The interactive Wii cost calculator [update 2]
by Jason Wishnov 
{ Sep 21st 2006 at 5:09PM }
Let's face it: the true "price" of the Wii is nowhere close to two hundred and fifty dollars. It varies wildly from person to person, dependent on launch titles, extra controllers, and virtual console points. That's why some clever folks at N-sider.com have put together a lovely calculator for you, to determine how much you'll be spending come November. It gives accurate descriptions of all confirmed launch titles, and takes into account just about everything you could possibly desire ... except, unfortunately, an SD card. Still, with the limited number of Virtual Console titles at launch, the chances that you'll be needing a additional storage immediately are pretty slim. Check below for the entire Wii Fanboy staff's expected costs!
Jason Wishnov - $476.94
Extra controller w/nunchuk, classic controller
Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
2000 Virtual Console points
David Hinkle - $667.70
Extra controller w/nunchuk
Elebits, Excite Truck, Rayman Raving Rabbids, Red Steel, Zelda: Twilight Princess, Trauma Center: Second Opinion
2000 Virtual Console points
Alisha Karabinus - $635.90
Extra controller w/nunchuk, classic controller
Excite Truck, Red Steel, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, Trauma Center: Second Opinion, Zelda: Twilight Princess
2000 Virtual Console points
Nikki Inderlied - $558.99
Extra controller w/nunchuk, classic controller
Zelda: Twilight Princess, Trauma Center: Second Opinion, Red Steel, Rayman Raving Rabbids
500 Virtual Console points
What are you guys spending? Let us know!
[Update 1: Added in Alisha's projected costs.]
[Update 2: Added in Nikki's projected costs.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TVGenius @ Sep 21st 2006 5:17PM
$559.60 for me. Shhh... don't let Wifey see...
Since as far as I've seen any SD card's good, I'll just start watching the Best Buy ads for the next few weeks for a smoking rebate deal (or hit Fry's if I get out of town). If all else fails, I've got a 128mb I'm not using...
vidGuy @ Sep 21st 2006 5:19PM
$430.45
Wii retail box
+ remote
+ nunchuk
+ LoZ:TP
+ Red Steel
I’ll be picking up more games as the cash becomes available. Think I can find $50 in couch-change? :)
mykie @ Sep 21st 2006 5:26PM
I'm almost ashamed to admit this, but I'm among friends, right?
I've been constantly updating my own Excel spreadsheet with the projected prices, and accessories shown on this site...
Wii shopping list
4gb SD card (est) $65.00
Component Video Selector (est) $100.00
(Joytech 240c or Psyclone PSC01)
Wii Component cable (est) $29.99
Wii Console $249.99
Wii-Remote $39.99
Wii Classic Controller $19.99
Nunchuck $19.99
Zelda: Twilight Princess $49.99
Excitetruck $49.99
Virtual Console points $20.00
Subtotal $644.93
+Tax (8.6%) $57.40
Total $702.33
This is a bit closer, since the Sales Tax on N-sider.com is wrong for my state. I'm guessing it probably doesn't account for humungous county and city taxes.
Zachary Hinchliffe @ Sep 21st 2006 5:40PM
Wii package + extra remote + extra nunchuk + Twilight Princess + Rayman Raving Rabbids + Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz + no sales tax (living in New Hampshire is freaking awesome) + $20.00 worth of virtual console points = $479.94
Alisha Karabinus @ Sep 21st 2006 5:41PM
I, too, see that I will be poor come launch date... but at least we get several games with our exorbitant launch costs!
SpeZek @ Sep 21st 2006 5:51PM
Wii
Zelda TP
Classic Controller
$420 CDN
But if I go down to North Dakota, with exchange, I get it for $378
USA! USA! USA!
Frederik @ Sep 21st 2006 5:53PM
A European version would be awesome.
adam @ Sep 21st 2006 6:05PM
$799...I have to narrow my game selection :/
gs @ Sep 21st 2006 6:07PM
David Hinkle, don't forget to tack on the "classic controller". I don't think you can get much use out of your Virtual Console points otherwise.
My launch costs look like this:
Extra controller w/nunchuk, classic controller
probably 4 games (not completely decided yet which ones)
2000 Virtual Console points
$584.29
themikey @ Sep 21st 2006 6:40PM
$519.70CDN
Wii
WiiMote
Nunchuck
Retro Controller
LoZ:TP
2000 VC points
(add component cables, too)
This also doesn't take into account game rentals. Or the fact that I'm limiting myself until final exams are done in December. I don't need to be playing with my Wii while studying. Damned University.
@ SpeZek
Wii road trip! Admirable, but gas cost would kill any savings :(
SPeaking of ND, you're not from Saskatchewan, are you?
friedgreenmushrooms @ Sep 23rd 2006 11:12PM
Ontario has 14% sales tax...but before now I never noticed how expensive that really was...
Anyway, just a Wii and TP for me...which comes to a nice total of...
$387.53?!?!
Ouchies...but I'd be happy to even get the console at launch. I don't know if I can be ninja enough to pull it off.
danjo1 @ Sep 21st 2006 6:24PM
Since I'm a cheapskate, I would probably just get the boxed system, a retro controller and 2000 points.
I don't know how much that will come out to in canadian money but it's $310.28 US for me.
If a friend wants to play, I would convince them to buy their own controller so they can store their Mii Profile on it.
Joe @ Sep 21st 2006 8:02PM
For me it was $374.80. I won't be buying any VC points or the classic controller yet, and I don't have the need for additional controllers as of now. I'll be getting the system, Twilight Princess, and Trauma Center, and maybe after the reviews come in, Red Steel.
danjo1 @ Sep 21st 2006 6:27PM
Stupid me, just found the canadian one, here's my final tally in canadian: $348.68
Parker @ Sep 21st 2006 6:29PM
Call me a fuddy-duddy, but one of the main reasons I ever became interested in the Wii was its low price point. I don't consider $250 for a console launch low by any means, and when you tack on all these semi-necessary extras, the whole thing becomes a joke.
It still looks like a good console, but I won't be plunking down that much cash for it, that's for sure. If I can't be up and running (playing at least one game, two players) for under $200, count me out. What's the deal with this industry, anyway? Seems to me that if Nintendo's trying to reach casual gamers and non-gamers, this kind of thinking should be a given to reach that market.
Probot @ Sep 21st 2006 6:29PM
Zelda, Red Steel, Extra controller = $418.23
That's the plan at launch. I'll have to get the VC stuff later.
Curtis Robert @ Sep 21st 2006 6:43PM
Hey, so quick question I have about this...are all these games listed here actually launch titles, like coming out on Nov. 19th? If not, is there a comprehensive list somewhere of what games are...or is it still kind of a gray area?
Oh, but $511.13 for me...not to bad compared to when I got my 360, haha
haegen @ Sep 21st 2006 7:06PM
about $321 for the console and Twilight Princess. and $20/mo for a gamefly subscription :)
Probot @ Sep 21st 2006 7:06PM
Parker,
There was no reason to expect anything less than a $250 price. Nintendo clearly stated that was the ceiling, so you have to expect it's an option.
"If I can't be up and running (playing at least one game, two players) for under $200, count me out."
I guess you've never bought a console at launch before, because that's almost never been possible.
Captain Obvious @ Sep 21st 2006 7:09PM
$332.44. Wii + Wii Remote + Wii Nunchuk + CA sales tax.
Wii Sports will be enough for me for right now.
Jedidiah @ Sep 27th 2006 12:59PM
$149.99, and Nintendo would have had at least one more customer. 250 is way too much to be considered affordable, no matter what the big gorillas cost.
Joe @ Sep 21st 2006 8:04PM
Oh, and whats this that started being sent in the confirmation emails lately? It doesn't seem theres a place to log in anywhere-
"P.S.: For future reference, you may avoid these confirmations by using your e-mail and password:
E-mail:
Password: "
dannyboy112591 @ Sep 21st 2006 8:06PM
Console-250
Madden 2007-50
Wii-mote-40
Nunchuck-20
That adds up to 360...lol
I really hope ebgames/gamestop has a madden bundle with a controller and nunchuck.
SpeZek @ Sep 21st 2006 8:11PM
Saskatchewan? You insult me sir! I'm from Manitoba, and my women have don't have dirty Regina's!
As for the gas, it's NP because I was planning a road trip around US Thanksgiving anyway.
Kat @ Sep 21st 2006 8:14PM
$424 USD with Michigan tax.
Zelda, Metal Slug, and Wii Play
I'm all for Elebits, Excitetruck, Red Steel, and Trauma Center, but would like to see some reviews first. I'll also wait for the Virtual Console to grow before I get any points or a classic controller. I have a 30 GB external drive ready for extra memory.
Darkinetix @ Sep 21st 2006 8:17PM
hmm
Wii
+Zelda
+free gamestop checkouts =]
--------
$324.73
if anyone else wants to play, make them buy their own controller!
PS: As far as I know our gamestop doesnt have a bundle on the Wii with any games at the moment... then again, you can't reserve yet(and somewhat likely never will be able to, until like a week before lol)
Hame @ Sep 21st 2006 8:56PM
To David Hinkle and Alisha Karabinus:
Are you saying that you're getting all those games on the same day?! How can you properly enjoy any of them? Surely you will get far more out of each game if you spread them out and dedicate time to each individually.
I guess I just cannot understand people who buy so many games at one time and not feel completely overwhelmed. Have you not heard of "too much of a good thing"?
Bipedal @ Sep 22nd 2006 9:05PM
$426.35 = Wiisports/Wii bundle, Extra Wiimote+Nunchuck, Red steel, Zelda Twilight Princess
Josh @ Sep 21st 2006 9:27PM
I can't really decide on games right now, since I haven't seem the reviews yet, but I'm looking at anywhere from $400 to $600.
Oh, and Joe: I have no idea where to put my password, either. :
nintenfan @ Sep 21st 2006 9:54PM
Zelda Tp 50
Super Monkey 50
Extra Wii-mote 60
Red steel 50
Wii -250
with tax 487.60
SilverFenrir @ Sep 21st 2006 9:56PM
Hehe...
$695.39
Wii, extra wiimote, nunchuk, retro,
DBZ, Excite Truck, Far Cry, Red Steel,
LoZ:TP, Trauma Center, and 2000 VC Points
dramamoose @ Sep 26th 2006 12:15AM
Ouch.....
Okay.
On launch day:
Wii
Remote, Nunchuck
Call of Duty 3
=$384.36
Shortly After:
Retro Controller + 2000 Wiipoints
= $40
Jan/Feb next year:
Red Steel
Grand total: $479.19
Not that bad, considering.
Tom @ Sep 21st 2006 10:42PM
Probot, I think we SHOULD count Parker out. I don't much fancy having to play Nintendo Wifi assfaces like him, so I'm glad that works out as much for him as it does for me.
Nik @ Sep 21st 2006 11:10PM
My bare minimum is $477.91 CDN. Which nets me -
Wii System
3 Extra Wiimotes
Twilight Princess
Four controllers out of the gate is absolutely essential to me. I'm trying to sell my buds on this thing so I need the good old fashioned Nintendo multiplayer fun. If I ended up with more money than I expect come November I could end up adding Excite Truck ($537.90) or a couple of retro pads and some VC Credit ($551.89) or even all of that together ($611.88). Wow this is actually starting to look like a really good deal!
:( never mind, I had forgotten to factor in taxes
knew it was too good to be true.
Danj3ris @ Sep 21st 2006 11:53PM
Console: 250$
Classic Controller: 19.99$
or if gamecube controller works: 0$
A bunch of gamecube games I havent finished: 0$
Total: 280$ ?
Or if that ludicrous "do 3 sponsor offers get free gift" thing works out: A grand total of 35$.
I'll let you all know if THAT works out. :
Neko Tsukimi @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:27AM
$314.97 (no tax)
Wii+TP+wimote+nunchaku+500 points
$346.47 with Montgomery, AL's 10% tax
$341.74 if I hop county and go to Pratville, AL where the sales tax is 8.5% (only saving $5...)
$400
Wii+TP+wimote+nunchaku+500 points+Doritos+Dew+Pizza+Chicken McNuggets :D
Danny @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:46AM
well lets see for now i want:
1. Wii console
2. Extra Wii-remote w/nunchuck
3. Marvel Ultimate Alliance
Total: about:380$ (plus the tax and im not sure how much that will be)
themikey @ Sep 22nd 2006 2:46AM
@ SpeZek
Ew. Regina is the worst place on the planet. It smells funny and its water tastes like diluted urine. I hail from Saskatoon.
I'm using Regina for the Stones concert in October, then I'll chuck it away like a cigarette butt.
BTW - Saskatchewan FTW. The only place in the world where you can watch yourdog run away for three days.
jarret blanton @ Sep 22nd 2006 1:41AM
$350 total, will just have to see what that'll bring me
AlexL™ @ Sep 22nd 2006 1:50AM
Wow, lol big price tag for me..
- $679.15 USD
Extra controller w/nunchuk, classic controller
Call of Duty 3, Elebits, Excite Truck, Rayman Raving Rabbids, Red Steel, Zelda: Twilight Princess
2000 Virtual Console points
The bad part is, I only have $160 saved up, so I got some cash I gotta find somewhere. If I can't save up the money, I HAVE to get Rayman, CoD3, Red Steel, and Zelda on launch since I pre-ordered them, so at a mininum I need $574.67..
Christopher @ Sep 22nd 2006 3:05AM
Why do you need to get the Classic controller? Can't you just use a Gamecube controller (which seems to have a better design than the classic, although I haven't held a classic yet)?
Joe @ Sep 22nd 2006 3:57AM
Oh, also, check slickdeals.net for SD card deals, there tends to be a new deal for one every week or two.
Rellik @ Sep 22nd 2006 10:55AM
The calculator is missing 2 things.
1. Wii Play (w/ one Wiimote)
2. 50000 Point (w/ one classic controler)
There is no need to buy extra controlers with this 2 option.
MaHe @ Sep 22nd 2006 4:37AM
Basic European Wii package: 250€
WiiPlay (one extra controller): 60€
Total: 310€
Can't afford more currently. Sad.
sphetr2 @ Sep 22nd 2006 5:28AM
alas, i didn't need this calculator to find that i will be spending 250. i'm too po' for anything else right now.
Omegasquash @ Sep 22nd 2006 5:46AM
Heh, thank the powers that be for my fiancee liking this system so much that she's buying the second wiimote. And I've never been happier for something coming out a week after my birthday.
Now, if only the DS offering this season wasn't so very robust, all of my (Wii) problems wouldn't exist. Oh, Trauma Centre, how I long for your embrace....
sphetr2 @ Sep 22nd 2006 5:57AM
what's wiiplay?
Andy M. @ Sep 22nd 2006 6:51AM
$425.95
Wii
Extra WiiMote+Nunchuk
Classic Controller
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz(hazza for Monkey Ball!)
As for the absence of Twilight Princess, 3 reasons:
1) I was never good at 3D Zelda
2) My money doesn't have first party support :p
3) Nintendo promised GC Zelda on Wii release. They are not holding true to their promise. I may get TP when the price drops for the GC one.
Jonathan Harford @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:08PM
The only must-buy is Zelda. Then I think I'll get the classic controller and catch up on all the Gamecube games I missed by not having a GameCube... while the Wii library expands and comes down a little in price.
The classic controller will work for GC games, right? That's a piece I'd like to see on NWFB: are GC controllers only useable for GC games? Are Classic controllers only useable for VC and SSB games? It's a little confusing.
Quaddw @ Sep 22nd 2006 8:34AM
-Wii Console
-Extra Remote
-Extra Nunchuck
-Zelda Twilight Princess
$381.56
Zelda will keep me busy for a long time, so I don't see a full need in buying hte other games right away, not to mention since Wii sports is included it can act as a relaxing game if I get angry at something in Zelda XD