| Tarumon said: Just look at how Nintendo reported Wii U exceeded Wii on sales proceeds, the yen represents a 10% markup as we speak so Nintendo has room for a cut if so desired or can ride home on fewer units shipped but less depressing figures when it comes to sales. Discount or not, Wii U enjoys a solid year headstart. 3DS had the four horsemen kinda sputtering before Nintendo pulled the trigger no? (Need confirmation from ppl with better recollection). Nintendo ought to try at least one more round of real game announcements and releases before a price cut that if called for is better served post HDTwin price announcements. If HD Twins come out at 599-699, then Nintendo will look like a bargain without a price cut. |
It's not really even the PS4/720 so much that I think Nintendo has to worry about.
The PS3 and 360 are both due for price cuts this year, the Wii U looks like a pretty crap deal at $350 if you have an Uncharted 3 PS3 bundle for $199.99, with a much larger library of games, lots of discounted games, more robust online store, etc. etc.
That and $300-$350 is pretty much a tough go with kids and any fringe casuals who might actually want to get something like Wii Fit U. $350 to dig out the balance board and play some new mini-games? A lot of people are going to say pass.
If Nintendo wanted to price a system above $300 they needed to bring a more powerful piece of kit to the table so they could get more hardcore players who are willing to pay this price.
They keep wanting to stick to their "family audience" safety blanket, but you can't have it both ways and charge these kinds of prices. Once the first batch of Nintendo faithful have their units, it's going to become a very tough sell for them, just like the 3DS at $250.
