Wii dog tags, Wii controller gloves, Wii money making schemes
We're queuing up a separate post about the markups on all this wonderful consumer cruft, but for now be satisfied with these glorious spy cam shots of Wii goodies awaiting placement in a shopping center near you.
Picking up some rubberized "controller gloves" might not be a bad idea, if you happen to get sweaty palms and want to keep your vases intact. (Don't tell us to use the wrist strap. We don't need no stinkin' wrist strap. The Joystiq krew lives and plays dangerously.)
[Via Engadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Nushio @ Oct 8th 2006 1:33AM
I have a few words for this:
WOW
Silver @ Oct 8th 2006 1:40AM
Looks like SOMEONE is actually going to have product available for purchase on launch day. Talk about revolution(ary)!
Take note, Microsoft and Sony.
Melophonist @ Oct 8th 2006 1:43AM
You have to wonder, will it be cheaper than a PSP with all the "needed" accessories?
Bored @ Oct 8th 2006 1:45AM
Will it be cheaper than a riding lawnmower would be about the same question. What does it matter if it's cheaper than a PSP?
ICE @ Oct 8th 2006 2:00AM
This is a home console, which is capable of much more...
I certainly don't expect it to be cheaper then PSP. If it was, thats just ridiculous
Mr. Cox @ Oct 8th 2006 2:05AM
Unfortunately, the MSRP for the Wii and PSP are both $249.99 and the Wii comes with a game and internal storage capabilities. All the more reason not to throw money away on a PSP.
Capt. Castellanos @ Oct 8th 2006 2:09AM
i say buy both psp and wii.. and a ds.
they are both pretty fun.
(can't say the wii if fun yet,
but i KNOW it will be fun.)
dstrek @ Oct 8th 2006 2:21AM
I can't wait to play halo on this!
xerus @ Oct 8th 2006 2:24AM
whoa-- sweet. Now we dont have to hold out for different colored controllers
Infil @ Oct 8th 2006 2:30AM
These accessories are kind of neat. Similar to the iPod, you'll be able to highly customize your Wii experience. If you don't like paying for accessories, it's easy to not buy any (none of these would be needed to enjoy the Wii). This will also give more shelf space to the Wii brand.
Smart marketing by Nintendo.
Freddy @ Oct 8th 2006 2:32AM
What are the dog tags for?
Fish @ Oct 8th 2006 2:33AM
Sweet! Nintendo's promoting safe gaming with a condom for your Wii.
I am so sorry for the pun, it's my first and will be my last.
Junyi @ Oct 8th 2006 2:35AM
"What are the dog tags for?"
For Nintendogs like me, of course.
darkkoji @ Oct 8th 2006 2:42AM
That's neat...different colors for my wiimote. I can't wait to pick one up...when Smash Brothers is released. It makes sense seeing as how I didn't get a gamecube until Smash Brothers last time. I think I can wait till Dec. 11 for Gamecube Zelda...
lol
FinalDelerium @ Oct 8th 2006 2:46AM
What are the dogtags for i hear you ask?
For convincing women you are the ultimate powerdork of course!
BTW, yes, i will be buying dogtags. Hello ladies!
Pince @ Oct 8th 2006 2:58AM
I actually really like the Wii-mote skins. Also, they look to be made of material that is a little more gentle on the hands than the regular plastic controller material. Not that it is needed, just cool.
The dog tags are kind of silly. Are they just a novelty item. I know some people who love stuff like that will buy it, but are they meant to just be something you buy and then put on your dresser and is your room so you can go "Yeah, I have a Wii dogtag."
It is nice to see that they have the display shelves all set up and everything. It will be nice to see those in stores and I think they will stand out very well. There is much to be said for their color scheme of stark white and that glowy light blue.
It is funny to look at that display in contrast to the PS3 kiosk shown last week. Their display strategies seem like exact opposites. The wii in white and blue and the ps3 in tones of red and jet black. (Funny also because I think both systems will be offered in both black and white). It will be interesting to see their respective set-ups once they are in stores.
DG @ Oct 8th 2006 3:06AM
Wow. That's a lot of lame, presumably expensive crap. Go go Nintendo.
Xavier Gill @ Oct 8th 2006 3:14AM
In UK:
PSP Value Pack + 1 new game = £215 ($402)
Nintendo Wii + Wii Sports = £170 ($336)
Chapree Da Grande @ Oct 8th 2006 3:15AM
That's the first time I saw a launch with complete accessories. Nintendo anticipated this very well.
Now I feel that I should rob a bank to buy Wii. >
Narhan @ Oct 8th 2006 3:16AM
I need to start out by saying Nintendo is awesome and so is Wii.
But by looking at the amount of investment Nintendo is giving to the Wii, if it fails Nintendo could go Sega on us all.
Narhan @ Oct 8th 2006 3:17AM
#20 was an accident post.
Xavier Gill @ Oct 8th 2006 3:20AM
that should be Nintendo Wii + Wii Sports £180 ($336)
Butch @ Oct 8th 2006 3:22AM
FinalDelerium, you made me chortle my Sunday away!
I have to agree with DG a bit here, tho. Seems like N is trying to pin the Wii as a fashion accessory now (a la gameboy micro)--which kind of makes it lose value for me. I like it when good design can just speak for itself, but when you start marketing things as 'cool', it really feels like it is trying too hard.
Judging by the success of iPods, I suspect not many people agree with me. But heck, I'd like to see a nice Nintendo / MS / Sony split of the market. Noone needs to win, except for me (at Animal Crossing).
WHAT?! YOU CAN'T BEAT ANIMAL CROSSING!!?!
Judd @ Oct 8th 2006 3:33AM
Vlad, I just want to say that I am deeply offended by your choice of words in this article. You clearly show your racist tendencies again by the statement "The Joystiq krew". As a white man this clearly mocks the black man by your use of ebonics. I expect an apology.
bounchfx @ Oct 8th 2006 3:35AM
I wouldn't go near buying a freaking encasing for my wii-mote.
give me a real black wii and wiimote please thanks
dstrek @ Oct 8th 2006 3:44AM
lol @ #24, are you jewish too?
jbryce @ Oct 8th 2006 3:58AM
#27, your name says it all. I hope that you get the bright idea to take a nap while leaving the car running in the garage. Remember to take big breaths!
MO @ Oct 8th 2006 4:35AM
Aah, I can see it now, what most likely happened in the Wii conference room:
Sinister Marketing Rep [SMR]: Let's make the controller white and smooth to the touch.
Evil Corporate Boss [ECB]: Why?
SMR: If we make it all white, people will be scared to get it dirty, like the iPod, and if we make it quite smooth, sweaty palms will make it slippery, like the iPod. An outer protective case is all but essential.
ECB: Keep talking...
SMR: We can make plastic coverings for the controller, like Apple made for the iPod, call it something snazzy like "the controller glove", charge between $10 and $30, and make a killing off that!
ECB: (making the triangle of evil under his chin with his hands while leanning back) I like you're thinking. You get a raise.
Anthony @ Oct 8th 2006 5:36AM
They probably decided to ship only one controller color to save money on production costs, while using these "controller gloves" to provide the uniqueness to the controllers that the customers wanted. And this way, you can change the colors without paying $50 for a new one.
eight @ Oct 8th 2006 6:05AM
unfortunately the controller golove will be nothing like the power glove...
LordAlu @ Oct 8th 2006 6:33AM
Joystiq needs to do some sort of article on teaching people how to take pictures without making every single one look like an N64 game...
Didly @ Oct 8th 2006 7:52AM
Retail Price / Actual Price
WII CONSOLE - 249.99 / 237.50
WII REMOTE CONTROLL - 39.99 / 32.00
WII POINTS CARD - 24.99 / 17.00
WII CLASSIC CONTROLLER - 19.99 / 14.50
WII NUNCHUK CONTROLLER - 19.99 / 14.50
WII GPAK ORGANIZER&TRAVEL - 29.99 / 18.95
WII RAYMAN RAVING RABIDS - 49.99 / 41.2
WII THE LEGEND OF ZELDA:TW - 49.99 / 40.00
WII RED STEEL REVOLUTION - 49.99 / 41.22
Or so says Engadget
Embassy @ Oct 8th 2006 8:00AM
yeh!.. take THAT microsoft and Sony!...wheres my 360 controller condom or ps3 dogtags..???..how bout my 360 game fanny pack..???...gamers crave "complete" accessories like those!catch up u TWO!u must compete with nintendos "smart" marketing by flooding stores with faux ipod gear for consoles!go nintendo! now THIS is wat i call a revolution!
...ahem..just in case.
/sarcasm.
Jok3r @ Oct 8th 2006 8:47AM
I love you Nintendo for making gaming affordableand not like all these life sucking Vampires
(Micro$oft & $ony)
And thank you for keeping focus in gaming 1st and not letting yourself be bought by Micro$oft when they try to buy you.
Yours truly
Some 28 year old fan boy since 8 Bit Nintendo
saboola @ Oct 8th 2006 9:21AM
Sound's good. Can't wait.
wii the people @ Oct 8th 2006 9:31AM
Does the button design and layout look a little different to you guys? I'm assuming that these reflect the finalized controller.
patrick @ Oct 8th 2006 9:39AM
i hear sega and nintendo are teaming up to make the ultimate game system!
Loppy @ Oct 8th 2006 9:41AM
Number 38, it is the same lay out, its just the circle that throwns you off, the D-pad will fit in there!
bobeotm @ Oct 8th 2006 9:55AM
Is it me or is pretty much all the stuff shown useless? I mean, its a home console, whats with all the pouches and cases? I guess the controller gloves can be a good idea, especially to tell controllers apart and to have a little more grip on something that is slick plastic. Yet most of this stuff is totally useless, dogtags!?
knot_U @ Oct 8th 2006 9:55AM
Why do they have to sell these controller gloves in packs of three, I'm only going to have four Wii-motes, and I don't want to have to buy six gloves in order to cover all of them.
anonymous @ Oct 8th 2006 10:00AM
wtf is that stuff in the 3rd and 4th pic?
Paco From Del Taco @ Oct 8th 2006 10:03AM
That is so horendous. First they overcharge for the system which is im sure as cheap to make as a GC. Then they overcharge for the controller. Then they overcharge for games (50 for games that arent next gen and are as easy as the old gen games to program for?!). And now, they're trying to make even more by selling accessories that add nothing to the gaming experience?
Nintendo. You are greedy bastards with no support other then your fanboy following. I hope the Wii isnt well received and that they become a third party making next gen games for the PS3 and 360. Then maybe someone can respect the name Nintendo again.
Psaakyrn @ Oct 8th 2006 10:17AM
to #43 Paco From Del Taco
Just as how a desktop-replacement laptop costs equilivant to a PC with the exact same processor capabilities to manufacture?
bobeotm @ Oct 8th 2006 10:24AM
The Wii starts out cheaper, then you realized the hidden costs. If you dont have a wireless network in your home, you have to be an ethernet adapter (because the wii doesnt have an ethernet port!?). If you want to get the most out of many of the games, you have to get both the wiimote and the nunchuck (a combined cost of 60 bucks, more than 360, and what ps3 plans to sell sixaxis for). If you want to buy games on virtual arcade, n64 titles cost you 10 buck (more than some current gen bargain bin stuff). Games may cost a current gen price of 50 dollars, but then you realize that to make a current gen quality game is getting cheaper and cheaper, shouldnt that savings be passed on to the consumer. Its only ten dollars cheaper than 360 and ps3 games, yet its considerably cheaper to make. In the end, the wii isnt as cheap an option as it was considered to be.
J-man @ Oct 8th 2006 10:26AM
Everyone should see that these accessories are 3rd party stuff.
mocax @ Oct 8th 2006 10:26AM
hey, your replies to #so and #so are out of whack, they don't make sense.
If I posted #4 and didn't verify, somebody else would be #4. If I confirmed my post the next day, I'd become #4 and the previous #4 would've become #5
Siong @ Oct 8th 2006 10:28AM
nintendo is smart. they packaged the controller skins in 3's. so people will have to buy 2 packs of it for their 4 wiimotes.
Rob @ Oct 8th 2006 10:31AM
Del Taco, overcharge?? I think you seem to forget that this is a BUSINESS where all parties (except the consumers ) are looking to make a PROFIT. They are NOT going to sell you the items for EXACTLY what they actually costs. The stores have to BUY the products from Nintendo and then YOU bu from the stores, so if you think you are going to be paying less than or exactly what It costs Nintendo or the stores then you are severely mistaken.
And unless you know exactly how much those costs are (for Nintendo anyways) then you need to shut up about something being overcharged.
Did you know you probably paid more than 50% of what it actually COSTS to make you shoes? wwhy don't you bitch about that?
Lex @ Oct 8th 2006 10:32AM
This is exactly why Nintendo will never drive big sales in the older gamer category again. It looks like a little kids toy and is not for adults.
Colonel @ Oct 8th 2006 10:34AM
hey you fanboys should get off Paco's case
he's absolutely right about all of that. There is NO reason for a console THAT underpowered to be 250 bucks. Absolutely none. Nintendo won't get away with it this fall though, when your average consumers (you know, the extreme bulk of people who buy consoles, not rabid fanboys who comment at least 4 times a day to sites like these) see both PS3 and 360 kiosks running alongside each other.
Wii could have been in a better position to get a landslide lead over the other two, IF they priced the system accordingly, like at 150 or 175, or basically what the system SHOULD cost. Remember, the prices that Engadget and Didly here posted are what Nintendo is SELLING their Wii lineup for, to the STORES. naturally, their own manufacturing costs are nowhere near this price.
Nintendos own greed will be the death of the Wii this gen. As for me, I personally won't be buying one for a long time, if ever.