A Wii price cut has been rumoured for weeks, but Nintendo kept a firm “no comment” on the topic even when retailers began advertising the consoles at a reduced price.
Now, however, the company finally come out with the now rather less than unexpected news – the Wii console will be officially reduced in price by $50 (to $199.99) in the United States from the first of October, with a similar twenty percent cut in Japan, knocking the console price there down twenty thousand yen.
Cammie Dunaway, the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Nintendo America said yesterday that “Wii has reached more video game players than any game system before because it attracts everyone – both men and women, and people of all ages… Our research shows there are 50 million Americans thinking about becoming gamers, and this more affordable price point and our vast array of new software mean many of them can now make the leap and find experiences that appeal to them, whatever their tastes or level of gaming experience.”
The announcement was followed swiftly by a similar statement by the company’s United Kingdom division, coupled with a new Wii bundle (including Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort and the Wii MotionPlus accessory) to be released for sale on October 2.
“We will be reducing the trade price of Wii to retailers from 2nd October 2009,” the statement said. “In the UK and Republic of Ireland we are also introducing a new configuration of Wii hardware from 2nd October 2009 which will replace the current offering. This will be available to retailers at the newly reduced trade price… This compelling offer will hopefully make Wii more accessible to everyone.”
