Nintendo Says No to Wii U Price Cut

News
By Zak Islam
published

Console has only sold three million units thus far.

Despite waning demand, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has said that the company will not apply a price cut for the Wii U.

Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Iwata acknowledged that Wii U sales disappointed in 2012. Since its launch, the Wii successor has shipped a paltry three million units. However, the executive said he felt it wasn't necessary to decrease the price of the $299 basic set or the $349 deluxe variant.

"We are already offering it at a good price," Iwata said. "I feel a deep sense of responsibility for not being able to produce results for our year-end business." Nintendo's revenue for the nine months ending on December 31 was $6 billion, a 2.4 percent decrease when compared to the same time frame in 2011.

Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto told reporters that demand for the Wii U will be propelled once consumers try the console out and "see it is fun."

Contact Us for News Tips, Corrections and Feedback

Zak Islam
43 Comments Comment from the forums
  • wolley74
    i don't think its a bad price, still plays all Wii games and the controller can't be cheap to make, has some very fun things coming up and already out for it, i'm not regretting buying mine for $349, it's a good console (for a console)
    Reply
  • A Bad Day
    A lot of my classmates are perfectly fine with playing on their smartphones. Nintendo should either find a way to convince people otherwise, or repeat the original Wii tactic.


    The original Wii had much stronger sales than the PS3 and Xbox 360 because it allowed a family or a group of friends to easily play with each other. Many of the games on PS3 or Xbox 360 did not support that kind of multiplayer on a single TV properly.
    Reply
  • jdwii
    The price is fine for the controller and the system. The Wii U is selling better then the 360/PS3 during its launch time frame.

    All Nintendo needs is some of their major titles and they are all coming.
    Reply
  • kingnoobe
    I agree with jdwii once it get some good titles that's all it need.

    As far as bad goes. A lot of smart phones cost more then wii u unless you sign a contract. Pretty sure the wii u doesn't require a 2 year contract lol. So that's all apple and oranges.

    Reply
  • demonhorde665
    "We are already offering it at a good price,"

    really i'd hate to see what he calls an a-- reaming price then?

    for 350 bucks the hardware is a bit dated already. i think for 350 i could put together a much nicer PC based off one of AMD's APUs.
    Reply
  • A Bad Day
    The original Wii's sales dropped off later, partially due to the every growing numbers of shovelware.

    A few good titles. That's what some of the failed gaming systems in the past needed in order to succeed...

    kingnoobeI agree with jdwii once it get some good titles that's all it need.As far as bad goes. A lot of smart phones cost more then wii u unless you sign a contract. Pretty sure the wii u doesn't require a 2 year contract lol. So that's all apple and oranges.
    Well, you already have a phone and a lot of your friends are playing some 99 cent game, so why pay for a dedicated gaming system?
    Reply
  • samwelaye
    demonhorde665"We are already offering it at a good price,"really i'd hate to see what he calls an a-- reaming price then?for 350 bucks the hardware is a bit dated already. i think for 350 i could put together a much nicer PC based off one of AMD's APUs.
    That will not get you a gamepad that offers the same kind of group-play games the wii u has. Yes it has outdated hardware. Yes, the graphics still arent top notch. But it is FUN.

    Nintendoland is a super basic game, some of the vs gametypes have kept me/family/friends entertained for hours. Drunk MarioChase is hilarious too
    Reply
  • xpeh
    Deleted
    Reply
  • kryzzay
    Looking forward to Rayman Legends being released February 28th (Australia)
    Reply
  • FFH
    The problem isn't the price. I think the problem is lack of games, and that could be due to the controls. I know the Wii U tablet controller is the main thing, but there's a problem for game designers. They have to choose the controllers. The tablet controller only works for the first player. There are also the wii remote, the wii u pro controller, and the many accessories.

    If they just stuck to the tablet controller, it would be great. Sell it as a separate controller instead of just allowing you one. The controller is the main appeal. Besides money, I don't see why they have to make so many different controller types. It will only confuse consumers.
    Reply