Is the Wii U too expensive? GamesRadar editors give their thoughts
Today was the big one for Nintendo's Wii U. We now know all of the details that will determine just how exciting or not the publishers small white hope will be on launch day. We know the Wii U UK and US release date and price details. We know the Wii U launch line-up. So, does it rank as a day one purchase, wait and see, or not in a million years? The whole team has weighed in with their personal feelings on whether they'll be there at the inevitable midnight openings, and we'd like you to do the same in the comments.
Hollander Cooper, Features Editor, GamesRadar US
Though I was hoping for $50 less on both SKUs, I'm actually happy with the price. Why? Because of controllers. Not the GamePad--the Wii remotes. Normally you have to add in an extra $100 or so to factor in more controllers for multiplayer, but since most people already have Wii remotes, that isn't an issue. It's almost like a rebate, dropping the price a bit. Also Bayonetta 2. Forever.
Justin Towell, Content Editor, GamesRadar UK
Hmm let me see. Ive bought every major system since Dreamcast, so the likelihood of me buying Wii U is probably around 100%. But if I wasnt, then the prospect of Bayonetta 2 probably would have sealed the deal. Basically its a no-brainer: I love games, this has games on it. And yes, itll be the premium model for me.
Henry Gilbert, Features Editor, GamesRadar US
Im basically in the same boat as Justin, as I always buy Nintendo systems at launch if my finances allow. Yet, the situation isnt as dire as that may sound. I bought 3DS day one and its launch line-up was hot trash compared to what Wii U has. Pikmin 3, New Super Mario Bros U, The Wonderful 101, and Rayman Legends are enough to sell me on the system, and the promise of huge Japanese developed games like Bayonetta 2 and Monster Hunter Tri G--crossing fingers for eventual international release of Dragon Quest X--is more than enough for me.
Will Wii U be left in the dust by the PS4 and Xbox 720? Theres a chance, but its future is looking pretty bright at the moment, and thats without seeing the eventual successors to Mario Galaxy and Zelda. Even as theoretical games thats enough to earn my $350.
Tom Magrino, Managing Editor, GamesRadar US
The Wiis single SKU, pack-in for all launch strategy worked really well for Nintendo. Why, then, would the company opt for a mult-SKU, pack-in for premium strategy with the Wii U? To me, it says the company lacks confidence in its premium tier package. And thats understandable, considering the premium Wii U package will cost significantly more than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and we have yet to see anything on the console that is marketabley superior to Microsofts and Sonys packages.
David Houghton, Associate Editor, GamesRadar UK
No. I certainly won't be buying one at launch anyway. As fun as I know the Wii U's unique revitalisation of couch-based multiplayer is, and as slick as Nintendo's retaliation to Microsoft and Sony's multimedia offerings looks (in your eye, Smart Glass), the system as a whole just does not have anything like enough in its immediate gaming future to genuinely excite me into making a launch day purchase. And that makes me sad. I've bought every Nintendo console since the SNES on launch by default, but this one just doesn't give me any reason to drop 250. Yes, it has one hell of a packed third-party launch window line-up between November and March, but there's barely anything there I specifically need a Wii U for. It's a catch-up line-up, not a system-seller selection.
Nintendo publishing Bayonetta 2 though? Good God. For me that's one of the most exciting things that's happened in gaming all year. Bayonetta release day, that's Wii U launch day for me at the moment. Though it looks like I could be waiting a while, if that brief CG trailer and non-appearance in the launch window reel is anything to go by. If you want me any sooner than that, Nintendo, you'd better get the first-party bigger hitters ready quickly.
Matt Cundy, Editor, GamesRadar UK
Yes I would very much like a new shiny console in my designated entertainment zone. But my current financial situation does not accommodate the purchasing of non-essential electronical goods just because they are new and shiny. More justification is needed. And beyond the prospect of playing Nintendo Land with my kids, Im struggling to find any.
For my personal tastes, the protracted launch window doesnt offer anything impossibly tempting. If Pikmin and Bayonetta were both on the list then >>BOOM
Lorenzo Veloria, Associate Editor, GamesRadar US
Well, I was really hoping to spend $300 on the Wii U console, but to me, getting the basic white, 8 GB console is out of the question. I learned my lesson with the miniscule 20 GB Xbox 360. But $350 for the 32 GB black system is getting a bit pricey, considering youll probably want to play more than Nintendo Land after waiting in line for twelve hours on launch day. Personally, the Wii U isnt looking too enticing, especially since Id want to play most of the launch games are the current consoles. But who knows; maybe Zombie U will be absolutely amazing and youll see me standing in line at Best Buy at two in the morning.
Sophia Tong, Editor in Chief, GamesRadar US
I was expecting a $300 price point, but 8 gigs?! That just means that anyone who actually wants to play some games on this system will have to either buy an external hard drive (which are not priced very well) or just pay the $350 and then expand later. So really, the price point is $350. While I realize the 3DS was ridiculously overpriced, I think everyone was hoping that Nintendo would make nice and bring down the Wii U price point to make up for that travesty so I understand the disappointment. Oh Nintendo, you know Ill buy it day one anyway.
Where do you stand?
Now that you know when and for how much, are you sold on the Wii U? Did our reasoning sway you in one way or another? Please let us know in the comments!