NYT: Wii to launch Nov. 19 for $250 in US [update 6]
After a bevy of rumor-mongering and Joystiq predictioning, it looks like we have an early confirmation via a trusted source, The New York Times' Seth Schiesel. Drumroll please ...
The Nintendo Wii will arrive stateside November 19 for $250. It will also include a copy of Wii Sports. If true, this will be the first Nintendo console in history to launch at a price other than $200. According to the article (also being run by GameSpot and Engadget, among many others), 25 to 30 titles will be released for the Wii this year, including Twilight Princess, Excite Truck, and at least eight from Ubisoft.
Nintendo expects worldwide shipment numbers to total 4 million by the end of the year (we're unsure whether they mean fiscal or calendar year). Virtual Console titles will be priced in the range of $5 to $10, similar to the prices (between 500 and 1000 yen) just announced in Japan.
That means the closest blogger to the correct release date / cost is tied between Blake and Jennie -- congratulations, you guys have 15 mintues to gloat.
The Seattle Post-Intelligence confirmed to Nintendo Wii Fanboy that Scheisel's article was posted in the NYT wire but quickly pulled. It was not altered by the Seattle publication and, after being pulled and then republished on PI's website, remains in its original published form. As of 2:44 p.m. EST, the article has not shown up on The New York Times' website. [Update: The article is now live at The New York Times website.]
That they are launching after the PlayStation 3, on a Sunday, sounds kind of fishy to us. We are still awaiting final confirmation from tomorrow's NYC event, so don't take this as the final word just yet. More details to come, so stay tuned.
See Also:
Nintendo Japan conference not-so-liveblogging
[update 1: The SIP, which was hosting the NYT-penned piece, has pulled the article. Did they post it too early?]
[update 2: cleaned up some language, clarified some information.]
[update 3: added shipment figures, VC pricing.]
[Update 4: The Seatlle Post-Intelligencer has re-posted Schiesel's article.]
[Update 5: Added the information from NWii Fanboy's sleuthing.]
[Update 6: Added official NYT link]
