Wed, Mar 11, 2009 | 15:14 GMT
Nintendo – We hope consumers understand Wii price rise is for reasons “beyond our control”
Nintendo has told VG247 it hopes consumers will “understand” that it has to raise the trade price of Wii in order to combat depreciation in the pound.
The company confirmed today it’s raising the price of the machine by between £18-20, but insisted that any knock-on effect to consumers will be the fault of retailers.
Here’s what we asked, here’s what Nintendo said.
VG247 – Won’t this force retailers to raise the price of the British Wii?
Nintendo UK: That’s entirely up to retailers. it is illegal for ANY manufacturer to set or fix retail prices. Retail price is ALWAYS set by the retailer. It is up to them what they then price Wii at following the increase in trade price.
Do you expect the move to result in a decline in demand?
Clearly, we hope that consumers will continue to enjoy the entertainment benefits of Wii. We have made this move reluctantly, and hope that consumers and retailers understand that the reasons are beyond our control.
How do you expect retailers to react to the move?
We have made this move reluctantly, and hope that retailers understand that the reasons are beyond our control.
There’s no word yet on when any price hike will come into place.
13 comments
#1
Blerk
11/03/09, 3:11 pm
This ties in nicely with the DSi ‘stealth price hike’. They truly are the new ‘evil overlords’ of gaming!
#2
Syrok
11/03/09, 3:13 pm
“it is illegal for ANY manufacturer to set or fix retail prices”
Speaking from experience, there.
#3
No_PUDding
11/03/09, 3:17 pm
Thanks Pat, and thanks.. Kind of Nintendo.
Atleast they reponded [from a textbook].
#4
Whizzo
11/03/09, 3:19 pm
If they think retailers aren’t going to pass the price rise on I’d like some of what they’re drinking/smoking/taking.
#5
Mike
11/03/09, 3:27 pm
Someone’s having a laugh.
#6
Blerk
11/03/09, 3:27 pm
Yes, they are. I think it’s Nintendo.
#7
Mike
11/03/09, 3:28 pm
I’m actually lost for words, tbh.
#8
gorman
11/03/09, 3:28 pm
Considering I’ve always claimed I’d never pay for it more than I forked out for GameCube… times get longer.
#9
G1GAHURTZ
11/03/09, 3:41 pm
Nintendo have never really cared about Europe anyway…
I wouldn’t be surprised if they see the UK as just a small insignificant part of it.
#10
JonFE
11/03/09, 4:13 pm
So, let me get this… Every console manufacturer is looking for ways to reduce their prices, in order to make their product more attractive to finance-challenged potential customers, yet Nintendo is knowingly raising it?
Of course, under the current exchange rate even at 200 GBP the Wii is way cheaper than the rest of Europe…
#11
Hunam
11/03/09, 4:15 pm
I’m pretty sure this is an industry first, congrats to Nintendo for breaking now ground yet again!
#12
SERAPHEMZ
11/03/09, 4:44 pm
It doesnt really matter that the price is going up, people will still buy it. Even though IMO it blows.
#13
tont
11/03/09, 5:36 pm
The ghost of Fusajiro Yamauchi still really hates the UK