Wii ship date closer than we think?

TheIrishGrover

Don't know if this has been posted yet but from CNN money:
http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/05/commentary/column_gaming/index.htm?cnn=yes

Nintendo's Wii may get early launch
Industry observers expect company's new video game machine to launch before the PlayStation 3 - perhaps by a month or more.
Game Over is a weekly column by Chris Morris
July 5 2006: 11:32 AM EDT


NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Nintendo has stated numerous times that its next generation video game machine will be less expensive than the competition. Now it appears that it might be on store shelves considerably earlier than many were expecting as well.

While Nintendo has not made any formal announcements about the launch date for the Wii, most of the industry has expected the machine to hit retail at approximately the same time as Sony's PlayStation 3 (which is set for November 17). Now, industry observers - and insiders - say they expect the system to be available in October, with late September a dark horse candidate.


Want more video game news and commentary? Click Mario Morris.

Indeed, the company appears to be already manufacturing final retail units of the Wii, according to a June 21st analyst's note from P.J. McNealy of American Technology Research. That would give it a significant head start over Sony (Charts), which has yet to begin final manufacturing of the PlayStation 3. Microsoft's first Xbox 360 did not roll off the assembly line last year until 69 days before the on sale date of Nov. 22. (That late start in production is the root cause behind last holiday's shortages.)

"October is a reasonable timeframe," wrote McNealy.

Nintendo has downplayed any suggested dates. Other industry insiders, who asked not to be named, though, said they, too, are expecting a September or October launch for the Wii.

Early manufacturing will certainly help Nintendo do a better job of meeting consumer demand. New console launches traditionally sell out fast. Because of manufacturing problems, Microsoft (Charts) was not able to come anywhere close to meeting worldwide demand. Widespread shortages of the PlayStation 3 are also expected. Nintendo, like Sony, has given guidance that it expects to ship 6 million units by March 2007.

A pre-November launch wouldn't be an unusual move for the company. In fact, it was only with the GameCube that the company opted for a November release for a home system. The NES, which established the company as a force in the gaming space, was released in the U.S. on Oct. 18, 1985. The Nintendo 64 dropped on Sept. 29, 1996.

Pricing for the Wii remains a question mark, but the most likely price points are $199 or $249. That would put it considerably below the PS3, which will sell two versions for $499 and $599. Microsoft is not expected to cut the prices of the two versions of the Xbox 360, which currently cost $299 and $399.

That price would also be closer to the sweet spot for mainstream consumers, which the company has said is its primary target this generation. The Wii breaks many of the video game industry's traditional rules for a "next generation" console. Graphics on games that have been shown to media are not dramatically better than those found on GameCube games - and the system will not support high definition video, unlike its competitors who are using the move to HDTVs as a major part of their system. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has also vowed to keep game prices lower than the $60 price tag for many Xbox 360 games (a price that's expected to be mirrored for many PS3 titles).

The most unusual aspect of the Wii, however, is its controller, which resembles a television remote-control. Instead of worrying about which button or which thumbstick corresponds to which action, Wii players will simply move their hands and wrists. That movement is then translated into onscreen movements. The remote also features two prominent buttons where the player's thumb and forefinger will rest.

Nintendo also has yet to announce the full list of games that will launch alongside the Wii, though it has confirmed "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" and "Metroid Prime 3: Corruption" - the latest installments in two of the company's premier franchises - will be available on day one. A new Mario game - "Super Mario Galaxy" - is deep in development, but will most likely come out after the Wii has launched.

chupacabra

Yes, I think it would be wise for nintendo to release at least 3 weeks before the PS3.

RE*AC*TOR

I didn't even think the graphics chip had been finalised at this stage.

I know profits are up at nintendo at the moment, but they'll have some job to get enough units out that quick.

Speaking of which, are shops taking preorders yet?

Laguna

I think in places like Gamestop you can pretty much pre order anything as soon as it gets announced. TBH, I don't know if you'll even have to pre order a Wii, Ireland is still Playstation crazy (sad, I know), you'll probably be able to walk in on day one of Wii's release and pick up a console off of the shelf without having to pre order (which is great!)...

garthv

Laguna wrote:

I think in places like Gamestop you can pretty much pre order anything as soon as it gets announced. TBH, I don't know if you'll even have to pre order a Wii, Ireland is still Playstation crazy (sad, I know), you'll probably be able to walk in on day one of Wii's release and pick up a console off of the shelf without having to pre order (which is great!)...

I wouldn't count on it though, with the Wii being so cheap a lot of people will snap it up as a second console.

Rhyme

GaRtH_V wrote:

I wouldn't count on it though, with the Wii being so cheap a lot of people will snap it up as a second console.

You could probably buy a Wii and a 360 for the price of a PS3...

I think ill ask in town today in GAME (where ill be buying mine most likely) if you can pre-order... theres no way im getting caught out again.

Drool*

*Not real ;_;

The Free Man

good news. the sooner i have one of these the better

haha that zelda controller is fantastic!

grimloch

I'll pop into Game during lunch on Monday and see if they're taking preorders.

One of my largest concerns is getting the colour that I want. Brown for example would look absolutely atrocious in my room and would clash with just about everything in it and cause the my parents etc to shout at me. Naturally, I want a brown one.

Rhyme

grimloch wrote:

One of my largest concerns is getting the colour that I want. Brown for example would look absolutely atrocious in my room and would clash with just about everything in it and cause the my parents etc to shout at me. Naturally, I want a brown one.

You could call it the Poo rather than the Wii

Then again;


*Drool*

CiDeRmAn

I just knew it would be a matter of time 'til folk were preoccupied with the colour of their Wii, drooling after brown Wii indeed.
I guess one should ensure it's the same colour as your GBA micro and DS lite, white would be the one I reckon.

im...LOST

Good aul' black for me I think.
Can't go wrong imo.

tba

Blanco!

1huge1

took this from revo-europe

Malley then goes on to write: "Two dozen games will be available when the system is launched in Britain at the end of November, priced around £170."

heres a link http://www.revo-europe.com/news.php?nid=9346

Thorbar

Malley just happens to write for the daily star. He also saw a star wars style game where the controller becomes a light saber. Sounds like someone was indulging in a little nose candy during the press release.

CiDeRmAn

Probably thought Rise of the Robots "Rawkd" too!
A wood veneer one to match the 2600 would be nice, not holding my breath however.
Judging by the devices looks it seems they are making it as non-descript as possible, to paraphrase The Wizard Of OZ, "pay no attention to the box in the corner", rather its the device acting as go between twixt the player and the game that is important, always was, always will be.