Nintendo confirms new Wii bundle

By Tom Bramwell Published 24 September, 2009

Also reducing UK trade price.

Nintendo has confirmed yesterday's report of a new Wii bundle including MotionPlus and Wii Sports Resort, and also said that it would be reducing the trade price of Wii to retailers in the UK and Ireland.

Earlier this year the platform holder increased the trade price retailers had to pay for Wii hardware units, and our sister site GamesIndustry.biz reports today that the forthcoming reduction will bring it back to where it was.

What that means overall is that retailers, who set the price of the console, will likely end up charging the existing £179 (or slightly more or less) for a bundle consisting of the Wii console, Wii MotionPlus, Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort, and this will be on sale from 2nd October.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (33) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • JayeM #1 2 years ago

    I might finally pick one up again, there's a few games I want to try out now.

  • LazyDan #2 2 years ago

    It's not great, but it's not terrible. If you haven't owned a Wii up until now, it's definitely worth getting. The neckbeards may want to disagree, but there is no better console for multiplayer games you can play with other people physically there with you - no matter how much of a gamer they are.

    If something you can play with the people who come to visit you isn't relevant to you (ahem,) then I can understand the bitching and moaning about it, but then it's not for you, is it?

  • Toothball #3 2 years ago

    Didn't they deny this yesterday? This sort of story is sounding eerily familiar.

  • Xerx3s #4 2 years ago

    USD = GBP. :/

  • Xerx3s #5 2 years ago

    "The neckbeards may want to disagree, but there is no better console for multiplayer games you can play with other people physically there with you - no matter how much of a gamer they are. "

    That's just rubbish. Have fun in lala land.

  • QPRobbie #6 2 years ago

    From the looks of this, it'll be Wii, Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort for £179 which is not a bad deal, and effectively a £70 price cut.......

    http://ww w.mcvuk.com/news/35880/UK-Wii-p...

  • Danoxth #7 2 years ago

    "The neckbeards may want to disagree, but there is no better console for multiplayer games you can play with other people physically there with you - no matter how much of a gamer they are."

    I dunno, we did 4player ODST with two 360's and two TV's all linked up, was more fun that standing around waving my arms about.

    Not strictly console, but LAN amongst friends is also better than anything the Wii can produce, the only exception is if you have a high Alcohol count.

  • Gaol #8 2 years ago

    MilkybKid1985 wrote:

    "That said I still expect lots of downvotes"

    You're Welcome :)

  • skillian #9 2 years ago

    It is the best gaming console foryour friends who aren't gamers, that much I will admit. Just like Girls Aloud are the best band for people who don't like music.

  • Johnsters #10 2 years ago

    hmmmm, multiplayer games with your friends in the same room can be better than online, as you get instance feedback and a barrage of curses. But, I have found the multiplayer component of Wii lacking bar a little bloom box or mario kart.
    All sitting in the same room taking it in turn to bowl, is not really multiplayer. Is it?

    Actually, one of the best party MP game I can think of that is now on the PSN and maybe Live is Bomberman. Doesn't need a fancy controller for that.
    Edited by 1 at 24/09/09 @ 09:59

  • swissorc #11 2 years ago

    The fact you can get it on play.com for this price for atleast a couple of months should not be ignored now once again nintendo screw eruopeans over. Not that it matters as I already have one and if you don't have a wii by now chances are your not a nintendo lover anyway and your not going to buy one to play zelda and mario and it will just collect dust like a karaoke machine in your garage or shed slowly rust through neglect/
    Edited by 1 at 24/09/09 @ 09:48

  • penhalion #12 2 years ago

    Having owned a Wii from it's release I would say that for a hard core gamer it definitely isn't worth getting one. It will gather dust on a shelf under the TV within weeks of you getting it. I would recommend a Wii only if you are :-

    A) A large lady who wants to slim down and thinks the Wii is somehow a magic bullet.
    B) fit the description in A.

    If you still go ahead and get one, then you'll end up with exactly 3 games outside of Wii Sports and possibly Wii Fit. These are Zelda, Mario Galaxy and er......hang on a sec.......um.......wow...er....you know what I genuinely can't name another Wii must have game!

  • Johnsters #13 2 years ago

    "you know what I genuinely can't name another Wii must have game! "

    Bloom box, but that's it
    Edited by 1 at 24/09/09 @ 10:06

  • stevetuck #14 2 years ago

    "you know what I genuinely can't name another Wii must have game! "

    Little Kings Story

    My favourite wii game right now and supporting small developers huzzah! :)

  • brod #15 2 years ago

    "I dunno, we did 4player ODST with two 360's and two TV's all linked up, was more fun that standing around waving my arms about."

    So in order to get a better multiplayer experience than the Wii you need TWO consoles and TWO televisions. Interesting.

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #16 2 years ago

    i think when you guys say "playing wit people PHYSICALLY there with you" youd get your point across quicker if you just said "local multiplayer"

  • LiamK #17 2 years ago

    "I would recommend a Wii only if you are :-

    A) A large lady who wants to slim down and thinks the Wii is somehow a magic bullet.
    B) fit the description in A. "

    Your English does not match our Earth English.

  • mkreku #18 2 years ago

    Seeing the prettiest girl I know dancing to Raving Rabbids is just.. I forgive you for everything, Nintendo! I love youuu

  • Mono_X #19 2 years ago

    Basically the 'self proclaimed so called hardcore gamers' hate the Wii because it doesn't reinforce their worldview.

    Their worldview being that games should only be designed for 14 year old pubescent boys to live out their murder fantasies!

    Nothing wrong with that of course - I quite happily play those kinds of game too. But at least I don't feel threatened by games that are designed for girls - it's like saying that Barbie isn't a good toy - because it's a girls toy!

  • skillian #20 2 years ago

    I have heard lots of reasons for why people don't like the Wii, but its lack of reinforcement for a 14 year-old's worldview is a new and interesting one.

    And Barbie is not a good toy - it is sexist and promotes unrealistic body shapes as the ideal :)

  • Mono_X #21 2 years ago

    I'm just articulating that many so called hardcore gamers seem to believe that they mature or grown-up gamers, yet the games they play are anything but that. At their core many (possibly most) video games are quite juvenile - nothing wrong with that of course - but the denial of this fact, well it can feel a little unhealthy.

    Why should it matter what Barbie promotes?
    After all many boys' toys promote violence and death.
    This shouldn't be an issue unless of course, you're stating that things like toys and games influence childrens behaviour?
    Edited by 1 at 24/09/09 @ 11:47

  • electrolite #22 2 years ago

    "you know what I genuinely can't name another Wii must have game! "

    And yet earlier in your post you claim to speak for the 'hardcore gamer'. How hard is it to click 'Wii' and then' Reviews' from the left hand column? Or go on Metacritic? It doesn't have a comparable range to PS3 or 360 but it does get boring seeing ridiculous statements by people scared or confused by Wii's success

  • canIdoyabombsforya #23 2 years ago

    @ Johnsters

    "All sitting in the same room taking it in turn to bowl, is not really multiplayer. Is it? "

    It's social gaming.
    Anyone with a girlfriend knows you can't power up a Playstation or Xbox on Xmas day.

  • JahB #24 2 years ago

    Anyone with a girlfriend knows you can't power up a Playstation or Xbox on Xmas day.

    speak for yourself there. there's a lotta simple XBLA games my girlfriend likes quite a bit, leave alone Singstar (yeah, i know....) and LBP

  • skillian #25 2 years ago

    @MonoX

    How many 'hardcore gamers' do you know? Most of them?

    Far from irrational hatred of a machine that doesn't subscribe to their worldview, I would suggest that most gamers who have little interest in the Wii feel that way because most Wii games do not appeal to them. Just as many owners of the Wii won't buy a 360 for the same reasons.

    It just annoys me that some people seem to think there must be an underlying irrational reason that people don't like the Wii, rather than they just don't enjoy it.

    And for the record, I do believe that toys and games influence a child's behaviour, and I think it's naive to think they don't. Not a popular opinion here of course, but not an unreasonable position to hold.

  • Mono_X #26 2 years ago

    @Skillian

    Since I've spent the last 9 years directly working with video games in the video games industry, the answer would be... A LOT:p Easily over 100.

    The amount of statements I've seen saying that the Wii is not a 'proper' console and doesn't have 'proper' games and is not for gamers (yourself included on this very thread) is pretty high - including from devs and designers who should know better. The forums of this website are full of them, since I reckon sites like EG are mostly read by the 'hardcore gamer' (a phrase I dislike), it's fair to say that the snapshot it gives of the 'hardcore gamer' mentality has a degree of (anecdotal) accuracy.

    The argument boils down 'because I don't like it - it must be crap - my way is the one true way'. Which smacks of insecurity, elitism and gaming snobbery. Surely the true gamer doesn't care about platform, or HD or whatever - they care about the games and a broad interest in games. And even though there may be games or genres or whatever they don't like, it doesn't immediately invalidate its worth.

    As for your view regarding childrens toys, kudos for sticking to your guns. I can see why it's unpopular around here as it has some significant implications.

    Cheers:)

  • Bluetooth #27 2 years ago

    Is the Wii good as a single player console? I live in the sticks, the only people near me are chavs who I prefer to avoid, not invite over for some Wii.
    Edited by 1 at 24/09/09 @ 14:01

  • skillian #28 2 years ago

    Since I've spent the last 9 years directly working with video games in the video games industry, the answer would be... A LOT:p Easily over 100.

    Hah! Well OK, you got me there ;)

    I know that in many cases you are right, because dislike for an alternative console is very often irrational if you read the comments threads here. I suppose it's just that I think in the Wii's case they have a point. I also have this notion in my head that some of these gamers must be reasonable people, and surely EG's Face Off comment threads aren't representative of, you know, actual gamers in the real world. I hope not too much of that is wishful thinking.

    And the argument about snobbery/elitism is an interesting one, and I chose the Girls Aloud analogy for a reason - is it wrong of me to say that Girls Aloud are shite and will never be a good as Led Zeppelin? Is that elitist because I don't take into account that they are perfect for their intended audience?

    Perhaps it is, and we could all just proclaim that both are valid artists but for different audiences - but deep inside we all know that's untrue and that even in a subjective subject like music appreciation, we can objectively say that Girls Aloud actually are shite and substantially less worthy than Led Zep. Likewise Half-Life2 will always be a better game than Chicken Shoot, regardless of how either are received by the mainstream public.

    Of course that argument kind of hinges on the fact that all Wii titles are the gaming equivalent of Girls Aloud which is patently untrue, but we are all guilty of a a little over-simplification right? Not all non-Wii fans are 14-year old violence junkies, and neither are they all friendless as LazyDan implied.





  • Mono_X #29 2 years ago

    @MilkybKid

    Yes I'm clearly stating that some Wii games are targeted at girls, just like some books are or some TV shows or films or music are as well. There's nothing wrong with that - in fact it shows the games market is maturing. And the games industry needs target new markets to broaden its appeal so it can grow.
    And yes I do feel that the Wii could do with some more 'gamer' games, but I also feel that a lot of 3rd party developers don't afford the Wii the respect it deserves and have turned their noses up at it.

  • bad09 #30 2 years ago

    I don't care about Wii these days, was just nosing around, but I have to comment on this...

    "Anyone with a girlfriend knows you can't power up a Playstation or Xbox on Xmas day."

    I have no problem turning on anything on Xmas day, grow a pair my friend! Besides, my Mrs can be worse than me on the 360 so chances are she'll be hogging it Xmas morning!

  • Rack #31 2 years ago

    We have Wii gaming nights every now and then just based on what consoles are easily hooked up to the space that can occupy 4 people, but it's pretty much Mario Kart, Guitar Hero and Brawl. I can't think of another 4 player Wii game we might be missing. If it were any other system our cup would be running over with multiplayer goodness. As is I may have to donate the DC to the cause.

    Edit: Gah, how could I have forgotten Boom Blox for so long?
    Edited by 1 at 25/09/09 @ 07:50

  • Mono_X #32 2 years ago

    @Skillian

    The elitism Vs mainstream argument has raged in academic circles for years.
    I studied it at college (I just don't remember any of it!).
    Would it be fair of me to say that Led Zeppelin are equally shite as Girls Aloud when compared to opera and that real music appreciators prefer opera which is clearly the sophisticated and superior music.

    I wasn't trying to infer that non Wii gamers are 14 year old violence junkies.
    I was trying to infer that non Wii gamers play games designed for 14 year old violence junkies! :p

    In others words; gamers have grown up, but the games they play haven't really. Oh sure they may be full of gore and swearing, but its still the same juvenile fare. Which is why I find it irritating when people say that a 360 & PS3 is less of a toy than the Wii.

  • robson_wii #33 2 years ago

    @Penhalion
    This bundle is for people who DO NOT own a Wii so this is what you CAN buy... Mario Kart, Smash Bros Brawl, Wii sports resort for fun games with multi player (there are also loads of others outside Nintendo). You mentioned 2 other 'must have's that are worth getting for single player but missed Metroid trilogy, Pikmin replay and Batallion Wars Wii. I also think De-blob and Mad World are very good. Wii-ware has great stuff too and the virtual console is a blast from the past. There are good and great games for the console like PS3 and 360 but maybe not enough NEW material for you. It comes down to how often you play games and Wii is aimed at people who do not play much or never played at all.

    @Xerces3s: since GBP devaluation...(or should that be quantative easing)
    USD != GBP ... 1.5:1 whereas last year it was 1.9:1 (it was over 2:1 for a short while a couple of years back making trips abroad for us very cheap!!)
    and more importantly
    JPY != GBP ...143:1 whereas last year it was around 200:1 (it was about 200:1 when I went then in 2004 and was well above for most of 2007/8)
    Devaluation makes imports approximately 25% more expensive in real terms to US and Japan.... .... .... ....but our exports are much cheaper to buyers from these nations.... .... ....