Indeed.  Its not as simple as just converting the price.

Its nothing new, its the same thing with games. The reason why is because the US is a bigger mass market with only one language to worry about. Europe is more complicated.

European prices always include taxes, unlike US prices.

Most people forget this fact when they compare prices.

oh how i love the danish VAT of 25%

this means that the premium in denmark ends up costing 611 USD / 3499 DKK
while the basic will cost 524 USD/ 2999 DKK

this is a price worth complaining about to be honest.

Wow! and i though the 20% VAT in the UK was rediculous, 25% is too much

I suppose operating costs in the US are lowered compared to the fractured market that is Europe (language, jurisdiction, currency, taxes)

Just buy in the uk !

349€ is too much for the premium. And 8GB seems very small. It appears like there wont be game insatalation on the Wii U.

Nah, it'll be fine.

Besides 99% of the people don't even know this, this has been the case since like forever. When the PS3 was $600, it was €600 here. It applies to everything. People just don't care, and those that do order online from the UK where stuff usually is a little bit cheaper. Lastly, as said by others, in Europe the taxes are always included in the price. This can be different per country though (it's only 19% here in Holland, but it will be raised to 21% in the near future). Retailers in Europe are obligated by law to give the "real" price to consumers.

Awesome man. Some nice games I see!

You inspire me to make some pictures of my own soon.