Australian Wii launch details revealed

Wii News | AU$399.95, December 7th.

Moments ago, we received a press release from Nintendo that contains the official launch details for the Wii in Australia. We now know that the console will be launching in Australia for AU$399.95 on December 7th. As in the US, the Australian launch package will automatically include the five Wii Sports games on one disc as part of the bundle. One wireless Wii Remote controller and one Nunchuk controller will also be included.

The Wii will be launching in the United States at US$250 (AU$333) and Japan at ¥25,000 (AU$283), so this is a considerable price increase. Despite this, Rose Lappin, Director of Sales and Marketing at Nintendo Australia has this to say; “At such an affordable price, we see Wii as being a true product of everybody [sic].”

Nintendo Australia anticipates that we'll see around 20 titles come launch. These include The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and the aforementioned Wii Sports.

However, the pricing structure of the Virtual Console (VC) in Australia was not revealed. The VC allows users to download games from previous Nintendo systems to play on the Wii. We do know that in the US prices for VC games will range from US$5 (AU$6.65) to US$10 (AU$13.30), so we can expect a slightly inflated conversion from these.

We’ll bring you more news on the Australian Wii launch as it breaks.

Global Wii launch details:

November 19th - North America - US$250 (excludes sales tax) (AU$333 / £133 / €197 / ¥30,000) [article]
December 2nd - Japan - ¥25,000 (AU$283 / £113 / €167 / US$212) [article]
December 7th - Australia - AU$399.95 (£160 / €238 / US$300 / ¥35,000) [article]
December 8th - Europe - €249 / £179 (AU$419 / US$315 / ¥37,000) [article]

Related Content

Japanese Wii launch details
14 Sep, 2006 ¥25,000, December 2nd.

North American Wii release date and price confirmed
14 Sep, 2006 US$250, November 19. Update: confirmed.

THQ loves the Wii
18 Jul, 2006 They're having a lot of fun with it, apparently.

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197 Comments

Cro

5 years ago

David wrote

Just a question - what would everyone have thought if it were $350, and Wii Sports was $50 seperately?

Meh, $50 more to spend on a game I want more, Wii sports comes across as one of those novelty games that you love, hate or get sick of in a week.

theory

5 years ago

I said in the other Wii launch date thread that I would import if it was coming out here a month later at the earliest.

Therefore, I guess $399.95 will do. I'm betting on $370 or so on launch night, always happens.

David

5 years ago

theory wrote

I'm betting on $370 or so on launch night, always happens.

True. Launch day DS Lite for $185.

EvilHayama

5 years ago

I'm seriously tempted to get a US or japanese wii now, I'm pretty sure it will work out a little cheaper, and any possible regionlocked games will be easier to get. The japanese one would even make Wii sports optional :-/

I noticed that wiimotes and even games are priced differently between territories... Too many options

slasherD

5 years ago

I think I'll pass on this launch.

While not indefensible, the console price is the proverbial straw for me. I intended to pick up a Wii primarily for the virtual console and quality 4 player gaming - the latter of which is almost non-existent on my current choice of system in the PS2. Then the pricing of the controllers made 4 player begin to look rather expensive, and VC games look like being beyond what I'd consider as value for money.

Nintendo are probably still going to do quite well with the Wii, but the pricing scheme does feel a bit arrogant (in an Apple kind of way).

The Plague

5 years ago

I'm really not too concerned about the price, even though I did quit my job yesterday. I'd much prefer to pay $400 for it this year than $330 in March.

slapshakle

5 years ago

Just like big kev, IM EXCITED ! The price doesn't come as a shock to me, Im just so happy we know when its being released

renegadesx

5 years ago

I'm not at all supprised. Department stores have a 20% markup on everything which is why we have to pay $100 on games that should be $70-$80. The Wii console and PS3 are no different. That extra is going straight into the department/game stores hands, not nintendos. I dont see a price drop for a while. I've already pre-ordered it, so I guess Im just going to have to fork out another $100

Nev

5 years ago

Yes, we're all aware that there are taxes, shipping costs, etc. But don't forget that Nintendo are making a profit off every system sold. How MUCH of a profit? $50? $100?

Personally, I think they'd be smarter to undercut the price to try to gain a foothold in Australia before the launch of the PS3. Otherwise, I can't imagine a significant number of systems being sold before Sony comes in and steals its thunder. That will be dependent on the marketing... and given Nintendo Australia's track record, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Nintendo perhaps might have fared better if they launched AFTER the PS3. A lot of people are holding off on purchasing a 360 until the PS3 is released, and I doubt this is going to tempt them, given the lack of familiar franchises and Australian-oriented titles (AFL, Cricket, V8 Supercars).

This Christmas, a PS2 will be less than half the price of the Wii, and the games will be about a third of the price. Oh, and there's about 600 of them, instead of about a dozen.

Qbert

5 years ago

OK, the price is way too much for me, but I'll deal with it because I'm just happy to have it before Christmas. Also I'm one of the few who would want to get the Wii before the PS3 and 360 reguardless of price, so a saving of $600 from the PS3 is still a good thing for me.

Also, the $70 or whatever markup will be worth it due to the region free news. I think people are kidding themselves when they see that games cost $66 AUD in the US, so they'll cost $69.95 AUD here, I'd be very surprised if they weren't still $99.95 AUD here. Think about it, if you import most of your games, that's say at LEAST a $20 saving(Not including that games prices fall much faster in US than Australia). Import 5 games and you're up $100.

However, the controller price is ****, I thought the Wii was ment to be about multiplayer and getting together and stuff. For $400 I would expect the Wii, Wii sports and 2 controllers, but I guess I'll have to deal with it.

Plus, if you think the Wii is too expensive (and rightfully so), don't think there won't be discounts and deals on launch day. Just look at the Toys R Us deal or a free game! That's a $100 saving (assuming they don't rip you off and give you a second coppy of Wii Sports

)

admeister

5 years ago

DancesInUnderwear wrote

David wrote

Erm - you've missed the whole point of the controller. The 'non-gamer' will almost certainly prefer the 'unproven' controller.

Yeah, my mistake - I was thinking more 'casual gamer' than non-gamer.

I believe the $400 price point is the kick in the pants for the non-gamer, though.

Regarding the Wii sports thing, I don't know. Phil is right, its a great Wii intro piece, and the way the Wii is set up it really needs that 'intro piece', but from a personal perspective I couldn't care less about it and would much rather it be $330 or less ($350 still seems a bit steep) without it.

Oh well, they were never going to make everybody happy with the Wii sports decision. You'll have to live with it.

emech

5 years ago

[quote="DancesInUnderwear"]

Phil wrote

I haven't heard of this Toys R Us deal though, anyone have a link to a page of specifics?

The deal is Preorder a Wii ($50 deposit) and get a free game.

Does anyone know for sure they aren't just gonna say Wii sports is the free game. It wouldn't surprise me.

MY local Toys R us (pmatta) cannot tell me what the free game will be. it MIGHT be wii sports, and could een be a cube game. All they will commit to (verbally) is a "free game" -hell that could even be one of the $10 PC budget range at this stage - I'm not pre-ordering till they can confirm the actual offer..........

I have an xbox & cube --- as noted by someone else a PS2 & a handful of exclusive is sounding good to me this christmas. (one of those price concious gamers WII was supposed to be targeting)

Crestfallen

5 years ago

Nev wrote

ah finally a post thats full of realistic arguments and devoid of any fanboyism. kudos to you sir.

Klawrence

5 years ago

if your plan was to import then i would think again.

Quote

IGN: Is the plan to keep Wii games region free? How about the online service -- will users be restricted to UK content, or will they be able to dip into say Japanese services if they prefer to?

David Yarnton: The Wii will be region-coded.

IGN: There was a report we had out of the US…

David Yarnton: No, that was a mistake… games and online services will be region-coded.

LOL at this stupid nintendo.

Quote

IGN: How will social networking be handled? Will there be anonymous friend codes like on the DS network, or will users be able to choose recognisable IDs like on Xbox Live?

David Yarnton: More details on that will come out closer to launch. But you will be able to play online, so for example with Metroid you will be able to play against friends online… [editor's note: at this point the Nintendo PR rep steps in to assert that Metroid has not been confirmed for online play].

oh and while im here umm this came up aswell

Quote

IGN: Speaking of retailers, is there a specific launch allocation for Europe yet?

David Yarnton: We've announced 4 million for the launch period, but we haven't drilled down further than that, no.

so yer my plans to pick one up from OH CANADA on my trip just went down the flusher, o well ill wait.

838 La

5 years ago

Freeloader!!!

cycosippius

5 years ago

z3d3fil3r wrote

ok the price aint ideal but hey IT IS THIS YEAR and a WORLDWIDE LAUNCH. I will get one regardless as I was expecting $350 - and what really is $50?? To have it this year I for one would pay that $50.

Someone mentioned go trade in Wii Sports if you dont want straight away bringing the price down to prob $350 -$360.

I am just glad we are not being the leftovers as Sony sees us.

I agree, 50 dollars extra for seeing it this year, is a good way of looking at it.

Cause for you looking to import it, Im doubtfull you will be able to import the US version for less.

But I know I will be buying games from the US if it works out cheaper, which is highly possible cause posting games it far cheaper than consoles, unless you want your console to arrive in a sorry state.

And youve got issues such as warranty etc etc.

But I must say I am quite disappointed it only comes with one controller. They better not try to charge $70 for them like the wavebird, but they will,,

theory

5 years ago

If this region-coded thing is true then I'm thinking import again. Even if the console costs the same or slightly more to import, the amount of money saved on games will be quite substantial, especially as the collection grows. Might get quite a few titles earlier too, as close launch dates don't necessarily mean games will come out at the same time worldwide.

littlemo

5 years ago

Ah, I wish we could get all this region-encoding stuff cleared up.

I don't know what to do now, I have a US Cube with all US games. I tried using the first version of Freeloader to play PAL games but they only displayed in B/W (yes the TV has all the correct settings) so this generation I've had to import all my games (Not knowing any better I paid through the nose for NTSC games with Burn.com.au which charges more than local PAL releases most of the time.)

Seeing the awesome success of DS here and the massive sale discounts I'd rather buy a PAL Wii this time so I can save money on games, but then that means I still have a US Cube and US games... and I'll have to join the inevitable waiting game that is PAL... i.e. 6 month delays ala Age of Empires, Trauma Centre, Phoenix Write, Battalion Wars etc.

So here's hoping someone can clear up the following:

Will Freeloader work on Wii if playing Cube games?

Suggestions on places to import US Cube games? (I've looked at Play-Asia and Lik-Sang and they have poor US game selections or prices that aren't that much cheaper than Burn.)

Found: http://www.videogamesplus.ca/ recently, they seem pretty decent price wise but has anyone else dealt with them?

admeister

5 years ago

Maybe so, but I'll stick with the PAL version. If they make a Freeloader, it will sell quite well.

cycosippius

5 years ago

Ive just recently bought several cube games via Ebay, from Europe.

So I would try Ebay to buy cube games you should be able to pick them up quite affordable.

Even when the wii, releases in the US online stores will be selling games, so you could probably stilll do that option and it would probably still work out cheaper than PAL releases.

838 La

5 years ago

littlemo wrote

Found: http://www.videogamesplus.ca/ recently, they seem pretty decent price wise but has anyone else dealt with them?

Yeah, I've used it before, pretty good, can't see anything wrong with it. Took abit less then 2 weeks to come though.

Andronicus

5 years ago

Hmm... not the price I was hoping for, but yeah, it's not too bad.

I was going to wait until later next year, and now this course of action is more likely - I want "Super Mario Galaxy" and "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" to be out when I pick up a Wii, so that may not be for some time.

Good to finally get some news on this all though!

theory

5 years ago

littlemo wrote

Suggestions on places to import US Cube games? (I've looked at Play-Asia and Lik-Sang and they have poor US game selections or prices that aren't that much cheaper than Burn.)

Burn? Blah.

www.dvdcrave.com.au if you want an aussie site

videogamesplus is great, fast and reliable (for me at least)

also www.dvdboxoffice.com, they used to have free shipping worldwide, but usually takes a little longer for them to get the items to you

then you always have www.ebgames.com of course

Jabjabs

5 years ago

I okay I got this news at a party last night via the SMS message, lets way I didn't take it to well but I will leave it at that.

In retrospect thanks to this hang over it doesn't seam to bad when you think about it, $400 isn't that much. Sure it could of been at least $50 cheaper but you don't win all the time.

I think I may have to trade in my PSP though for this, later dudes.

Huseyadaddie

5 years ago

So alot of people here think $400 is too expensive.

Just think in a little under 3 months you will get home plug this baby in to your t.v and pick up the control for the first time. You'll whack Zelda: Twilight Princess in to the drive with glee. And when you pull back Link's Bow and Arrow you'll know what pure enjoyment is....and for $400 for the console, is it worth it?

You Better Believe It

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