« J Allard And The Argonauts | Main | Zune Loons »
Nintendo Gives Kids Extra Time To Whine For Gift Of Holiday Wii
Video Games | Jul 13, 06
Nintendo has already announced its intention to undercut Sony and Microsoft on price when it releases its Wii game console, and its new machine has significant technical advantages over the Xbox 360 and the forthcoming PS3. But apparently price advantage (see "Nintendo Undercuts PS3 and Xbox, And Continues Pop Culture's War On Spelling" and "Sony PS3 Priced Within Reach Of Many Home Equity Borrowers") and technological superiority ("But Its Got Blue-ray – What More Do You People Want From Us?") aren't enough. Nintendo has apparently concluded it would be a competitive advantage to have Wii actually available for sale when the PS3 is not.
To that end, rumor has it Wii (pronounced "we", or perhaps "wheeeee!") is said to be slated for release in the early fall of this year, well in advance of the holiday season and the PS3's scheduled November launch. So the question is: will having "shock" force feedback when PS3 does not, a price $150-$350 below that of the PS3 and availability for purchase one to two months ahead of Sony's device give Nintendo an edge? Maybe not – of course, that would require the revocation of even the most basic laws of economics.
Of course, PS3's Blu-ray technology may prove sufficiently dazzling to overcome other technological shortcomings, and justify the high price and wait. But if not, Sony may need to adjust its strategy lest it find the PS3 playing Walkman to Wii's iPod. Further, Nintendo's move can only put increased pressure on Microsoft – watch for a response in Xbox console and game pricing as the holidays approach. Hey, at least it gives them something to think about besides that pesky Vista project.
Posted by jeffrey.trester (Permalink)
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://blog.pricescan.com/mtsystem/mt-tb.cgi/131
