11 replies to this topic

[parallaxscroll]

No Wii U price cut for years

54

Nintendo learned the lessons from the 3DS pricing disaster, and believes that they have the right price for the Wii U.

By Kyo Sasaki

ON SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2012




There were a lot of rumors about the Wii U price. Most people and industry insiders expected a price in the $250 range, but Nintendo has priced the Wii U at $299 and $349. After the announced pricing, analyst Michael Pachter predicted that Nintendo would cut the Wii U price in 2013 as a response to the new consoles from Sony and Microsoft.
But Nintendo won’t. That’s according to company president Reggie Fils-Aime, who believes that the current $299 entry price offers “great value” to the consumers. In an interview right after the pricing reveal, Fils-Aime told GamesIndsutry that Nintendo doesn’t “believe in pricing a product and then having to reduce the price some short time later”.


Of course, this is exactly what happened with the 3DS in 2011, which received a price cut shortly after release. Fils-Aime acknowledges this and says it was a “very painful proposition for us”. He went on saying that Nintendo feels they have the right pricing structure with the Wii U, which offers consumers great value and makes a profit for Nintendo.
Finally, he mentioned how the Wii stayed at $249 for over three years, and that this is “consistent with our pricing philosophy”. Which means: don’t expect a Wii u price cut for a long time. Regardless of what analysts think.
Ultimately, consumers and the market will decide whether the Wii U price is correct or not. Recently, some analysts have claimed that the Wii U is priced too high for mass market. Clearly, with the 3DS, the price was too high, and Nintendo learned an important lesson. As for the gamers, not many have complained about the price. In fact, the console has sold out of pre-orders almost everywhere, which is a good sign for Nintendo.

http://wiiudaily.com...-cut-for-years/

They source this article:
http://www.gamesindu...=european-daily

Edited by parallaxscroll, 24 September 2012 - 04:08 PM.

[jono]

cool. cool cool cool.

[rschauby]

I don't think "Planned" price cuts are part of a normal strategy. Of course it makes sense a few years later after a new "slim" and cheaper version can be made available, but I think all hardware companies aim to price things right at launch.

[Auzzie Wingman]

The 3DS was a handheld that offered specific game titles.

The Wii U will have access to both it's own exclusive libraries and the mass library.

The 3DS didn't have a justified launch price, but the Wii U is okay. It's a console, not a handheld.

[parallaxscroll]

I think pricing will be fine. There also MAY be an effect where the $300/$350 price will make people go "this is pretty high end for Nintendo, it must be good".

This is a good thing.

[Nintendustin]

The 3DS was a handheld that offered specific game titles.

The Wii U will have access to both it's own exclusive libraries and the mass library.

The 3DS didn't have a justified launch price, but the Wii U is okay. It's a console, not a handheld.

This. I don't think a price cut is needed.

[That64Kid]

The price is fine the way it is. Besides, I'm sure Sony and Microsoft's new console will be much more expensive, if not the same price.

[jono]

I don't think "Planned" price cuts are part of a normal strategy. Of course it makes sense a few years later after a new "slim" and cheaper version can be made available, but I think all hardware companies aim to price things right at launch.

ahem. playstation 3.

[Socalmuscle]

No price cut for a long time.

Nintendo has amortized the cost in order to being the system to gamers as low as it has. They are likely currently losing on the hardware, but not an insane amount. over the next Couple of years as components get cheaper, they'll make it back. The game tie-in should be great, ensuring tons of cash flow.

Instead of complaining about no price cuts, we should simply be happy we aren't paying $400+ (the equivalent of the Japanese console price).

It's a lot of tech for the price.

[Mitch]

They say there wont be price cuts.... until it bombs and they have to slash $200 off the price tag

[Noonabites]

Auzzie said it all. I can't see it happening and people are ludicrous to think so.

[Desert Punk]

This is a good statement to make. It's a massive incentive to buy a wii u console early as there is no point waiting. If the wii u doesn't sell as well as expected they can still offer other incentives like bundling in a game like the new Mario as well as nintendo land later to increase value. If everything goes well then they won't have to do this. Clearly if the wii u fails to sell then they will be motivated to do something. The wii u is a far better console than the wii. While it may not be cutting edge its still overall superior to the competition who won't be updating their consoles for a minimum of a year. Its a brilliant package overall and with its family friendly image its the parents choice. I think it will have a brilliant launch and may be the no.1 christmas present to have this year.