Topic: Buy Wii U now or later for Son?

My son has got his SATS coming up in May, and as a gift for trying hard, we have promised him a new console after he has sat them.

At the minute we have got a Wii U, and Ps4 in the living room, and other retro consoles/computers around the house. Initially he said he wanted a Ps4, but after playing (And completing) Super Metroid, he has decided he would like a Wii U instead for his bedroom (Of course he can still play the Ps4 if he wants in the living room).

His first console was a gamecube when he was younger, and I have gamed on every Nintendo console with him since, so he has a great love for Nintendo in general. He enjoys all the Zelda games alongside his newfound love for Super Metroid especially.

My question is this, in the UK at the minute the Wii U has hit a very low (boxed) preowned price, a premium Wii U can be had boxed for between £150-£165 easily. This price is pretty much £100 off a new Wii U, and £250 cheaper than we had intended to pay out on a Ps4, so it leaves, at the preowned price an incredible amount of leeway for Wii U games and for Virtual Console purchases with change to spare. Is it worth waiting to see if a Mario Kart 8 bundle is announced at a reduced price < £250, or is it worth getting the Wii U while its incredibly cheap, before the Mario Kart 8 fever hits everyone and drives the preowned price back up?

I highly doubt that there will be a price reduction if there is a Mario Kart 8 bundle.

The cheapest place to buy it in the US is to get a refurb from nintendo for 2/3 the price of a new. I just looked at nintendo's site, and it appears that anyone in europe is out of luck. Unless there is a great sale (which I doubt) it would be just as good now as later. But a used would be much cheaper. There won't be a bundle that will beat the price of that.

From what the OP said, I think it's safe to say that a US bundle won't work since they live in the UK.

Question is: does your son like Mario Kart? Or is he interested in any of the available/announced WiiU games?

If one of these questions were to receive a yes, then you should get one, but I wouldn't reommend to do so until the MK8 release, except for when he's interested in a game that's already out.
Now, don't take my thoughts too seriously, but I don't think the prices will instantly jump because of MK8. But of course the bundle will be at regular price.

I don't think mario kart 8 is gonna drive up the pre-owned price that much. It'll create some demand, but not a lot.

The better question would be what Kaze is saying. Is there many games out now or coming out soon for it that your son would be interested in?

With how hotly anticipated Mario Kart 8 is, you're better off buying it now rather than waiting for a price drop. Companies generally don't drop the price on their popular, top-selling things until they see an upcoming lull in its sales.

As far as I can tell, Mario Kart 8 will have some serious legs, because it's a gorgeous game, will most likely be the more refined Mario Kart experience, and has the online multiplayer and replay TV stuff that today's gamers so desire!

I'll just say that now would be an ideal time to get the console and it is the only new console I can recommend at this point in time.

Thanks for all the comments guys

Yeah I think I will get it now, and put it away for when my son completes his SATS. I can then go out and buy some games with him for it, but at least we will have the console ready!!

Thanks again

I think it would be best to wait. Preowned prices will not go up. Also you can buy new off of Amazon for £200 at the moment.

If a bundle chimes in at 250, it is essentially £200 +£50 game.

As I said though, waiting won't make a difference to used prices.

All things considered? I doubt you're gonna see another price drop. Now is as good a time as you're bound to get.