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EB/Gamestop Offering $700 Wii Bundle
GameSpot is reporting that GameStop will be offering a mind-boggling $700 Wii bundle online, as of tomorrow. Considering the retail price of the Wii is $250, there had better be some solid gold Wiimotes in there to go with your little white box. From the article: "Given the GameStop Wii bundle's steep price, one would wonder what assortment of add-ons and games are worth around an extra $449. Apparently, the customer-service reps at GameStop are also wondering. 'We don't know what the bundle contains,' a rep told GameSpot. 'We also don't know when they go on sale. We won't know until Thursday.'"
Which comes with a PS3.
If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?
How is that "mind boggling"?
I'm spending more than that on the launch of the Wii and I'm not buying a bundle. Check out the going prices for the Wii pre-orders that have sold on Ebay, prices there for the console alone reach $700.
Its a big purchase, yes. But its not a rip-off.
These pretzels are making me thirsty.
... finally a story that deserves the "itsatrap" tag
I'm giving 10 to 1 odds for the next 5 minutes, that it won't get it ;-)
Oh god, that woman is John Romero!
It adds up pretty quickly. They probably throw some useless accessories in there too, like "Wii Game carry cases" or something similar.
A Wii with an extra 3 WiiMotes and Nunchucks would cost you $430. Add in the Classic Controller, the Lightgun attachment, and a few games, and you're at $700 in no time flat.
Like most of the next-gen systems, the Wii will nickel and dime you to death on accessories and connectivity. (The latter being things like classic games in the case of the Wii.) The difference is that the Wii has a lower base price, so the nickel and diming doesn't get quite as costly as the 360 or PS3.
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
My Wii is only costing me $250 (of which I've already paid $200), plus maybe another $65 for another controller and Rayman's Raving Rabbits!
I'll bet you can get the same "bundle" for $400 at Costco a week later.
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
The Wii will be bundled with a free, slightly-discounted PS3.
Is your mind controlled by a wizard? Are you a zombie who not only craves brains, but also Nintendo's Wii? Have you taken an experimental formula that turns you into a half man/half ape and you require something to distract you from your loss of humanity? Or do you just hate making your own decisions? Have Gamestop decide what games and accessories you need with your Nintendo Wii. If you're very good, they'll let you purchase other games of their choosing in the future.
Maybe when the article was written, this wasn't up, but following the first link in the article led to this list:
The Nintendo Wii bundle includes the following items (It does say subject to change, though):
Nintendo Wii Console (includes 1 remote controller, 1 nunchuck, cables, sensor bar, console stand, and Wii Sports game)
Wii Memory SD 1GB
Additional Wii Remote Controller
6 Games:
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Trauma Center: Second Opinion
Red Steel
Marvel Ultimate Alliance
Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz
Madden NFL 2007
12 Month Product Replacement Plan
Game Informer Gift Subscription
$694.88 plus tax and handling
Anyone think that $700 is an awful lot of money to spend? Particularly on something that's almost certainly going to decline in value precipitously? Whatever they're putting in this bundle, I'll wager that in six months, you'd be able to buy all of it for $350 or less.
I'm not sure how rich I'd have to be, to not be able to wait until the "oooh shiney" premium is gone, but apparently it's a lot richer than I am.
I just hope the people that are buying this feel like they're getting their money's worth. And that they have their real expenses (you know, like food, shelter, education, debt) covered first.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my killbot features Lotus Notes and a machine gun. It is the finest available."
...by how the summary involves GameSpot reporting about GameStop? I mean, obviously the summarizer can't help it, but you have to wonder if this was ever a consideration for either organization.
Apology to Ubuntu forum.
'We don't know what the bundle contains,' a rep told GameSpot. 'We also don't know when they go on sale. We won't know until Thursday.'"
From the GameStop page:
The Nintendo Wii bundle includes the following items:
Nintendo Wii Console (includes 1 remote controller, 1 nunchuck, cables, sensor bar, console stand, and Wii Sports game)
Wii Memory SD 1GB
Additional Wii Remote Controller
6 Games:
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Trauma Center: Second Opinion
Red Steel
Marvel Ultimate Alliance
Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz
Madden NFL 2007
12 Month Product Replacement Plan
Game Informer Gift Subscription
By the numbers, out of the entire package the only good parts are:
Nintendo Wii Console (includes 1 remote controller, 1 nunchuck, cables, sensor bar, console stand, and Wii Sports game)
- which I already have an EBX preorder for at $250 (paid $50 upfront)
Wii Memory SD 1GB - this is good
Additional Wii Remote Controller - this is good
6 Games:
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess - good
Trauma Center: Second Opinion - ok, would get it if it was a package
Red Steel - good, but was going to wait
Marvel Ultimate Alliance - boring
Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz - boring
Madden NFL 2007 - boring
12 Month Product Replacement Plan - total ripoff
Game Informer Gift Subscription - total ripoff
I think I'll just pick up the memory, the extra controller, Zelda and Rayman Raving Rabbits, and get the rest much much later, thanks!
$694.88 plus tax and handling
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$85 for the wiimote AND nun chuck, thats a serious chunk there if they throw in 3 extras so you have a full four...
You can tell I'm an aries because of my ram.
Assuming the high-end of the SD card cost, you're paying $45 for the 1-year warranty and magazine subscription. Compared to buying these these online, you're paying $70 for the 1-year warranty and magazine subscription. Many credit cards have 1-year warranties, and the Wii may have a 1-year warranty as well. That's quite a premium for convenient replacement under warranty -- assuming your local GameStop has any stock.
Of course, if Nintendo requires their own branded SD cards (as they have with prior memory cards), the $60 estimate for the card could be low. But I haven't heard anything about such a requirement.
And all this is assuming you actually want all six of those games. I sure don't.
I'd bet an extended warantee is included, those things are pure gravy to the stores, and can really up the price.
Also, I wonder if many won't bother. My bet is that it will be like the DS Lite: Unavailable for love or money within the first couple of weeks, but as Nintendo cranks them out in volume (SERIOUS volume), they become purchasable at your local Tarjet at list with no added crap.
Test your net with Netalyzr
They'll take the 12 month replacement plan off right after you've been billed. I bought the 360 bundle, which included a replacement plan. It disappeared off my invoice after I was billed. Neat.
Oh, and if you have placed a preorder for a non-bundled Wii, you'll be getting it after they sell the bundles. A friend of mine had preordered a 360 a few monthes before it was released. I ordered a bundle 3-4 weeks after the 360 was released and got it a couple monthes before my friend got his. You want it first, you've got to shell out the dough.
are they still selling standalone systems that are not in a bundle. I can't afford that on launch. All I'm going to get is vga adapter and a game and a system.
You mad
Wii Console, $250
Six games at fifty bucks a piece, $300
1gb SD card, ~$20
Wiimote (sans nunchck), ~$40
So, that magazine subscription and 1 year product replacement plan would come out to around $90. WHAT A DEAL!
Unfortunately, it's likely that to deter game renters, you have to play several hours of "main" part of the game in order to unlock the mini-games.
It comes bundled with a pony.
Circumcision is child abuse.
You oviously had some trama with marbles as a small child.
This is obviously a bid to compete with Sony. It's designed to bring in those consumers who already prefer the Wii over the PS3, but who are worried they might get an inferior product because they are not spending as many hundreds of dollars.
You live and learn. At least, you live.
Wii+ Wii Sports = $250
Zelda:TP = $50
Extra Wiimote = $40
SuperMonkeyBall Bannana Blitz = $50
2 DS Lites = $260 (Hand one to my Girlfriend)
Mario Kart DS = $30
New SuperMario Bros = $20 (Used, Gamefly)
----
$700.
Incidentially That's about the price of 1 PS3, high def cables and a game. (no second controller.)
$250 - Wii console + Wii Sports game
$450 - Gold plated Wiimote with ruby & sapphire accents
-----
$700 - TOTAL
[Insert pithy quote here]
I think that the thing we are forgetting here is the fact that the bundle is, if you want to be able to choose, wrong. If I just want a console a controller and Zelda I should have that right at release time. I know that the other systems have upped their price just to sell, but acting like a child and pointing at another kid saying "Well he did it so I should be able to", doesn't mean anything except that you are wrong. Ha! Now go forth and speak.
Nintendo offers 12-month product warranties for all their systems; so if you buy the base Wii package for $250, you still have protection for one year. Man, you gotta love Gamestop and their ability to prey on the fears of the uninformed public.
"It's a reverse vampire...they....they crave the sun!"
Nintendo Wii Console: $250 dollars
SD 1GB: ~$20 dollars
Additional Wii Remote Controller: $40 dollars
6 Games: $50 x 6 = $300 dollars
12 Month Product Replacement Plan: 1$
Game Informer Gift Subscription: $19.98
Laughing at the others who paid out the same for far less entertainment: priceless...
I'm sure this will be considered flamebait, but it has to be said.
I enjoy games as much as the next guy, but I find it absolutely ridiculous how much money people are willing to spend because of impatience. Within a month or two the consoles are spilling off the shelves and potential first batch glitches will likely have been addressed.
Like waiting a few weeks or even a few months would kill anyone. I wonder if people camp out for days and overpay for something truly important.
I have a feeling Sony has something to do with this. *start playing that ominous music*
So they will be offering a Wii bundle for $700. Thats a curious price point. Do you think there is a chance that even with all that is packed into that deal some morons will start comparing that price to the price of a PS3? Then their backwards thinking minds will go back and think about how its cool to think Nintendo sucks or some garbage and think that they will get more by putting down $700 for a PS3 than for that Ginsu-style prize package they put with the Wii? No sale for Nintendo, sale stolen by Sony?
Am I completely off my rocker?
3A 4E 22 05 C1 83 0B 7A
It's random, but my posting it here is probably considered illegal to someone.
/me wants to be your GF.
Actually I'm male.
Where was I going with this?
Oh yea Free DS lite... Sugerlips!
$699? Their plan is clear to me now! They are bundling Linux with the Wii!!!1112
You had me convinced until you got to the part about a girlfriend. I'll just assume you meant to say (Hand one to my mom on the way back into the basement)
$60 games are for the 360 or the PS3. All Wii games (so far) are $50 USD.
Link to the bundle
I'll do a breakdown of costs, from their site as well:
Nintendo Wii Console: $250
Wii SD 1GB Card: $59.99
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess:$49.99 (couldn't find it on site, but seems to be the common price)
Trauma Center: Second Opinion: $49.99
Red Steel: $49.99
Marvel Ultimate Alliance: $49.99
Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz: $49.99
Madden NFL 2007: $49.99
12 Month Product Replacement Plan: Unknown
Game Informer Gift Subscription: Unknown
All adds up to: 609.93
So, it's $100 for the replacement plan and the stupid magazine? Or am I missing something?
One thing about the wii that it encourages you to do is to bring your controllers with you to play with others since it keeps your mii character with it (and possibly game data?) Even without that, one can still bring their own wii controllers.