Iwata fears consumers will wait for Wii U price drop
The 3DS price cut has caused quite a buzz among the media, with the 3DS price set to drop from $250 to $170. Iwata is concerned that this will make people wait for a Wii U price drop before buying the console.
“With regard to the influence on the Wii U, what we have to take most seriously is that the price markdown could damage the trust of the consumers who bought the Nintendo 3DS just after the launch,” Iwata said. “I feel greatly accountable for it. Our decision of the price markdown this time has a side effect that, at the launch of the Wii U, people may feel that the price might drop in the near future if they wait. Nevertheless, we have decided to cut down the price of the Nintendo 3DS as we consider it as a necessary decision now.”
Iwata also revealed that we will finally get to know the Wii U price and release date next year.
“Since the Wii U we showed you at the E3 show in June was still in the development phase without very specific proposals on the software titles, we are going to announce the release date and the price next year when we are able to explain the specific proposals. Anyway, the biggest influence is on our consumers’ trust, I think.”
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He doesn’t have to wory about that if the price is right! :p
The main problem with the 3DS wasn’t so much the price (although it was a factor for some consumers). The handheld just didn’t have much quality launch titles to justify paying $250. The Wii U will be more expensive than the Wii, but it needs to have a quality launch.
I agree. The 3DS did not and still doesn’t have quality signature Nintendo games. I’m sure the Wii U will have great launch titles by viewing the posts on this website.
I think Nintendo will surely launch the Wii U at $350 USD. I’m very willing to pay that price for Wii U. I hope Nintendo is confident about higher pricing for the Wii U. I think the Wii U justifies a higher price than past consoles.
I just hope developers do not abandon this unique console with their favoritism towards PS3 and 360—-never mind if the Wii U is cheaper/faster/easier to develop games for than those two consoles, and features the most innovate console controller in years.
Consumers will wait for games to be released, that’s what he should be concerned about.
I’d be willing to pay up to around $350, but nothing more. I actually might wait for a price drop myself.
I think 300$/euros is the sweet spot.Anything more and it will have to seriously compete with the 360/PS3 consoles,which,by the time Wii-U launches,they’ll have their prices reduced even further.
I’ll buy it at lauch because this machine looks amazing.