Nintendo Wii launch: 4th quarter, for less then $500

We were really hoping for an official announcement of the Wii's launch date and price, but the company is continuing to withhold those key details. As Reggie Fils-Aime put it today, "we think it's best to keep those details quiet a little longer." The only hint of a launch date and pricing: Reggie's declaration that "Wii will give you more fun for less money and you will be playing Wii in the fourth quarter of 2006." By that, we can assume the Wii will certainly be less than the $500 price tag Sony's dangling for the Playstation 3. But that $250 price point we've been seeing lately will just have to remain in the rumor mill for now.

[Anonymous @ May 9th 2006 3:30PM]

More fun for less money . . . than a really big tattoo?

My money says it's going to come in at $149.99

[tc @ May 9th 2006 3:37PM]

i say $249

[daschupa @ May 9th 2006 3:47PM]

$199 or nothing. Any higher and it will have a rough launch till a price break. I mean, it's not exactly a powerhouse, so the value should be its main point.

[Alex @ May 9th 2006 3:50PM]

"less then"?

[Adam @ May 9th 2006 4:32PM]

"less than $500"

I should fucking hope so!

either $250 with a voucher to download some classic games for free, say $20 worth, controller shell, wiimote and nunchuku.

or $199 with just wiimote and nunchuku.

$250 was going to be the price until they heard the price from sony, now they're wondering if they can go higher, especially in Europe.

They were also seeing what Microsoft were doing because if they announced a major price cut and HD-DVD for $100 then they would have to adjust again.

[Justin @ May 9th 2006 4:33PM]

Powerhouse? No. Innovative? YES! I think N can get by with a $300 price tag but probably no more than that. It may not have the graphical power that the X360 or PS3 has but they are catering to nontraditional gamers. I've been playing video games since the Pong days and to me the market now days is saturated with games that just keep getting "prettier" rather then better or more fun. Call me a fanboy if you will but I think the Wii will appeal to the more "mature" gamers that miss the fun of picking up a 2 button joystick and playing for hours on end until our thumbs went numb.

[Hedgie @ May 9th 2006 4:43PM]

I like the regginator. He's a good spokesman with charisma that kicks ass and takes names. Why am I saying this right now? Dunno, very bored. But my thoughts is $249.96 for the controller. If I get it right to the penny, do I win something?

[Nathan Ziarek @ May 9th 2006 4:54PM]

I'd love to see it at $200, since you'll have to buy a game right away. I don't think I can get away with more than $250 for a usable system...that alone is hard to get passed the wife. My guess, though, is that it'll launch at $250, and at that, I won't be getting one :-(

[James @ May 9th 2006 5:07PM]

hahah, i should sure hope that it is less than $500!

[prickly pete @ May 9th 2006 5:12PM]

I thought that the big "N" went on the record a while back saying that the Revolution (PeeWee) was priced at $99.99

When did $500 or $250 come into the mix?

[Scott Johnson @ May 9th 2006 5:18PM]

"less then $500"

Somebody needs a copy editor.

[chepe m @ May 9th 2006 6:32PM]

I think is going to be $200 or less

[TZK @ May 9th 2006 6:53PM]

That is actually a cool looking controller. Very simpleTENDO and instaltly classic.

[Marcus @ May 9th 2006 7:14PM]

I think the Wii will be around 149.88 (Wal-Mart) because they can lose profit on the core system alot easier then other companies because there will be constant old skool game revenue, I cannot wait to max out my card with old skool mario and how about a new version of goldeneye 64 same game with online capabilities and Wii controller funtionality!?!?!?!? I smile at the thought of it....

[Rivendale286 @ May 9th 2006 8:39PM]

"Less than $500" is absurd, come on this is dumb... Everyone's saying $250, but I think it'll be $199 like always... Every Nintendo console (NES, SNES, N64, GC) has launched for $200, and the Wii will too...

[Virtuous @ May 9th 2006 10:31PM]

I predict a $300 price point. Nintendo didn't announce a price because it will be more than people expect, but less than the PS/3 and 360.

[Zilla @ May 9th 2006 11:57PM]

BAD GRAMMIR ALART

[Tiggy @ May 15th 2006 3:14AM]

In that picture of the old couple.. there's no wires coming from the nintento to the TV.. o-o;;;;;; I knew there wasn't wired from the nintendo to the controller.. but.. hehe.. not to the TV either? Is this true? Because that'd be soo awesome. o-o;

[Digg A.G @ May 15th 2006 4:20PM]

I hope its very cheap, Im saving up for it... shouldn't be more than 300$...im predicting 250 although my estimations might be wrong

[greg @ May 16th 2006 2:30PM]

I think itll be either 250$ or 200$. I'm just hoping they'll announce a date soon so I can reserve it...I want 2 be first on the list unlike my 360.

[Mac @ May 17th 2006 6:25AM]

250 minimum perhaps 350. Those thinking less are just fooling themselves. Walmart won't run the price more than a few cents under retail, all they do is get the lowest price, even if its pennies. Look at their price on the 360 for example. Personally I just want the system for the oldies...and mario galaxies...and zelda...and metroid...ok I just want.