Nintendo Wii price to rise for UK trade

By Games Industry.biz Published 11 March, 2009

Due to depreciation of the pound.

Nintendo has said that it is to raise the price of the Wii in the UK due to the depreciation of the pound, GamesIndustry.biz reports.

The system has a recommended retail price of GBP 179.99 in the region, and with a price hike of around GBP 18 - 20, will put considerable pressure on retailers' margin.

"Due to the severe and continuing depreciation of the pound, we are, unfortunately, having to raise our trade price to UK retailers of Wii hardware," said the company. "The price that they then offer to consumers is, of course, up to the retailers."

"We are only - reluctantly - raising our trade price now to retailers due to unprecedented and sustained depreciation of the pound. This is a problem brought about by extreme currency fluctuations that are a symptom of the global economic situation," said Nintendo.

Major retailers such as GAME, Gamestation, HMV and the supermarkets often offer bundled software deals in-store to increase margins on hardware.

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Comments (121) Latest comment 3 years ago

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

  • monkeylite #1 3 years ago

    Why is this news hidden down here rather than on the main sidebar?

  • Law07 #2 3 years ago

    This is big news is it not?

    If Sony announced this for the PS3 the internet would be up in arms.

  • dr_faulk #3 3 years ago

    Good lord! If this wasn't so ridiculous, I'd laugh.

    First time in history of console price going up!? Going up!?

    Nintendo, you really are the ogres we all thought you were!

  • JahB #4 3 years ago

    If Sony announced this for the PS3 the internet would be up in arms.

    not really. Sony are still making a loss on every console sold, as are Microsoft. This move would make sense for both of these; Nintendo however is already making a killer profit on it's hardware, and is now showing the kind of greed usually reserved for large oil companies...

  • Rash' #5 3 years ago

    last i checked the pound wasn't looking healthy. it was down against the euro and the dollar.

  • DanMW #6 3 years ago

    This must be a first, no? Only Nintendo can get away with it I guess.

  • quantumsheep #7 3 years ago

    Crikey.

  • seasidebaz #8 3 years ago

    N@:

    Nintendo don't suck. The (non-existent) money in my pocket sucks. It's worthless thanks to the recession.

  • DFawkes #9 3 years ago

    At least they passed on the VAT cut, so this isn't quite as offensive. Wait a sec...

    I predict larger bundles at retailer. You might pay more, but you'll get an extra bit of shovelware at least.

  • malexous #10 3 years ago

    As long as they don't change the price of the DSi it doesn't bother me. I'm going across the border to spend my €.

  • Thunderbolt #11 3 years ago

    Ipods recently increased in price.

    I appreciate that the pound is depreciating but who is willing to pay MORE in this current economic climate.

    Plus its not as if the DSi can doing anything that DS lite can't at the moment, as detailed by last weeks article defending it.

    Good luck I say

  • kinky_mong #12 3 years ago

    I just have this image of Nintendo head office containing people rubbing their nipples with wads of fifties while screaming "GIVE ME MOAR MONEYHATZ!!!"

  • knightmt #13 3 years ago

    The ridiculously low interest rates are putting pressure on the pound. There are large programmes out there that automatically shift money from currency to currency depending on the difference between interest rates and inflation.

  • spookyzombie #14 3 years ago

    There's hardly any profit in a store selling a Wii for £179.99 as it is. Most places make their money through selling crap accesories at the time of sale (cough, cough Argos). I really hope that people stop buying them.

  • Penguinzoot #15 3 years ago

    @Rash'

    Sterling is currently falling quite dramatically against the Yen as well. July 2008, £1 = 215 Yen; Today £1 = 135 Yen. That's quite a drop.
    Edited by 2 at 11/03/09 @ 17:00

  • FenderMaster #16 3 years ago

    Wow £200 so Nintendo can make a profit on an overclocked Gamecube, while everyone else in the Industry is selling vastly superior products at a loss...

    I think I need to lie down...

  • Malek86 #17 3 years ago

    Think about all the people who yesterday might have said "I won't get a Wii now, I'll first wait for the price to drop a bit". Oh, the irony.

    By the way, I'm sure Ninty's profit margin on the Wii is insane. It can't cost much to produce, so they are obviously gaining a great deal of money for each unit. Do they actually HAVE to do this? Would they risk alienating a part of potential buyer (who are also troubled by the crisis, so the higher price maybe would hurt) in order to keep their profit margin intact?

    I guess so. That's the trouble with trendy products. People will buy it regardless of the price.

  • Ducklord #18 3 years ago

    "We'd like to make some more money. We're saving for a new office made of gold, y'see..."
    Edited by 1 at 11/03/09 @ 16:57

  • stevetuck #19 3 years ago

    does it print money yet?... oh wait :(

  • BigE0n #20 3 years ago

    yes because they arent already make shed loads of money!

  • Rirekon #21 3 years ago

    I love how the level complaining is directly proportional to how much Nintendo care about those doing the complaining. People buy the Wii at a ridiculous rate, they have been doing since it came out and probably will continue to do so even after a price increase.
    A significant portion of the market get the Wii, it's just a shame the small remainder are too close minded.

  • Bartacus #22 3 years ago

    Nintendo are greedy cunt's.

    They are already making money hand over fist, they want to make more for what is yesterdays tech with generally crap games. That Reggie looks like a drunk version of the ape from Donkey Kong too.

  • Gaol #23 3 years ago

    And people wonder why Sony have struggled with the PS3s price here. Our currency is fubar because of all the new money being printed, we're just getting started.

  • Chufty #24 3 years ago

    It really is basic economics.

    This is what happens in a recession, and this recession hitting the UK hardest. The pound is weakening against ALL major currencies in the world. If your product is purchased against the Yen or the Euro, or now even the Dollar, they're all much stronger relative to the pound than were 6 months ago. It's not just Nintendo, lots of products, especially electronics, that we import are going to have price increases. Denon, for example, have already had massive price hikes on their AV products and it was only a matter of time before consoles got involved.

    The other consoles will follow suit, unless the UK economy picks up soon relative to the reset of the world.

  • Malek86 #25 3 years ago

    Rirekon: so wait, you absolutely don't care about the price? The way you said it kinda sounded like "those who understand the Wii will pay any price for it". I hope not, I mean, speaking as a consumer. I understand the Wii, but I still don't like a price increase.

    Anyway. GIB also reports that Nintendo is warning us about software prices also rising. That's actually even worse, because unlike a console (bundles), retailers can't cover a price increase on games.

  • cyber_nicco #26 3 years ago

    Is America getting a discount because the dollar is strong of late?

  • cyber_nicco #27 3 years ago

    @JahB

    "Sony are still making a loss on every console sold, as are Microsoft."

    Why do people continue to say this. Supposedly Microsoft makes a small profit on the hardware now. Of course, with the price drops I suppose they could have put themselves back in the "small loss" category, but I have never seen any information to confirm that. I would like to see some recent information that indicates the 360 is sold at a loss. Maybe the Arcade, but surely not the Premium or Elite.

    I don't know. Give me some facts please.

  • mega7ech #28 3 years ago

    Oh Nintendo, what have you become!? Very nearly bought a Wii at launch.....to this day I'm still chuffed I didnt! Used to be a big Ninty fan back in the day, how times change. I'm very pleased with my current M$ rabid fanboy status thank-you!! No expensive Wii's for me! :)

  • Paulie_P #29 3 years ago

    "We are only - reluctantly - raising our trade price..."

    Considering Nintendos track record, I'm not suprised. They rip off gamers again and again.

  • FenderMaster #30 3 years ago

    Nintendo might have won this generation, but they've spent it constantly biting the hand that feeds them (both retailers and core gamers)

    Retailers probably hate them for the artificial console shortages, and now this, and core gamers... well I don't need to explain that one.

    Good luck to them next generation, they're gonna need it after pissing away all the goodwill people had towards them...
    Edited by 2 at 11/03/09 @ 17:37

  • scouserfuller9 #31 3 years ago

    As much as everyone says this sucks if I were in Nintendo's shoes I would have done this two years ago!

  • Tyronne #32 3 years ago

    and to think I was thinking of getting rid of the dust collectot as it is, might actually be worth more 2nd hand than it was brand new.

  • Vin #33 3 years ago

    Amazing scenes.

    Give it a few hours and the obvious shitehawks are going to pour into the thread justifying the move.

  • coolbritannia #34 3 years ago

    Ninty are cunts - official.

  • roz123 #35 3 years ago

    lol, retaillers hating nintendo. i can just imagine the people at game shacking there fists and saying "grrr you nintendo, increasing the size of the gaming market, grrr"
    This was an inevitability, the pound is not as worth as much as it did when the wii came out and demand is still high.

    Dont blame nintendo blame the rich cunts at the banks who have been pissing all our savings down the drain on dodgy investments. This is entirely there fault.

  • Chufty #36 3 years ago

    Oh my god. Please learn about economics, capitalism and free markets before you spout your hippy bullshit about Nintendo being greedy cunts who get a kick out of ripping off gamers.

    Given the ratio of the value of the pound to other currencies now compared to 6 months ago, a 10% price increase equates to a CUT in profits for Nintendo. They have absorbed this difference themselves in order to keep the price increase to a minimum.

  • smelly #37 3 years ago

    So many armchair economists.. so many people who dont realise just how fucked the pound is..

    "yes but my 360 is cheap" : while ignoring the fact the US dollar is fucked too
    "but the ps3 hasnt gone up in price" : hasnt come down either has it?
    "but nintendo are making huge profits on each of these" : So you've seen their profit/loss sheets?


    I find it AMAZING that the first fuckers to complain about a company selling games at a cheaper price in america (because if you do a straight dollar to pound conversion it looks like they get stuff cheaper).. Are the ones complaining about this... If you're going to base prices on exchange rates - then prices go up as well as down!

    But no.. gamers just like to moan.. boo fucking hoo.

    If you dont like it.. dont buy..

    But then most of the people moaning here had no intention of ever owning a wii did they? Just fanboys of other systems wanting to say how "evil" another company is... sigh

  • Collymilad #38 3 years ago

    Lol don't get your panties in a bunch

  • bad09 #39 3 years ago

    "A significant portion of the market get the Wii, it's just a shame the small remainder are too close minded. "

    That one made me laugh out loud :)

    Through out gaming there have been fanboys from the Speccy to the PS3 but none, NONE, are as condescending as Ninty fanboys, even back in the SNES days :)

    get the Wii, what a wally! :)

  • bigbadbeasty #40 3 years ago

    Apple have just done something very similar, and I expect others will do the same at some point, especially if things do not improve in the UK. With more and more people losing there jobs I cannot see an increase in sales.

    The only thing I will say is that this doesn't really fit with the lower price of the Wii in the US previously, at a time when it was $2-£1....

  • smelly #41 3 years ago

    "Through out gaming there have been fanboys from the Speccy to the PS3 but none, NONE, are as condescending as Ninty fanboys, even back in the SNES days :) "


    Erm.. i think you've misspelled "xbox fanboys" there.

  • tuff #42 3 years ago

    Does this mean that the big N will invest the money in the non-existent first party titles in development?

  • lemonfist #43 3 years ago

    Just wanted to say how much I appreciate the depreciation of the pound. Importing games from the UK is so damn cheap right now.

  • mustardkid #44 3 years ago

    this isn't new a lot of jap products are going up and i wouldn't be surprised to see sony following suit either. most of the big jap camera retailers did this a month ago, canon, nikon and sigma have all hiked prices to compensate for the exchange rate so it's not a case of ninty taking the piss it's just the global economy. get used to it.

  • smelly #45 3 years ago

    back to the sensible comments:

    "Apple have just done something very similar, and I expect others will do the same at some point, especially if things do not improve in the UK. With more and more people losing there jobs I cannot see an increase in sales."


    Its nothing to do with sales, and everything to do with the exchange rate. I cant see many drops in prices from US made products (due to the US dollar being also screwed), but the yen is sky high in comparision..


    "The only thing I will say is that this doesn't really fit with the lower price of the Wii in the US previously, at a time when it was $2-£1...."

    1. the US is a bigger market - so the import/export costs pay for themselves
    2. most world wide companies try to factor in exchange rates over the period of the lifespan of the product when they set the original price (thus the reason you get a load of fanboys crying every time a new console is released when they see they can get it "cheaper" elsewhere - while ignoring the fact exchange rates change). Seems like in this case they underestimated it. Usually companies over-estimate it so they can lower prices at a later date..

  • smelly #46 3 years ago

    >and i wouldn't be surprised to see sony following suit either

    I would be!

    The reason the price of the ps3 has remained high without a price drop at all (Despite it not selling awfully well) is because of the exchange rate.. Cant see it going up any time soon.

    That said with the US dollar equally as screwed as the pound - i half expect microsoft to cash in on this and lower the price of the 360 again.

  • bad09 #47 3 years ago

    "Erm.. i think you've misspelled "xbox fanboys" there. "

    Nah Smelly the xbots are relatively young compared to you lot ;)

  • mustardkid #48 3 years ago

    fair comment smelly but sony will be taking a hit right across their product base and will prolly spread the necessary rises across their range as a small amount rather than specifically targetting products with more shocking high increases. in which case the ps3 would not be immune

  • FenderMaster #49 3 years ago

    I just hope the retailers in Ireland don't follow suit, given that the Euro is relitively strong, but I know they will, they're oppertunists!!

    Don't really care about the price of the Wii, I already have one, and never use it. The software price jack up is slightly more worrying though....

  • smelly #50 3 years ago

    ":I just hope the retailers in Ireland don't follow suit, given that the Euro is relitively strong, but I know they will, they're oppertunists!! "


    If you read the article it says that the price will be jacked up for RETAILERS not consumers...

    Fairly unlikely the consumer will see the price rise - just wont see as many bundles, etc.

  • mustardkid #51 3 years ago

    just for comparison all of the camera equipment price rises from canon and nikon have been passed on to consumers

  • roz123 #52 3 years ago

    grrr you nintendo, increasing the size of the gaming market, grrr"

    have they really? seemsa lot of the folks who bought ps2's and eye toys to me. they just stole the casual market from Sony.



    1) yes, the nintendo wiis success came with a massive increase in the market in general
    2) Shops like game where going before the playstation

  • Electropicnic #53 3 years ago

    Yeah thanks Nintendo..................thanks for the re-hashed Gamecube which is now at the same price if not more than a true next gen console....thanks for the lack of AAA titles.....thanks for charging your fanbase all over again for re-hashed Gamecube titles with motion controls to make up for lack of AAA titles....thanks for treating the people who stood by you over the last 2 generations like idiots after all we were all just "bedroom geeks".......oh and thanks for the re-hashed DS Lite.

    Boy will I think again before throwing money into your coffers.

    Greedy tossers.

  • smelly #54 3 years ago

    @Electropicnic: Thanks for posting such a load of bollocks.

  • des #55 3 years ago

    So overclocked Gamecube,already overpriced,gets price increase in 2009,haha
    Twilight zone...

  • bigbadbeasty #56 3 years ago

    "Its nothing to do with sales, and everything to do with the exchange rate"

    I wasn't applying it to sales per se, I was just saying in this economic climate they cannot be expecting a huge fresh take up of the console, especially if this does indeed cause a price hike. As Nintendo has said they do not 'set' the prices, but if retailers decide it is needed they will do it.

    The comments from others saying 'Nintendo are greedy' are being slightly naive, they are a business, the pound has dropped dramatically, there are consequences for that. I know we don't get paid more, but in a global market this should not be a surprise.
    Edited by 1 at 11/03/09 @ 19:31

  • penhalion #57 3 years ago

    What utter nonsense. You don't put your price up because the exchange rate fluctuates just as you don't lower them for the same reasons.

    The statement from Nintendo is greed pure and simple. If the fluxuating rate had mean't anything at all, then we in england would have had cheaper Wii machines as soon as the exchange rate between the dollar and the pound had changed. I don't recall the machines being cheaper when my pound was worth 2 dollars do any of you?

  • GrandpaUlrira #58 3 years ago

    If the currency fluctuates the other way at a later date I doubt that saving would be passed on to the consumer.

  • Embattle #59 3 years ago

    Shops don't make any money on the hardware as it is, the idea they can just take this on the chin isn't likely plus demand is still high with supply low so it is not impossible to see that the price will go up in shops.

  • Ryze #60 3 years ago

    Oh well. Even less reason to even buy a Wii to leave at my mum's place for the family now.

    No chance I'm being ripped off to that degree?

    Wii + extra remote + Nunchuk

    + Wii Fit

    + 5 decent games inc Mario Kart

    + Extra Wii wheel

    = £?

    Not worth it.

  • smelly #61 3 years ago

    "we in england would have had cheaper Wii machines as soon as the exchange rate between the dollar and the pound had changed. I don't recall the machines being cheaper when my pound was worth 2 dollars do any of you?"


    What has the american dollar got to do with the price of peanuts? (or in this case wii's?)


    "Shops don't make any money on the hardware as it is"


    Good job they make all that money ripping off consumers selling them the same second hand game 5 or 6 times then isnt it?
    Edited by 1 at 11/03/09 @ 20:02

  • smelly #62 3 years ago

    "If the currency fluctuates the other way at a later date I doubt that saving would be passed on to the consumer. "


    ????!?!?

    Consoles drop in price too!


    Sheesh.. i give up with this thread.. It's set in stone my opinion that gamer kids who post on forums are dumb asses and are proof there's something wrong with the school system in this country...

  • canIdoyabombsforya #63 3 years ago


    You would have thought the "my Wii is collecting dust" brigade would be happy, the price of used Wiis will go up too.

    FYI Sony were one of the first companies to recently announce price rises on electronic goods. £100 on high end Blu-Ray players LOL


  • canIdoyabombsforya #64 3 years ago

    Dear Nintendo shareholders,

    How dare you expect the company you have invested in to make profit. We demand you vote for a drop in the price of the toys Nintendo manufacture and accept a 4 billion dollar loss like Sony.

    Yours Faithfully
    Eurogamer Anti-Wii Clan


  • Rash' #65 3 years ago

    "2. most world wide companies try to factor in exchange rates over the period of the lifespan of the product when they set the original price (thus the reason you get a load of fanboys crying every time a new console is released when they see they can get it "cheaper" elsewhere - while ignoring the fact exchange rates change). Seems like in this case they underestimated it. Usually companies over-estimate it so they can lower prices at a later date.."

    So does that mean there was a good reason for the £425 I paid for my PS3??? ;)

  • smelly #66 3 years ago

    >So does that mean there was a good reason for the £425 I paid for my PS3??? ;)

    Well you paid the money.. so obviously you felt there was good reason for it.

  • seasidebaz #67 3 years ago

    Oh for crap's sake.

    Shall I explain it to everyone?






    UK retailers currently make about £30 profit on a Wii. Nintendo stated this themselves a very VERY long time ago.

    By increasing the TRADE price of the Wii by £18, retailers will make a £12 profit on every Wii sold.

    The price of the Wii will not increase if retailers are willing to let their profits drop slightly.




    Bearing in mind that on a PS3 or Xbox360 retailers will generally make about £5 in profit, I think those are STILL good margins.

  • SG #68 3 years ago

    So... Xbox goes down, Wii goes up?

    The amount of money Nintendo make - the level of success that it enjoys means they can easily absorb the effects of inflation.

    Cunts.

  • EvilBob_leeds #69 3 years ago

    Indeed. If you google "profit on a Wii" it seems Nintendo's profit margin was rizla thin on the base units, and bearing in mind the hammering the pound has taken against the Yen its probably been swallowed up in the UK.

    Whilst this sucks horrific amounts of cock, it's a symptom of a bigger problem, and I think the blame lies more with greedy bankers and Darling / Brown than with Nintendo.

  • Zomoniac #70 3 years ago

    UK retailers currently make about £30 profit on a Wii. Nintendo stated this themselves a very VERY long time ago.

    By increasing the TRADE price of the Wii by £18, retailers will make a £12 profit on every Wii sold.

    The price of the Wii will not increase if retailers are willing to let their profits drop slightly.

    60% is not a 'slight' drop.

  • mkreku #71 3 years ago

    They were selling £20 worth of hardware for £180, but that wasn't enough? Great move, Nintendo.

  • seasidebaz #72 3 years ago

    60% is not a 'slight' drop.

    I know it doesn't sound like a "slight" drop, but bearing in mind that retailers don't actually make money from console sales, they're still making more than they would from a PS3 / Xbox360 per console, even with the price increase.

  • Zomoniac #73 3 years ago

    How can people defend this? When the pound was strong and all was going well, MS dropped their price and added features. Sony had a price drop, some great bundles and increased hard drive space. Apple released new iPods every year, improving the models and usually reducing the price at the same time. Nintendo have never given better value, either through lower prices or added features. Yes, it's been selling so they haven't needed to, but surely their incredible lack of generosity during economic expansion and strengthening of the pound has provided them with more than enough cash reserves to absorb a bit of a profit knock during this period. People are laying into Apple heavily for charging £150 more for their computers for an extra 70GB of HDD space, so what makes Nintendo special enough to avoid criticism? When the going was good they didn't reduce prices to keep their profit levels consistent. High-end AV prices are going up a bit, but I can forgive that more since when the economy was all well and good they were cutting prices at an alarming rate, and now are having to cut back on the generosity. They gave when they could, and now they're having to take a bit. Nintendo just take. But they can. Because too many people are fucking idiots.

  • canIdoyabombsforya #74 3 years ago

    @Zomoniac

    Nintendo make toys, not food, bog roll or tampons FFS.


  • canIdoyabombsforya #75 3 years ago

    Ryze
    "Oh well. Even less reason to even buy a Wii to leave at my mum's place for the family now.

    No chance I'm being ripped off to that degree?

    Wii + extra remote + Nunchuk

    + Wii Fit

    + 5 decent games inc Mario Kart

    + Extra Wii wheel

    = £?

    Not worth it. "

    Another whining cunt ffs
    Take your family to a theme park, cinema, musical etc, buy them a dog or a cat, then see how far your £179 lasts.

  • foamy #76 3 years ago

    Someone fucking bomb them.

  • secombe #77 3 years ago

    It might surprise the haters to know that this is far from uncommon at the moment, as a few people have eluded to.

    The writing was on the wall...Price Rise Thoughts

    Nintendo are a business, first and foremost. Pretty much every other business in the electronics market is doing the same.

    Loving the embarrassingly poor grasp of economics on here anyhow, funny how people on the photography forums could discuss MUCH bigger price rises without getting into fights and immature mud slinging.

    More importantly, why do the people here care? The majority of you go to great lengths to distance yourself from the Wii and all the casual "wiitardness".
    Edited by 2 at 11/03/09 @ 23:08

  • seasidebaz #78 3 years ago

    @Zomoniac:

    The difference is that Apple pass that price increase direct to consumers. Nintendo are passing the price increase direct to retailers. The cost to us mortals stays the same, the shop doesn't get quite as much money.

    You see?

  • Pro_Gamer #79 3 years ago

    LOL!

    What kind of a retard would spend ANYTHING for a gamecube. The machine is LITERALLY a gamecube on the inside. I had the misfortune of playing Far Cry on the Wii recently and let me tell you, it made me sick. Is this thing some sort of a joke? Why is the public so F"KN RETARTED?

  • smelly #80 3 years ago

    @Pro_Gamer: Why are you so retarded?

    have an engineering degree? looked at the chips exactly? Programmed the hardware directly? Know actually what you're talking about? No? Well STFU then.

  • smelly #81 3 years ago

    "The amount of money Nintendo make - the level of success that it enjoys means they can easily absorb the effects of inflation. "


    And with that.. my brain has just given up and left the building...

    Do you even understand what the word "inflation" means in that context? Do you have a slightest clue what you're talking about? No.

    What on EARTH do they teach in schools nowadays?!?!?!

  • secombe #82 3 years ago

    This place saddens me, it really does.

    100s of people claiming not to care about the Wii, or even accept that it's part of 'their' industry, all spouting off about something they say they would never touch with a bargepole anyway, and showing nothing but contempt for any prospective purchasers of the Wii (i.e. the ones who will actually be hit with the increase)

    What exactly is the problem? 5 minutes of research would show that if anything, Nintendo have absorbed far more than they've put the price up by, and it would also show that similar companies (i.e. Japanese electronics firms) are passing on MUCH higher increases (we're talking 40-60%)

    Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Sony etc put prices up 50%, photography forums full of in-depth discussion on the reasons behind it and how it may effect their buying habits/the future of the companies in question. Nintendo increase a price by 10%, a bunch of rabid "gamers" post a load of old drivel with no grasp of reality, full of cheap shots, pre-teen playground language and painfully inaccurate rubbish. I'd say 'we' have a long way to go before gaming gets the respect 'we' all want it to have.

    Blimey, and they call us Wii owners stupid.
    Edited by 1 at 11/03/09 @ 23:31

  • thesombrerokid #83 3 years ago

    make no mistake the only reason nintendo is doing this is BECAUSE THEY CAN! if they were sitting third with half the install base of second place like last time, they would be dropping the price, demand still outstrips supply and in a capitalist economy that means increase the price.

    the inter currency economics is simple when the yen was worth half a brittish peanut they weren't selling wii's at a currency linked price and they aren't doing it now, they're increasing the price because it wont affect thier sales one jot and it's as fair as a capitalist democracy gets indeed it's the very foudation of one and in america it would be arguably illegal not to increase the price in this situation as they are under legal obligation to make as much money for thier shareholders as they can.

  • sonicgoo #84 3 years ago

    Supply and demand.

    Unlike the competition, Nintendo hasn't been dropping prices or making a loss. And they still sell like hotcakes.

    Not bad for a fad.

  • The_Inquisitor #85 3 years ago

    If they can get away with it, can you blame them?.... yes, you can!!

    But then again, that's business for you, it's all about lining the top dogs pockets.

  • lefizz #86 3 years ago

    I currently live in Spain so i really should say fuck it. Games and machines are so cheap in the u.k. compared to here.
    I moved around september last year just as the christmas releases were coming out and just as the pound start dropping like a sack of shit.

    Anyway cut a long story AAA games for PS3 and 360 are 60 - 70 euros vs the £36-40 i used to pay in london.

    So obviously i waited till i came home in January and got all the bog games i wanted for £20 in the Game sale a little over 1/3 the price they are here. I should say stop moaning but considering all things, i.e. the pathetic spec and the rediculous margin Nintedos makes on then i have to say WHAT UTTER PISS TAKING BASTARDs.

    Oh wii are 250 euros over here i.e. £230 and the euros has sunk like a lead ballon against the yen aswell so hopefully i we can look foward to the £250 Wii anytime soon

  • smelly #87 3 years ago

    "the pathetic spec and the rediculous margin Nintedos makes on then"

    I love how people keep saying they're making a "rediculous margin"! It's almost as if they've seen nintendos financial statements!

  • zzyzx #88 3 years ago

    If the pound's depreciation on open markets has been greater than Nintendo's price increase to retailers, then simple math says that Nintendo is actually cutting prices, no?

    I don't mean to get in the way of some good Nintendo bashing, but the point has to be raised...

    When Nintendo fails to lower prices in currencies that are rapidly appreciating - that's when it's time to hammer them with criticism.

  • Pro_Gamer #89 3 years ago

    @smelly

    You don't need to be an engineer to have your eyes gorged out by jaggies and dated graphics. It's common sense.

  • secombe #90 3 years ago

    I don't mean to get in the way of some good Nintendo bashing, but the point has to be raised...

    It's really not worth trying mate. Anyone with a basic common sense grasp of economics or business is deemed a 'fanboy' around here at the moment. "Fanboy"...an awesome comeback for people who don't have the intelligence to enter a reasonable debate (see also: juvenile attempts to mock the Wii for its graphics power and demographic)

    It's wonderful to watch the inconsistency around here though, when it comes to console sales figures, the Wii isn't classed as a games console, when it comes to which machine has the best selection of games, the Wii is thrown back in the ring so it can be shot down, when it comes to software sales, it's back out of the picture again...and guess what, when something 'negative' such as a price rise comes along, people are all too happy to chuck it straight back into a comparison with the other two consoles again.
    Edited by 1 at 12/03/09 @ 00:31

  • Penguinzoot #91 3 years ago

    Yeah damn these companies that want to make money, greedy so-and-so's. Maybe they should take a lesson from the banks and just lose it all instead.

    Sorry, I know that maybe I shouldn't, but I genuinely lolled at that one :D

  • coolbritannia #92 3 years ago

    Ryze: 'Oh well. Even less reason to even buy a Wii to leave at my mum's place for the family now.

    No chance I'm being ripped off to that degree?

    Wii + extra remote + Nunchuk

    + Wii Fit

    + 5 decent games inc Mario Kart

    + Extra Wii wheel

    = £?'

    You're screwed, there aren't 5 decent games on the whole console!

  • coolbritannia #93 3 years ago

    'It's wonderful to watch the inconsistency around here though, when it comes to console sales figures, the Wii isn't classed as a games console, when it comes to which machine has the best selection of games, the Wii is thrown back in the ring so it can be shot down, when it comes to software sales, it's back out of the picture again...and guess what, when something 'negative' such as a price rise comes along, people are all too happy to chuck it straight back into a comparison with the other two consoles again.'

    Jesus, someone's touchy. I think you have next gen envy.

  • smelly #94 3 years ago

    @secombe: But you see.. it's "cool" at the moment for "real gamers" (i.e. those who only started gaming when halo came out and ignore anything where you dont point at something and press the trigger button) to slag off nintendo no matter what.

    if you dont join in with the childish bashing (kinda ironic when most of them bash it for being "kiddy";) then you're a "fanboy".

    Quite sad.

  • secombe #95 3 years ago

    I've resigned myself to being a fanboy (or at the very least, 'old'), I realised that when a load of people pointed and laughed when I suggested the Wii actually has a high concentration of 'traditional' games. Apparently 'tradition' can be manipulated to back up whatever argument they are having at the time...much like the Wii's status as a console/toy.

  • SG #96 3 years ago

    ""The amount of money Nintendo make - the level of success that it enjoys means they can easily absorb the effects of inflation. "


    And with that.. my brain has just given up and left the building...

    Do you even understand what the word "inflation" means in that context? Do you have a slightest clue what you're talking about? No.

    What on EARTH do they teach in schools nowadays?!?!?!"

    I dunno I'm 26.

    What I meant is they sell shit loads, the software is what actually make the money anyway so if Sony and MS can sell their consoles at a loss, surely Nintendo can keep price the same and make a smaller profit or even a loss. Simply put, MS can sell their superior tech at a lower price. End of.

  • mkreku #97 3 years ago

    Smelly: I love how people keep saying they're making a "rediculous margin"! It's almost as if they've seen nintendos financial statements!

    Seriously, you're really starting to become annoying. Do you think it takes some sort of degree to realize that Nintendo is making a killing on their consoles? They even said so themselves!

    But, for fun, let's compare what's on the table. Remember, Microsoft is making a profit from their consoles too now (since late 2008).

    Nintendo Wii (£180 at Play.com) vs. Xbox 360 Premium 60 GB (£160 at Play.com):

    CPU: Wii, single-core CPU @ 729 MHz vs. Xbox 360, triple-core CPU @ 3200 MHz
    RAM: Wii, 91 MB total (24 MB for GPU, 64 MB for CPU, 3 MB embedded) vs. Xbox 360, 522 MB total (512 MB shared GPU/CPU, 10 MB embedded)
    GPU: Wii, 243 MHz ATI, nothing more known vs. Xbox 360, 500 MHz ATI with "free" AA and unified shading architecture
    Storage: Wii, 512 MB flash based + SD card reader (2 GB max) vs. Xbox 360, 60 GB hard drive + memory card reader (256/512 MB)
    WiFi/LAN: Wii, yes/no vs. Xbox 360, no/yes
    DVD/CD playback: Wii, no vs. Xbox 360, yes
    HDMI: Wii, no vs. Xbox 360, yes
    USB ports: Wii, 2 vs. Xbox 360, 3

    Ok, that's enough, I think (sorry in advance if any facts are incorrect). Compare the two. Now imagine Microsoft making a profit from their hardware for £160 compared to Nintendo with their hardware for £180 (which they're about to raise to £200..).

    Do you really need to see "nintendos financial statements" to draw a conclusion here? Seriously?

  • Pro_Gamer #98 3 years ago

    Some of should just line up to suck nintendos cock.

  • Drakron #99 3 years ago

    I think bottom line is this, ever since the launch there was no price reduction on the Wii as both MS and Sony have lowered their prices again a few times.

    If you look at Nintendo they do not like to lower the prices, they could take this hit as a act of good will in the UK, this is one of the things that will come to bite then in the ass later.

    And later will be the next generation because the Wii might have stolen the "casual market" but there is no Wii game to speak off ... its like as they taken the casual market from the PS2, they also taken all the PS2 shovelware and mediocre titles ... I do not own a Wii and see no reason to buy one.

    Another thing is this will lower sales, the Wii is going to run out of steam eventually and I do see what rabbit they are going to pull out of the hat to keep hardware sales when they have nothing to speak of in software.

  • smelly #100 3 years ago

    >Simply put, MS can sell their superior tech at a lower price. End of.

    But MS arent a Japanese company, they're an American one.

    End of.

  • smelly #101 3 years ago

    "Now imagine Microsoft making a profit from their hardware for £160 compared to Nintendo with their hardware for £180 (which they're about to raise to £200..). "


    Maybe niintendo dont use cheap parts, maybe they dont cut corners during manufacturing? I've yet to see one Red Ring. :-)

    But Again.. Like the reply i've made above.. you have NO IDEA what the bottom line is when you factor in exchange rates, etc. Nintendo are a japanese company with a strong yen.. Microsoft are an American company with a shit dollar.. Both trying to sell in a country where the pound is fucked.

    So it's quite possible that nintendo could be taking a much bigger loss than microsoft when you factor in global distribution and exchange rates, etc.

    What part of that dont you understand?

    But of course I may as well be saying "lalalala" to you as all you're hearing is "my xbox is the bestest thing in the whole widest world" arent you?

  • smelly #102 3 years ago

    >when they have nothing to speak of in software.

    Keep telling yourself that.. keep posting that on forums.. one day it might actually be true!

  • smelly #103 3 years ago

    Right.. I've bothered to do research - unlike some of you.

    When the wii launched in dec 1st 2006, 1 pound = 228.284 yen
    Today 1 pound = 135.44 yen


    That's getting close to half price.. To put that in context.. looking at the pound value alone.. If the wii sold for 175quid at launch.. Nintendo now only see 103 quid.

    So in effect - thanks to exchange rates.. They've already cut the price of the machine by 72 quid.

    Which is almost definately why the ps3 has remained at the same high price without any price cuts too!

    Now surely i've explained this in a way that even a complete simpleton moronic forum idiot can understand?

    (watch some fuckwit bring up the 360's price again.....)

  • seasidebaz #104 3 years ago

    And for those who missed it on the previous page:






    PRICE TO RETAILERS WILL INCREASE. PRICE TO PUBLIC WILL STAY THE SAME. RETAILER WILL JUST MAKE SLIGHTLY LESS MONEY.






  • secombe #105 3 years ago

    That's getting close to half price.. To put that in context.. looking at the pound value alone.. If the wii sold for 175quid at launch.. Nintendo now only see 103 quid.

    And this is precisely why Canon, Nikon, Sigma and everyothergoddamn camera company has raised prices by...you guessed it...40-60%. Maybe if we just post the same facts over and over, at least one person might latch on.

    I'm not entirely sure what people aren't getting. The Wii has never had a price drop, so what? Only an incredibly dim person would have even considered lowering the price of an item that demand is outstripping supply of, that's the most obvious and basic statement in the world. I seriously hope some of these guys never start their own business.
    Edited by 1 at 12/03/09 @ 07:56

  • seasidebaz #106 3 years ago

    I seriously hope some of these guys never start their own business.

    I hope they do. They'll sell me stuff at a loss to themselves.

  • bad09 #107 3 years ago

    People do get it, it's just the last thing people want to hear in a recession (which we are in) is...you know...price increase.

    I love the fact that some actually think it's OK just because retailers will just soak it up, don't you think that with all these electronics going up eventually the already struggling retailers will have to put up prices to soak up their own profit loss (or in some cases survive)?

    Much of the UK high street is on it's knees as it is and these prats are seeing the profit gravy train they are losing from the pound heading south and making things worse by raising their prices. Sure it's every man for himself, but defending a such move from ANYONE is just silly, whether it's simple economics or not, these increases in trade cost of electronics could potentially (purely speculation on how bad things will actually get here obviously) lead to job losses on UK high streets. How can any fanboy condone that?

  • Kami #108 3 years ago

    As much as I understand the reasoning, upping the price of something in a recession is about as dumbass a move as could be done, moreso when the machine is already largely profitable, has massive sales figures and its competitors, making losses, makedo with a smaller market share.

    I know the reason why. Every single part of me wants to defend Nintendo, tell people that this is a company largely built on games and the Wii now... but I'm sorry, not even I - Nintendo Fanboy Extreme - can really find it in my heart to justify this move.

    But as said earlier, just because the RRP goes up, I doubt retailers will put the price up - at least, not that much in any case. Just because logic and reason have abandoned Nintendo, the retail outlets have no choice but to apply common sense and keep selling at the prices they do... and yeah, they'll probably add a few quid onto the games and make the losses on consoles back easily.

    Still...

    What a fucking dickmove...

  • knocker #109 3 years ago

    What a thoroughly depressing read this thread is. It's not about nintendo, nor the games industry. It's about the global economy. It makes me worry about our ability to deal with this recession with this level of ignorance.

    Nintendo aren't going to offset the loss of revenue with sales from operating systems or televisions, they have a legal obligation to their shareholders. The pound is in a state at the moment - and is likely to get worse.

    @bad09 I don't think people are defending this move - just explaining it. I assume you buy all your games in highstreet stores to show solidarity with british workers ? And I'm sure you'd never ever buy games from companies operating in a tax haven like play.com ?

  • Quak #110 3 years ago

    Funny how the prices didn't fall when the pound strengthened between 2005-2008.

    Funny how we were still being charged a 1:1 ratio with the dollar on most gaming hardware, even though the pound was worth twice as much.

    Welcome to rip-off Britain.

  • bad09 #111 3 years ago

    @ knocker

    Actually yes majority of the time I do actually buy and trade games with my local retailers, both chain and (more so) independent. I confess more and more I buy Blu from play, but chain stores like HMV are strangling the high street market for blu themselves so I sleep safely.

  • canIdoyabombsforya #112 3 years ago

    Quak
    "Funny how the prices didn't fall when the pound strengthened between 2005-2008.

    Funny how we were still being charged a 1:1 ratio with the dollar on most gaming hardware, even though the pound was worth twice as much.
    Welcome to rip-off Britain. "

    Funny how 1980s consoles used to cost £1000 in todays money but people still think they are being ripped off. Nintendo are one of the few companies offering a sensible business model, but all around them people either want to make a quick buck or get stuff for free. If only Nintendo could run UK PLC.



  • chrisjm #113 3 years ago

    and still the gov says we are in deflation yet everything is going up in price :-/ wake up and smell the cheese.

  • Rubarack #114 3 years ago

    I was going to comment on how you can only get away with increasing prices when the pound falls if you decrease it when the pound rises, but that's already been pointed out. Nintendo can increase theeir profit margin even further if they like, but it will cost them equity.

  • sneetch #115 3 years ago

    @seasidebaz
    PRICE TO RETAILERS WILL INCREASE. PRICE TO PUBLIC WILL STAY THE SAME. RETAILER WILL JUST MAKE SLIGHTLY LESS MONEY.

    Surely that's up to the retailers? As in, what they charge (or attempt to charge) is up to them.

    Hell, they said as much in the current article. Which is good because then it's the evul retailers and not poor reluctant Nintendo who raised the prices. :)

  • seasidebaz #116 3 years ago

    @sneetch:

    Trouble being that the supermarkets won't put prices up, so the dedicated games shops can't either or people will just buy from supermarkets.

    Doesn't bother me anyway, I've got all the consoles I need at the moment (with the exception of a DSi, but that will come soon enough...)

  • sneetch #117 3 years ago

    @smelly
    But you see.. it's "cool" at the moment for "real gamers" (i.e. those who only started gaming when halo came out and ignore anything where you dont point at something and press the trigger button) to slag off nintendo no matter what.

    if you dont join in with the childish bashing (kinda ironic when most of them bash it for being "kiddy";) then you're a "fanboy".

    No, you're a fanboy when you rise to Nintendo's defence with fanatic fervour, when you spend so much time counter-bashing people for ignoring "anything where you don't point at something and press the trigger button" (which is in turn ironic given the nature of the controls on Wii) and trying to lump anyone who expresses any dislike for anything Nintendo ever does into the same group (i.e. people who must only ever be interested in FPS games).

    Falling back on the tired old "they're so childish" nonsense is ridiculous when your own first resort is your own childish bashing of their gaming preferences as perceived by you.

    Physician heal thyself.

    Quite sad.

    The fact that you're incapable of detecting the irony in your own statements and realising that you're just as bad as the people you're attacking? Yes, I suppose it is.

    As for this price hike, well, it's not surprising: I cannot remember the last time sterling was so weak and you can be damn sure they're not the first or indeed only manufacturers who'll be doing this.

  • SG #118 3 years ago

    >Simply put, MS can sell their superior tech at a lower price. End of.

    But MS arent a Japanese company, they're an American one.

    End of.

    Oh, fair point. But are Sony raising the price of the PS3 (is it sold at a loss?)? If the pound suddenly grew strong would we get a price cut for the Wii?

    (I own a Wii and no PS360 BTW, just for the record)

  • sneetch #119 3 years ago

    @seasidebaz
    Trouble being that the supermarkets won't put prices up, so the dedicated games shops can't either or people will just buy from supermarkets.

    Doesn't bother me anyway, I've got all the consoles I need at the moment (with the exception of a DSi, but that will come soon enough...)

    You're probably right they'll be very reluctant to raise the prices one way or another for reasons of competitiveness and UK-based online resellers can still probably make a considerable profit selling to the euro-zone while the exchange rate is the way it is (a PS3 from the UK would be about €320, which is kinda tempting).

    But yeah, I've already got my Wii so it doesn't really affect me either.

    Edit: removing errant comma
    Edit2: before the commentary begins I just want to state that I gave the price of the PS3 as an example of the deals you can currently get, it's an €80 saving over the RRP, this comment should not be considered either as an endorsement or as a condemnation of the PS3 and so on and so forth it's just the only console I don't currently own. The Wii savings are actually almost as much.

    Edit3: Except maybe we're wrong and they may not willing to take the hit. [link url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/uk-wii- market-price-may-have-to-go-up
    ]http://ww w.eurogamer.net/articles/uk-wii...[/link]
    Edited by 3 at 12/03/09 @ 15:40

  • zzyzx #120 3 years ago

    And now the inevitable "bad global economy" comments...

    Look, you've got to take the bad with the good. Right now, things are bad. But would we really prefer a world without open trade and comparative advantage?

    Progress is good. I rather enjoy living in an age when we don't have mid-life crises before age 20. Not to mention enough (even if not ideal) disposable income to spend on things like videogames.

  • Embattle #121 3 years ago

    @Smelly

    "Sheesh.. i give up with this thread.. It's set in stone my opinion that gamer kids who post on forums are dumb asses and are proof there's something wrong with the school system in this country... "

    Funny thing is over the course of this thread you've had more childish rants than anyone, thus you probably should of stuck to what you say above and not come back....because of this I'll do the "adult" and stick you on ignore.

    At the end of the day, besides all the various comments Nintendo can do this because they know the Wii will still sell with the retailers taking the first hit and then maybe the consumer depending if any retailers feel they can get away with it.