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UncleScrooge on 06 December 2012
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Mummelmann said:
Squilliam said:
Mummelmann said:
Majora said:
I don't really get the basic set - everywhere I go (I'm from Cardiff in the UK) the Premium bundle seems sold out but they have plenty of basic left. This seems to be harming sales of the console even though its the cheaper package!! Maybe people just prefer the black console (my WiiU is the best thing ever invented IMO =p).


The basic pack is basically (pardon the pun) a very bad idea. It appears to be moving slowly or not at all all over Europe and America. It will be fazed out within the year, mark my words.

It probably needs a price cut. It would make a lot more sense if they sold it for $269/$349 than with only a $50 difference. Besides this most of the early sales will be early adopters who'll want the 'best' version. I suspect if they adjust the price a little and once the mainstream audience starts buying it the basic pack will start to move a little better.

Remember what happened to the 360 "Core" pack? It was fazed out not only because people didn't buy them but also because the hardware in the version itself put major restrictions on the application of the system, much like the Wii U basic bundle (tiny storage with no guarantee for 3rd party product working, only support for USB 2.0 and a complete reconfiguration of the HDD itself so it works only on the Wii U, hardly a flexible solution for anyone). The more "casual" buyer is the least probable to start using external storage and start reconfiguring harddrives for Wii U use, it makes no sense at all as a product, the basic bundle that is.

I think you are pretty much spot on. The basic set was a bad idea. It doesn't even come with a sensor bar or charging station. It's pretty pointless. As for your prediction: I expect them to phase the basic pack out no later than next christmas and make the current 32GB premium model the standard at a $299 price point. They'll also bundle it with multiple games and it'll come in black and white. And to add something to the OP: Whenever I check amazon.de the basic model is in stock and the premium one jumps up and down from €349 - €499 depending on current stock.