Simple question you can add your feedback, I personally do not think consumers (especially those Nintendo is targeting with its early slate of adds) will be too reeceptive to that price, given they just paid 200 for a new mario game just 3 months ago.  People who are early adaptors will pay for the combo.  Also that price is well beyond any price paid for the pair at any time in Nintendo's history in releasing any mario game and new system

Below all US dates and prices

1985: NES (with super mario bros included): $199

1991: SNES (with super mario world/all stars included): $199

1996: N64: $199; launch game Mario 64: $59.99 = $260

2001: Gamecube: Price cut NA to $149 in May 2002, Super Mario Sunshine $49.99 in August 2002 = $200 (250 if you bought original gamecube price)

2006: Wii $249 Launch price; first 2007 Mario Galaxy 49.99 = $300

Wii Price Cut to $199 Sept 2009; NSMB November 2010 $49.99 Mario Galaxy 2 Late spring 2010 $49.99 = $250.00 (300 if you bought at 2006 prices)

Handhelds (recent ones anyway)

2006: DS lite 129.99 NSMB DS 39.99 = $170

2011: 3DS price drop July 169.99, Mario 3D Land, NSMB 2 39.99 = $200.00 (290 if you bought original)

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2012: Wii U 299/349; NSMB U 59.99 = $360 normal/410 deluxe

We'll have to wait and see won't we.

The quick answer is yes. It's really a matter of how many customers will be receptive to that. At launch casual type customers might just buy the 349 bundle and then buy games later on. I'll be spending over 500 at launch.

Outside of the first wave of die-hard fans, I think we're going to Wii U sales dip quite a bit before building as more games are released. The early adopters buy for the hardware but most people buy for the software. I think the real system movers are further off in the launch window. Then, as with most consoles, software accumulation will lead to greater consumer interest.

So, no, I don't see a Wii type phenomenon. I think the Wii U will have a more traditional console growth curve.

One word: Inflation.

Well you're not going to see any future console beating the Wii in terms of popularity imo. But the popularity of pre-orders says that yes, people are prepared to pay that sort of money and not just for those two titles you've listed either - ZombiU is going to be a huge system seller, as will Lego City Undercover, Rayman Legends and Aliens Colonial Marines be.

how is this different than any console launch?

XBOX + whatever game

PS + whatever game

WiiU has more to offer than just Mario to consumers.

People often make this argument for WiiU, but it doesn't make sense to me. I mean, how can you say that "the real system movers" are still far off? There is no video game that is more of a system mover than Super Mario. If anything's going to get a console to sell, it's Mario. I don't see how you can expect other games to pick up the slack when the WiiU is already launching with what will definitely be one of its biggest games.

It's fine if you don't expect WiiU to do that well overall, but expecting a slow start when it's launching with 2D Mario seems absurd.

Anyway, on topic, this is actually an interesting thing to note, but I don't believe it's going to be necessarily relevant. Even if the price for Mario+Console is higher than usual, I don't think that's going to drive too many customers away during the holidays.

Yes, indeed.

I found it: http://www.gamesetwatch.com/console-prices-relative-2.png