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Wiiactions?

So, Nintendo's European Press Conference is drawing to a close as I'm posting this, and after two days of speculation based on information from the Japanese and American conferences, we finally know the important facts about the Wii launch here in Europe: -

Launch Date: December 8th 2006
Price: GBP 179 / EUR 249
Package: White Console, 1 Wii Remote, 1 Nunchuck, Wii Sports
Game Price: GBP 34 - 39 / EUR 49 - 59
First Party Launch Titles: Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Wario Ware: Smooth Moves, Wii Sports
Third Party Launch Titles: Red Steel, Rayman: Raving Rabbids, Need For Speed Carbon, Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz

I think that generally, the message is pretty positive; £180 is perhaps a little bit steeper than the £150 mark everyone was expecting to pay, but it's not a big enough increment to cause too much upset. Additionally, the lower cost of games (compared the the Xbox 360 and projected PS3 cost of around £50) certainly sweetens the proposition. Throwing Wii Sports into the package was unexpected, but it seems like a no-brainer to include the game that showcases the console's technology most effectively. It does seem rather odd that the "vital, emerging european market" is getting the Wii launch dead last, even after Australia, but at least it's before Christmas. I'm still very, very excited.

The European part of the Wii site has also just launched over here, so you can have a look at the Mii (character avatar) creation process, as well as the various other channels that will be accessible through Wii Connect 24.

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Comments

£180?

I am *sorely* tempted...

By John Hoare
September 15, 2006 @ 3:10 pm

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I was expecting £175 based on the US price and the precedent set by other consoles, but £180 isn't exactly going to break the bank. I'll be pre-ordering mine as soon as is reasonable, and clearing myself a couple of days on the calendar ;-)

By James H
September 15, 2006 @ 3:17 pm

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Mmm. I've read that Wiimotes are going to be £29 each, and that Nunchucks and Classic Controllers will be £14 APIECE. So for a full Wiimote, you're going to be forking out an additional £57.

Is that going to stop me? Will it heck.

By Brig Bother
September 15, 2006 @ 4:03 pm

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Am booking the 8th of December off as I write this...

Ps. I am w****ing as I write this.

By Pete Martin
September 15, 2006 @ 4:11 pm

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I'm also reading that they're doing a £40 Wii Play pack, a Wiimote and a collection of minigames. That'll do.

By Brig Bother
September 15, 2006 @ 4:13 pm

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> Ps. I am w****ing as I write this.

Ah, our producer chickened out there. Didn't think she would. It was funnier when he said 'wanking'.

By Ian Symes
September 15, 2006 @ 4:36 pm

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Just for those of you that don't know, the pricing for the Virtual Console was announced at the American conference yesterday in dollars, and works out to $5 for NES titles, $8 for SNES titles, and $10 for N64 titles. I guess in terms of UK pricing, we're looking at something like £2.50, £5, and £7/8 increments, or something like that. I think these seem perhaps a little bit expensive, but if they've had anything added to them (widescren support seems unlikely, but who knows) the price will be justified.

By Josh
September 15, 2006 @ 4:51 pm

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I must admit to being a little underwhelmed by some of the games showcased on the recent video from the Japanese Conference. Well, except Zelda and Mario which, will without a doubt, justify the price of the console. Some of it seems very obscure and 'Japanesey'.

A mate of a mate works for EA and has played Wii Sports. Rocks, apparently.

> Ah, our producer chickened out there. Didn't think she would. It was funnier when he said 'wanking'.

It was "I am writing as I write this".

By Pete Martin
September 15, 2006 @ 4:58 pm

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I'm reading that £14 gets you 2000 Points, so that suggests an N64 game will be £7.

By Brig Bother
September 15, 2006 @ 5:19 pm

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I can't wait until Seb buys one of these! ;)

By Cappsy
September 15, 2006 @ 5:49 pm

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Hold on, what's a Nunchuck?

By Ian Symes
September 15, 2006 @ 8:32 pm

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The Nunchuck is the small analogue controller handpiece that plugs into the Wii remote, and goes in your opposing hand. It has similar motion detecting capabilities to the remote, but doesn't have sound or (I think) force feedback.

By Josh
September 15, 2006 @ 9:37 pm

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I don't think I've been as excited about a product launch EVER.

The price is a little disappointing - it's not that it's not worth that much money, it's just a bit annoying to know that other people are paying less for the same thing. I'm not sure you'll need more than one nunchuck anyway - it seems to be mainy used for single player games, while multiplayer ones just use the wiimotes.

By Jake Monkeyson
September 15, 2006 @ 10:10 pm

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Wait...so Super Mario Galaxy won't be a launch title?

By Philip J Reed, VSc
September 16, 2006 @ 12:04 am

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> Wait...so Super Mario Galaxy won't be a launch title?

No, it's always been expected for 2007. The main title that has been pushed from launch is Metroid Prime 3, but that's irrelevant because the titles available on launch day are quite adequate (Zelda alone would do me). It's rumoured that Nintendo pushed Metroid back on request from the third-party developers who don't want to be eclipsed by two triple-A Nintendo games at launch.

I think the price is good, worth sacrificing £20 or so to pack in Wii Sports IMO as it will get people going with the controller immediately. Even though the 360 and PS3 are more powerful, I still think the Wii is the best new console. Red Steel seems to have more of that classic shoot-em-up style, which I'm looking forward to checking out, compared with the more complex FPS's.

The decision to have white only is also a good one IMO. This way there really is ONE option, no-one fussing over which one they want, and thank god there's no 'core' version and 'deluxe' version or whatever. In case anyone cares, the A/V cable it comes with is suitable for composite and component connections, so if you have a HDTV you won't need to fork out for a fucking component cable.

By performingmonkey
September 16, 2006 @ 3:42 am

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"The decision to have white only is also a good one IMO."

I hasten to add, I'm no Knight of the KKK or anything...

By performingmonkey
September 16, 2006 @ 3:49 am

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Ahh. Somehow I thought Super Mario Galaxy was going to be launch. I'm kind of disappointed by that.

Incidentally, is this the first time a Zelda installment will be released on a Nintendo console before a Mario one?

I really can't wait for Twilight Princess, either...but severe monetary restrictions might mean I hold out longer than I'd like to.

By Philip J Reed, VSc
September 16, 2006 @ 4:16 am

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