Nintendo Wii Price Cut: The Benefits

When the Nintendo Wii was released in November 2006, it carried a $250 price tag, but nevertheless became a huge success with its ability to cater to players of all ages and get them off the couch in order to get the most out of their games. Even as the economy went downhill and Nintendo's competitors lowered the price on their systems, the Wii's price remained unchanged. Now, however, Nintendo has finally given in, and has cut the price of the Wii by 20% to $200 while still keeping its features, including the inclusion of Wii Sports, intact. This can only bring good things for a system that has become well known and liked in just a few short years. Here are the benefits that a slightly cheaper Wii can produce...

As everyone knows, the economy has been weakened over the last couple of years, and people do not have as much money to spend on non-essential things like they once did. Therefore, a $250 video game console may be somewhat out of their budget. In a time where prices are being reduced on many things to make them more affordable during the economic downturn, the Wii's price cut is a very good move on Nintendo's part. Although $200 may still seem a bit expensive, the savings can be good for everyone looking for something to entertain them during such trying times. Indeed, it has been proved that people tend to turn for ways to escape from reality, at least for a little while, when the economy is bad. The slightly cheaper Wii, with such acclaimed games as Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Fit, and Mario Kart Wii, can provide plenty of entertainment for the entire family, even if they are on a tighter budget.

While the Wii has been known to be sold out in many stores in the past, the lower price is certain to make Nintendo a bit richer in the long term. In fact, sales of the Wii have already begun to climb as a result of the price cut. As the holiday season approaches, this is a particularly good sign that Nintendo could make a lot of money during the final months of 2009. Before the price cut, the Wii was not selling as much as before on account of the recession, but now it looks as if many families will be getting a great console to share for Christmas. In the end, everyone wins: people can spend hours entertaining themselves with Nintendo's most popular console yet, while the company itself will continue to remain strong in spite of a bad economy.

The price cut comes at a time when some of the most highly anticipated Wii games are being prepared for release. In the fourth quarter of the year, Wii Fit Plus will once again encourage people to get off the couch and get some valuable exercise, while New Super Mario Bros. Wii will feature four player action in a Mario side scrolling game for the first time. In 2010 and beyond, many other games that will surely become huge hits will also come along. Super Mario Galaxy 2 will continue Mario's space adventures, Metroid: Other M should be Samus Aran's biggest quest yet, and a new Legend of Zelda game will excite people who have been looking forward to a new Zelda title since Twilight Princess launched with the Wii. These and other upcoming titles will surely benefit from the lower price, and those coming out for the holidays could very well be among the must-have, and best-selling, gifts for 2009.

I have been the owner of a Wii ever since it launched back in 2006. Of course, the economy was not in such a bad shape as it is now, and I am pleased to see that Nintendo has made a lot of money from the Wii in spite of such a terrible downturn. However, I feel that the time was right for a price cut to be made because people are suffering from the recession. Jobs and homes are being lost, the act of spending a lot of money on non-essential material has decreased, and people are being worse off as a result. With the Wii at a $200 price tag, it can give people a chance to entertain themselves at a somewhat more affordable price. Now if only Nintendo would also lower the prices of some of its software (some of its earlier games are still $50 despite being almost three years old), then I would be even happier knowing that they are trying to encourage sales of their systems and games without ruining peoples' budgets.

Anyone who has always wanted a Wii, but thought that the $250 price tag was out of their league, might now be able to afford the popular console. At a $200 price tag, people simply cannot go wrong with the motion controls that encourage them to become more active players. Could the Wii become a hot item for the holiday season once again? It seems likely because of the price reduction, and I can just imagine the joy on peoples' faces when Christmas morning arrives and they find the Wii under their tree. If you do not have a Wii yet and you have a spare $200 to spend, be sure and pick one up for Christmas, or any other time. You will see for yourself why it may very well be Nintendo's best accomplishment to date.

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6232030.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newstop&tag=newstop;title;11