Wii U - The actual cost from scratch to max

Tom Magrino on September 13, 2012

37 Comments

Wii U - The actual cost

Today, Nintendo announced that come November 18, gamers in the US will be able to buy its HD-enabled Wii U for $300 or $350, depending on the configuration. And while the debate rages as to whether the Wii U itself is actually worth that price tag, the advertised price is really just the beginning for most gamers. So how much does this new console actually cost? That depends. Here’s how we see it.
$328.80

$300 Wii U Basic package + $28.80 sales tax* = $328.80
*Based on average US sales tax rate of 9.6%.
$383.60

$350 Wii U Premium package + $33.60 sales tax* = $383.60
*Based on average US sales tax rate of 9.6%.
$548

$350 Wii U Premium package + $150 GamePad** + $48 sales tax* = $548
*Based on average US sales tax rate of 9.6%. **US price not announced. Figure based on announced 13,440 yen for Japan.
$679.52

$350 Wii U Premium package + $150 GamePad** + $30 Wii Remote x4 + $59.52 sales tax* = $679.52
*Based on average US sales tax rate of 9.6%. **US price not announced. Figure based on announced 13,440 yen for Japan.
$767.20

$350 Wii U Premium package + $150 GamePad** + $30 Wii Remote x4 + $20 Nunchuk x4 + $67.20 sales tax* = $767.20
*Based on average US sales tax rate of 9.6%. **US price not announced. Figure based on announced 13,440 yen for Japan.
$822

$350 Wii U Premium package + $150 GamePad** + $30 Wii Remote x4 + $20 Nunchuk x4 + $50 Wii U Pro controller + $72 sales tax* = $822
*Based on average US sales tax rate of 9.6%. **US price not announced. Figure based on announced 13,440 yen for Japan.
$854.88

$350 Wii U Premium package + $150 GamePad** + $30 Wii Remote x4 + $20 Nunchuk x4 + $50 Wii U Pro controller + $30 Wii U Microphone + $74.88 sales tax* = $854.88
*Based on average US sales tax rate of 9.6%. **US price not announced. Figure based on announced 13,440 yen for Japan.
$931.60

$350 Wii U Premium package + $150 GamePad** + $30 Wii Remote x4 + $20 Nunchuk x4 + $50 Wii U Pro controller + $30 Wii U Microphone + $70 500GB external hard drive + $81.60 sales tax* = $931.60
*Based on average US sales tax rate of 9.6%. **US price not announced. Figure based on announced 13,440 yen for Japan. ***Seagate Expansion 500 GB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive via Amazon.com.
And you?

Actual mileage may vary, of course, and don't even get us started on the games, which are $59.99. And the HDTV? The Internet?! It could go on and on...
Which peripherals do you feel are must-owns? Sound off in the comments below.
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Nintendo Wii U

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Alkaid - September 15, 2012 4:20 a.m.

If I ever got a WiiU my friends would have to bring their own stuff as I'm not shelling out an extra $150 for a gamepad. I assume the people who are going to buy the WiiU already have a Wii so Wiimote/Nunchuck could easily be cut in half or all together. WiiU pro controller is another thing though. I'll think of possibly getting one once it goes through a round or so of price cuts.
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Clowns - September 14, 2012 9:19 p.m.

My Wallet is So empty Spiderwebs have been Appearing in it so no Wii-u for me AT ALL. well maybe when its Cheap.
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edward-temblador - September 14, 2012 1:39 p.m.

If I were to get a Wii U, I'd figure that the premium console, 2 game pads, 4 wiimotes and chucks would be enough to be fun, that's what I feel I would use the most if I bought it, and I'll say this now, Sony for life (for me), but Jesus Christ, $730+ for all that! Lather some butter on my ass and call me biscuit! That's crazy, is never spend $700 for a updated current gen console, cause in reality that's what it is, My PS3 still looks better than a WiiU (graphically and physically) and PS3 games are hitting close to their peak, and then I'll have a next gen Sony console within a few years thatll blow Nintendo out of the water, Nintendo fanboys, I'm not stopping you from buying one, but to me that's crazy, just doesn't seem worth it IMO, have fun playing current gen games for the next 6 years, I'll be busy playing borderlands 2, GTA 5, and battlefield bad company 3 for the next couple of years until some REAL next gen hardware comes out
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KnowYourPokemon - September 15, 2012 9:43 a.m.

If thats how you want to look at it look at the price of a PS3 at launch, all the peripherals(including the move obviously), an extra 3 controllers, etc.
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Canvas_Of_Flesh - September 14, 2012 10:30 a.m.

I will not be buying one for quite a while. I think people are forgetting how horrible Nintendo were with "core" games and decent 3rd party games last gen. Just because they announce a few good games for launch doesn't mean they're going to follow through with it during the lifespan of the console. I'll wait to see how they do with that aspect before I decide to give them my money. On a sidenote, does anyone else besides me despise this "we must have a touch screen on everything, ever" nonsense?
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KnowYourPokemon - September 14, 2012 9:29 a.m.

Well I already have two wii remotes and two nunchucks from my Wii. And have 0 interest in a mic or anything like that for it so yeah, $350 it is for me. I'm just glad it's not like the original 360 at launch "hey, want to connect to the internet wirelessly? better get ready to say goodbye to $150 for it!"
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Fuzunga - September 14, 2012 9:03 a.m.

So, apparently, Amazon is not taking preorders for the Wii U. There goes my plan...
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Darkhawk - September 14, 2012 5:49 a.m.

Holy fuck the controller is $150?
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KnowYourPokemon - September 14, 2012 9:40 a.m.

If you actually find yourself wanting one, yes. Though you could just buy a pro controller as a second controller for the usual $50 instead.
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larkan - September 13, 2012 9:33 p.m.

Yeah I learned my lesson with the Wii, bought it at launch and then need extra remotes and controllers and it's pretty much a money pit. I bought my PS3 3 years ago and I bought one extra controller, that's it. I'm staying right the hell away from this thing.
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garnsr - September 13, 2012 9:02 p.m.

Wow, the average sales tax is 9.6%!? I've never lived anywhere that's higher than 5%.
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Moondoggie1157 - September 13, 2012 9:45 p.m.

Close to 14% in Ontario... Damned government...
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theguyinthecloset - September 13, 2012 10:06 p.m.

15% in Quebec
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swedishfrog - September 13, 2012 11:10 p.m.

25 in Sweden...
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SpiritTemple - September 14, 2012 12:11 a.m.

75 in Hyrule...
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boondocks50 - September 14, 2012 3:25 a.m.

86 on Noveria
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zelta38 - September 14, 2012 4:41 a.m.

0 on the Citadel because I am Commander Shephard and this is my favourite store on the Citadel.
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ParagonT - September 14, 2012 6:16 a.m.

100 in Narnia...
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Elitepwnsface - September 14, 2012 9:31 a.m.

Right. Crazy tax rate. Here i think its 6.25%
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Fuzunga - September 13, 2012 8:01 p.m.

Basic for me. I probably won't need an external drive at launch, and I don't know that I'll need a pro controller at launch either. And then buying from Amazon deducts the tax. Of course, there's the matter of games...
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