Not-so Classic Wii downloads less than $10 [update 1]

by Ross Miller { Jun 8th 2006 at 12:30AM }

Also mentioned in yesterday's Famitsu report, alongside the DS-Wii connectivity, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed the pricing for Nintendo Wii's downloadable service. According to Iwata, ~~classic~~ new games will be priced between 500 and 1,000 yen, or roughly $4.50 to $8.99 for US Wii owners (although it will likely translate to $5 to $10). As Ars Technica points out, Xbox Live titles are similarily priced between $5 and $12.50.

[Thanks, Chris Maguire and Xaeser]

[update 1: As many of you have frequently pointed out, the price is actually for new titles, and our source mistranslated the piece. We checked with other sites to verify, and you guys are right -- we goofed. The mistake has been fixed, sorry for the egregious error, and sorry it took so long to update -- I was asleep.]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

jOEfRO @ Jun 8th 2006 12:35AM

not too shabby but not many live arcade games cost that much or any of the classic live arcade games

Cosmos @ Jun 8th 2006 12:38AM

I think that site misinterpreted Iwata's comments. Iwata actually said, "We'd like people to play new, low-scale games for 500 yen or 1,000 yen." (bold mine)

Chris @ Jun 8th 2006 12:39AM

I read a different translation somewhere, in which Iwata stated that new games would be at that price-point, but that the classic game's price had yet to be announced.

Brad Lee @ Jun 8th 2006 12:42AM

I hope games cost more/less depending on which system they originated from. I think $5-$10 for N64 games is a bargain, but five smackers for an NES game? It's not bad, but I don't think I'd buy too many NES games for 5 bucks... then again, I did buy Joust on XBLA (kinda regretted that decision though).

The Virtual Console has a lot of potential... lets just hope it lives up to the hype. I loved Geometry Wars on XBLA, and I can't even imagine some of the crazy Arcade games independent developers and big name companies alike can make with the Wiimote.

Sam @ Jun 8th 2006 12:45AM

jOEfRO - Yes, XBL Arcade titles are priced in that range. If you do the conversion from MS Points to actual dollars, most XBLA titles cost about $5.

I wouldn't hold out much hope for putting classic titles on the DS. It has next to nothing in terms of internal memory and if the demos are any indication, it's only temporary memory. Once your DS turned off, the game would be gone anyway.

n8dogg @ Jun 8th 2006 12:45AM

I still haven't received and answer to this question...

Will SNES titles that aren't Nintendo first party titles be featured in the virtual console?? I mean games like Chrono Trigger (which is mentioned in this article) or Earthworm Jim.

James @ Jun 8th 2006 12:51AM

The most expensive Xbox Live games cost 800 points. That could translate to $12.50 if you paid $25 for 1600 points. If you bought your 1600 points from Ebgames for $19.99, 800 points would only equate to $10. It'll be even cheaper if you bought the points from Wally World.

Crazylink @ Jun 8th 2006 12:53AM

I was hoping for something more like 2 dollars each.

I'm guessing that Nintendo will have Game Boy games for sale to which you can buy and download to a special memory cartride fo rthe DS.

gopodular.com @ Jun 8th 2006 12:54AM

I think they should keep the price ~$5.00

It's not like it really has a cost associated with it if it's downloaded. Bandwidth is dirt *dirt* cheap. If they put too many titles up ~$10.00, people will just go the emulator route.

n8dogg @ Jun 8th 2006 12:54AM

Oh, and just wanted to say that any price below the 20 some-odd bucks that Nintendo asked for their NES re-releases on the GBA is absolutely fine with me.

Holy hell.

James @ Jun 8th 2006 12:54AM

Oops, Bankshot Billiards 2 cost 1200 points. That equates about $12 at the cheapest.

vidGuy @ Jun 8th 2006 1:02AM

I believe the translation that this is for NEW games (Indie games or small side projects).

Nintendo isn't really losing anything by selling past games cheap, or giving them away. The best marketing device would be to package a download with each new game (Mario Bros with Super Mario Galaxy, Super Metroid with Metroid Prime 3). Then you'd have more people paying $50 for the package of new and old.

I still think that NES and SNES games will sell for between $1 and $5. They'd lose out on a lot of sales by overpricing the wares.

sabre @ Jun 8th 2006 1:02AM

"any of the classic live arcade games"

...but there are less then a dozen of those so right from the get-go Nintendo will have more titles (even with all the new ones announced at E3.)

*SIGH*

Why is that when ANY company from Japan announces the price of something people automatically convert it to USD and take it as if the OFFICIAL price was also announced for the US? I swear...this is how false information gets spread and then people end up being convinced it was 100% truth.

Sam @ Jun 8th 2006 1:07AM

n8dogg - To answer your question, just remember that Sega Genesis games will be featured on the Virtual Console, along with indie games. I think it's safe to say that it's just up to the developer; not Nintendo. If Square feels like putting Chrono Trigger on the VC then it will be there, but there is a chance that they'll decide not to.
Start your petitions now.

Pixelbox @ Jun 8th 2006 1:09AM

If I was in charge of the pricing, I'd make it as attractive as possible. Just enough to cover bandwidth and such. Nintendo needs to make the virtual console a killer feature that makes everyone want a Wii, and not so much a revenue stream--particularily in light of the fact that many people know about emulators and ROMS for their desktop systems.

I don't know. I was just thinking itunes pricing. 10 bucks seems kind of high for a lot of titles.

obo @ Jun 8th 2006 1:13AM

"10 bucks seems kind of high for a lot of titles."

Online multiplayer Secret of Mana? You could call me Aaron Burr...

sabre @ Jun 8th 2006 1:17AM

"people know about emulators and ROMS for their desktop systems."

Computer tech geeks and the "average joe" user are too different things though. My 22 year old sister isn't a gamer but when she asked about how much a Playstation was, I told her about what the Wii can do with NES and SNES games and she was highly interested. I'd also like to add that she doesn't even know what a ROM or emulator is despite having a brother who's been playing games since she was still in diapers.

sabre @ Jun 8th 2006 1:26AM

...plus if you going to send an "average joe" computer user to a ROM website you might as well give the number of the nearest computer repair shop. Those website are always loaded with popups and sneaky attempts at installing spyware.

jOEfRO @ Jun 8th 2006 1:52AM

sabre you sure do like negative stars huh

duscrom @ Jun 8th 2006 1:59AM

From what I've seen, Virtual Console is just Emulation.. similar to Gametap. But XBLA actually rebuilds the games to run in HD and have online play.

Nintendo isn't very well known for their online support.

T-BAG @ Jun 8th 2006 2:04AM

5-10 dollars for each game? That's down-right insane. Nintendo just messed up a huge feature for me for the Wii. That's almost enough for me to re-think my wii60 combo and go PS3 and 360 instead.

5-10 dollars for 20 year old games, wtf.

sabre @ Jun 8th 2006 2:12AM

@ jOEfRO:

What exactly was wrong with my post? I just made the point that the way he was seeing it was incorrect by assuming that all people know about ROMS and emulators (which they don't) and I gave an example (plus what I said ROM sites having popups is 100% truth.)

Plus my comment about what you said earlier is true as well...the amount of XBL Arcade games (if you add up all the classic coin-op, puzzle, etc.) won't even be nearly as much as what Nintendo will offer...and I own a 360 (I'm playing Hexic HD as we speak) and there aren't many XBL games for it.

Linkman2004 @ Jun 8th 2006 2:14AM

I would never in a billion years pay 5-10 dollars for an NES game. I think I'll just settly with Console Classix.

BPM? @ Jun 8th 2006 2:15AM

Duscrom - How can you say that? Noone even knows what Virtual Console will offer when it's all done with.

Online multiplayer is still a possibility, even if the titles are emulated (and from what I saw at E³, emulated quite well!). Many PC emulators have online play, so I don't see why Nintendo couldn't do it with VC.

And bringing up HD conversion is a moot point, since Wii won't even have HD output (at least, not so far. Unless Nintendo decides to change something before the release).

sabre @ Jun 8th 2006 2:17AM

That statement:

"5-10 dollars for each game? That's down-right insane. Nintendo just messed up a huge feature for me for the Wii. That's almost enough for me to re-think my wii60 combo and go PS3 and 360 instead.

5-10 dollars for 20 year old games, wtf."

...just proved what I said earlier:

"Why is that when ANY company from Japan announces the price of something people automatically convert it to USD and take it as if the OFFICIAL price was also announced for the US? I swear...this is how false information gets spread and then people end up being convinced it was 100% truth."

@ Duscrom:

You make it sound like Nintendo has officially stated what the VC games will be capable of doing...which they haven't. Let's not jump to conlusions about the VC like people are already doing with the pricing for the games in JAPAN and not the US/UK.

JJ @ Jun 8th 2006 2:19AM

T-Bag... did you even bother to read the other comments? 5-10 dollars is exactly how much games on XBL are as well generally speaking.

For instance i just bought a 1600pt card. Uno was 400pts. that equates to 1/4 of my points so about 5 dollars. and some cost around 800pts which is 10 dollars. So it's just as expensive on XBL to DL stuff too.

Here's the kicker though theme sets and gamer pictures cost about 150 points... so basically i'm paying just about 1.50 for a background set... now thats crazy.

But yeah...read a bit before you spout off about something. How is it insane for Nintendo yet ok for MS?

mnugghuhx @ Jun 8th 2006 2:21AM

Wow, T-bag, its not that big of a deal. you could by 60 games for 10 bucks instead of a ps3. 60. and thats a ps3 without any games (or a wiimote, or any classic games for that matter) which are 60 bucks a piece. New games being 60 bucks is a rip off you should be pissed about. I'll pay 10 bucks for goldeneye, its worth it. 600 bucks for a system? 60 bucks for a game? wtf.

T-BAG @ Jun 8th 2006 2:26AM

JJ, that's basically why I haven't spent a penny for anything on the XBLM. If Nintendo jumps on that bandwagon then it's going to fail as well in that department, or at least it is for me.

I think I might just download a ROM out of spite.

bv @ Jun 8th 2006 2:28AM

1 cheap ass computer < $300
1 decent usb joypad

bv @ Jun 8th 2006 2:31AM

uhh... sorry let me start that over again...

1 cheap ass computer < $300
1 decent usb joypad < $20
1 vga to component/rca cable to output to tv < $10
thousands of roms and emulators....free

I choose computer.

L @ Jun 8th 2006 2:40AM

NEW GAMES are gonna cost 500 to 1000 Yen. NEW GAMES! Jostiq crew need to update this post.

And the 500 to 1000 Yen price is an estimate for Japan. Remember, prices in Japan tend to be higher than those here in the US. I'm guessing the US price will be closer to $2.99 for the lower end games.

Paul @ Jun 8th 2006 2:45AM

"20. From what I've seen, Virtual Console is just Emulation.. similar to Gametap. But XBLA actually rebuilds the games to run in HD and have online play.

Nintendo isn't very well known for their online support.

Posted at 1:59AM on Jun 8th 2006 by duscrom"

http://www.nintendowifi.com/

You are a few months late.

sabre @ Jun 8th 2006 2:45AM

WOW so there is someone smart enough to figure out that you can't do a Yen to USD conversion and get the price of what it will be in the US.

At least someone is thinking...

Paul @ Jun 8th 2006 2:46AM

"30. uhh... sorry let me start that over again...

1 cheap ass computer < $300
1 decent usb joypad < $20
1 vga to component/rca cable to output to tv < $10
thousands of roms and emulators....free

I choose computer."

I would change the word free for illegal, but that's just me.

EP @ Jun 8th 2006 2:54AM

Hmm...Looks like they are going the Apple route with the design and all. Why not $0.99 like itunes!

sabre @ Jun 8th 2006 3:04AM

haha....99 cent games would be awesome!

Pixelbox @ Jun 8th 2006 3:06AM

I agree with EP on the itunes comparison. itunes succeeded so well because people viewed the price--less than a dollar--as just a throwaway purchase, like grabbing a soda at the gas station. But all those little dollar purchases add up. (Just ask Coca-Cola.) Five or ten dollars feels like you're making a bigger decision (even if you don't do it as often as an itune song). I think Nintendo would do better to lower the price enough so that people don't even really think about spending the money.

sabre @ Jun 8th 2006 3:11AM

That would be be dangerous b/c then I would go broke buying all those awesome games. LOL

rhork. @ Jun 8th 2006 3:22AM

the thing is with this buying games for download is that I just feel uneasy having bought a product that isn't physical. I might settle for something big like geometry wars, but other than that- it'll be a rare occasion that i buy a download.

unless it's simply unique and only obtainable through this download service (another reference to geometry wars)... i'm never going to spend money on a product that is only temporary. so, as far as the above exmaples go- earthbound, chrono trigger, etc - i'd prefer picking myself up a refurbished console or the more logical route(for me anyway)- roms.

Alkaiser @ Jun 8th 2006 3:38AM

$12? I don't think any game costs that much on live, with the exception of Bankshot Billiards which has an inflated value so you feel like you actually get something worthwhile out of that stupid $69.99 12-month Live Kit they sell as a bundle. In any case, Bankshot Billiards is 1200 points, which, at the standard Microsoft rate of $1.25 per 100 points comes out to $15.

Other than that, the most expensive games I've seen on XBLA are 800 points ($10), and those are new games, not the older ones. The old school ones are usually about 400, or $5.25.

I don't think Nintendo can afford to be undercut byt the guys at Microsoft, any they may just charge the higher price in Japan. (where the 360's continued unpopularity gives them a virtual locked-in market.)

just me @ Jun 8th 2006 3:42AM

well I have been playing hundreds of classic nintendo, gameboy and sega games on my computer, xbox and now psp. These cost me nothing so weather they are 0.99 or $5 I am not going to get any. Now ROMS maybe illegal depending on who you ask. Some say since you can't buy the games then the roms are ok. Some say they that all roms are wrong regardless. But I really don't care one way or the other I just like the games. So the Wii having classic games is not really a selling point for me. I'll just wait until they have some cool looking Wii games.

sabre @ Jun 8th 2006 3:45AM

I'd also like to add that after playing the Bankshot Billards demo...it is not worth the 1200 points and is in fact a really crappy game.

Iwata Miyamoto @ Jun 8th 2006 4:22AM

$10 is too much for nes or snes for me anyway, I'm not willing to buy it. I mean if its it $10 for a gamecube game or maybe even n64 game, if the prices vary and go up for each generation then I could understand that. It'll be interesting how this fares with the ps1 electronic distribution on psp by sony, I assume there's the same thing with ps3 with previous ps1 or ps2 downloads.

Ianc02 @ Jun 8th 2006 4:45AM

Well over here in UK, we dont know prices yet. So lets assume that it will be between £5 and £10. Would i buy Mario Bros 3 for a 5'er? Hell yes. Would i give Square a tenner of my hard earned for SoMana/Evermore, Chrono Trigger etc? F*** hell yes. These are benchmark classic 10/10 awesome pieces of software that are easily worth those assumed prices. Ok some games wont be worth the cost.

As for roms, i have over 700 and they suck to be honest. Better to play them as they were intended to be played.Emus are not perfect on PC.

Jay @ Jun 8th 2006 5:11AM

Ianc02 - my sentiments exactly. I already own Mario Bros 3 and the GB remake. But I would gladly pay another fiver for the game, permanently etched into my Wii.

Illegal Roms are stupid. Rom users are stupid. It's not a thing for gamers to do, gamers will go out and spend every penny on rare and brilliant NES and Snes games floating about. The hunters. People who live and breathe games. Roms are just for cheapskates. probably played by tramps. I'm not a tramp. dammit.

Herold @ Jun 8th 2006 5:30AM

#40: No, ROMs of commercial games are illegal, no matter what (unless release by the owner). It is copyright infringement at its worst. It doesn't matter if the game is not widely available. Whoever owns the rights to the game, decided it to be so.

It's the same excuse people use to justify abandonware - it is still piracy.

Exo @ Jun 8th 2006 5:31AM

and still nobody has listend to thae fact that the site linked translated it wrong.

5-10 dollars is for new games made to download, there still is no word on Virtual console game price, but with new games costing 5-10, id say its a safe bet to think that the classic downloads will be less.