DailyTech - GameStop/EBGames Reveal Wii Launch Bundle

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Blog: Gadgets GameStop/EBGames Reveal Wii Launch Bundle
Marcus Yam (Blog) - November 9, 2006 8:47 AM

13 comment(s) - last by Matrinix.. on Nov 10 at 8:31 PM

Think that the Wii will be cheap? Think again!

If you're still aching for a Wii pre-order after coming up empty handed at the brick and mortar store, GameStop and EBGames have posted details of the obligatory bundle that will be available through its web site. For $694.88 plus tax and handling, you get:

Nintendo Wii Console (includes 1 remote controller, 1 nunchuck, cables, sensor bar, console stand, and Wii Sports game)
Wii Memory SD 1GB
Additional Wii Remote Controller
6 Games:
   Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
   Trauma Center: Second Opinion
   Red Steel
   Marvel Ultimate Alliance
   Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz
   Madden NFL 2007
12 Month Product Replacement Plan
Game Informer Gift Subscription

Online pre-orders begin this evening, though a specific has yet to be announced.

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By Spivonious on 11/9/2006 3:58:21 PM , Rating: 2

Assuming $50/game, $50 for the controller, $250 for the system, $25 for the warranty, $15 for the subscription, and $20 for the SD card, you lose money getting the bundle.

RE: Eh

By Topweasel on 11/9/2006 4:53:00 PM , Rating: 2

300 For Games (50 apiece) 250 for system and 50 For controller is $600 right there. The rest can have varring prices but more then it's likely the Bundle is just the total of the price of all of the items if they where sold standalone. Whats BS is the fact that they are forcing you to buy 12 different items that all have their own SKU (not to be confused with having a a counterpart thats exactly the same item but has a its own SKU). I am not sure its legal and even if it is I know from Best Buy that its defiantly illegal in some states to force an extended warranty on people.

Parent

RE: Eh

By stephenfs on 11/9/2006 11:29:36 PM , Rating: 2

They did the same thing with the gamecube, forcing you to by a second controller (cheap off-brand at that), and i think a game.

Parent

RE: Eh

By othercents on 11/10/2006 3:47:43 PM , Rating: 3

Retailers usually loose money when selling consoles since the margins are real small. My friend owns a game store and new consoles only make about $10 after he ships them in. If they stay too long on the shelf they will cost more than what he paid for them.

However the games them selves have larger margins. He can make about $10 or more per game. So a retailer who is requiring 5 games and a console is probably going to make at least $50 for the sale. They are probably making $20 per game so they will make more on the sale with the bundle than without.

Other

Parent

Wii Memory SD 1GB?

By Trisped on 11/9/2006 1:24:30 PM , Rating: 2

So what is a Wii Memory SD 1GB? Is that a 1GB SD card with a SD card reader? Or is it a basic memory card?

RE: Wii Memory SD 1GB?

By Saist on 11/9/2006 1:26:35 PM , Rating: 2

The Wii has and SD card slot. It's a 1 gig SD card.

Parent

Rip off

By Nick5324 on 11/9/2006 4:52:13 PM , Rating: 3

These bundles generally aren't good deals, but this one is worse. I can see the games and extra controller, similar to other forced bundles. The SD card is pushing it, but the forced replacement plan and game informer sub is the icing on the rip off cake.

This is only a good deal if...

By VooDooAddict on 11/10/2006 11:33:18 AM , Rating: 1

This is a good deal for those who "Must have" the system at any cost. Instead of dropping 600-700 on ebay for just the system they can have all the extras.

I think we are all hoping that there will be enough Wii's at launch to avoid this. I.E. So that many of us have the option of just buying the Wii and Zelda.

What will frustrate me is that if this is the only way to get a Wii through Gamestop shortly after launch. I've got nearly $150 in store credit to use toward the my personal Wii launch bundle. (Wii, Component cables, Zelda, extra Wii-motes)

If they had a hardware accessory bundle. Then I'd be all for it...
Wii
+ 3 Wii-motes
+ Classic Controler
+ Point Card for Virtual Console Games
+ Nintendo branded Memory Card
(Probably overpriced SD card ... but at least it would be useful addition to a bundle)

Or a bundle that allows you to choose 3 games from a list (like some of the 360 Bundles).

Forcing 6 games on people and a service plan is awful. I wonder if they are boarderign on any price fixing laws by limiting supply of standard preorders to force people to buy this.

RE: This is only a good deal if...

By Matrinix on 11/10/2006 8:31:18 PM , Rating: 2

Component cable will only be available via online retailers.

Parent

Additional Wii Remote Controller??

By othercents on 11/9/2006 5:18:51 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Additional Wii Remote Controller

I'm guessing the bundle does not include a second nunchuck since it isn't listed.

Other

Bundelling is Never a deal.

By Hydrofirex on 11/9/2006 11:11:24 PM , Rating: 1

Actually, technically, economics teaches that bundling is done only for the firms benefit. The idea is that by putting things together that you may assign varying values too they can get you to spend more than you would have if you were going to only by the specific things you wanted. It is a technique for "maximizing revenue," as the text books state.

HfX

RE: Bundelling is Never a deal.

By EarthsDM on 11/10/2006 3:59:51 AM , Rating: 1

Exactly. Not to mention that any given gamer will probably not like more than three of those games. Marvel Ultimate Alliance? I don't think anyone enjoyed those games.

Parent

hmm

By lwright84 on 11/9/2006 10:18:53 PM , Rating: 1

take out the "additional wii-mote" and replace it with a "classic controller" instead and it would be a good deal imo. also, if they removed two of the games they would have a PS3 competitor priced right at $599.

meh.. i'll pass though, thanks.

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