Wii before PS3 in October?

Max · Post by **Max** » 2006-07-05 03:42pm

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.

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.

This means Nintendo can take advantage of any Sony shortages and avoid the issues MS had with the 360.

InnocentBystander · Post by **InnocentBystander** » 2006-07-05 04:17pm

When is the PS3 slated to be released, and what are the chances it will acutally make it..?

The Grim Squeaker · Post by **The Grim Squeaker** » 2006-07-05 04:21pm

October? That would make an excellent Birthday present for myself

.

Still getting the early lauch advantage would really hurt Sony, since it would make the PS3 look "old" compared to the rest, they would be last in a race that has had far cheaper alternatives for over a year and a indie alternative for over a month before it.
I was hoping for this, since it would really help Nintendo not to rely soly on the low price point to get buyers by not having as much of the marlet sucked up by the X360 or PS#

Majin Gojira · Post by **Majin Gojira** » 2006-07-05 05:59pm

The Wii is sizing up for my purchase in the console wars.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-07-05 06:08pm

Yeah, the continued lack of interesting X360 games and the general train-accident nature of the PS3 is pushing me towards a Wii.

It'd be neat if it came out so early: aside from 'Q4 2006' Nintendo were being vague, and I figured that meant 'later'.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2006-07-05 06:24pm

InnocentBystander wrote:When is the PS3 slated to be released, and what are the chances it will acutally make it..?

November 17, as it says in the article quoted in the OP.

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2006-07-05 06:29pm

Interesting. GameStop's databases have several games with tentative launch dates set for October and November- I was assuming end of October was the release date. It might be even sooner now.

InnocentBystander wrote:When is the PS3 slated to be released, and what are the chances it will acutally make it..?

Read the article!

Sharpshooter · Post by **Sharpshooter** » 2006-07-05 07:04pm

DEATH wrote:October? That would make an excellent Birthday present for myself .

As long as it's on or before November 6, I'll be happy. Be back in college, have the legal right to get shitfaced, and have my first console ever? Best birthday EVER.

SAMAS · Post by **SAMAS** » 2006-07-05 09:26pm

Stark wrote:Yeah, the continued lack of interesting X360 games and the general train-accident nature of the PS3 is pushing me towards a Wii.

You don't see any upcoming 360 games you like? Or are you talking about the ones that are out now?

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-07-05 09:32pm

SAMAS wrote:You don't see any upcoming 360 games you like? Or are you talking about the ones that are out now?

I've not done any research aside from looking around EB (so I guess that's current plus whatever they've got on 'coming soon') and none of them really impress me.

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2006-07-05 10:20pm

Stark wrote:
SAMAS wrote:You don't see any upcoming 360 games you like? Or are you talking about the ones that are out now?
I've not done any research aside from looking around EB (so I guess that's current plus whatever they've got on 'coming soon') and none of them really impress me.

Bioshock!

...which I'll get for my PC, but that's besides the point...

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2006-07-05 11:26pm

Even if the PS3 makes it on time (which I doubt it will), it's still going to be a $700 console with $70 games. Nintendo is going to be offering a cheaper console with reasonably good graphics that's easy to develop for. The PS3 is an expensive console that's going to be nothing short of a bitch to develop for. I just can't see a whole lot of quality games coming out for the PS3 given the hurdles in development it presents, at least not initially. By the time it comes around, the Wii and Xbox 360 will be far more attractive choices for development houses.

Icehawk · Post by **Icehawk** » 2006-07-06 12:54am

Stark wrote:
SAMAS wrote:You don't see any upcoming 360 games you like? Or are you talking about the ones that are out now?
I've not done any research aside from looking around EB (so I guess that's current plus whatever they've got on 'coming soon') and none of them really impress me.

Gears of War, Lost Planet, Dead Rising just to name a few are all top notch exclusive titles coming to 360 this year. The Lost Planet demo from the Live marketplace was amazingly fun and addictive not to mention drop dead gorgeous looking.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-07-06 01:08am

Icehawk wrote:Gears of War, Lost Planet, Dead Rising just to name a few are all top notch exclusive titles coming to 360 this year. The Lost Planet demo from the Live marketplace was amazingly fun and addictive not to mention drop dead gorgeous looking.

Yeah I've seen those, and aside from Lost Planet they look pretty bog-standard. It's not a knock to the X360, but the sort of game I want to play these days just isn't on a console. PS I'm an Australian and X360 isn't going to look that great on my CRT television.

Andrew J. · Post by **Andrew J.** » 2006-07-06 08:24am

My birthday is at the end of October. Sweet!

Also, LOL Sony, giant enemy crabs, massive damage, etc.

SAMAS · Post by **SAMAS** » 2006-07-07 08:26am

Stark wrote:
SAMAS wrote:You don't see any upcoming 360 games you like? Or are you talking about the ones that are out now?
I've not done any research aside from looking around EB (so I guess that's current plus whatever they've got on 'coming soon') and none of them really impress me.

Yeah, the first-gen 360 games really aren't much, mostly ports of games released simultaneously on the regular Xbox, and in some cases, not very good ones, just with shinier graphics.

But since E3, some top-quality, true next-gen stuff is coming our way. Developers are using that extra processing power for more than making shit look pretty. Stuff like Bioshock, Lost Planet, Crackdown, and Gears of War.

Arthur_Tuxedo · Post by **Arthur_Tuxedo** » 2006-07-07 11:11am

I tried the Lost Planet demo. It's a fun game with amazing visuals, but not something that's never been done before. Gears of War looks the same way. I'm sure they'll both be a blast to play, but they won't sell me a 360. Bioshock will be coming out on the PC, so that's no reason to get a 360. The only games that look like they might compel me to get a 360 are Mass Effect and Forza 2, and I'll probably wait for a price drop.

I didn't get an XBox until last year, and before that didn't pick up a PS1 until the PS2 was almost out. The last console that I bought when it was actually new was an SNES. Not coincidentally, that system had some amazingly good launch titles.

Captain tycho · Post by **Captain tycho** » 2006-07-07 01:48pm

Stark wrote:
Icehawk wrote:Gears of War, Lost Planet, Dead Rising just to name a few are all top notch exclusive titles coming to 360 this year. The Lost Planet demo from the Live marketplace was amazingly fun and addictive not to mention drop dead gorgeous looking.
Yeah I've seen those, and aside from Lost Planet they look pretty bog-standard. It's not a knock to the X360, but the sort of game I want to play these days just isn't on a console. PS I'm an Australian and X360 isn't going to look that great on my CRT television.

I don't know about you, but Dead Rising looks insanely fun. It'll probably be the straw that broke the camel's back and make me buy a 360.

KrauserKrauser · Post by **KrauserKrauser** » 2006-07-07 02:20pm

I think the best move Microsoft can make is to announce a massive price drop in te 360 coinciding with the release of the PS3, that would so fucking kick Sony square in the testicles.

Also, I might get a Wii, just to download the old games for it, and for the funky controller, this news just means that might come a bit sooner.

Lost Soal · Post by **Lost Soal** » 2006-07-07 07:29pm

KrauserKrauser wrote:I think the best move Microsoft can make is to announce a massive price drop in te 360 coinciding with the release of the PS3, that would so fucking kick Sony square in the testicles.

Also, I might get a Wii, just to download the old games for it, and for the funky controller, this news just means that might come a bit sooner.

Microsoft have announced that there is deffinately NOT going to be a drop in price for a while yet, and certainly not when the PS3 is released. They don't see the point.

DarkSilver · Post by **DarkSilver** » 2006-07-07 07:38pm

mmmm...Wii out in October....I'm all for that.

MS doesn't need to pricedrop on the 360, it's already cheaper than the PS3 will be.

Andrew J. · Post by **Andrew J.** » 2006-07-08 09:32am

Lost Soal wrote:Microsoft have announced that there is deffinately NOT going to be a drop in price for a while yet, and certainly not when the PS3 is released. They don't see the point.

Of course MS says there's not going to be a price drop in the fall; that would kill their sales now. Whether there'll actually be a price drop, who can say.

Lost Soal · Post by **Lost Soal** » 2006-07-08 11:11am

New announcement

Nintendo responds to Wii release rumors
Flurry of prognostications doesn't deter Wii-maker from its course; company says big announcement now coming in September.
By Tim Surette, GameSpot
Posted Jul 6, 2006 7:47 pm GMT

An avalanche of Wii news hit the Web yesterday, sending Nintendophiles into a frenzy. The topic was one of the most highly guarded secrets in the industry--the release date of the Wii.

Early in the morning, an article in (no joke) Sports Illustrated for Kids showed the release date of the console as November 6. Nintendo claimed the date was purely speculation by the magazine.

A few hours later, CNN/Money's Chris Morris revealed some info that he received while talking to analysts and industry insiders. Among the insights were that the Wii may already be in production, and that the console could launch as early as late September.

Nintendo's PR people were hard at work again today, and gave few clues as to whether any of the rumors are true. A spokesperson for the news service Bloomberg said, "There's no change in our plan to release the console in the last quarter of this year. We are planning an announcement in September and it may be causing some confusion."

Nintendo's reassurance that the console would launch in the fourth quarter does dispel the thought that the Wii could launch in late September, as the fourth quarter begins in October.

The choice of the words "in September" vary slightly from a previous statement from Nintendo, which said that the release date and price would be available by September. Nintendo fans, it sounds like the newswires may be a little quiet until then.