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U.S. Nintendo presser somewhat-liveblogging [update 8]

Kyle Orland
Updated ·2 min read



Our man on the ground in NYC for the U.S. Wii information event has been delayed [update 1: He's there and feeding information below the jump], but we're keeping up with the news via sites like GoNintendo and Engadget (who provided the above photo). A lot of the stuff was already revealed in the Japanese press conference early this morning but here's what seems to be new:

  • Confirmed price of $249.99 on Nov. 19 in U.S. with Wii Sports pack-in. Worldwide debut is in U.S. Reggie: "One price, one config, one color: white." Included in box seems similar to Japanese system, besides Wii Sports.

  • Games will cost roughly $49.99.

  • Virtual console games will be $5 for NES, $8 for SNES, $10 for N64. Super Mario 64, Super Mario World, Donkey Kong and Legend of Zelda at launch.

  • Thirty titles in U.S. by year's end, about half at launch. Launch games include (compiled from GoNintendo/Engadget): The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Excite Truck, Trauma Center, Madden 07, Need for Speed: Carbon, Elebits, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz, Metal Slug Anthology, Rayman: Raving Rabids, Red Steel, Barnyard, Cars, Avatar, Blazing Angels, Far Cry: Vengeance.

Continue reading for more direct from the press conference.

  • 10:01 AM EST [update 1]: The remote will sell for $39.99, the nunchuck for $19.99. Gamecube version of Zelda will come out Dec. 11, after the Wii version on Nov. 19.

  • 10:04 a.m. EST [update 2]: Nintendo again pledges 6 million units worldwide by March 31. The U.S. will get the bulk of units, sold at 25,000 [typo fixed] distribution points.

  • 10:07 a.m. EST [update 3]: Metroid Prime 3 won't come out until 2007.

  • 10:10 a.m. EST [update 4]: Pokemon will be the first online game, ready for Dec. 2 launch in Japan, "shortly thereafter" in U.S.

  • 10:15 a.m. EST [update 5]: The press conference is over. Our man Chris will be roaming the demo floor and posting pics and impressions all day. Peace!

  • 10:18 a.m. EST [update 6]: Some more launch details up top from Engadget.

  • 10:24 a.m. EST [update 7]: Tidbits from GoNintendo -- all first-party games are widescreen, third-party games could be more than $59.99. From Engadget -- the picture editor can play videos.

  • 10:26 a.m. EST [update 8]: From Kotaku's liveblogging -- 2000 Wii points = $24 Canadian ($20 American).