Wii U to release on December 7 for €349, according to French retailer

Even with inflated European prices, that’s just too much. Nintendo will never over charge that much unless they plan on destroying Wii U asap.

My guess is £299 for a bare bones console and pad. £349.99 with a few extras.

Seems like too much especially with next gen around the corner and rumored to be around the same price.

they cannot price it too low. it is a brand new console. 299 for a base model with tablet and nintendoland and 349 for a bigger hard drive version with tablet, wiiupropad and nintendoland…something like that would be ok. i´d buy the 349 version then. they just cannot sell it for less then the actual ps3 move, 360 kinect bundles are. that´s for sure. people value stuff also by its price. sad but true.

Charging this much for a current gen system is ridiculous.

yea clupula…………….i know. the pricing for a certain handheld and the pricing for its memory cards is totally legit though right?

by the way…just checked amazon: 360 250 with kinect is 349 euro. ps3 with 320 gb and move is 399 euro…you do know that the wiiu not only has a tablet controller but a sensor bar too? so you must compare it to the kinect/move bundle pricing. since this is a brandnew console, if you call it next gen or not, it is totally legit to not be cheaper than those ps360 offerings.

EB Games Australia has the estimated price of $598AUD remembering that our dollar is above parity with the USD so make that about $615USD…
The 40GB PS3 launched at $699AUD when we were well below parity (So $627USD at the time) & the 60GB was $999AUD ($895USD).

No one uses Australian prices as a benchmark for anything.

@6

If you’re aim is to get motion control-centric games, thats cool. The Wii was a dust collector for me luckily I sold it after 6 months and was able to get 2x the amount that I paid for it. If you like a system that collects dust as you wait for Nintendo’s games to come out its a perfect system but for those like me who play more multiplatform games there is no need for the Wii or the Wii U since I already have both consoles that will play all the games that third party make multiplatform. The only publisher going for exclusive game is Ubisoft and Zombie U isn’t worth 350$ nor is any of Nintendo’s games.

@9: i couldn´t disagree more with your opinion. only part i agree with is that zombiu alone probably isn´t worth paying 350 for

Both Gamestop and Walmart initialy listed WiiU games at 100usd each. I believe Walmart still have select games listed at that mark, while other games have been adjusted to reflect the real prices of 50usd and 60usd.

Don’t believe everything you read, esp when it comes to projections.

Sounds like Sept 13th might the day to actualy learn more.

Otherwise everyone is just blowing hot air.

€350 is perfectly acceptable for Nintendo’s next gen console and I believe a great many people who do not feel the need to frequent online forums will agree.

Any word on if their will be connectivity between the WiiU & the 3DS?

@13: yes there will be – via miiverse. as far as i am concerend you´ll get one account/ gamertag linked to all your current nintendo systems. i think we will see a lot of interaction between wiiu and 3ds. it looks like nintendo finally go full force with online features/ social network stuff.

@6
You can get a PS3/320Gb or 360/250Gb for £175 in the UK and add Move or Kinect for a total price of around £250. That’s where WiiU needs to hit *with* decent storage. I expect official pre-Christmas price drops from both too. Sony also have a redesign incoming.

Seems about right to me. I think Nintendo is in the right spot (not buying one myself) The only things they need are a killer app, and pray the next 360/PS3 price cut (that you know is coming especially on PS3) is not too great so they don’t have to pull a price slash like the 3DS.

Oh really, 350 for a console thats on par (or even weaker) than present-gen consoles is a joke, a complete rip-off to say the least. Wii sold because of its 250$ price. Except die-hard ninty fans, I doubt many others will buy it.
@Poly,
“the pricing for a certain handheld and the pricing for its memory cards is totally legit though right”
Really? The hardware is more powerful than iphone which costs more than double of it. Although I agree mem cards are overpriced.
At least they arent trying to sell a hardware like WiiU for more than 100$ its manufacturing cost.

I think it’s too expensive. 299€ for the console and 49,99 for the controller, it’s my read from this price tag. If Sony and MS announce a price drop for the holidays Nintendo will have problems with the Wii U.

@16

How many people buy an iPhone without contract though?

300 is fine for a new console.

‘I doubt many others will buy it’,

Shall I prepare the plate for you to eat your words off come December?

The Wii U will sell an absolute shit ton on launch, it’ll be under everyone’s christmas tree for the kiddies and family Christmas fun.

Then the cynics will weaken and get one too because it’s Nintendo in HD for Odins sake!

@15

Nintendo have the ‘new’ tech slot which will help them even if the 360 / PS3 drop a little. They can price drop on the launch of the 720 and PS4 if needs be.

I predict they’ll show new mario, Metriod and Zelda when MS and Sony announce their new consoles!

Gonna be fun to watch that, High Def classic Nintendo franchises with new gameplay options VS next gen graphics grunt!

@Poly
Agree the Vita is too expensive too. That doesn’t make this a better price does it? The price as with the Vita needs to be what people will pay. Neither have what I’d call killer reasons for Joe Public to buy either. I want a WiiU, bit can’t see what is going to convince others to shell out that sort of money on one.

@18
What’s going to sell it though? Why is it going to be under Christmas trees?

People used a lot of the same type of arguements for The Wii being DOA before it launched too.

It wasn’t in HD, didn’t feature online, didn’t have a traditional conroler, lacks 3rd party suport, too much money, doesn’t have a killer app, etc.

Then you couldn’t find one on the store shelf once it launched.

I am not saying that the WiiU will take off. I think the price point is super important. And don’t have a crystal ball, just saying we have been here before. You can’t condem a system because your not a fan of its name or its games. Because obviously you guys don’t like Wii, and that did alright, ya know?

Best to just wait and see.

@18,
Bets on.
You are seeing a price drop within first year and a big drop in sales if ms and sony announce their next-gen consoles for less than 400$ which would be atleast 10 times more powerful than WiiU and will have exponentially more 3rd party support than WiiU, on which most of the good games will be 1st party and most 3rd party are shovelware and toned down versions of 720, ps4 games like on Wii .
Also can you define”absolute shit ton” in terms of numbers?
My guess is 4m or less for christmas and 10m or less for the year without the price drop and dropping further after ps4,720 launch.

@16, If I recall Sony asked for the same with the PS3, except their launch price was £500+.

@20, You yourself will be buying a WiiU. I expect ‘Joe Public’ will want one for the same reasons you have.

@23,
Exactly. And if the trend continues, ninty will be the bottom-feeders next-gen.

@20

Because its Wii HD.
It has a tablet included (all kids want a tablet these days)
It lets kids ply on it while there parents watch X Factor come Dancing 4 on TV
It has Mario on it a launch (2d but a sequel to one of the best sellers)
Nintendo online is going to be BIG with families, believe me.
You can use existing Wii peripherals / games
Zombie U, Assassins Creed 3, Aliens, Call of Duty etc… For the hardcore (prob best versions on consoles)
New Mii system will be an expansion of the 3DS stuff (gonna be big)
Huge 3DS link up functionality.
5 player split screen gaming, amazing fun at Xmas parties etc…

Anymore reasons?

@21
I bought a Wii at launch and I could see exactly why Joe Public went mad for it. Wii Sports was killer. WiiU doesn’t have something like that.

@23
Joe Public are excited by future asymmetric gaming possibilities? O…k…

@24

Don’t fill up on Christmas dinner this year, make sure you save room for a nice big fat slice of humble pie!

@26

Nintendoland should do the job, we’ve yet to see it fully.

I think it does tho Doc.

Nintendoland looks great. Plus the new Tablet controler.

Tablet is a big bizz word right now. Your average shoper doesn’t have a clue about Vita to PS3/4 conectivity or about the Glass strategy MS has instore. But they know the WiiU has a Tablet. I wouldn’t underestemate the value in that.

@29

This exactly!

The tablet will shift it.

Kids want tablets, this has a tablet and a console. Killer, killer, killer tech right now.

This is why Nintendo are smart, believe me, this will sell like mental on release.

@25
Nintendo have spent the last 5 years saying you don’t need HD.

@29
Tablet controller is fantastic, but its like the Wii without WiiSports. It’s potential.

When people see Nintendoland in HD they are gonna shit nostalgia bombs everywhere. Smiles all round!

“Zombie U, Assassins Creed 3, Aliens, Call of Duty etc… For the hardcore (prob best versions on consoles)”

Hardcore gamers already have systems that will play those games its called the 360 and Ps3. You can bet your bottom dollar that just like the PS3 the games will be be developed for the 360 then ported on the other systems because it is easier that way.

Nintendo will not be grabbing the hardcore and as for the casuals there is no need because tablets, smart phones, facebook already grabbing them. Nintendo doesn’t have a gimmick to sell it like the Wii.

@31

Because they were still selling the wii!

When 720 and PS4 come out they’ll be saying: ‘graphics aren’t everything!’

@27,
Where are your “shit ton” numbers. Scared to tell?
“5 player split screen gaming”
Yeah, for what? Nintendoland? Yep, parents will surely have fun with it.
“Zombie U, Assassins Creed 3, Aliens, Call of Duty etc… For the hardcore (prob best versions on consoles)”
AC3 best version? When ps3 has over an hour of exclusive gameplay? Totally true
COD best version? Really? Grow up dude. Thats 360 one.
“Because its Wii HD”
Unfortunately people who bought wii except ninty fans dont need HD graphics. They have ps3 and 360 for that with 1000s of games in their library.
Also buy a tasty humble pie, and send me a pic you eating it when you lose.

Hardcore gamers are overrated PB.

@36

I know they are but monkey is trying to say that people will have those games. If people have been playing those games already they have their console that play them. It makes the point moot.

WiiU will be for those that just have a Wii or for nintendo fanboys. THere is very little need for those that already have a 360 or Ps3 already. So Wii U for 3rd party multiplatform games is pointless. SO you get the system for Nintendo’s Ip which come out every 6months to a year. I just don’t see 350$ for the price of a few exclusive Ips especially since less than half of them what interest me. Zelda, mario kart, Metroid.

What can I say…

I get a lot more predictions right than Pachter!

Last was, 3DS would sell a shit ton and Vita would struggle.

How’s that turning out?

We will all just have to wait for Christmas then you can all buy me a pint!

I think people tend to confuse a hardcore gamer/ avid gamer with brand lovers and/ or nintendo haters , i know brand lovers or nintendo haters will not get the WiiU, they didnt do it in the past, and neither they are going to do it this time, and heck they even wont get the other console even if it is on the same level graphics wise, this goes both ways for the other two manufactures, but i dont have any doubt in my mind that true avid gamers and casuals will get the WiiU, if the price point is good and it comes bundle with a game like nintendo land, for the rest we need to wait and see.

@37

I have Wii, PS3 and 360. I will prob buy Assains Creed 3 on the Wii U if they can let you select things using the pad.

Just one example, I’m not the only one.

Aliens using the tablet as a motion tracker? Easy choice etc… Etc…

@38
Fantastic example of what I am saying, thank you. 3DS sold shit tonnes *after* they priced it sensibly.

@38,
As expected of you, you dodged the numbers and didnt respond to the holes in your fallible arguments about wiiu.

@39

I think younger kids who grew up on PS1 as there first console think they are ‘hard core’, this is why a lot of Sony fans are retarded. They seem to think that because Sony made them feel ‘cool’, they invented gaming and Everything Nintendo must be cutesy.

I hate that way of thinking really. Completly anti-gameplay.

Sony made graphics more popular than gameplay.

Gamers are overrated.

I don’t know. I think it possible that those franchises will find broader audiances on the Nintendo systems.

Entertainment is funny.

I am not saying that CoD BlopsII will sell more on WiiU then it does on xb360. Even PS3 can’t match xb360 sales. But I think it will sell. And because the porting should be easy to get your product on WiiU, I bet alot of 3rd parties will do just that.

But I would agree that those Multiplat games are not going to be a show of force on the system. The system would have sell extremly well, and have both the PS4 and XBNXT would have to be deleayed or stupidly over priced. Or both. If WiiU posted Wii type sales numbers, it could steal away support from MS and Sony. But I doubt that will happen.

#44 Da Man some gamers, not all of them, like in all in life, theres is always exceptions to the rule .

@42

I think they’ll with hold stock to generate buzz like they did with Wii on launch, it’s a business tactic often used to drum up crazy excitement.

So numbers? Shops will sell out, put it that way…

Srs bsns is overrated.

#48 Da Man English is not my first language, i didnt understood “Srs bsns”. would you tell me please what does that means?, that was aimed at me right?

“I think they’ll with hold stock to generate buzz”

Reminds me, I need to get my preorder done soon. Also might not hurt to preorder two, maybe ebay one.

Losely translated Manu, “Srs bsns” means “I am a Troll”, I think he is just leting folks he intends to troll this thread too.