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Wii pricing discussion *UPDATE*

by rawmeatcowboy
18 September 2006
GN 1.0 / 2.0

When I checked the comments on any give Wii story we posted (since the pricing announcement), the topic of pricing usually popped up. I would expect as much, the Wii pricing/launch date events are still fresh in our minds. I have also seen a ton of comparisons to price points with the Xbox 360. I thought I would take some time on this very early Monday morning to put some pricing package comparisons together.

I have done the best I can, and have researched all information. I pulled prices from Gamestop.com, and Best Buy.com. If you guys see anything you believe to not make sense, or something you think I should change, then by all means send me an email. I will have a better chance of seeing a correction issue via email rather than the comments section. My point in posting this was just to clear up any pricing questions you guys had.

Keep in mind that with all packages listed below, you will have one more game on the Wii side of things due to Wii Sports being packed in. I did not factor in another Xbox 360 title in the price. If you choose to do so (to have an equal number of games in each package), add another $50 to each Xbox 360 package.

Reader ShadowXOR just wanted me to make clear that you can use the Wii’s internal 512mb of storage for Wii VC games, and game save data. I figured that most of our readers would be picking up at least one SD card along with the purchase of the Wii. If not, then go right ahead and deduct any costs within the bundles that are related to SD cards.

Also, a few readers have stated that you can find SD cards for much cheaper. I knew this was the case, but I was basing my prices off of what you could find at Best Buy, since many people are planning to purchase their Wii from a retail outlet like this. If you do go hunting for accessories such as rechargeable batteries and SD cards, you can find some amazing prices. If that is your plan, keep in touch with some of our readers…they have done an excellent job at finding out some great deals! You guys do an awesome job at helping out your fellow readers!

Offline Multiplayer setup

Xbox 360 - $300
Memory Card - $40 (64mb)
3 Xbox 360 Controllers (wired) - $120 (wireless) $150
1 first party title - $50

Wii - $250
SanDisk 64 mb card $9 (256 mb card - $25)
3 Wiimote/Nunchuck - $180
1 first party title - $50

Total - Xbox 360 setup= (with wired) $510 (with wireless) $540
Wii = $489 (256 mb card - $505)

Online experience setup

Xbox 360 - $300
Hard Drive ( Live Arcade games, saved games, achievements, trailers, Xbox 360 game demos) - $100 (Memory card) - $40
3 Xbox Live Arcade games (cheap, moderate, most expensive) - $30
Xbox Live Subscription $50

Wii - $250
Sandisk 256 mb card - $25
3 Wii VC games (Nes, SNES, N64) - $23
Wii VC controller - $20
Opera browser - $10

Total - Xbox 360 setup = ( Hard Drive) $480 (Memory Card) - $420
Wii = $328

*NOTE* - If you substitute the hard drive for a memory card, the online experience 360 setup comes in at $420. With this option, you would not be able to download HD trailers, or 360 game demos…but live arcade demos (about 3 would fit), saved games and achievements would still be possible

“Hardcore Gamer” package (includes all control methods for gameplay/features matched between consoles when possible/display cables not factored in)

Xbox 360 premium bundle - $400
Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter - $100
3 Wireless controllers - $150
Xbox Live subscription - $50
4 Play & Charge kits - $80
Xbox 360 Camera - $40
3 First party titles - $150
3 Xbox Live Arcade titles (same setup as before) - $30

Wii - $250
3 Nunchuck/Wiimote sets - $180
4 VC controller - $80
3 VC titles (same as before) - $23
3 first party titles - $150
4 sets of rechargeable batteries & charger - $35
1GB SD card - $60
Opera browser - $10

Total - Xbox 360 setup = $1000
Wii = $788