Nintendo sets Revolution launch price at $99?

by James Ransom-Wiley { Oct 7th 2005 at 11:30AM }

benjamin The latest Nintendo Revolution rumor to hit the web is a doozie… "Nintendo may be aiming for a $99 launch price." Yeah, it's a dirty rumor, but could it be done? Doing so would put the Revolution in a league of its own, practically excusing it from the next-gen battle—it simply wouldn't be competing with the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 if it were wearing a $99 price tag.

We're likely going to see a lot of these rumors popping up in the coming months. Some suggest that rumors like this might be motivated by a desire to discourage prospective Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 buyers. Needless to say, we should take this rumor—and the ones to follow—with a grain of salt.

Update: it's also important to remember that Nintendo doesn't sell its consoles at a loss. If a $99 Revolution is a real possibility, we can expect the system to be only a fraction as powerful as the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360.

[Thanks, Chris]

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

retro @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

"Doing so would put the Revolution in a league of its own, practically excusing it from the next-gen battle�it simply wouldn�t be competing with the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 if it were wearing a $99 price tag."

Hopefully you mean because it would outsell the other two tremendously

retro @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Meanwhile, the odds of this being true are nonexistant

Master Mischief @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

$99 is a rather steep target, but I'd guess the launch price would be between $149.99-$199.99. Otherwise, how would they offset the cost of R&D for their new fangled controller, let alone pay ATI and IBM for all the custom work on the Revo?

I call Bull on this rumor.

pspimp @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

I saw Gameboy Micros at Target the other day for $99...nuff said?

Funk Rock @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

This article shows no bias whatsoever. Nope.

b @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

I agree with #1. Joystiq, what's wrong with you? Your news are becoming very opinionated.

It would sell a lot, but profit margins would diminish a lot... microsoft and sony would have to lower their prices, and that would certainly ruin sony, and microsoft would take a huge hit too.

Anyway, I think it would be possible, but highly unlikely. Nintendo wants profit too, and it will still get it by being cheaper than the other 2. I say it will cost 200-250, tops. And of course, it won't take long to reach 99 dollars, as opposed to PS3 or 360.

funkyflea @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Nintendo do not lose money on consoles, they've always sold for a profit.

oBLIQUE @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

a MICRO GOES FOR $99, THE PRICE THE REV WILL GO ON ITS DEBUT IS PROPBABLY $199. THE HIGHEST I SEE IT GOING IS $249 WITH THE LOWEST BEING WHAT Master Mischief SAID AT $149.99.

White Rose Duelist @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

The Revolution probably won't sell at $99, especially while the Gamecube is as well. However, considering how much less the Rev will cost to manufacture than the Xbox 360 or PS3, they can certainly undercut the price of the other two systems tremendously. If Big N chooses to take a loss on hardware with the intent to recoup in software like Sony and MS do (unlikely), then a $99 price point is not completely farfetched.

PickyPants @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Dudes.

Joystiq is posting a rumor. They didn't write it. Jesus God-Loving Crap! Its an interesting concept to imagine, one of the three coming in at such a lower price. We know its not going to happen. Thats why the writer said,

"Needless to say, we should take this rumor�and the ones to follow�with a grain of salt."

Just read the articles and enjoy them.

djSyndrome @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Glad to know I can always count on Joystiq for my daily dose of bullshit.

Osiris @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Sell it too cheap and people will underestimate it, just like the safety razer. Was sold so cheap when it was first invented that noone bought it because they thought it was cheap rubbish.
Later they rereleased it at a higher price and it caught on.

DG @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

I bought a Gamecube two months ago for $99 and would love to add a matching Revolution (they WILL make a platinum one, right?) for the same price. Go go Nintendo!

knowitall @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

What are you people talking about? Where exactly is the so-called bias? This is a rumor. I come here to learn the latest. I find this very interesting conjecture indeed.

metal_gear_jello @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

99$ is too low, the margins on those would be razor thin. They'd have to selling hundreds of millions to make a sizable profit to offset the R&D.

I suspect fake.

robotplague @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

If this were the case it would be very, very interesting to see all of this unfold. The only things that make me very skeptical is that they launched the GBA Micro for $99 and the DS is $120. Granted they still have a while before launch, but I can't imagine launching a console that's far superior then the aforementioned portables at about the same price range. Even at a $150 price tag I would be blown away. $99 I think is way too optimistic.

doogiestyle @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

oi, umc on the new ninty console is around $180 right now - so expect a $199 - $249 price at launch. more likely $249 when you load in a controller, analog attachment, and 'traditional' controller dock.

Zachary @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Every Nintendo console has launched at the $199(i'm 90% sure I read that somewhere) price point, I expect the revolution to do the same.

Shane @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

I know this isnt true, but if it was, I would guarantee that nintendo revolution would be my next gen system in a heartbeat cause that price is a super sweet one. But alas I know ill be buying it for 200$ at least :(

retro @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

"What are you people talking about? Where exactly is the so-called bias? This is a rumor. I come here to learn the latest. I find this very interesting conjecture indeed."

The bias comes from the following:

At a $350 pricetag for xbox 360 or however much it is, and similar pricing for ps3, James still says that the revolution at $99 would fail. Because, you know, given the option to get a new video game for your kids at $350 or paying $250 less for a different new system, who wouldnt waste the extra $250? Oh wait, the working class, I forgot.

Besides that, what unbiased person would write something about "fanbois" making up rediculous rumors? (I see this has been edited out. Good move trying to cover your ass, James!)

knowitall @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Retro: he never said it would fail. He said it wouldn't be in the same market as the PS3 and Xbox 360. It absolutely would not be. This is pretty simple and unobjectionable.

Blue Balloon @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

I believe that $99.95 would be more reason since it gonna be to sight improve over Gamecube as you can see the beautiful graphic on Resident Evil 4 that any development should know how to create in the 3D environment. The speed and loading does feel right and a little improve would speed up in better way. Since there going to have new controller as Nintendo introduce something different that is something beyond than XBox360 and PS3 are offer in experience of play the game.

blast from the past @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

nintendo never floods the market? really now, have you guys forgotten how they took the market away from atari?

nintendo already did it, why shouldn't they do it again 20 years later.

Arizona Glover @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

"it�s also important to remember that Nintendo doesn�t sell its consoles at a loss"

What ever ?

is @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Nintendo, being in the finacially strong position that they are by virtue of their expert production values and large revenue from first party titles, could possibly afford to cease their 'only selling for profit' stance with revolution, and just sell it for zero profit or at a slight loss.

Iwata has confirmed that the game performance of the big three next gen will be 'diffcult to notice', and we can see this is true from the current performance of the gamecube and xbox. Ive heard that gamcube costs about $70 to make, wheras the xbox is much more expensive to manufacture (you can tell by the size alone) yet their graphical performance is not that far apart (though the xbox is certainly capable of better visuals) Therefore i dont think the reports last comment is accurate, as nintendo have shown this gen that they can put more into a console for less money (by cutting out crap like HDD's or dvd drives)

It would certainly be an interesting event to see nintendo undercut the competition by this much, especially if they can deliever a console thats not drastically underpowered compared to the others, and also has the revolutionary control possibilities. I very very very much hope that this rumour is fruitful.

However, it must be remembered that nintendo always launches their home consoles at $199.99, and that price certainly seems to be more fitting (considering what iwata has claimed the revolution can do)

ROLL ON THIS GEN!!! WOOOOOOOOOOO!

Art Guy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

I don't hate Nintendo but I honestly don't know how anyone can be excited about the Revolution at this point. What do we know?

Number of games announced: 0

Third party support: unknown

HDTV features standard: none

Regular controller: nothing yet shown

If they use the same awful GameCube controller I'm not buying (Z button anybody?). We don't even know what is going to be included, we might only get one controller (regular or the remote style). Just not enough info for me, it's supposed to be all about the games and as of today there are no games. At least MicroSoft and Sony had some games to talk about when they debuted their respective systems.

soco @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

here's a dirty rumor. nintendo is going to give away the revolution for free. i heard this from a very very reliable source. trust me on this one.

knowitall @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

"i dont think the reports last comment is accurate, as nintendo have shown this gen that they can put more into a console for less money (by cutting out crap like HDD's or dvd drives)"

Nintendo's Revolution will have to include a hard drive. How else are you going to play the entire back-catalog of games? It will be built to download and play older Nintendo games.

There is no way that this device is going to sell for $99 unless it is VASTLY underpowered.

hpr-gamer @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

If the Revolution does launch at $99 (or some where under $200) that would be huge. We could see a repeat of when Sega struggled with the Saturn launch that went on sale for $399 and the PlayStation came into the market below that price point.

It will come down to ease of game development, and if the games are fun and inovative as the controller idea. We could see the market share change. I just don't see enough difference between current-gen and next-gen by Microsoft and Sony to run out and pay for a new consule and the estimated cost per game. Only time will tell which one of the companies had the best overall strategy.

Scott @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

"Nintendo's Revolution will have to include a hard drive. How else are you going to play the entire back-catalog of games? It will be built to download and play older Nintendo games."

I believe the Revolution is supposed to come with at least 512MB of onboard flash memory. I'd also imagine that the ubiquitous memory cards would be used as well.

is @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Knowitall, change ur name man.

I was talking about in the GAMECUBE/XBOX era, was that not clear from the post?

I have no idea what production values will be applied this gen, i was pointing out the fact that IN THE PAST nintendo has been able to equal(ish) graphical performance with other, more expensive consoles by cutting out non essential features.

Im sure that this gen they can do the same, and i dont think its impossible to think that they may just be able to deliever this price point.

Thats my opinion, but before you critisise it next time, make the effort to understand it. Read the paragraph again. Then go stand in the corner.

Apoklypse @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

The only consoles that were not sold at a loss were the GameCube (which started at a $7 loss when it was first released I believe) and the redesigned top-loading NES. Why do people keeping acting like Nintendo has NEVER sold a console at a loss?

It is the nature of the videogame market, you lose money on the console, while you recoup from game sales, and if successful, eventually profit.

Now granted there has never been a generation where Nintendo hadn't turned a profit based off of net console and game sales. Maybe thats the confusion.

Marc @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Some of you are forgetting that the Gamecube was the first console Nintendo sold for a loss. It didn't take them long for them to get back in the black with it, but they weren't always making a profit with a sale of a Gamecube.

And I think they almost have to sell it for $99 or at max $149. Its just so different that they have to make it available for cheap so people don't feel they are making such a big risk.

Nicholas @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

"Nintendo's Revolution will have to include a hard drive. How else are you going to play the entire back-catalog of games? It will be built to download and play older Nintendo games."

Ummm, no, no, no. Try Flash memory. They've already stated that about a gajillion times. Hard drives are so 20th century.

I don't buy the $99 price for one moment, but $149 would be nice (still wishful thinking). I wonder which will cost more to produce the DS or the Revolution. It seems at some point consoles have to become cheaper than handhelds.

Vincent @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

As a graphic designer, I COULD price my work below market value and still make a profit. However, clients know the accepted sandard prices of websites, posters, etc. To price my work below standards would suggest that I undervalued my work--and therefore I'd get clients that undervalued my work as well. I wouldn't be taken seriously by fellow designers or (potentially high-paying) clients, and thefore a lower price point, though it might get me more work, does more harm than good.

Similar case with the revo. Nintendo has said that it's going to be at least four times more powerful graphically than the gamecube. They're just now selling the GCN (and now the Micro) at $99, making that pricetag a highly unlikely one.

Besides that, with a $99 pricetag, it could be argued that people wouldn't value the console as much, opting for the more expensive and therefore "better" systems which, consumers percieve, would give more bang for buck. Perceived value is a big deal, and is arguably more important than ACTUAL value.

If Nintendo is going to price their product below their competitors, it's going to have to be just the right amount; take it too low and poeple don't take it seriously, and make it too high and people say "for a couple more bucks, I could get the more powerful 360 or PS3". It's a dance.

$99 isn't going to happen. They have deep pockets, but they're not stupid.

Jules @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

$99 for the revolution, another $99 for the controller.

Nuff said.

Jonathan Harford @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

While $100 is a little too low to believe, I can see Nintendo giving us a cheap console that's only marginally better than the GameCube, in terms of processing power.

They're banking EVERYTHING on their new control scheme and that the games that will be created for it for it will more than make up for slightly dated graphics.

Jonathan Harford @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Also: What's with this "$99" malarky? "$99" really means "$99.99" which equals (for all intents and purposes) $100.

I can't stand that ubiquitous jedi mind trick, intent on making you think it's an ORDER OF MAGNITUDE less than a $100 console.

Let's call a spade a spade, okay?

Mephy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

"What do we know?"
More than you do, Art Guy.

"Number of games announced: 0"

Mario, Zelda, Smash Bros., Animal Crossing, Donkey Kong, Metroid Prime 3, FF:CC... ALL confirmed to be in development.

"Third party support: unknown"

Square Enix, Ubisoft, Koei, LucasArts, Bandai Namco Group, Konami, Activision, THQ, Sega, Natsume and EA have ALL confirmed development for Revolution is underway. You lose.

"HDTV features standard: none"

Progressive scan is standard for all games, anything else is "unknown", since IGNCube claims Nintendo is still reviewing their decision about HDTV.

"Regular controller: nothing yet shown"

SO?! The only genre you couldn't replicate properly with this new controller is fighting games, and even that I can't be sure of.

Needless to say, you lose.

ANYWAYS, to the topic at hand, while I have no doubt Rev will hit market for a very low price, $99 is just not feasible. $149 is more believable, but I'd still put my money down on a $199 pricetag.

Richard @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

I think you've hit the nail on the head here Vincent. $99 is just too cheap to be taken seriously. $199, or even $249 if MS/Sony release around $350 would work very well.

Remember, no kid wants to wear "generic" jeans. No kid wants to play "generic" video games either.

Vincent @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

I totally agree, Mr. Harford. Having worked retail for awhile, it always cracked me up when people would see a pricetag of $39.99 and still say it costs them $39. A surprising number of people did that. People think they're paying less when you chop off a few cents to make it less then a nice, round number--in this case, $100. That extra zero makes a large psychological difference.

Take2 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

That doesn't even cover the cost of components and marketing. And no way it's cheaper than the DS.

Nintendo would have to take on debt to pull off such a move. Nintendo has never struck me as one to lose money. They'll price the console higher and then work their way down as manufacturing costs improve.

$99 is somebody's wishful thinking.

Josh @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

So it's impossible to produce a next-gen console for less than $99? You guys need a better understanding of how economics work. Price isn't related to cost it is the relation between supply and demand. You release a product at a high price while demand is high and once your production catches up with demand you can start rolling the price back. Nintendo would be dodging this strategy in hopes of stealing some sales.

That's only half of the argument however. Stop worrying about how many inverse bump-mapped pixels a system can push and start worrying about the quality of the fucking games.

sjenky @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Well, nintendo has stated a couple of times that they really want to appeal to non-gamers too, and would sell the revolution at a low price to win them over (would you spend 300+ bucks on something you know little about ?)A $99 pricepoint doesn't sound THAT farfetched.. but I'm guessing 149 aint too shabby either.. :)

J @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Nah its gonna be at least $200+. Just look how much the GCN was when it came out.

Embassy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

nintendo isnt trying to battle MS or Sony head on cuz they know they wud be crushed..so theyre just banking that people pick up a Revolution as a compliment to thier 360 or PS3..

J @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

To * 25 Art Guy.

Sounds to me like you have some angst torwards Nintendo. I'll tell YOU EXACTLY WHY WE ALL SHOULD BE EXCITED ABOUT THE REVOLUTION :

Number of games . SO WHAT IF NINTENDO HAVEN'T SHOWN ANY GAMES YET, ( heard of the expression ' don't put all your eggs in one basket).

They showed the console unit at E3, knowing full well that MS and Sony would have revealed their consoles and games line up. A bold move for Nintendo, allow the competion to reaveal what they have knowing that as everyone expected graphic updates of games, don't get me wrong , eye watering graphics but nothing to play.

Nintendo haven't shown anything yet because they want EVERYONES first impression to be lasting, and it will be.

Third party support . Hmmmmm, last time I checked was Konami head rep was excitment torwards the new REV controller. Since them Nintendo have recieved strong praises on its new idea, revealing plenty a possibility of what can be done AND what we all could expect.
Just BECAUSE you haven't heard any concrete evidence doesn't mean the support isn't there.

The supports there YOU just refuse to believe it. BELIEVE IT.

HD TV features standard. Whether the disc will support HD doesn't matter for me and SHOULDN'T matter to anyone else. Graphics today are wicked , anyways Nintendo haven't shown ALL their specs or information yet.

lastly, REGULAR CONTROLLER ?? HASN'T REVEALED IT YET ?????? Patients boi, when it will come it will come.

Or, as far as the gamecubes controller being ' ugly ' rubbish. the controller was built to gear to simplify yet reinvent the N64 joypad and has achieved it well, and thats what the big N does ....

.... Innovate and re-educate : )

HELL, if were talking ' ugly ' have you seen the PS3's controller, I love Sony and hold them to the greatest of respect but DDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM !!!!!