So wait that means without the tax they added on that is required by UK government it is only 186 euros? That's pretty kickass, about 236 US dollars right?

Or am I just missing something,
Anticrawl

The Wii is expensive because:

1. the controller is expensive new technology. It DOES suck that they cost so much, but it's to be expected. Yes, this is a disadvantage of a controller-focused console, since you buy multiple controllers (thank goodness both the Wii itself and the controllers are so portable-- I might only buy one extra controller, but I know two other people buying one at launch, and it'll be easy to get the controllers together in one place to play.

What's more, the simpler games Nintendo expects the casual crowd to play-- Wii Sports, Brain Training, that sort of thing that sounds lame to us Joystiq-posters but sells like crazy anyway, only requires the remote. Then it's just $40.

2. They put in wireless out of the box. Note that the 360 wireless connector costs a full $100-- you think Nintendo was giving that to you in a tiny little box for free.

3. Unlike Microsoft or Sony, Nintendo has no other source of cash than videogames. Selling at a loss isn't as good a business idea for them than it is for their competitors.

4. It'll sell out the first shipment at this price. Then, sometime next fall or early winter, Nintendo will drop the price and release a pink Wii and Nintendogs or something similar, and THEN you'll have a mainstream hit. This was their business strategy with the DS, and if it succeeds this time, look for a very, very different split in the Japanese market than the last home console generation.

Wii is cheaper than its competitors. But it's more expensive at the start than last generation. If that's a problem for you, I might suggest you wait a year, see what comes out for Wii, see if the price comes down, and then reconsider.

Well, the rest of the brits are moaning...so I'll bring some facts!

If Nintendo sold it less in the UK, the rest of the world would have to pay less!

Blame it on VAT ect....but really, its all the ASBOS they chuck out!

You know, over 2 million people in the uk are on ASBOS, which costs the goverment around £500,000 for each by the time its gone though court!

OK, whine over....lets kick those cunts asses!!!

Fuck it. I couldn't be assed writing why Nintendo Europe (and to a lesser extent Nintendo) are fucking idiots.

I used to be a diehard Nintendo fanboy; owned every nintendo console, most of the handhelds, defended their every move. However, I am finally fed up of taking it up the ass from Nintendo Europe, I just can't take it any more. I have lost so much respect for them in the last few days (Twilight Princess and now this being the two major catalysts).

And to anyone who replies to this: I likely don't give two shits about what you coukd ever say (though, I will probaly read them with a semi-amused smirk).

In fact, I am completely sick of what Nintendo fanboys currently appear to be: zealots. I bought ONM the last day for the first time in a year (though I regularly get other mags such as edge, games and pc gamer), and besides their hilarious obsession with how amazing wii graphics are in every previewed game, I was appalled at the letters section. And along with comments from websites and message boards in the last few days I have rarely seen such a bunch of misinformed, brainwashed... argh... fuck it.

I am so depressed right now. I don't care how this post reads, I just have to vent my thoughts and feelings somewhere (I appreciate everyone who reads this and don't intentionally want to offend anyone, more wake up).

An Xbox and Oblivion for me and an imported Twilight Princess probaly (the real version looks like it isn't coming out in Europe). Nintendo, I only ever wanted to love you.

Paul Gale
1up.com
SHUT IT.

Sooo tired of people in the UK complaining about prices - get over it. PS2 was GBP300 when it launched 5 yrs ago, the Megadrive was 190 - 16 years ago. 180 is not so bad given the game, the unique joystick, the fact that wifi is thrown in (remember - thats GBP60/$100 extra for the Xbox 360), and that it's coming 3 weeks after the USA. I guess most of the bloggers here forgot the days when you were happy to pay 200 quid for a PC Engine on grey import, or 400 for a Playstation 1 9 months before the UK launch (and its horrible 50Hz games). Things have improved in the UK console scene immeasurably since the old days so STFU!

I thought that nintendo announced that the GAMES were region free (Nintendo first party will be, it's up to the third party developers for their games), not the consoles. Which means there is a reason that the Wii would be more expensive in your territory.

Also, remember that GB has the VAT tax that adds a hefty sum.

Nextly, be happy you lot are getting it before Christmas. Honestly, what were you expecting? Nintendo is a business and they're going out to make money. They have a nice little price point 100GBP below its only competetor for this year. Hell, if PS3 ever gets over to you they may drop it again into the 'impulse buy' range.

And if you don't want it, tell Nintendo to send more to us in Canada so I can get one for sure :p

hmm, doesn't sound too bad for the system that it is, and as a bonus it is still coming this year!

Of course you could always just buy a shirt or something until then. Maybe one of my Wii designs (Selfless promotion) at http://www.cafepress.com/wgear/

Sorry but I couldn't help it

Man... I was gonna get one if they were selling them for around £130 or so, but nah, i can't afford this kinda price.
Especially not for a souped up GameCube.
Now, if they'd shoved some actual next gen horsepower in there, it would've been really cheap, but this console was deliberately designed to be cheap, yet they STILL sell it for a pretty high price tag.
It's a shame, I really like the idea of the Wii(Except the name), but gradually the whole thing's been going downhill. Interface looks great, the new controllers are cool, it's got the most interesting game lineup... But now it has the worst name in console history(Even WonderSwan beats Wii) and the pricetag on this "budget" console is still way too high.

Ok so I don't see what we're all so annoyed about. Frankly i think that price is good. Come on, we live in the UK, we expect prices to be marked up. It's not jsut nintendo, MS and Sony have and will do it. And if you look at it, it's not jsut games, everything is marked up over here, which is caused by lots of different social and economic factors. Cars, electronics, property etc. We should be used to it by now.

Looking at the controllers prices....£29.99 for a Wiimote. a wireless 360 contorller cost 29.99...so whats your problem? Are we annoyed at this price because we feel that the Wii is somehow inferior to the 360 and Ps3 and therefor shouldn't cost as much??
This is exactly what happened with the PSP and the DS when they were first announced. On paper the PSP with its high tech gadgetry and sleek finish should have destoyed the more homely looking DS. But we all know what happened there don't we. The games were better.

We're not really paying for the console itself, we're paying for the fun and joy that this console will hopefully bring.
The games on the Wii will be immense, theres no denying that, the Wi-fi connect function will be high quality (anyone with a DS will testify), and come on, it is cheaper! Maybe not much but it still is!

What were you expecting? A next gen console for £100 with a free game and two controllers? Gimmie a break. This is Britain, things cost more, if you don't liek it take it up with Mr. Brown, not Nintendo.

Wow, Europe sucks.

To all stop complaining about the price!!! Its to be expected we would get it more expensive, thank the lucky stars we didn't get it at £250 , and thank the lucky stars we get it before Christmas!

And people saying its a souped up gamecube, please take another look and you'll see the things you'll be getting for £180.

Wii, Nunchuck, Wiimote, sensor bar, cables, Wiisports, Wii channels(except Opera browser maybe) which allows to view photos and videos. Create your own lookalike characters for games etc. Check the weather/messageboard etc and send messages to in most cases anywhere.
Virtual Console(practically you are getting 6 consoles in one) with access to new and old libraries of games.
Not to mention the new style of play. Maybe who say its a souped up gamecube should actually go try the wii for themselves. And besides, its not exactly going to eat all your electricity bill up like a PC/PS3/Xbox360 would do either.

So take a look at the software and gameplay value you are getting instead of the hardware value.
Yes us British do get ripped off, we should be used to it by now. And who says PS3 isn't going to be more than £425? It could go to the £500 mark for all we know.

What the hell is with the 3 week delay? I'm sick of being european, we never get anything on time. The price is ok though.