Wii launch date Nov. 6 says SI for Kids

by Joystiq Staff { Jul 2nd 2006 at 8:40PM }

Perhaps not the most natural place you'd find such a scoop, but according to the latest issue of Sports Illustrated for Kids the launch date for the Nintendo Wii is November 6. As proof, someone was kind enough to send Go Nintendo some blurry pics of the issue with the release date included. As if that weren't enough, the site Cubed3 is reporting that an unnamed "industry source" has said the same date.

According to this "source": "So, at the moment Nintendo are aiming to launch the Wii on November 6th."

Now, the Cubed3 thing is a bit of a stretch, to say the least, but seeing the date in print for a somewhat reputable publication is another thing. There has yet to be official word, but November 6 would make sense for Nintendo, who's looking to hit shelves before the PlayStation 3.

[Thanks, Alexis]

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Marc @ Jul 2nd 2006 8:43PM

That seems like a plausible release date for the Wii.

C. Grant @ Jul 2nd 2006 8:44PM

First National Geographic Kids, now SI Kids? This ain't helping shake that kiddie image Nintendo.

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/07/magazine-reveals-revolution-details-zelda-super-smash-bros-d/

Adam @ Jul 2nd 2006 8:46PM

Now let's see a price already......sheesh

Tony Franco @ Jul 2nd 2006 8:57PM

I was under the impression that Sports Illustrated for Kids was a sporting magazine for children, not a gossip column for dorks.

Paul @ Jul 2nd 2006 8:58PM

Because a sports magazine for children is a less ludicrious concept.

Uncle Fester @ Jul 2nd 2006 9:00PM

Reply to # 1 they dont need to shake the kiddie image the kids are going to detrimin how we play games in the future and Ninty knows that. And haveing a kiddie image sure as hell isnt gonna hurt there sales eather if anyting it will futher there sales

Pretty Obvious @ Jul 2nd 2006 9:13PM

Nintendo doesnt wanna shake that kiddie image. Its what made them rich all these years. Take a look at the Wii, the name, the price, the games, the controller. This is what kids will be jumping for this Christmas, and what parents will be relieved about when they see a $600 price tag on the PS3.

Jedediah Johnson @ Jul 2nd 2006 9:15PM

They kiddy image sure didn't help them this gen. So why would it magically stop hurting their sales next gen? Kids may be the future but kids aren't exactly going nuts over games like Wind Waker. Their playing GTA, Halo, and anything their big bro buys.

HotShotX @ Jul 2nd 2006 9:17PM

So, who's ready to sleep with a Nintendo rep to get some REAL information?

~HotShotX

iceatcs @ Jul 2nd 2006 9:18PM

Very true #4

Remember Wii is for toy.

Exo @ Jul 2nd 2006 9:27PM

Its funny how the people saying ninnteod is kiddy, make wii jokes still.

Seriously though, if all you look for in games is how adult it is, then you have bad taste in games, cause with few exceptions, the more "mature" games are pure crap, because the mature aspect is all thats selling the game.

If a game is fun, then its fun. Doesnt matter how much blood, or how many bright colord talking creatures with giant cute eyes. Its either a good game or a bad game, age appropreation has nothing to do with it.

And most of the time, the people that play mature only, are anything but mature.

Franky Digital @ Jul 2nd 2006 9:36PM

http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/324AM190606_power_addlow.jpg

Warp_the_frenchie @ Jul 2nd 2006 9:37PM

this date is false !

all nintendo's games and systems are released on friday... and this since dragon quest III on NES !

so it's another rumor

iceatcs @ Jul 2nd 2006 9:41PM

Who say adult game is better?
What about froggy? what about Loco Roco? what about ....etc

Wii may have better gameplay but I cannot see if I want to play updated Mario 64 or Zelda 64 myself again.

Of course I will buy Wii but only for just those sport party game if the remote controller not too expensive.

I think Wii should forget more about family/friends reunion thing. I'm rather they should force more on online gaming because we cannot have friends in the house all the time.

skullivan @ Jul 2nd 2006 9:41PM

The date is definitely false but all Nintendo systems are released on Sunday's (at least here in the US). Games are released (shipped) on Monday's.

Regardless though, right around Nov. 6th is a pretty solid guess. It'll be the last week of October or the first week of November.

DarknessRises @ Jul 2nd 2006 9:44PM

#13, my friend, you are quite wrong. I believe the last nintendo launch was on a Sunday. June 11th. DS LITE!!!

sigloiv @ Jul 2nd 2006 9:45PM

What's the big deal with release dates anyways? I mean, we all know it's shipping in October or November (before Thanksgiving), so why do we care about the exact date. We're all buying one, it'll be $250 dollars max, and it will most likely kick ass. End of story.

Franky Digital @ Jul 2nd 2006 9:53PM

"What's the big deal with release dates anyways? I mean, we all know it's shipping in October or November (before Thanksgiving), so why do we care about the exact date. We're all buying one, it'll be $250 dollars max, and it will most likely kick ass. End of story."

We care because then we can make countdown widgets for Konfab. Duh.

Flack_The_Jack @ Jul 2nd 2006 10:03PM

I'm surprised a magazine dedicated to motivating kids to get outside and do...sports-like things...is promoting a product that will pretty much make kids stay inside and sit on the couch.

As far as the release date is concerns, the earlier the better. It does sound pretty possible to release at that time, especially (I'm assuming) if the Wii is easier/cheaper to manufacture than the PS3. IF the PS3 hits at such and such date, I'm willin' to wager on the Wii releaseing first, period. But that's my way of thinking.

I don't care if they have a kid image or not. So long as games come out on the system that I'll enjoy then I'll buy.

Bshak @ Jul 2nd 2006 10:08PM

umm... I love Joystiq and read it almost every day... but this isn't news... About a week ago, an EB Games employee told me it'd be out on Nov. 6.

DMON @ Jul 2nd 2006 10:38PM

exo deserves a star

iceatcs @ Jul 2nd 2006 10:41PM

http://www.bleacheatingfreaks.com/makeacountdown/?id=205774

Wow it is most ugly website I've ever seen since 1998

georgedakota @ Jul 2nd 2006 10:49PM

You know what, regardless what anyone in here will admit to... nintendo is a kiddy image company and if you deny it then you are too dumb to live with us normal people. Ok and to the person who said kiddy games are better and mature games usually suck... ok lets see halo,gta(is fun no matter what anyone says),resident evil 4,half life 2,ghost recon aw,battlefield 2 are all great games that wont come out on nintendo wii and the list goes on and one but i do have a life. My point is nothing is wrong with mario,zelda and metriod and in fact they are great games. But nintendo CANNOT carry a console with just first party games no matter how good at it they are and they surely cant carry wii without games like the ones i mentioned in this article. There is a huge market for adult titles like this and wii will sell good with kids and children and women but us older people will prefer xbox 360 and ps3 if your crazy rich. And if you prefer wii and are lets say over 25 let me ask you something.. do you also like poodles, elton john,clay and cher??

Mosher @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:00PM

So... "kids" magazine makes it look a bit more kiddie, eh?

Hmm. You know, tell me if it's just me, but I think I may have just caught a glimpse of a little thing I like to call the PS3 riding glamorously atop those blurry, yet seemingly condemned pages.

Give up on the kiddie deal. Sheesh.

And somebody throw Exo a star, +1 DMON.

R0DJOh @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:06PM

No.22: YOU FAIL.

striderhayasa @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:11PM

Wow, Nintendo carried two consoles with first party development, three if you count the DS up until 9 months ago. Still profitable too.

Since when is metroid kiddie? It's a sad world we live in when people have to use video games to feel manly. "I can't played Mario because its gay." "I can play GTA though because it's mature and manly." The camera sucks, the character models stink, the animation is putrid and the lock on feature still doesn't quite work. But it's a great game because everyone says it is and we can shoot innocent people in the face.

Hey, One man's quality entertainment is another man's garbage. To each his own.

mikey @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:12PM

#22, elton john rocks...cher, not so much

the kiddy vs. adult thing doesnt really affect me. I don't like certain genres, styles, or ESRB ratings, i like certain games from all genres, styles, and ratings. I don't like GTA, but i loved Resident Evil, and I didn't care for Nintendogs but I really liked Princess Peach. All that matters is if it entertains me.

Sean DL @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:34PM

Nintendo is a lot like Disney. When People think of Disney they always go with Mickey, Donald and all that kiddie stuff. But Like Nintendo they do a lot of other stuff that isn't so "kiddie". It may not get that much mainstream attention, it is critically acclaimed and win awards.

The only difference is Nintendo is profitable, Disney..not so much..They lsot there oscars winners...but Pixar is trying to change that.

Dux @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:35PM

Ok..Its not Nintendos kiddie image that downed it this generation, it was its lack of 3rd party support.Thats what I think. And with the kiddie image, I really dont give a shit, a game doesent have to be violent to be fun, and I can look past their 'kiddie image', and if some people are REALLY 'mature' they would look past that image and get a WII!! VIVA LA Wii!

November 6th is on a Monday by the way...just saying

embassy @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:39PM

anyone who denies nintendos kiddy image is just plain lying to themselves..its plain as day...

is that a problem?...no..who the hell cares...its nintendo...no one will ever take them seriously
if they tried to change thier image...like joey fatone...or lil bow wow.

they have a strong niche market and a strong family
market...theres nothing wrong with that...they dont wanna fight MS or SONY over ther hardcore gamers and the teenage gamers...

with all that said..i dont see the Wii doing much better than the gamecube...which isnt neccessarily a bad thing depending on your outlook...

molecule @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:46PM

Nintendo's goal for the Wii is to make it the "Pixar" of the videogame industry by appealing to EVERYONE; why do some people have a problem with that?

RB @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:54PM

"with all that said..i dont see the Wii doing much better than the gamecube...which isnt neccessarily a bad thing depending on your outlook."

Considering Iwata said if Wii didn't sell more than GC it would be a complete failure, I'm pretty sure its a "bad" thing if it doesn't do better than gamecube.

David @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:55PM

at # 22

Resdident evil 4 came out on gamecube BEFORE it came out on PS2

idioteraser @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:56PM

The PS2 has far more so called kiddie games then the gamecube by a factor of ten. The xbox had Barbie Horse Adventures. Look at those PS2 games based on children's books.

Kiddie is a made up word as so called gamers use it. Kiddie in the dictionary is actually a word used to describe a small child. How is Nintendo a small child?

Resident Evil 4 and every Resident Evil game would have come out for a a Nintendo platform if the creator had his way. Same deal with the Metal Gear creator and dozens of other franchises.

If not for the PS1 and PS2 installed base 99% of the games would have come to a Nintendo platform.

Greg @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:56PM

I applaud No 22 There was nothing "manly" about a purple lunch box and even snes palette was a lil on the softer side....And no games dont make you manly. As an adult you should IMO enjoy more complex scenrios. as the book say "When i was a child i played as a child. now that i am a man i put away childish things". Say what you want but mario yu Gi oh and pokemon seems just a little childish to me....And to No25 your a remarkable idiot. Who said that GTA was "cool" because of its violence....how about you're in an open end world and can do whatever you want with 50+ hours worth of gameplay, and all that without being linear....You sound like sound like one of the same people that chant that graphics doesnt a good game good........oh about the report....who give's a F--K

1up_clock @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:59PM

People STILL think Nintendo is kiddy, and STILL find that a negative aspect?

"I can't play New Super Mario Bros., because it has an E rating. Now, GTA, that has an M rating, therefore it is much, much more fun."

Seriously, games shouldn't be more mature to be fun. Just look at Shadow the Hedgehog. They took a crappy game, tacked on needless language, gunplay, and somehow making Rogue the Bat even MORE of a lady of the night, and the game just felt worse.

But, yeah, the fact that somehow Sports Illustrated (for Kids even) and an "industry source" got ahold of this info is a tad questionable.

nambit @ Jul 3rd 2006 12:01AM

Sorry guys, but *YOU* are the only ones who gave Nintendo the "kiddy" image. Videogames are for everyone, and many of nintendo's games are geared as such. Bright colours and such are not "kiddy" but it's been the hallmark of videogames for years. Only spoiled KIDS who have been recently introduced to videogames within the last 10 years wouldn't know that. Are you one?

It's irritating to see how some of *YOU* resort to labelling when discussing videogames. It's very ignorant to label stuff that isn't "M"ature as kiddy, and then flog it around in such a negative fashion. Super mario and such are *NOT* kiddie, neither is zelda, neither is Metroid, neither is advance wars, neither is Mariokart, neither is Warioware, neither is Pikman, Animal Crossing, Starfox, etc. Sure, some have cute characters in them, but might I remind you that cute characters have always been in videogames, even the violent ones. Give this crap a rest.

1up_clock @ Jul 3rd 2006 12:03AM

Oh, and idioteraser, despite your lack of a star, you bring up a good point. Let me compliment it with this:

At least Nintendo's little purple box hasn't been tainted by the likes of 50 Cent and 25 To Life.

Zachary Hinchliffe @ Jul 3rd 2006 12:05AM

I hope you guys realize that this fight is NEVER GOING TO END. There is no reasonable way for either side to prove the other side wrong, you'll just keep arguing. Compare any two posts from the "kiddy is dumb" side, or any two posts from the "who cares about kiddy" side. They're alike. You need to stop the needless bitching and moaning.

(Also, I am on the "who cares about kiddy" side, but I enjoyed Shadow the Hedgehog and thought the combat actually added a bit of depth to a one-dimensional game.)

(Also also, if this post isn't worth a star I dunno what is)

Killer_Twinkie @ Jul 3rd 2006 12:13AM

Personally I think it's good to have some companies with a kiddie image. I know tons of grown adults that don't have a problem playing them I'd rather have my kids when I have them playing those kinds of games than GTA or God Of War or some other violent game. I don't care whether it looks kiddie or not. Some people think it was retarded of me to get NintenDogs but I love the game as do many others. It's like the old saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover."

chazz @ Jul 3rd 2006 12:18AM

Nintendo was also in TIME magazine...and I am sure there many other's that aren't "kiddie". All it take is one magazine that is for kids and everybody loses their mind.

jOEfRO @ Jul 3rd 2006 12:41AM

number 13 gamecube released on a sunday too

now if my memory serves me correctly, one of the first rumored xbox 360 release dates was....NOVEMBER 6, 2005

hmm, this sounds fake to me

Night Elve @ Jul 3rd 2006 1:05AM

Who cares ... everyone is going to get a PlayStation 3 well at least i will.

Night Elve shrugs.

kelekod @ Jul 3rd 2006 1:49AM

I guess I'll always be a kid at heart..

I own a good chuck of the mario games, close to all the zelda games, and most of the mario sports titles (excluding golf). I'd say each one of these games is more entertaining then Halo 2 or GTA. Yes I have played Halo and Halo 2 and yes I have played GTA - vice city. I find it harder to find all the heart containers in Zelda games and all the Shines/stars in the mario games. Yes I have beat every mission in vice city, but it really wasn't fun just messing around. In Mario 64 I could mess around with the caps in the first level and it was actually fun. I could replay the game and get all 120 stars in day or so.

I think Nintendo won me as a fanboy, but it was more due to the games. My girlfriend would much rather face me in a race in MarioKart, or play a round of Mario Party then wanna face me in a game like Halo2. She's practically taken my DS now with New Super Mario Brothers, Tetris DS, Brain Age. Just shows how much more fun these "simple" and "kiddie" games can be.

Zak @ Jul 3rd 2006 1:53AM

Every Nintendo HANDHELD release on a Sunday. Not consoles particularly.

Yeah, but this is wrong. October 10, 2006.

Dylan Knoll @ Jul 3rd 2006 1:56AM

@ #6: Actually, what you say goes against what Nintendo is trying to do. Nintendo is trying to appeal to all ages. For example, Old, retired businessman dad has nothing to do except watch Oprah *Shudder* all day. Suddenly, he can fish and conduct! Yay!

By the way, As you are obviously under 12, please listen in English class. You will learn SO much.

Rare Hare @ Jul 3rd 2006 2:01AM

I've already made my decision that the Nintendo Wii will be my first next-gen console. My reasons?

1.) Sony and Microsoft (although I love Sony, and I own both an Xbox and a PS2) have an established history of problematic systems. I'm waiting on Microsoft to release the 360 with the 65 nm chip, and I'm waiting to see what kinds of inevitable problems the PlayStation 3 will have, and when those will be fixed with a later model.

Nintendo, on the other hand, makes rock solid products. My brand trust in Nintendo is greater than in any other company I use for ANYTHING, except perhaps Coleman or Chapstick. I know for a fact that the Wii will have next to no problems, even at launch.

2.) The Price. Although I plan on purchasing all three systems and an HDTV, the Wii is the cheapest way to go at the moment. It doesn't require high-definition for maximum enjoyment (in fact, it doesn't even support it.. but that's another point entirely), and at $250 or under, it'll be a hell of a lot cheaper for me to buy the Wii and maybe three games than it will to buy an Xbox 360 or a PS3 plus an HDTV.

Throw in the possibility of price drops for the PS3 and the 360 during the time I'm waiting to purchase them, and the Wii is a no-brainer.

3.) Twilight Princess. With The Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess launching simultaneously for the Wii and the GameCube, I'll naturally want to play the more advanced version. To do that, I'll be laying down the money for the Wii, anyway.

What system am I most looking forward to? Honestly, the PlayStation 3. I think Sony is going to be the company that provides me with my true next-gen experience. With HD support, Blu-Ray, free online service, a tilt-sensing controller, and the amazing library of games sure to come, I know already that the PS3 will be the focal point of my next-gen gaming world. Just not right now :).

vidGuy @ Jul 3rd 2006 2:05AM

You know what... I don't play video games to make me feel like a man. My job, girlfriend, and college work make me feel like that. I play video games because it's a fun past time and I've done it for years. I play video games because they make me feel like a kid again. Hence, the kiddy image can sometimes work better than a 'Mature' title. I have fun with the likes of GTA and Halo, sure, but I tend to get more enjoyment out of Mario, Zelda, Metroid, and Super Smash. To each his own, I guess.

Warp_the_frenchie: according to Wiki (not claiming accuracy) the N64 was released in Japan on June 23, 1996 - a Sunday - and September 29, 1996 - also a Sunday. The Gamecube was released on September 14, 2001 in Japan (Friday) and November 18, 2001 (Sunday) in North America.

My chips are solidly placed on November 3 being the launch day for Wii; a full two weeks before the PS3 launch. Either that or the following Sunday (Nov 5). I'm just glad that I'm not going to have to fight the other shopping crowds around Thanksgiving in order to grab a NintyWii.

molecule @ Jul 3rd 2006 2:05AM

A lot of younger gamers think that playing games with explicit violence and sex makes them more "mature" and "grown up"--it doesn't, no more then it makes a nine-year old farmboy "mature" by smoking a cigarette behind the chicken coop. Maturity is more about not worrying about what other people may think or say, about not letting other people define your own standards; Killer__Twinkie 38. is a perfect example of this.

Now more on topic. If I recall, an article about the Wii appeared in TIME about a month ago; how does that fit in with the whole Wii=Kiddie arguement?