Source: Forbes Nintendo, which is trying to regain videogame market share from Microsoft and Sony, will likely sell its new Wii console for much less than its competitors' console prices. Merrill Lynch analyst Justin Post predicted Thursday that the new machine, which will be released this fall, will sell for $200, a move that could prompt software publishers to create more titles for the gaming system. Microsoft's (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ) Xbox 360 starts at $299, while Sony (nyse: SNE - news - people ) said earlier this week that its new PS3, which will ship in November, will cost $499 for a basic machine. Nintendo (otcbb: NTDOY.PK - news - people ) didn't offer any pricing information when it showed off the Wii on Tuesday to a crowd gathered in advance of the E3 gaming expo. An executive from SEGA, one of Nintendo's largest publishers, told Forbes.com on Tuesday that he expects the Wii to sell for less than $200 (see: " Show, Don't Tell"). Post said the Nintendo machine, which features a wireless controller that responds to players' body movements, "will appeal to a broad demographic of both hard-core and casual gamers." The Wii, which has less processing power than Sony's and Microsoft's offerings, may be easier to create new software for, and Post thinks third-party game publishers "are responding favorably to the lower-cost publishing environment for the Wii." In addition, the analyst said he's expecting 2007 to be a big year for software for the next-generation consoles and that sales could exceed his early 17% growth forecast. Significant titles slated for release include Microsoft's Halo 3, Sony's Gran Turismo, Activision's (nasdaq: ATVI - news - people ) Spider-Man and Shrek games and Take-Two Interactive's (nasdaq: TTWO - news - people ) Grand Theft Auto 4. Third-party THQ (nasdaq: THQI - news - people ) has a strong pipeline of games for fiscal 2007 but will need successful next-generation properties in fiscal 2008, the analyst said. Likewise, Electronic Arts (nasdaq: ERTS - news - people ), which hasn't made any official game announcements for fiscal 2008, will need new intellectual property in order to gain market share, said Post.
That's freaking awesome - I really think that tactic will pay off, the Wii is going to be so different and if the price is cheap (which compared to the 360 and PS3 it is) I think they'll be onto a winner!
Cant say anything about it because Wii is not for the gamers. They dont have heavy graphics kind of things. Its only for the non gamers, a big risk taken by Nintendo. For me, I will prefer Sony, they are the father of all the consoles........Man! I love sony products.
Well the Wii has some amazing features and with recent consoles (Gamecube - Wii) Nintendo has gone for less power - more fun I guess. It may not be the most powerful console in the world but with that price, the originality of it and the possible features (downloadable versions of old games) I think they'll do well.
Wow. Ill be buying one if its that price. Als then I can say 'You wanna come round and play with me wii?' lol
