Electronics Boutique Australia (More commonly referred to as EB Games) recently began promoting the Wii U section of their website with estimated pricing on both the console and each of the two controller types. While the controllers and gamepads are about the price I was expecting from them giving the cost of the Wiimote and Nunchuk’s for the Wii – I was taken back by their estimated pricing for the Wii U console itself.

Now, this is just an estimate so it could easily go down – but lets hypothetically say this is the correct price and the console is released for $598… would it sell as well as if it sold for about $200 cheaper which would bring it in line with the original pricing for the original Nintendo Wii (Which can now easily be bought for <$200 – even <$100 it seems for pre-owned consoles)? The Nintendo Wii U does have some games for the hardcore gamer but given most titles promoted seem to be for a wider demographic (Families and Casual Gamers) who may not be so willing to part with great sums of cash for a still limited line of games in comparison to the range the much cheaper Wii which still has a sizable collection of family games to play (Heck, I still regularily play Mario Party 8 with my family!). I question if this price would be realistic for a console that has seen great success over the last few years with their consoles at a cheaper price than their competitors.

BUT

No need to panic however as this is still an estimated price and is liable to change once Nintendo of Australia announce the consoles proper pricing.

Just some musings while I procrastinate from presentation writing….