Nintendo comments on Wii manufacturing costs, not planning price cut
Following Credit Suisse analyst Koya Tabata's estimation that Wii manufacturing costs are down 45 percent, Nintendo has come out from its corner swinging, ready to put down any and all speculation that a price cut for the console is due soon. In speaking to Edge, Nintendo said the depreciation of the U.S. dollar and British pound is also a factor, as from "launch in December 2006 to December 2008, the value of the pound fell by 43 percent against the yen," and, in the same period of time, the U.S. dollar and euro fell against the pound 22 and 18 percent, respectively.Ed Barton, analyst for Screen Digest, thinks that if Nintendo is to cut the console's price, it could first happen in Japan if "supply has truly equaled demand." Barton points to Nintendo's next financial earnings report, where any and all reduction in manufacturing costs should be evidenced in the company's operating profits. Though trying to gauge an improvement in Nintendo profits is kind of like finding a giant needle in a stack full of giant needles.













Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jerk Face @ Apr 8th 2009 3:26PM
That duct tape and all the gamecubes sure costs a lot...
I keed, I keed.
Killiam XXIII @ Apr 8th 2009 3:39PM
Jerk Face!
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Apr 8th 2009 3:26PM
The yen strengthening against other currency is messing up damn near ALL Japanese companies. I still cant get over the fact that TOYOTA posted the first loss in its 50+ year history. Anyone with a brain doesnt expect Nintendo to drop the Wii price anytime soon
Xoonaka @ Apr 8th 2009 3:28PM
Despite that, I really think it's less about the currency exchange versus the manufacturing costs and more about "Hey, we still sell a ton of consoles at the current price. Why bother lowering it?"
chrisnick @ Apr 8th 2009 3:35PM
the wii disappointed me. Only reason i haven't sent it to gamestop is that i know they'll shaft me on the trade-in....Seriously speaking though 2 weeks of fun, then nothing, nada, i dunno how they keep selling, but more power to them. I know shovleware and "lotzz ov pootenshall" when i see it.
Markez @ Apr 8th 2009 3:39PM
O__O
Wes @ Apr 8th 2009 3:56PM
Hey, don't worry. I'll take your Wii from you. I'd like 2 weeks of fun and I even promise not to shaft you. I'm simply not into guys like the employees at gamestop.
Stix Remix @ Apr 8th 2009 5:24PM
Well, if you already have a Wii and you aren't willing to really sell it, (I mean come on, if you think Gamestop will give you a bad price, why not sell it on Amazon, Ebay, or somewhere else?), then why are you complaining about your Wii-disappointings in an article about the production costs for Wii going down?
I find it very hard to believe that you could only play the system for two weeks, unless you have a very limited range of gaming genres you enjoy. And if that is the case, I wonder why you would even buy a Wii in the first place (when you could just have a 360 or PS3, which I presume you have one of if not both).
chrisnick @ Apr 8th 2009 5:32PM
eh........im what you would call "hardcore" metroid, mario, zelda, maybe i'll try no more heroes next...still though.......the wii isn't holding up its end of the bargain.
megapenguinx @ Apr 8th 2009 5:50PM
Get yourself some Madworld stat!
Also you should have played NMH by now....
dswill79 @ Apr 8th 2009 3:35PM
One of the best post pictures ever, David! Bravo!
BunnySlapper @ Apr 8th 2009 3:43PM
Simply put: Why would Nintendo even remotely consider lowering the price? People are still scrambling to get the console as well as Wii Fit - there's no reason financially for them to shoot themselves in the foot.
BreakingPoint0 @ Apr 8th 2009 10:01PM
Scrambling may be true of the Wii Fit but I think we're going to see a slow down in Wii sales. In my recent ventures I've found many retailers have at least 5 Wiis in plain view(last time I was at Best Buy they must have had at least 30 of them).
j.howlett @ Apr 8th 2009 3:43PM
how about they make a black one with more internal memory, comes with rechargeable packs, and wii motion plus
leo @ Apr 8th 2009 4:01PM
Well if we look at sony, it isnt good for them, how will they cut the PS3's price at the current economic stance? Sure they are doing well in Japan, and around on par with the 360 in Europe, but in the U.S.. it isnt looking good.
Dante G @ Apr 8th 2009 4:15PM
This sounds a lot like what I said yesterday... They're basically pointing out the obvious, plus, the wii is still selling more than its competitors elsewhere. Why would they drop the price outside Japan?
Jack Tretton @ Apr 8th 2009 4:32PM
When people start working second jobs to afford a PS3 -- as Krazy Ken predicted we would -- is when Nintendo lowers the price of the Wii.
I'm kidding! Nintendo will never lower the price of the Wii! ;)
Roto13 @ Apr 8th 2009 4:43PM
No company is going to lower the cost of a product that is still selling strong.
Roto13 @ Apr 8th 2009 4:49PM
Raising the price in the UK was BS, though.
zlickrick @ Apr 8th 2009 4:48PM
Yeah, Nintendo makes me sick.....Boo Hoo!!...My dowwarzz are werf, less!
Do they realize it is inherently more expensive for everyone else to purchase their console because of that same downturn of the "dollar"?
I really rooted for these pigs when they were almost down and out with the shit-cube. Now I remember how they got themselves there. Same ol' BS.
The peripheral-puking, shovel-ware station has prevented me from ever buying a Nintendo product again.
Roto13 @ Apr 8th 2009 4:50PM
How dare they charge what people are willing to pay! HOW DARE THEY!
Mr Khan @ Apr 8th 2009 5:00PM
The intellect of your kind makes me wonder why exactly we need a Nintendo Defense Force.
manyquestions @ Apr 8th 2009 5:15PM
We have a Nintendo Defense Force?!?!
Ricky Tran @ Apr 9th 2009 3:37AM
Too bad, some fun games on the DS. Madworld's not too bad either.
Spartan @ Apr 8th 2009 4:58PM
Nintendo- We're good at taking people's money. Now that these people's money are worth less, we will take more. That is all.
Mr Khan @ Apr 8th 2009 5:00PM
Definitely a dick move from a PR perspective, even if it is economically sound.
Mr Khan @ Apr 8th 2009 5:02PM
I say Q2 2010, after the end of this current fiscal year (having started 8 days ago). We'll see the last surge of the $250 Wii over the holiday season, and then they'll move on once the books are closed on the year.
Rob Accomando @ Apr 8th 2009 6:04PM
Nindendo's Revenge.
CarleenAndBrian @ Apr 8th 2009 7:13PM
The amount of people that want Wii's, then start bitching about it, are growing. Hey, I am with the poster back a few ago. If you don't want your Wii and you think Gamestop will shaft you on a trade in, then give it me. I will put it to use without wasting any more of your precious time. I have amassed a huge Wii collection and I play it constantly. But I want to put it out there, give me your Wii if you don't want it. I am so sick and tired of people bitching about the Wii when they could use their time more constructively by buying and/or playing something else.