More Wii details: Japan gets it December 2nd

As if there wasn't enough news surrounding the Wii, it looks like the Regginator has somehow convinced Nintendo to launch the Wii Stateside first! You heard it -- first! We'll be getting ours November 19th, while Japan must wait a painful, agonizing, excruciating two weeks for their home team to release the console domestically. Ouch. Oh, here's some more info on the Japanese launch (not all of which is yet confirmed):

Wii ¥25,000 (including tax in Japan) retail box will contain:

• Console
• Remote (and strap)
• Nunchuck
• AC adaptor
• A/V cable
• Console stand
• Sensor bar and stand / mount thinger
• Two AA batteries

Games!

• Virtual console games will be paid by credit card of Wii points
• NES games: ¥500 ($4.25)
  
• SNES games: ¥800 ($6.80)
  
• N64 games: ¥1000 ($8.50)
  
• 30 Nintendo games / 30 Turbo-Grafx & Genesis games in 2006; ten new games each month thereafter
• 16 titles from ten publishers at launch
• ¥4,800 - ¥6,800 for new titles ($40 - $58)
  
• Zelda will cost ¥6,800 ($58)

Device prices:

• Remote: ¥3,800 ($32)
  
• Classic controller: ¥1800 ($15)
  
• Nunchuck: ¥1800 ($15)

[Matt @ Sep 14th 2006 2:52AM]

Wow! http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%C2%A525%2C000+in+%C2%A3&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a

[Sean DL @ Sep 14th 2006 2:52AM]

And if the NYT articale is correct(Yeah) Reggie also got them to pack in Wii Sports....

And who knows..maybe another remote lol

[LazyMegaMan @ Sep 14th 2006 2:53AM]

I completely understand the prices and all, but I still think a possible (roughly converted using google) $50 a game is friggen unbelievable. Do you realize that if this pricing scheme held up, we'd be spending nearly $100/game by the next consoles? And people wonder why game piracy is on the rise. Most people can only afford the system in the first place! I know that's all I'll be getting for the first few months! Next up: Console piracy.

[lakiolen @ Sep 14th 2006 2:58AM]

I do believe the releaze date for the americas is the 19th. At least according to http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/nintendo-wii-november-19th-250/

[Einhanderkiller @ Sep 14th 2006 3:15AM]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6157573.html?tag=latestnews;title;1
"However, not all the news out of Japan was good. Iwata's presentation did confirm one major fear of gamers--that the Wii's "nunchaku" controller would be sold separately. The corded, directional attachment to the standard, so-called "Wiimote" controller will cost 1,800 yen (around $15), the same price as the classic-game controller, which is also sold separately. However, for a limited time, consumers who purchase a 5,000 point Wii-point card will receive a classic controller for free. The Wii comes with one standard controller, but additional "Wiimotes" will cost 3,800 yen (approx. $32) each."

Iwata confirmed that the nunchuk will be sold seperately.

[Simon @ Sep 14th 2006 3:15AM]

That's all good and well Matt, but no doubt us UKers will have to wait until February and pay a premium (read: best part of £200) because Europe isn't that important, apparently.

Perhaps I'm just being cynical and predicting the worst, but I'm not expecting such a good, low price for the Wii here in the UK

But feel free to prove me wrong, Nintendo!

[ClueLand @ Sep 14th 2006 3:30AM]

The release date is indeed December 2nd according to Nintendo itself:

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/topics/wii_preview/presentation/13.html

[Mr. Wednesday @ Sep 14th 2006 3:37AM]

Does this mean that the Wii-mote and the Nunchuck will be sold separately? WTF????? This is extremely disapointing since I doubt that there will be a lot of games that only uses the Wii-mote without the Nunchuck... I hope thats wrong... If I am going to buy a controller I want it to be complete! Not only half of it...

[Aztec @ Sep 14th 2006 3:41AM]

Press release for this information directly from Nintendo:
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/news/060914.html

Cant read japanese?
http://www.google.com/language_tools

Have fun!

[SKM @ Sep 14th 2006 4:03AM]

Now, IF (and that's a biiiiiiiig if) we in the UK get such a good price, the Wii will sell like the proverbial hot cakes.

You take those prices and convert them from US$ to UK£ and there are some nice figures there:
Wii: $250 / £138 (at 1.8US$ to the UK£)

SAdly, this most likely wont happen (as bloody ever) and we'll have to fork out about £200, if not more.

[Mongoos150 @ Sep 14th 2006 4:30AM]

I will buy this purely for the NES/SNES/N64 games. HOT.

[0_0 @ Sep 14th 2006 4:41AM]

"I completely understand the prices and all, but I still think a possible (roughly converted using google) $50 a game is friggen unbelievable."

Yeah frigging unbelievably cheap. Considering the games will probably be €60 (=$72) here in Europe, just like most Cube games are.

[rainking187 @ Sep 14th 2006 4:46AM]

" completely understand the prices and all, but I still think a possible (roughly converted using google) $50 a game is friggen unbelievable."

...that's pretty much what games cost last generation. What's so unbelievable?

[xbit @ Sep 14th 2006 4:50AM]

You take those prices and convert them from US$ to UK£ and there are some nice figures there:
Wii: $250 / £138 (at 1.8US$ to the UK£)

Don't forget that US prices don't include tax. Slap VAT on top and you're nearer £162. I wouldn't be surprised if it ships in the UK for £199.

I just hope that they improve on the Gamecube farce where us European gamers were waiting 6-9 months for games to appear after their North American release.

[rooot @ Sep 14th 2006 4:53AM]

i bet we europeans get it 2007...

[Beer Buijsman @ Sep 14th 2006 5:13AM]

50$ for a game ain't so bad but i think the prices for the nes/snes/n64 games are totally overpriced....

[iTard @ Sep 14th 2006 5:13AM]

I have one question about the web browser.
A standard definition tv is not capable of showing text that is only one pixel wide, it's blurry as hell (dead rising text anyone?).
So how the hell can you browse web with a standard tv? As far as I know the Wii isn't even capable of outputting a high enough resolution to show the sharp text on web pages, even if you have a HDTV.

Try plugging your computer to your old tube. Blurry!
I thought nintendo didn't require a HDTV.

[Mr.Blonde @ Sep 14th 2006 5:25AM]

Zelta will cost ¥6,800 ($58)

Zelta?

[Idk @ Sep 14th 2006 5:32AM]

Nintendo's console is NOT capable of component or HDMI.

I personally don't like opera but if you remember
"MSN web tv" then i'm sure you'll realize that text isn't an issue.

The games are a huge rip off, $50 for a new WII title is what you'd expect, but the prices for the VC games are just too much. The VC games should be something like 50 cents to $2 max. $250 for the console is well over what I expected. The technology in it isn't worth that much.

nintendo says that it will be as powerful as an Xbox, yet you can buy an Xbox for about $100 new.

[mingistech @ Sep 14th 2006 6:00AM]

Re: Idk

The Wii IS capable of component.

and... so is the PS2... Gamecube.... and first Xbox.

get ur facts straight before you post you douche. :)

[greenfly360 @ Sep 14th 2006 6:05AM]

What about a release date for uk. Please don't do a sony on us. :(

[rockintom99 @ Sep 14th 2006 6:13AM]

Christ, people. Less than 5 dollars for a NES game, and you're still bitching? Yeah, because I'd rather pay 6 or so for a *terrible* cell phone version of freaking bejeweled, than something awesome like Zelda 1, or Kirby's Adventure.

I think this is quite an awesome deal. Most NES games at the local EB are 5+ dollars, with any decent ones going 10 or more.

[Andy Wescot @ Sep 14th 2006 6:33AM]

http://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=2311764&extra=page%3D1

[MadaMadaDane @ Sep 14th 2006 6:42AM]

Like Engadget, I can't wait for the new Zelta game!

[Adam @ Sep 14th 2006 6:50AM]

zelta lol

[TZK @ Sep 14th 2006 6:58AM]

Can I just buy the nunchuck?

[Gaz @ Sep 14th 2006 7:05AM]

I'm really looking forward to getting my very own copy of the eagerly anticipated, next generation addition to the classic Nintendo adventure series......Zelta?!

[flipper @ Sep 14th 2006 7:51AM]

Europe date please! Don't forget about us Nintendo.

[punkasscrab @ Sep 14th 2006 7:55AM]

Tha Japanes price is $212 with tax. Could be $199 or $249 stateside depending on pack-ins (we'll know in a few hours).

[ben @ Sep 14th 2006 7:59AM]

it is zelda not zelta (do i get a star)

[Mainframe @ Sep 14th 2006 8:06AM]

what about us aussies?!?!?!

[cheyenne @ Jul 8th 2008 8:28PM]

Can i buy another control or any games ( like the wii fit) from the U.S and play them here (Britian)