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Even if the price is higher than expected, Nintendo's Wii is still expected to be cheaper than consoles from Microsoft and Sony

With the Games Convention under way in Leipzig, Germany, many gamers are anxious to hear announcements about the Nintendo Wii game console. Ever since making what many consider to be an impressive appearance at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles last May, Nintendo has tried to keep gamers on the edge of their seats. The Nintendo Wii will be priced below €250 for the European market, according to a Nintendo senior executive. Bernd Fakesch, the head of Nintendo's German operations said: “The price has not been decided yet, but I expect it to be... less than 250 Euros.” The current exchange rate shows that 250 Euros converts to ~$320 USD.

The console will reportedly cost 25,000 yen ($215 USD) or less in Japan and $250 or less in the United States. Further unconfirmed reports claim that the console could cost as low as $170 in Japan and the US. Even if the Wii console will cost more than $300 after it is released, analysts are not sure what impact -- if any -- that will have on the console's sales. Wii is still going to be cheaper than both the Microsoft XBOX 360 and Sony PlayStation 3. The PlayStation 3 will cost as much as $599 after it is released on November 17, while the XBOX 360's premium version costs $399.

The launch date for the Nintendo Wii has not yet been confirmed – but it is most likely that the console will be released in time for the 2006 holiday shopping season.

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VAT\Sales taxes in the UK...
By stepone on 8/25/2006 8:37:30 AM , Rating: 2
Yep we have VAT (or a sales tax to those in the US)of 17.5% on just about everything here in the UK and across all EU countries (some countries have even higher rates) and only a few things like books are VAT exempt.
Can I assume from previous statements that the US doesn't have sales taxes?

Man that would be sweet if it was the same here...




RE: VAT\Sales taxes in the UK...
By LanceM on 8/25/2006 8:56:56 AM , Rating: 2
Sales tax in the States varies. Each state can impose its own, and cities/districts/etc can add their own.

In Texas, we pay 6.25% plus whatever the locals decide. Where I used to live, it was a total of 8.25%. Right now, it's around 7%.


By cscpianoman on 8/25/2006 9:06:58 AM , Rating: 2
Just head over to Alaska or Oregon and they have no sales tax.


RE: VAT\Sales taxes in the UK...
By kevinkreiser on 8/25/2006 9:18:00 AM , Rating: 2
i live in delaware which has no sales tax either


RE: VAT\Sales taxes in the UK...
By JBird7986 on 8/25/2006 9:56:59 AM , Rating: 2
Where I live in FL it's either 6 or 6.5% depending on the township, where I used to live outside of Philly it was 6% (Philly was 7%), and in Charlotte, it was 7.5%, with 2% on food.


RE: VAT\Sales taxes in the UK...
By Zarsky on 8/25/2006 10:20:09 AM , Rating: 2
Here is a good example of how much more we here in Finland and in the rest of the EU have to pay:

If i purchase a Macbook Pro from the U.S apple store it will cost 1999$ Here in the finnish Apple store i have to pay 2039€ for it, that's 2607$!

And that's nice. We got 22% VAT


RE: VAT\Sales taxes in the UK...
By zombiexl on 8/25/2006 11:21:45 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
i live in delaware which has no sales tax either


Yeah i always laugh at the billboards (Welcome to the state of tax free shopping) when entering deleware from pennsylvania.


RE: VAT\Sales taxes in the UK...
By Samus on 8/25/2006 11:35:10 AM , Rating: 2
yea...but dude...your in delaware.

even wayne couldn't think of what's in delaware?


RE: VAT\Sales taxes in the UK...
By jon1003 on 8/25/2006 12:29:28 PM , Rating: 2
Some states have none, and most others are around 7%. In big or expensive areas/cities it's more like 9-10% tax.

Income taxes are on a tiered structure based on how much you make. VERY BASIC explanation, using estimated numbers since I don't have tax law in front of me: The first $x is taxed at 15%. The amount between the first tier and 2nd is taxed at 22%. The next amount is taxed at 35%. Then of course you have deductions that reduces the amount you have to pay tax ON. And there are a few tax credits or penalties for other things, like if you have a child in school.

If you are super rich enough, you hire an expert and s/he will figure out how to reduce your income taxes to almost nothing using loopholes in the tax code.

And there is your blunt, frank explanation of US taxes.


RE: VAT\Sales taxes in the UK...
By glennpratt on 8/26/2006 1:09:18 PM , Rating: 2
Almost nothing? Hah, they may reduce the payments, but rich people still frequently pay more in taxes then many of us will ever make in a year. Anybody who has a big income and pays 'almost nothing' will be looking at an audit. Crap, my fathers small business didn't make any money for a couple years while he went back to school and we get IRS agents pounding on the door.


$$$ instead of quality :/
By grimdeath on 8/25/2006 3:32:59 AM , Rating: 3
i dont care about the gear and gadgets, i just want to have fun games to play....has the community lost its soul so much that its forgotten what gaming is?!?!

wii may pull through just because its the only console people might be willing to shell out for....im just not understanding who MS and sony are trying to fool making people pay more for a console that does less then a computer!

honestly it breaks my heart as a fan of gaming (not brands)




RE: $$$ instead of quality :/
By NotAok on 8/25/2006 11:41:42 AM , Rating: 2
My thoughts are the complete opposite really. I fail to see what's so great about the Wii. Flailing my arms around like an idiot is not something I'm looking forward to. Plus there's the obvious lack of power. Graphics aside, this will also mean games will not improve in other areas like a.i.

We've had add-ons for consoles many times before. (racing wheel, fishing rods, guns) and no one ever made those out to be "revolutionary". But now Nintendo turns around and basically re-releases a GameCube with a gimmick and everyone goes nuts?!


RE: $$$ instead of quality :/
By jimmy43 on 8/25/2006 12:51:37 PM , Rating: 2
The real problem is not system power but the development resources to take advantage of them. Games nowadays need huge investements of cash and very advanced programming skills that not alot of companies can afford. The more complicated a system the more of these resources required. Anyways, my main point is Advanced Hardware != Pretty graphics and smart AI, which obviosly does not translate into a fun game on its own anyways.


RE: $$$ instead of quality :/
By michael2k on 8/25/2006 12:59:19 PM , Rating: 2
I miss the Light Zapper and PowerGlove. Playing Metal Gear Solid on a Wii would be loads of fun if they can use the Wiimote to:
Aim and shoot
Flick to peek around corners
Flick to duck
Flick to jump/grab
Shake to choke
Stab/slash/swipe to stab/slash/swipe with the sword


RE: $$$ instead of quality :/
By mushi799 on 8/25/2006 2:01:07 PM , Rating: 2
i agree with Notaok. Nothing more than a gamecubeII with a cool remote. Same titles but rehash for the Wii. The only reason why wii is talked about is its LOW PRICE. Dreamcast proved having a low price doesn't mean jackshit.

Wii will have two/three years of success then it will dip off like the gamecube.


RE: $$$ instead of quality :/
By bunnyfubbles on 8/25/2006 2:24:32 PM , Rating: 1
You guys are right about the "cool remote" with less than stellar hardware, however you're failing miserably to see how much engineering went into the controller. If it was such a simple thing, Microsoft and Sony would have their own flawless versions out in time to spoil Nintendo's thunder. But that isn't the case; instead we get PS3 without any rumble and a half-assed tilt control which is entirely gimmick.

The Wii's remote looks fluid and natural when in use, the tilt control demonstrated on the PS3 made the guy look like a jack ass, and when viewing his efforts on screen revealed the titling pretty much did jack squat for him in game, it just made the ship look like it was dying duck.

In a couple of years Sony and Microsoft might come out with something far closer in functionality to the Wii remote, but it would most likely be too late by then, Nintendo will have won its over its intended user base as well as developers.


RE: $$$ instead of quality :/
By mushi799 on 8/25/2006 8:26:22 PM , Rating: 2
Rumble is not that popular, besides third party controllers will have rumble. Heck you can use ur ps2 controllers or psx if you really want that feature.

Console history has shown us, gimmicks don't last long. Remember the glove for the original NES? It was cool for a year, then people got tired of it. Remember when the whole gun craze? That died after a few months.


RE: $$$ instead of quality :/
By glennpratt on 8/26/2006 1:01:41 PM , Rating: 2
Microsoft made a tilt controller something like 10 years ago, it works fine, I still have one, but who care about details right?

Your hands/arms are NOT accurate against zero resistance, there will be no pure aiming with the Wii, it's a gimmick that Nintendo zealots are falling over themselves for even though it's nothing new and they haven't even tried it. Try out a gyration if you like, it's useable, but hardly enjoyable.


By psychobriggsy on 8/25/2006 6:53:51 AM , Rating: 2
Okay, some of that price will be VAT which is included in prices in Europe, and assuming a worst case like 25% VAT too, the pre-VAT price would be €200 max.

That's a fairly hefty markup ... 25000 ¥ would be more fairly priced at €169, or £113. In the UK, add on 17.5% VAT and round up to a nice number and you get £139.95 - anything significantly higher than that and I'll feel it is a rip off, and I won't buy.




By Schadenfroh on 8/25/2006 7:39:35 AM , Rating: 2
Holy crap! The EU countries have a 20%ish sales tax?


By h0kiez on 8/25/2006 8:24:43 AM , Rating: 3
We all get robbed on taxes...it's just a matter of where the government thinks you'll least notice it.


By Myrandex on 8/25/2006 8:29:05 AM , Rating: 4
Something has to pay for Socialistic ideas and methods in governments...


By BZDTemp on 8/28/2006 7:58:29 AM , Rating: 2
It depends. Here in Denmark, which is part of the EU, we have a 25% sales tax which is put on almost anything plus there are loads of special taxes as well!

Fx. cars get hit with a 180% tax which then gets the 25% sales tax on top which really means buy one car and pay for three. Gas in the EU cost aprox. twice of the US and loads of other stuff is tax real bad also and don't even get me started on income tax!

On the plus side the EU wages are higher than just about anywhere else. Fx. a full time job delivering newspapers will bring you $3000+ a month before taxes.


Woooo Canada, Ice Houses and low Taxes
By barjebus on 8/25/2006 10:39:51 AM , Rating: 2
Would you rather pay 10% more for your goods and get free health care, or spend 75,000$ on a hospital visit if you're hit by a car?

It would be interesting for someone to calculate the amount of disposable income that they spend on goods and services that sales tax applies to in the states and then figure out how many hospital visits it would require to make free health care worth it.

In Canada we have 7% provincial sales tax, and then 6% government sales tax. I'm in Saskatchewan, but in Alberta there is no PST, only the 6% GST. As for income tax I think the poor among us (like me!) generally pay 20 - 30%. Since i'm a university student though I can claim around 16,000$ as tax free income, and then use other tax credits to keep me from paying income tax.




By Hippiekiller on 8/25/2006 11:35:29 AM , Rating: 4
Heres an interesting concept for you.

Medical Insurance.


By jon1003 on 8/25/2006 12:20:54 PM , Rating: 2
Buy insurance buddy. Problem solved.


By michael2k on 8/25/2006 1:03:49 PM , Rating: 3
My insurance is roughly 6% of my income.

If I get hit by a car, the medical bill is roughly $500, flat.

My doctor visits are $10 each.
My income tax is 15% and my sales tax is 7%.

So no, health care is never FREE. You pay for it somehow, but I pay much less than $75,000.


By glennpratt on 8/26/2006 1:18:44 PM , Rating: 2
$75,000? Thats a bit extreme, but anyway: First of all get medical insurance (personal responsibility), second sue the driver that hit you (hold others to account for thier actions). No doubt there are issues with the US system, but it isn't all bad. Healthcare here is excellent, partly because it is expensive, but also because we have choices. Single payer is not the only solution, I'd much prefer some mandatory level of health insurance.

Remember, there is no 'free health care'. You just pay for it differently.


Death and taxes
By Cobus on 8/25/2006 10:25:21 AM , Rating: 2
Spare a thought for us at the other side of the sphere, i.e. South Africa. Here we have VAT of 14% on ALL goods, and my income tax sits at a very nice 38% (that is thirty-eight not three point eight).




RE: Death and taxes
By JY on 8/25/2006 10:31:58 AM , Rating: 2
You win ! :(


RE: Death and taxes
By BZDTemp on 8/28/2006 8:16:48 AM , Rating: 2
No he doesn't!

Here's my monthly tax budget:
For the first $500 I pay no tax and then I pay 45% of the next $ progessive going up to about 60% for the last $ I make.
After the income tax there is a 1% yearly tax on the estimated value of my apartment, a 25% sales tax on everything except newspapers, special taxes on luxury stuff, 180% tax on cars and motorcycles, taxes on anything energy...

I win :-(

I must however be said that I'm not complaining just reporting. Denmark is a very good place to live. The tax system ensures a society where nobody is starving, there are no homeless (except a few dozen people which don't want live under a roof), education is free, hospitals are free, crime is very low and corruption is virtually none exsistant. The weather could be better :-)


Damn!
By Zarsky on 8/25/2006 6:03:42 AM , Rating: 2
I hate that!
They always give us the most expensive prices!

I noticed that sometimes our prices are almost double the american prices.

So U.S people shouldn't complain about their pricing.




RE: Damn!
By kelmon on 8/25/2006 6:39:09 AM , Rating: 2
In general pricing, particularly that for software, is double the US price in the UK and double the UK price in the Euro-zone. The explanation for this is part bullshit (it's more expensive to operate in the UK and the Euro-zone) and part our own fault - if we will pay the prices then don't expect the manufacturers/publishers to cut their prices.


time for change
By Comdrpopnfresh on 8/25/2006 11:58:06 PM , Rating: 2
considering the lower price compared to ps3 and the xbox 360, and the insanely larger number of developers signing up for the wii (esp. compared to the gamecube's showing with developers)- I think its time for nintendo to sell one of their systems at a loss. I believe it is what microsoft and sony did the last round, but nintendo never has. It we saw a 150-170 price tag on the wii- with the same games as the other systems, as well has nintendo exclusives- then there is no doubt in my mind that everyone will buy a wii- either instead, or in a combo with another system... Then they might end up making more money, with all the licensing fees for games and such




RE: time for change
By MADAOO7 on 8/27/2006 5:34:31 PM , Rating: 2
Clearly you haven't considered what businesses like to call "supply and demand." Nintendo won't be able to produce enough Wii's to satiate the demand for the console at launch regardless of price. That strategy that will be the most successful is pricing the Wii where demand meets supply or slightly higher than demand to create what marketers, such as myself, call "desire".


Whoa!
By Kromis on 8/25/2006 3:15:59 AM , Rating: 2
Wow, Europe always gets the expensive stuff! :)




Europe and taxes?
By JY on 8/25/2006 10:11:25 AM , Rating: 2
In Belgium it's 6% for basic necessities (water, bread …), everything else is 21%.
Next week I’ll have to pay 29000€ taxes for the little apartment I just bought…
No Wii for me (for now)…




Bee
By CKDragon on 8/25/2006 11:02:56 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Nintendo's Wii is still expected to bee cheaper than consoles from Microsoft and Sony






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