Wii Warm Up: Expense

by Alisha Karabinus { Nov 21st 2008 at 8:00AM }

So the Wii is two years old now. Huzzah! But looking back, with everything you might have bought for your system (excluding games), do you feel like it was a bargain? It was the cheapest of this generation's home consoles, after all, and the bargain aspect was played up by a lot of people. At this point in time, do you feel like you got a good deal on your Wii? Even if you don't, was it/is it worth it?

Tags: anniversary, expense, price

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Ray Ray @ Nov 21st 2008 8:19AM

I thinkd that the Wii was still a good deal. The thing about the periferals (sp) is that nobody is forced to buy them. If you WANT to buy them because you think it will enhance the game, then buy them, but nobody has to. You can still play House of the Dead or Resident evil without the plastic guns. You can still play Mario Kart without the steering wheels. There are certain games that you HAVE to buy the periferals (sp) for, but that's only if you want to play those games, ie. Wii Fit (Balance Board), Guitar Hero (Plastic Guitars). For the most part, the wii was and still is a bargain.

Brandisis @ Nov 21st 2008 8:21AM

Looking back, I realize that I never really spent that much on my Wii console. Last Christmas my mom got it for me and my wife. Then at my birthday last August my mom also got us the Wii Fit as a "I know your birthdays are two months apart, but here's a together gift anyway" gift. Now that I think about it, I think the only thing besides the games that I've bought myself was the Wii Zapper and the charge station (which sucks balls BTW).

So yeah. My Wii didn't cost me that much. :-)

Evan @ Nov 21st 2008 8:22AM

I've spent as much on my Wii as I have on my PS3, because I've bought more games for my Wii. Some where worth it (Zak and Wiki), but some where a waste of money (SSX). I've been able to avoid similar mistakes on the PS3 because the downloadable demos let me make better choices of which games to buy.

Nigeria @ Nov 21st 2008 8:24AM

In terms of price, the only criticism I have is the controller issue; paying £30 for a Wiimote, then an additional £15 for a nunchuck is a bit dear - and the primary reason why I only have two wiimotes/nunchucks. But a high controller markup seems to be a trend in this generation, regardless of the console.

If you exclude first party, I'd still say it has the cheapest library of games. Whether they're all quality, that's another discussion. But judging from the amount of games I've got I think I've got a deal from the Wii overall.

vidGuy @ Nov 21st 2008 8:43AM

The controllers are expensive, but I think the huge step in technology over last generation's pad justifies the extra cash. I got my Wii on launch day, so I didn't have to spend a lot of time hunting one down or paying a premium, but I bet that was the most expensive thing for most people - just getting hold of one.

Ian @ Nov 21st 2008 9:07AM

I think it was totally worth it for me. I went from original NES to Wii, with only a used (and hardly ever used SNES) in between. I've had so much fun playing Mario Galaxy and Twilight Princess. And I can't even count the hours on Wii Sports. I can't wait until I get Wii Fit because it'll be just more fun that I get to have.

ejamer @ Nov 21st 2008 9:41AM

Wii has been a bit of a money sink, but very rewarding at the same time.

The hardware was overpriced for what you actually get, but is unique and provides something different than the competitors. Controllers are quite expensive, but in line with other consoles (especially since you really don't need more than 2 nunchucks most of the time). Accessories could kill you, but the only ones I've bought are 1 Classic Controller and 1 extra Steering Wheel.

Luckily, overspending on hardware is quickly made up when you start buying games - finding hot deals on Wii games is easy! You can have a whole library of sub-$20 games worth playing jsut by waiting and watching for sales. So far, I've managed to get the following titles:

No More Heroes ($20)
Zack & Wiki ($20)
Blast Works ($20)
Sam & Max Season 1 ($15)
Endless Ocean ($13)
Metroid Prime 3 ($10)
Battalion Wars 2 ($10)
Geometry Wars: Galaxies ($10)
Trauma Center: New Blood ($10)
Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles ($5 used)
Manhunt 2 ($5 used)
Nights ($5 used)

That's a lot gaming bang for the buck!

Waffala @ Nov 21st 2008 10:29AM

Where did you find a new copy of Trauma Center New Blood for $10? I really would like to own one of those games after I rented it, but paying $50 for a mercilous confidence crusher doesn't sit well with me.

ejamer @ Nov 21st 2008 1:27PM

EB Games had them on sale at one point this summer - a whole stack of copies.

Had I been thinking, probably should've bought a bunch of those cheap games at once and traded them 3-for-1 later to get new games. Oh well. Never seems to be a lack for budget titles on Wii anyway.

Polo Marco @ Nov 22nd 2008 9:56PM

Could you tell me exactly where you found Sam & Max Season 1 for $15, Geometry Wars: Galaxies for $10, and Trauma Center: New Blood for $10? Those prices don't exactly seem to be the standard, even in regard to used copies of those games. I'd love to get ahold of Trauma Center: New Blood myself, for one thing, but can't find it for less than $18 used. If you choose not to reveal your source, I understand, but you'd be helping a poor, broke gamer out.

samfish @ Nov 21st 2008 10:10AM

I don't feel like I've spent too much money on it. All the non-game related things I bought have been spaced out enough to not feel like I'm throwing money down a hole or something.

TracerBullet @ Nov 21st 2008 10:14AM

So far, in two months, give or take a week, I spent on my system:
The console
Zack & Wiki
Mario Kart Wii
SSBB
A pack of Duracell batteries

Despite not finding Brawl as enjoyable as the other titles, I still think the batteries are the most expensive things I got. The rest sure delivers value to my money.

And do you have an idea of how much I’ll spend in a battery recharger? Sheesh!

Jeremy @ Nov 22nd 2008 11:16PM

Your best bet is spend the $20 on the Energizer 15 minute charger that comes with four batteries. Also note that this charger doesn't do a good job with the cheaper brand batteries.

Squicker @ Nov 21st 2008 10:18AM

I've spent a fortune on mine. 20 games @ £35 - 45 a piece. 2 remotes, 2 nunchucks, 2 zappers, 3 wheels + the console.

The fact my 360 has been cheaper in the long run kinda nullified the initial cheapness of the Wii, although not having to RMA the console every 8 months is in the Wii's favour. ;)

MrTyzik @ Nov 21st 2008 10:19AM

I got it as a birthday present. Since then, I have bought a bunch of the extras including balance board. Even so, it's still worth it. When games work it right, the system is just more genuinely fun than other consoles.

Richard @ Nov 21st 2008 10:42AM

I think it's reasonable value compared to the PS3 and Xbox but, here in the UK, many of the games are just far too expensive for the poor quality they offer.

I'd be forgiving if they were $10-$20, but when they are $37-$52 then it is a completely different matter.

Mr Khan @ Nov 21st 2008 11:12AM

I've stayed out of the peripheral frenzy for the most part, aside from the Wii Wheel, which was totally worth it despite being a piece of inert plastic

I managed to secure the essential extras: Wiimote 2, Nunchuk 2, and Classic Controller right on launch day, and haven't seen the killer app to sell me the Zapper, Balance Board, or Wii Speak yet (though i might cave on all three next year, if Sin & Punishment 2 uses the Zapper, Punch-Out!! uses the Balance Board, and The Conduit uses Wii Speak, as it will)

Melao @ Nov 21st 2008 11:17AM

I have bought 1 nunchuk, 1 wiimote (wii play), 1 balance board (wii fit), 1 composite cable (i still can't believe it wasn't included), 1 gamecube controller, 1 chargin station, 1 SD card. Plus the games, wiiware and VC.

Yeah, I think it would be more expensive than a Xbox360 would have cost, maybe even on par with a PS3 price.

But I bought the Wii because of the Nintendo Games really. You can't get those in other consoles.

The reality is that we pay much more in the Wii hardware, if you compare price/performance ratio.

What really makes the Wii nice is Nintendo game in my view. Not even the new controller scheme, again in my opinion, makes the Wii so special. It is the 1st party software.

EATxCHOUI @ Nov 21st 2008 11:23AM

@ejamer,

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR GAMES?

Those are crazy cheap prices!
::jealous::

I didn't get a gamecube, so I've been playing gc games on the wii to save money. I've been getting them on craigslist for cheap and I've been hinting at wanting accessories for my birthday. As for Wii games go, I've been borrowing games from friends to see if they are worth it, then buying them later. I was surprised at how much I love "We Cheer." It was worth the $40 I spent on it and I think it might go down to $20 pretty soon.

ejamer @ Nov 21st 2008 1:27PM

No More Heroes ($20)
Zack & Wiki ($20)
Blast Works ($20)
Sam & Max Season 1 ($15)

All current retail prices at several stores such as Walmart, EB Games, FutureShop.

Endless Ocean for $13 was a Zellers sale price just this week.

The rest were all from EB Games over this past summer. They held a big clearance sale where one or two games were discounted each week. My favorite buy was RE:UC for $5 - light gun games are awesome.
:)

Keep your eyes open, and check online for deals. Wii games are always cheaper than PS3/360, and you're likely to find great deals if you poke around. (CAG for the win!)

Q-Kid-Kyle @ Nov 21st 2008 11:50AM

i think it was worth it, but i've had her for almst 2 years (this april will be the #2), and i am fairly disappointed with the tpes of games. I figured this would be the next great thingin terms of gaming. But, its not hd, and there arent any games even remotly close to GTA on the wii. I want something like crackdown, or GTA. Metroid and SMG are good, but i am disappointed. Sorry, had to get that out of my system. Oh, and i dont like how wii counterparts are the same price, but you need a wiimote, so the controlllers are just shells

Roto13 @ Nov 21st 2008 12:32PM

Aside from games, the only things I've bought that I wouldn't have had to buy for another console are a classic controller and a Zapper, and I only bought the Zapper for Link's Crossbow Training.

So yeah, it's not expensive.

ejamer @ Nov 21st 2008 1:32PM

Is the zapper worth using? I love light gun games, but ended up getting Link's Crossbow Training used for $5 instead of getting the whole package. The shape of the zapper just didn't look... right.

(I do like the game though, even if it is a relatively short high-score competition.)

Brian @ Nov 21st 2008 1:45PM

let's see how much i've spent on this bad boy in two years:
Console-$250
Wiimotes (2)- $80
nunchuks (2)-$40
gamecube controllers(2): $30
2 GB SD card-$10
classic controller- $20
GH3- $90
GH:A- $90
GH:WT band kit- $200
charge station-$20
Carrying cases (2)- $25
Regularly priced games (8)- $400
Wii Fit - $90 (was a gift, but still...)
Games bought on sale (1) -$30
gamecube game (1)- $15
Gamecube memory card (1)- $10
---------------------------------------
GRAND TOTAL: $1,400 USD

Junho @ Nov 21st 2008 5:32PM

Let's see how much I spent for Wii
(Estimate, round off, ex) $ $19.99 -> $20)
Console - $250
2 Wiimotes + 2 Pink Wiimote Bag - $100
3 Nunchuks - $60
2 Game Cube Controllers $20
1 Classic Controllers $20
(Clone, from Amazon, both are broken now)
1 2GB SD card $10

Wii Sports $0 (included)
Wii Play (+ Wiimote) $50
Wii Fit $90
Wii Music $50
Mario Kart Wii $50
Super Mario Galaxy $50
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess $50
Link's Crossbow Training (+Wii Zapper) $20
Super Smash Bros. Brawl $50
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games $50
Resident Evil 4 $20
Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 $50
Guitar Hero 3 $100
Guitar Hero:WT $200
Samba de Amigo $50
Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life (CGN) $25
Gamecube Memory Card $20

Legend of Zelda (VC) 500 Wii point
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (VC) 1500 Wii point
Super Mario Bros. 3 (VC) 500 Wii point
Super Mario World (VC) 800 Wii point
Kirby's Adventure (VC) 500 Wii point
Puyo Puyo 2 (VC) 900 Wii point
Internet Channel 500 Wii point
Wii point Remain 300 Wii point

Wii point total: 5500 -> 100 point = $1 -> $55

Grand Total: $1440 USD + alpha (tax, S&H)

Melao @ Nov 21st 2008 6:41PM

Man I have so much stuff from the Wii that I forgot to mention that I have a zapper and classic controller.

The zapper in theory is nice, but I am really disappointed how it worked out. It is most of the times, better to use the wimote and nunchuk separately, one in each hand.

Stephen @ Nov 22nd 2008 12:49AM

My wii has been used at least 430 hours in the first year. (It wasn't just me, it went to a fair share of parties). I spent 640 dollars up until then. That comes to a grand total of $1.60/hr. Way cheeper than Disneyland($60 to $70 for 12 hours is $5 to $6 per hour), and no lines either.

Well, if anybody wants to see way too much detail,
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pYfhu3edKy0JSDiKzN4MQSA

I know, it's kind of a strange thing to do.

It didn't quite import it properly. The hours row is displayed funny. The data is there though, and the pretty graphs are gone. Oh well. Just don't tell me how much I could have made in those hours.

Stephen @ Nov 22nd 2008 12:56AM

Oh, this doesn't include the games we got since then. Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart Wii, Pikmin, Donkey Konga 1,2 and Jungle Beat, and Animal Crossing(cube).

So worth it. My wife likes Animal Crossing so much that it almost never leave the Wii.

Bowser Rogozhin @ Nov 23rd 2008 8:35AM

That's extraordinary.

Needs moar Brawl, though.

Anti-Villian @ Nov 22nd 2008 12:28PM

Wii was way over priced but so is any gaming console, I'm just not enough of a gamer to say it was completely worthwhile, I could have bought a new surfboard or guitar and it would last me longer.

Jeremy @ Nov 22nd 2008 11:20PM

I feel that I have gotten what I paid out of my Wii but I learned fast to stay away from all of the extras that everyone has when I bought a cooling station with built in lighting that ended up shorting out and killing one USB port on my Wii which warranty didn't cover.

Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:00AM

The Wii hasn't cost me much because I only own a handful of games. I think it's kind of overpriced for what it offers honestly. I have had more fun with it in the last 2-3 months than in the first year and a half but in the end it feels like a waste of money for the lack of games that interest me personally. I wish it could do more - web browser is a nice touch but the lack of any extra features (added value) hurts it in my eyes. With all that said it is my 2nd favorite console of this generation with the first being the PS3.

Liza @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:47PM

I have a fair bit of stuff, but a lot of it I didn't buy. I have the gun things but I didn't buy them. I found one of my wii motes at goodwill for 20 bucks with the nunchuck, and the other came in the wii play I got as a gift. I got the steering wheel that came with MarioKart, but my friend was wanted one, so they bought one and it resides at my apartment. I got GH3 as a gift, but I did buy GH world tour I had a lot of fun playing Guitar hero.

I have prob only have paid full price for Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheniox, Mario Kart, Half of Wii Fit, half of Indiana Jones. The rest of the games I have gotten as gifts, Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Play, Rayman Rabbid Rabbids 1 & 2, Pirates of Carribean, Metroid, Sims Castaway my chargers, although I did by two other battery packs at for about 20 dollars.

My wii, one wiimote, nunchuck, Zelda was paid for by money my grandma sent me for my birthday and Christmas, so I have prob spent a little over 500 for everything that I have actually bought.

I thought it was worth it when I could still play Mario Kart. I have always had a Nintendo, and out of all of them I would rather have a Nintendo. Although if someone bought another system, I would play games on it.