Wii for November under $250, and it "won't have hidden fees or costs"

There you have it folks, if there was even a shred of doubt that Nintendo might pursue the Xbox Live option of levying charges on (at least certain aspects of) online gameplay, the records been set straight by the Regginator after having spoken with USA Today. Reggie Fils-Aime let it be known that the Wii would not pursue subscription services for Wii Connect24 or online gameplay, answering that Nintendo views "online gaming as essentially an enhanced way to enjoy the gaming experience and drive more sales of hardware and software," and that Nintendo "will offer online-enabled games that the consumers will not have to pay a subscription fee for. They'll be able to enjoy that right out of the box. ... It won't have hidden fees or costs." Ok, sounds good to us, but that wasn't all. USA Today also semi-officially confirmed some details: November launch for under $250. It's semi-confirmed because they didn't exactly list a source, but hey, if USA Today sits down with Reggie we'd like to think any details they publish are as good as gold.

[Via slashdot]

[akijikan @ Aug 16th 2006 2:39AM]

It's overpriced...would be even if it were free.

[Tony Rayo @ Aug 16th 2006 2:44AM]

Overpriced akijikan? 250$ for a next-gen system is overpriced? Wow you must really hate Nintendo or have disconnected from reality. We knew the price would be 200 - 250$ for some time now, so this shouldn't come as a surprise to you.

- Tony R

[D2 @ Aug 16th 2006 2:45AM]

Ryan, I appreaciate no occurrences of "deets" in this post

[fatal @ Aug 16th 2006 2:45AM]

if the connect24 system is going to be subscription free, then does this mean that game downloads will be too??

[captain jim @ Aug 16th 2006 2:51AM]

"250$ for a next-gen system is overpriced?"

i wounldn't really call the Wii a "next-gen" system. but i think that it's comfortably priced.

[mark @ Aug 16th 2006 2:59AM]

"It's overpriced...would be even if it were free."

Just because it doesnt have a cell processor doesnt mean it doesnt cost money to make it.

[Daniel @ Aug 16th 2006 3:03AM]

Free online play is such a basic concept for a PC gamer, glad to hear Nintendo not charging, Sony has said something similar were they weren't gonna charge for online gameplay on the PS3, and current DS & PS2 games have always been free. sub-$250 Wii and free online play FTW.

[Tinus @ Aug 16th 2006 3:05AM]

So the remote alone is not a revolution? And therefore the console is not 'next-gen'?

[KawF @ Aug 16th 2006 3:07AM]

Game downloads will most certainly not be free. You will probably see some promotional games being offered for free from at least Nintendo's inhouse collection to get you hooked, but not in general.

Just because the service is free, does not mean that downloadable content in general will be free.

And that downloadable content may be charged for is certainly not a hidden fee, so it most certainly is not going against calling the general service free.

[Aggy @ Aug 16th 2006 3:14AM]

Look at the amount of technology in each next-gen system. The 360 and the PS3 are both going th graphical powerhouse route, but that doesn't mean that the Wii is any less a next-gen system.
If you consider the difference of tech between the XBox/360, or the PS2/PS3, I'd say the Gamecube/Wii has the largest degree of separation in terms of tech. Maybe the processors inside are similar, but in terms of NEW technology, I think they're pretty high up in next-gen territory. At least to the level of innovation as the Blu-ray, and I personally think the Wiimote is a more innovative, immersive technology.

But yes, the Wii is next-gen, unless you're shallow and think purely in terms of increased graphics capability the vast majority of people either won't see because they don't have an HDTV, or favour gameplay over graphics.

[SKM @ Aug 16th 2006 3:16AM]

That's a good price, let's just hope that the $ doesn't get changed to a £ when it's sold in the UK, as oh-so-many things do.

AS it stands, $250 roughly translates to £150, which is a damn fine price for a new games console.

Hoepfully, the extra controllers wont cost too much, and i also hope the games arent much of £35 ($60 approx).

I'm very much looking forward to the release!

[Shootist @ Aug 16th 2006 3:19AM]

Thus far, Microsoft is the only ones to charge for online gameplay outside of MMORPGS. Best features of XBL is gamertags, friends lists etc, which isn't necessarily advanced or expensive to implement, pretty much every website with a log-in does something similar. Large sucess of XBL is that you really don't have the option of playing online without it. If publishers were allowed to offer online gameplay for the Xbox from their own servers for free like EA does with the PC, PS2, I'm sure XBL would be less compeling a package.

I remember Phantasy Star Online on the Dreamcast didn't charge for online gameplay either, that was one of the first examples of consoles online (other than Nintendo's Satellaview BS-X broadcast satellite system).

[dan @ Aug 16th 2006 3:22AM]

I traditionally go with playstations, as I'm addicted to the FF series. But with the Wii's sweet price point and no subscription fees, I think Nintendo has won me over.

[nafets @ Aug 16th 2006 3:35AM]

the 250 price point is not new during or after the E3 Nintendo announced that
http://wii.ign.com/articles/710/710088p1.html

[Crin @ Aug 16th 2006 3:35AM]

I got a PS2 and a Gamecube last time round, I think this time round I'll definatly be getting a Wii and then waiting for the PS3 to come down in price to someting mroe reasonable.

I agree with what most people have said on this thread, just becuase the Wii doesn't have the processing power of an entire render farm doesn't mean it isn't a great console.

[Jamie @ Aug 16th 2006 4:03AM]

I'm certainly going to be getting a Wii if it's at that price. A PS3, along with the HDTV needed to make it worth while would cost me around £1000. I really can't justify making my wife and children go bare-footed in the street, just so I can see individual blades of grass. I can see them in the garden anyway.

[Andreas @ Aug 16th 2006 4:06AM]

250 bucks...I suppose that magically translates
into an equivalent of $350 for Europe.
It's all about taxes, currency and customs,
sure sure, we believe ya, but
I'm not buying that console here if Nintendo charges
less for it in the US and Japan.

[Taylor @ Aug 16th 2006 4:17AM]

If it's about the same price as the PSP, then with tarrifs and such it will equal the same price as the PSP in Australia: $400.

My friend who is obsessed with the Wii says it'll launch HERE for 250 bucks. I've tried to explain the concept of currency exchange to him, but he refuses to accept it.

Me? I'm a PS3 man through and through. I'll get the Wii when it DOES get to 250 bucks, or lower. Like how I got the PS2 before GC

[_man1c_ @ Aug 16th 2006 4:32AM]

ah man i want one, but paying for my hdtv wont allow me to purchase it on launch day. :(

[Jypson @ Aug 16th 2006 4:37AM]

And where did the article state a sub $250 price and November release. The article stated that the announcement hasn't been made yet.

[MPG @ Aug 16th 2006 6:13AM]

"250 bucks...I suppose that magically translates
into an equivalent of $350 for Europe."
How do you get that idea? I think it's more likely that it will translate to 200 Euros in Europe, maximum 250 (which would still be less than $350). In the past, e.g. the Gamecube price was $150 in the US and 150 Euros in Europe, but that was at a time when the exchange rate was rather close to 1:1.

[KawF @ Aug 16th 2006 6:51AM]

US $250 w/o VAT = €250 w/ VAT&NiceRoundedNumberMarkup(TM)

[Matt p @ Aug 16th 2006 8:08AM]

I get a strange feeling from the wii only because we know very little about it and it seems the hype can never live up to what it's supposed to be.And what the hell is Nintendo waiting for on the price and release date? what can really be accomplished by not just saying this is when you can get and this is how much it will cost? as stupid as it may sound it almost seems like they know it can't live up to the hype so they are waiting till the very last possible second to announce anything solid so as to avoid the long term effect the ps3 is going through with it's price and what ever else.

i don't know maybe I'm missing something it just seems odd to me.

[Oggy @ Aug 16th 2006 8:44AM]

http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/26/uk-to-pay-about-the-same-for-wii-as-us-japan/

[chenry @ Aug 16th 2006 8:47AM]

cooooool.

[AUA @ Aug 16th 2006 9:00AM]

I'm with Matt p on that front. I'm really curious about the system but I don't think it's going to be as immensely revolutionary as they say. I can't help but think to the various abortions like the powerpad, that robot that sat on top of your TV, and the powerglove. None of them worked well.

[AUA @ Aug 16th 2006 9:13AM]

Nintendo Wii
Processor: 729 MHz IBM Broadway
Graphics card: 243 MHz ATI Hollywood
RAM: 88 MB
Launch date: November 2006
Price: Under $250

Wait - - 88 MB of RAM? 729MHz Processor???? Jesus! Clunkity Clunk.

[Mike @ Aug 16th 2006 9:22AM]

It says under $250 not $250 but less the $250. But This is old news Nintendo sayed before less then $250, and no Nintendo console has never costed over $200. So im beting $200 or less.

[shirizaki @ Aug 16th 2006 9:34AM]

@ Shootist

FFXI for 360 doesn't require Gold. It bypasses all the XBL features and plugs directly into Squeenix's PlayOnline servers. For a fee.

[Vertigo @ Aug 16th 2006 9:41AM]

I want to know how much we should expect for extra Wiimotes, there is a lot of technlogy in that little stick. And, can we expect third-party versions of it to help bring the price down? I expect to see it for over $60, thats quite a bit of dough if you want to have 4 player fun.

[Alexander @ Aug 16th 2006 9:44AM]

Online Play == Free
"Classic Corner" =! Free

You will be able to play SSMB with your friends over your the internet for free, but you will not be able to play SMB3 for free. Get it? Good.

The real question you should be asking is, "Will 'classic' games be able to have multiplayer over the internet?" instead of worrying about if the Revolution is Next-gen or not. (I refuse to call it anything but that.)

[Loban @ Aug 16th 2006 9:46AM]

"i wounldn't really call the Wii a "next-gen" system. but i think that it's comfortably priced."

Pure system power and graphics aren't the only factor to consider when discussing "next-gen". I'd say a new way of interacting with the player is also "next-gen". If you really wanna get picky, then the PS3 I'd say is rather "current-gen" as it will be outdated more quickly then you can imagine by PC technology.

To me: Xbox 360 and PS3 = last-gen and Wii = next-gen. The PS3 is just a PS2 with fancier graphics, how is that next-gen? If I take a Porsche and make it prettier but essentially change nothing about how it drives and double the price, do you consider it a great leap in technology? I don't think so.

[Stitch @ Aug 16th 2006 10:10AM]

"I remember Phantasy Star Online on the Dreamcast didn't charge for online gameplay either,..."

Well, version 1 didn't, but version 2 required a "hunter's license" for online play, at $8.95 a month.

[Qweltol @ Aug 16th 2006 10:17AM]

"I can't help but think to the various abortions like the powerpad, that robot that sat on top of your TV, and the powerglove. None of them worked well."

I understand your concern, AUA, but you are talking about things Nintendo released almost 20 years ago. Not really a fair comparison, I don't think. Plus, those were all add-ons to the original NES. Nintendo seems confident enough about this controller, or they wouldn't design their entire console around it. Sure, Nintendo has made it's share of mistakes in the past, but we're talking about a company that's been around since 1889. I seriously doubt they would make such a fatal mistake as launching with a controller that simply doesn't work. It's not like they are claiming that the Wii uses mind control.

[DG @ Aug 16th 2006 10:24AM]

What I love about my DS is that I am able to play Tetris with someone across the world and all it takes is saying "Yes" to "Do you want to connect to Nintendo Wi-Fi?"

No credit card, no registration, no promising to pay fees later. Just a system, a game, an existing Wi-Fi connection, and I'm playing online. It's very, very smart for Nintendo to continue this offering with the Wii.

[Chocolate Bunny @ Aug 16th 2006 10:25AM]

" It's not like they are claiming that the Wii uses mind control." - Qweltol

I hear that's in an add-on.

[Tom Donaldson @ Aug 16th 2006 10:45AM]

I saw a comment complaining that Wii is overpriced, and would be even if it was free. I'd just like to take this opportunity to ask parents that they not allow their mentally-handicapped eight-year-olds to post comments publicly in the future. They can't help but say retarded things which will undoubtedly draw fire from more intelligent people.

With that said, let me now welcome Engadget to several months ago, since the rest of us living outside our caves have known this "news" for quite a long time. More recent information from up-to-date sources (like IGN) report a Japanese price of 19,800 yen ($170 in the US), though the US price would likely be $200.

[Finished.Law.School @ Aug 16th 2006 10:56AM]

But will it have a hidden root kit?
Oops, this isn't Sony, we do not have to worry about what sort of things are done to fuck us over with Nintendo, that is only a Sony issue...

[AUA @ Aug 16th 2006 10:57AM]

"Not really a fair comparison, I don't think."

It certainly wasn't intended as a one-for-one comparison. I'm positive that the technology in these will be far superior to the sad-sack power glove.

BUT, Nintendo does have a history of making some pretty outrageous claims WRT product performance. They had always been very shrewd with marketing their gimmicky notions.

This time around, they've built an entire system around a gimmicky idea. Will that stop me from buying it?? No way. I'm really interested in this system and I have a fair amount of faith ($200) that they'll deliver.

While I plan on picking one up, I do have some pretty strong reservations due to their past performance.

[.ed @ Aug 16th 2006 11:21AM]

can't wait.

[Tense @ Aug 16th 2006 11:40AM]

First of all.

794MHZ processor. Yes. But, in a dedicated system. It's most likely equivelent to your home computer in processing power. Which I KNOW you paid more then 250 dollars for. Plus, most of you complain about CPU power. Then you all download emulators of SNES, and NES. and giggle and laugh as you play "Super Mario World". GAMEPLAY people GAMEPLAY. I realize that a lot of you are consumer level. But, please do some reasearch.

THOUGH THOUGH. A little HD love would have been nice. Sigh.

[oxjox @ Aug 16th 2006 11:47AM]

I think Nintendo has hit the nail on the head for someone like me. After my Atari and NES systems, I pretty much left gaming at the curb. I really like the ability to play the old school games, the "free" online play and the price tag isn't too bad. There is no way in hell I would shell out the cash for the 360 or PS3, but the Wii.. how can I NOT buy it?! As the other two players continue to tailor to the core gamer, they have left a gapping hole for everyone else to purchase a Wii - brilliant :-)

[ouj @ Aug 16th 2006 11:58AM]

"To me: Xbox 360 and PS3 = last-gen and Wii = next-gen. The PS3 is just a PS2 with fancier graphics, how is that next-gen? "

Wii is just a Gamecube with a new controller. How is that next-gen?

Somebody said in a previous post that Wii is definitely next-gen unless you are "shallow" and prefer great graphics over gameplay.

Well, I enjoy both, great graphics AND great gameplay. They are not mutually exclusive. Many people who talk about "innovation" (as an excuse for Wii's relatively weak specs) forget that pure performance is also an enabler for potentially greater games.

There is no way you could've had something like Shadow of the Colossus, Grand Theft Auto 3 or God of War on a PS1. PS2 made it possible even though PS2 really was "just" a PS1 with fancier graphics. Who knows what will come next.

[doc @ Aug 16th 2006 12:13PM]

"available in november for under $250"


TRANSLATION

the console will cost $249.99

Not that cheap if u ask me.....
=]

[AUA @ Aug 16th 2006 12:35PM]

I love it when people try to come off all techier-than-thou and end up with a ton of incorrectly spelled words, bad facts, and contradictions.

Tense said:

"794MHZ processor. Yes."

No.

"I realize that a lot of you are consumer level. But, please do some reasearch."

Whereas you're cranking out consoles, right? We understand. What the consumer wants isn't important. But people like you don't need to do "reasearch." Just run your trap spouting off incorrect information, like a 794MHz processor.

"THOUGH THOUGH. A little HD love would have been nice."

GAMEPLAY, Tense, GAMEPLAY!

[Funk @ Aug 16th 2006 12:39PM]

All the new consoles are "next-gen" as in "next generation" which means its the next version, it doesnt matter if its worse, something "major" was changed. I wish i could afford the PS3 but i simply cannot and im not gonna waste money for the lower end PS3 so im goin for the Wii hopefully it will be for around 225 or somethin.

[Kyle @ Aug 16th 2006 1:10PM]

Just so you all know...

Taken from wii.ign.com:
"Nintendo's new Wii console could be yours later this year for less than expected. Tokyo-based Nikko Citigroup has issued a report on Nintendo's rising stock price, and between all the jargon is the financial institution's forecast that the Wii will carry a Japanese price point of 19,800 yen.

Current exchange rates would put an equivalent US price at $170.00. However, console prices rarely convert according to exchange rates. At most, we can probable take this report to indicate an anticipated US price of under $200."

The whole story can be read here: http://wii.ign.com/articles/725/725645p1.html

$170 sounds all right with me!!! But, I'd buy it for $250 anyway...

[JasonLynx @ Aug 16th 2006 1:58PM]

3 words.... NO HIGH DEFINITION!!!

Cant wait for a raking game so I can rake all those virtual leaves.

[Sponge @ Aug 16th 2006 2:08PM]

Yes yes, we all know that you fan boys from MS and Sony are always bashing the Wii for it's "last-gen" graphics (even though it's graphics are 2-3x better then GC's). For you I have one question:

Why would you play (as ouj said) Shadow of the Colossus, Grand Theft Auto 3 or God of War if the graphics suck so much?

The answer is they aren't that bad and the Wii will be better then that so STFU.

[Peter S. @ Aug 16th 2006 2:48PM]

"Game downloads will most certainly not be free. You will probably see some promotional games being offered for free from at least Nintendo's inhouse collection to get you hooked, but not in general.

Just because the service is free, does not mean that downloadable content in general will be free.

And that downloadable content may be charged for is certainly not a hidden fee, so it most certainly is not going against calling the general service free."

Obviously, game downloads will not be free. I don't know what got people thinking that, even in spite of all the talk CONTRARY to what you just said about it. Online play = free, extra services ~ free/pay. It was assumed from the beginning (and not just for game downloads).