star
No one knows!
Bilbo_bobbins
personally, and I’m basing my thoughts on what i got out of the Wii, I wouldn’t buy one at that price. It would have to be nearer to £200 at least to make me think even about buying one.
cc_star
Get that, I think it’s a tough sell for many reasons, but I don’t see how the price could be radically different.
Death_In_Flamez
Too expensive won’t sell. The Wii U is still a 3rd generation console in my eyes and should be matched to the Vita to have any chance of major success.
SavageOranges
Technically, 3rd-and-a-half generation console. If I’m not mistaken (and I probably am) isn’t the Wii-U like a PS3 or 360 and a half in terms of power?
cc_star
@savageoranges
Regardless of how powerful it is or isn’t, it’s all recent/current tech inside it.
@Death_in_Flamez
I too think it’s a tough sell, not for price reasons but I think Ninty are reacting to what they think Apple’s next move might be instead of just innovating themselves, but keep in mind you (or more importantly a parent) is essentially getting a tablet too which apparently can play the games on it entirely (not just second-screen) keeping the main tv free which parents will be sure to like.
Pedant mode activated. We’re currently in 7th gen though, next wave of consoles will be 8th gen, third gen was Master Sytem & the 4th gen Megadrive.
Crocadillian
With the price tag of over 20,000 yen, theres no way itll be £280. even though this territory is ripped off when it comes to such goods. If anyone remembers the 3DS released for 25,000 yen, which when converted to current exchange rates is around £205. If anything the price is probably going to be around the original RRP for the 3DS I bet.
Taylor Made
This jst random & didn’t know where else to ask lol
Does the wii U have some sort of trophy system if so that could help sell attract the whores you know who u are
SavageOranges
They haven’t said for definite, but Kotaku seem to think so: http://kotaku.com/5916078/zombiu-sprinkles-dead-island-with-a-liberal-dose-of-dark-souls-in-other-words-its-rad
That could just be an in-game achievement though.
Taylor Made
Just read that article wow that was intense am sold on wii U just for zombieU
FalconRedux
Yeah everything is rumour and speculation at this point, but I think it’s safe to assume they’ll do something. They introduced ‘accomplishments’ to the 3DS but haven’t really taken it anywhere.
TSBonyman
€350 seems a lot when you compare it to PS3 or Xbox360.
SavageOranges
@cc_star
Surely the same could be said when the PS4 rolls around? Its all going to be current tech. If the rumours of the PS4 specs are anything to go by, its behind already. Sure, games will look nicer than they do currently and no doubt it will be faster and more capable than current gen consoles, but in tech terms it isn’t much.
I know I’m not going off of concrete evidence, but just for arguments sake ;)
Tuffcub
Way to pricey.