Pachter: Take out Wii Sports, sell Wii for $199
by David Hinkle 
{ Jan 30th 2008 at 6:00PM }
Michael Pachter, the man who makes a living predicting sales trends and corporate decisions in the gaming industry, is saying that Nintendo should cut Wii Sports out of the package and sell the Wii for a cool $199. "I think that if Nintendo were to do so and cut the price to $199, it would still sell a piece of Nintendo software to 80% of new Wii purchasers, and would end up effectively lowering revenues per console by only around $10," he explained in an interview with Gamasutra. You see, Pachter thinks this is not going to be that great of a year for the Wii.Pachter further explains that the high-definition features of the other consoles make them "more likely to end up in the living room, which could relegate the Wii to the playroom." He says this could be bad for the Wii, as if it "is not at the center of the home entertainment system, software sales could suffer as a result."
We can't say we particularly agree with Pachter. We're not sure we'd see Nintendo cut the price on the Wii anytime soon, and if they did, we would hope it didn't involve losing one of the best experiences one can have on the console, let alone the best Wiimote trainer we've ever had time with. What do you folks think?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
vidGuy @ Jan 30th 2008 6:05PM
When Wii supply finally meets demand, we'll see a few more months of the $249 price tag. Then, the current package will be dropped to $229 or $199. Removing Wii Sports would be a HUGE mistake as it's the primary sale factor for many of the current consumers. Pachter, you stupefy me again.
Do I expect this to come anytime soon? No. We'd be lucky to see a price drop on the Wii before the calendars turn to 2009.
The only other packaged model I could see Nintendo coming out with is a "Classic Gaming" package with a VC controller and a Wii Points card. It'd be cool if that came out at the $249 price when the current package drops.
Rob @ Jan 30th 2008 8:36PM
Removing Wii Sports would be bad news.
If someone that doesn't own a Wii sees one in stock for once, they'll just grab it for the $250 (including a free and popular game). If they have to get the Wii alone and have to choose a game, it'll turn more of the general audience off since they aren't too familiar with the choices.
Mr Khan @ Jan 30th 2008 6:22PM
Pachter: Take out Wii Sports, sell 75% less Wiis
vidGuy @ Jan 30th 2008 8:01PM
Haha, looks like we figured out how to take care of this supply-demand issue!
Pachter: Nintendo needs to stop making money!
stinkbug @ Jan 30th 2008 6:38PM
Wii Sports is not Combat.
People love Wii Sports. Don't waste people's time (and also create more packaging) by un-bundling them.
Steven Jones @ Jan 30th 2008 6:39PM
If I want to play so called 'HD' games I'll go play them on my PC which has provided 'HD' resolutions for over half a decade! The Wii stays in the living room because gaming in the living room is about a social event, and none of the other consoles are even close to the Wii on that. PS3s and XBoxs are far more likely to end up in the bedroom whilst having GTA IV played for 16 hours a day by the younger generation.
Perverted @ Jan 30th 2008 7:15PM
I don't even have Wii sports.....I don't think I'm missing anything.....This guy will likely be wrong.....Again...
TD @ Jan 31st 2008 1:31AM
How can you be a Wii owner and not have Wii Sports? It sounds like there's a story behind this.
vidGuy @ Jan 31st 2008 2:00AM
If he has a Japanese Wii, case closed. They don't come packaged with Wii Sports.
Sonic_13 @ Jan 30th 2008 7:23PM
Wii Sports is the reason why Wii is selling so well. Having such a great game that everyone can join in and play is the reason why Wii has been the hot item for over a year and two holidays straight.
Also, his words seem to suggest that the price of Wii is $250 because Wii Sports is bundled in, which simply isn't true. It's $250 because the Wii features more expensive hardware (i.e. motion sensors, etc.) and Nintendo needs to make a nice profit on each console because it doesn't have other sectors to rely on (unlike Sony and Microsoft, in which the gaming division is only part of the larger company).
TD @ Jan 31st 2008 1:33AM
Well, it does have it's handheld division, which I hear is doing well.
Zack W. @ Jan 30th 2008 7:24PM
Who ever though: "Gee, $250! Give me a break. I am not paying that much for that thing sitting on the shelf!"
It mostly goes like this: "GGAAAAAAAA when will you get more of those Wiis on your shelves? When?!? $250? I don't care. In fact, here, take my first born. Just give me a Wii!!!!!"
hvnlysoldr @ Jan 30th 2008 7:48PM
Rumpelstiltskin kicks himself for choosing spinning gold instead of wii money printing.
supermario128 @ Jan 30th 2008 7:40PM
This guy is retarded.
NutMac @ Jan 30th 2008 8:55PM
If $199 Wii replaces Wii Sports with 720p (or better) HD capability, yes, many will prefer to buy that. But I don't know where he got his college education from (if at all), but someone should tell him that Wii is still selling out in most major US markets.
ManekiNeko @ Jan 30th 2008 8:56PM
Has there ever been an instance where this man has been correct about anything in the past two years? My guess is no.
The only thing worse than his pie-in-the-sky predictions is his condescending attitude toward the Wii. "This system's not for the living room, it's for the play room!" Yeah, and your wacky predictions aren't for the front page, they're for the bird cage.
RR @ Jan 30th 2008 10:26PM
Huh? It probably costs Nintendo less than $5 to make Wii Sports. And it doesn't have the same packaging either. Last time I checked, people are paying $450 plus for bundles too. How many people are actually getting a Wii for $249 and having an easy time doing it?
Adv2k1 @ Jan 30th 2008 10:46PM
it would be a good idea however to sell wiisports by itself for $20. Tons of idiots will buy it because they are casual and broke disks or lost them.
Julien @ Jan 31st 2008 9:12AM
You'd sell your mother for less I suppose too
angelbabe531 @ Jan 30th 2008 11:28PM
Lol, this guy amuses me. It makes no actual sense. They're selling like crazy at $250, so Nintendo must be super happy that they're getting the extra padding off of a game that costs a few bucks to print on a disk. Adding a game with a "$50 value" has appeal to the masses. Why would they lose a guaranteed $50 of perceived value by letting 20% of people opt to not buy that game?
And I agree with everyone else who said that Wii Sports is the very reason the Wii that people buy the Wii. It's a phenomenon and it defines the system. Those people who wouldn't want it are likely in the more devoted gaming crowd and would probably buy the Wii in a bundle because they enjoy gaming. So for a company, it's a win win situation.
The unbundling will happen when sales drop...dramatically. Or competition forces a price drop. He's not a genius for saying it, but instead looks silly for talking it up way too soon.
Derek J @ Jan 30th 2008 11:37PM
I'm holding out for Nintendo to release an Onyx version to buy my Wii. It would be great if the price was lowered when that happens, but I don't want to have to buy Wii Sports seperately at any time.
I'm sure that the folks at Nintendo won't be reducing the console's price any time soon, but they may start releasing different packages. To justify the $250 price in the near future, they will probably start packing in an extra controller or a game like Zelda or Mario.
TD @ Jan 31st 2008 1:37AM
Hey, they could pack in Wii Sports AND Mario Galaxy, and it would still be cheaper than the cheapest XBox.
Bob @ Jan 31st 2008 8:31AM
I think when Nintendo finally stops selling out of stores one the Wii hits the rack, that then they will come up with different marketing strategies. I really don't think Nintendo's going to have a problem anytime soon.
Co @ Jan 31st 2008 8:57AM
Exactly.
Pamela @ Jan 31st 2008 7:38AM
I only played Wii Sports while I was waiting for good Wii games to come out, otherwise I never use it, I'd be happy with a cheaper Wii without Wii Sports. I would say for Nintendo to put out better games instead of many mini game fillers or low quality games and a price cut wouldn't be needed for a while.
Rellik @ Jan 31st 2008 8:56AM
I hate bundels. I didn't play Wii Sports but I was forced to throw out 50€ for it.
Co @ Jan 31st 2008 8:56AM
"Pachter further explains that the high-definition features of the other consoles make them "more likely to end up in the living room..."
Yea, maybe the living room of a rented house between 4 college kids scrapping their way through school between Madden sessions. Outside of that setting, I highly doubt it.
darkcomputerguru @ Jan 31st 2008 9:13AM
taking out the game would be a bad idea parents love the idea that they can buy the system (Wii) with a game already in it, and not have to buy any thing else that day.
No game in the box means extra cost. or a game system that sits at home until you can buy a game for it.
Not every household can afford both.
Keeping the game in keeps sales up.
just my 2 cents
SolidSnake2K7 @ Jan 31st 2008 10:23AM
I wish Nintendo made a better bundle with the Wii. SNES had great bundles. Like SNES with Killer Instinct or SNES with Super Mario World. Even N64 had some good bundles like the N64 with DK64. When I got my Wii I played Wii Sports for 30 minutes threw it in the corner after that played LoZ: Twilight princess and never touched Wii Sports again. Maybe its because i'm a core gamer but I don't really see the big deal with WIi Sports. IMO its a budget title. They would be better off with SMG or LoZ Twilight Princess in the bundle.
Co @ Jan 31st 2008 10:33AM
People need to realize this: Until the day comes where Wiis sit on store shelves for more than an hour after being stocked, NOTHING will change.
samfish @ Jan 31st 2008 11:01AM
Pachter is either a moron or trying to give Nintendo some bad advice. Nintendo would NEVER remove Wii Sports from the Wii unless it's to replace it with, say, Wii Sports 2 or something. It would be crazy stupid, to say the least.
Neal Eaton @ Jan 31st 2008 1:05PM
I think it would NOT be a wise move for Nintendo to un-bundle Wii Sports from the console...it is the 'proof-of-concept' that showcases the Wii's controls.
The games are simple on purpose...they are the best way to teach someone how to play, and come to grips with the 'new' concept of motion controls that Nintendo developed.
I know that I have played Wii Sports as much or more than any other game on the system...it is what I use to show it off to friends that have not had an experience with the Wii...and they ususally 'get-it' within the 1st few minutes.
Wushupants @ Jan 31st 2008 2:44PM
i think you shouldn't trust a guy who looks like the creator of high school musical. kenny waddamablip or something.
James @ Jan 31st 2008 5:35PM
I used to marvel at people paying $100 for Pong back in the 70s -- equivalent to about 4 times that much today -- for a machine that just played a single (albeit popular) game. I think if you look at the numbers, it's perfectly possible that the Wii + Sports bundle is repeating the Pong success story, among a similar market segment. I wouldn't be surprised if close to half the Wii owners today bought it just to bowl.
Cliff @ Feb 5th 2008 1:43AM
The problem with this logic is that most consoles live in the playroom? What parents want their kids using the main tv with a gaming console? My parents never did. When the parents come home and want to watch TV, they don't want the kids sitting in front of the main TV playing games.
That's just the way it is. I may be an adult now and have a video game system hooked up to my main TV, but if I had kids I'd relegate the systems to the playroom too. If you have a playroom, it's where it belongs.