More Tantalising Wii U Pricing Rumours Emerge Online
Posted by Damien McFerran
Starting at $249.99, release date 11th November
Got your pinch of salt ready? Video Product Distributors have posted up some information relating to the possible SKUs for Nintendo's Wii U console.
In case you didn't know already, VPD is a distribution company which counts Amazon, Blockbuster and Overstock as some of its customers.
The launch date given is the 11th November in North America. The SKUs are as follows:
- WIIU SYSTEM - GM - 11/11/12 $249.99
- WIIU SYSTEM W/ - GM - 11/11/12 $299.99
- WIIU SYSTEM 349 W/ - GM - 11/11/12 $349.99
We can only assume that the $299.99 and $349.99 bundles include additional games or peripherals - an extra GamePad, perhaps?
You need to log into the site with a trade account to view the information, but a kindly YouTube user has recorded footage of the page in question:
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think these are legit figures, or are VPD just guessing? Lets us know in the comments section below.
[via gonintendo.com]




















#1
yobokkie said:
Yes please!! I hope this is the final price... but I don't see why it couldn't be, I always thought they should add a few versions, bundled with extra goodies. similar to the different versions of the PS3, just so those on a tight budget can at least get the console in the meanwhile and play the games.
#2
19Robb92 said:
All those prices fit me just fine. Even better if they include more, hopefully the $349 bundle includes a WiiU Pro controller and NintendoLand. That's be a superb deal for me.
I'm not getting my hopes up though. September 13th should reveal whatever I need to know. So I might as well hold my breath and wait.
#3
a_binfahad said:
If the one with $349.99 is bundled with awesome stuff, i'm 100% sure i'll get it, I wanna satisfy my appetite for gaming :3
#4
Scollurio said:
Sounds legit and if its true, might pick a Wii U up sometime next year (gotta give them some time to bring out some game diversity first)
#5
OorWullie said:
I can't believe we're just over 2 months hopefully away from release and we still have no concrete details.If this rumour about the price and different bundles is true then surely Nintendo should be confident that everyone will be happy at that pricing and increase every ones anticipation for it.Just wondering if I buy 1 here in Thailand will it be region locked to only play Asian games?
#6
Minny said:
I will wait until Sept. 13. I already have enough money to buy 3 of these consoles without a problem, so I am more interested in what comes with said packages, as well as color of the console. I just find this tidbit highly unlikely as 11/11/12 is the day Nintendo is releasing Paper Mario in North America on the 3DS.
I still wouldn't mind this date being a week or two late. Would time nicely with the possible Game of the Year AC:III.
#7
OorWullie said:
Ah I forgot about September the 13th,at least its not a Friday!
#8
Terra said:
I'd put more stock in this than some pre-release listing on GAME. Personally though, I just wish Nintendo would get on with it in terms of announcing the release date
#9
19Robb92 said:
@Minny @wiiwii
People seem to be expecting big things from poor Reggie at that event. lol
#10
OorWullie said:
@19Robb92
And so we should.Its been a long time coming
#11
Burning_Spear said:
I think this may just be three placeholder SKUs, so when the console's price is released they'll have one ready to be used.
#12
kyuubikid213 said:
If the actual price for the system alone is $249.99, I think it's safe to say the Wii U has won the console race already. Seeing as the 360 and PS3 have just recently gotten that low in price themselves.
#13
LEGEND_MARIOID said:
In Pounds sterling that sounds sweet, but UK is a place of rip-offs so it'll be poorer value over here.
#14
Kirk said:
I liked it better when the price was rumored to be $200.
#15
kyuubikid213 said:
@Kirk Sorry to say, but since the most recent Nintendo systems (3DS and Wii) launched at $250, that would be insane.
I've got $400, so if this is the final price and games are $60 each, I will be able to get two games and my Wii U Basic Package.
#16
19Robb92 said:
@wiiwii
Very true
#17
iphys said:
$250 for the base system would suit me just fine! I hope it's actually feasible.
#18
DarkNinja9 said:
hmm the $249 one seems good(my guess on the price was $279 o.O) but what im wondering is that just the console it self or will at least one game pad be included cuz if so then im set on that bundle now the other question remains will we be able to pre-order these like from amazon since the 3ds XL wasnt a pre order option on amazon >.>
grrr and they better say if we get to pick the black version or white <.<
#19
Araknie said:
Nintendo Italia openend a whole new section about the Wii U, plus rumors of the Nintendo Fall Conference in 13 September are on the web.
http://www.nintendo.it/NOE/it_IT/wii_u_52414.html
#20
Dev said:
It sounds reasonable, but at this point I'll just wait for Nintendo to say themselves on September 13, which is just a mere 9 days away.
#21
TruenoGT said:
I wonder if the base level will include a Wii Remote and Nunchuk in the package. If they don't, then we're in a for a lowest common denominator controls problem where developers won't proactively support this configuration. It would be disappointing to see cross platform shooters not support pointer controls.
#22
aaronsullivan said:
$250 is for bare bones unit to hedge bets? Console, Adapter, GamePad, and NO game, NO wii Remote, etc.
$300 for... NintendoLand and something else?
$350 for Wii remote plus and nun chuck?... or maybe BLACK.
Not sure about the breakdown, but the low cost one with a bare bones bundle seems likely after the 3DS debacle. Having at least 2 SKUs is a GOOD idea, I think.
#23
rjejr said:
Any reason NL covered this rumour but not the Gamestop presentation $200 rumour that was all over the net this weekend?
Besides the occasion DS bundles has Nintendo ever done a home console bundle? Seems weird they would start with 3 bundles, each exactly $50 apart. I don't blame them as some retailors would force them upon us anyway, just think it's odd. If they have a bare bones $250 w/o a game I think that's a bad idea. ANd if they are having problems producing them as rumoured then having 3 skus isn't going to help in store stock any.
9 days to the 13, and then we'll hopefully know.
#24
Lunapplebloom said:
This seems to be about right to me as far as the basic price goes, though maybe $50 more. The multiple system prices could also be possible, depending on how they handle it. I'll know for sure soon enough.
#25
Hyperstar96 said:
Looks like I'm getting the big bundle... whatever it is XD
#26
hydeks said:
Considering the Wii U is barely more powerful than the PS3, and doesn't come with a HDD like PS3, I'ld say $249.99 is a great price, and any higher and you'll see the exact same problem they had with the 3DS dropping it's price quick.
@rjejr Cause that rumour is obviously a HUGE pile of crap. A Wii U for $200?? Yay, keep dreaming...
#27
DeMoN-13ruce said:
if it's lower then 300 i can ask my parents to give me this for my next birthday:D
#28
GazPlant said:
That expensive one better come with a Non-Specific Action Figure...
#29
MariosLoveChild said:
I'll be happy enough to get the more expensive bundles depending on what's in the box, but if getting it cheaper without something like nintendoland is an option, I'm going for that as I've got no interest in mini games and the pile of rubbish party games that's swamped the wii.
#30
sdcazares1980 said:
The Wii was also $250 when it was first released... and it was also a generation behind. Hmmm...... I just hope the third-party games are better this time around.
#31
19Robb92 said:
@sdcazares1980
Hardware-specs doesn't define generations
#32
Aqueous said:
Seems reasonable, I wouldn't mind seeing that one come true
#33
Hyperstar96 said:
@hydeks How would you know whether or not it comes with an HDD?
#34
MrWalkieTalkie said:
The price is beautiful!
#35
Pikminsi said:
Bundled with Pikmin 3?? :3
#36
Abcdude said:
I love this, and the price could work too.
Wii U, 8GB, $249, Bundled with a downloadable game
Wii U, 250GB, $299, Bundled with Nintendo Land
Wii U, 350GB, $349, bundled with Nintendo Land and Gamepad Pro.
#37
MYCO said:
350.00 is for me I hope its true let it be a purple Wii U. Need a game like Battalion Wars 3.
#38
rjejr said:
@hydeks
So, 3 WiiU bundles at $249, $299 and $349 is a believable rumour but one WiiU at $199 is " a huge pile of crap". Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Not.
@Abcdude
I can't imagine a WiiU with either 250GB or 350GB, all 3 bundles would have 8GB. Or maybe 8, 16 and 32 like a phone or tablet.
#39
Emaan said:
Those prices seem pretty realistic, but I'm still waiting on the September 13th announcement to know for sure. Can't wait!
#40
shinpichu said:
@Abcdude That sounds believeable.
#41
19Robb92 said:
@Hyperstar96
Nintendo has confirmed that the WiiU will not include a HDD in the box, only 8GB of flash storage. It will, however, support exterior HDD's with USB ports or the usual SD cards.
Hopefully it'll support SDXC as well and not just SD and SDHC.
#42
SteveW said:
@19Robb92
Don't believe that. It will never happen. They said the Wii would support external hard drives as well but it never happened.
#43
19Robb92 said:
@SteveW
I've never heard Nintendo claim that about the Wii, only that it supports SD cards.. Source?
Here it is from the official Nintendo page at least:
"Wii U uses an internal flash memory. It also supports SD memory cards and external USB storage."
Also, don't forget that Nintendo want to offer full retail games on the WiiU eShop. With a disc space of 25GB SD cards won't be enough. They're gonna be forced to support HDD's.
#44
Nintendoro said:
Aaaahhhh.... i'll buy at a high price!
#45
thanos316 said:
249 sounds just right for the wii u. heck even 300 isn't bad for the system seeing that most poeple drop 200 and upwards for new cell phones that lasts for maybe 3 years the most. so lets hope they don't drop the bomb on us and charge us 600 for it. but i don't think ninty would go that high.
#46
Token_Girl said:
This is good news - $250 is really reasonable. It will be interesting to see what the higher priced versions include. Sep. 13th can't come fast enough.
#47
Dodger said:
I heard it would be about $450 from a gamestop employee who claimed it was leaked at one of his meetings. I'm taking that with an extra big pinch of salt because I don't want it to be true. I'm hoping $300. $250 would be great, but rather low. I would be happy with $300 if it came with two gamepads or a gamepad and a wii remote.
#48
Kitty_hime1 said:
hey im moving to china somtime this month and i rly want wiiu but the only kind of money well have is jaun (chinese money) can somone plz tell me how much jaun i would need to get an american wiiu (i would do it myslef but im to dumb -.-
#49
Kitty_hime1 said:
typo did not mean to put in the smily at the end
#50
Ernest_The_Crab said:
If this turns out to be true, I'll probably get one of the higher price levels. Having two controllers at launch will be very good for playing with family.
#51
Pod said:
Different SKUs is cool enough. Different version of the hardware at launch is definitely NOT cool enough.
Microsoft and Sony both shot themselves in the foot big time with that take on marketing their current systems.
Lo and behold though, nothing points toward different hardware versions being the case, just different bundles, which I am cool with.
#52
kyuubikid213 said:
I predict...
$250: Wii U, GamePad, NintendoLand
$300: Wii U, GamePad, NintendoLand, Wii Remote Plus (1), Nunchuck (1)
$350: Wii U, GamePad, NintendoLand, Wii Remote Plus (1), Nunchuck (1), Wii U Pro Controller
Why not, right? The Wii came with WiiSports at $250, so the basic-basic-basic bundle should at least have that. Or we can think a bit more realistically (and slightly wishfully) and eliminate the Wii Remote Plus and nunchuck from each bundle and just add another game. For example, they could have NintendoLand with the $250, NintendoLand and NSMBU with the $300, and NintendoLand, NSMBU, and Pikmin 3 in the $350.
#53
hydeks said:
@Hyperstar96 how would I know it doesn't have a hdd? cause it saids so official on there nintendo.com wii u page lol
it's exactly like @19Robb92 put it
@rjejr If the Wii U is $199, will anyone honestly take it seriously as a next gen, let alone even a current gen, system? And I never said all three prices to be right, I said $249 sounds reasonable. I'm actually expecting it to be $299.
Besides, I'm not the only one that didn't take it seriously, NL didn't report it so obviously, they think it's bunk too
@kyuubikid213 I hope NintendoLand comes with the system, truly I do!!!!
#54
TimboBaggins said:
I like this pricing a lot. I doubt though the extra bundles include a second gamepad when there aren't even any games that support two gamepads yet. Maybe the extra bundle includes the new gamepad pro. Also, I don't want to pay an extra $50 for a pack in game - I could buy it separately for the same price! If the pack in game was mario, I would do it, but not for nintendoland.
#55
MagicLink95 said:
I'm hoping for a half SEGA Saturn. As in, "It's actually available now," but not the price part. I know it won't happen though.
#56
Hyperstar96 said:
@hydeks Please learn to grammar. Also that was announced over a year ago, it could have easily changed since then.
#57
TheN64Dude said:
I'd pay 400$
#58
Trainer_DJ said:
If they are leasing it this cheap it better be able to keep up with Sony and Microsoft systems. I am not ready for another generation of a Nintendo system with no third party support because of the system's lack of power. You guys need to be thinking about the future, not just launch day.
#59
Radixxs said:
I still say $699 Wii u console only on December 26. Game Pad is $350 extra.
#60
grimbldoo said:
If these prices are true, Sony and Microsoft are going to have a hard time competing.
#61
Nin-freak said:
If it's $300, they will own next gen again because Xbox 720 and PS4 will be overpriced, probably around $450
#62
Metal_Slugger said:
I hope it's that cheap.
#63
Wolfo said:
I will not pay more than $250, if it's more expensive, i'll better pick a PS3, 360 or wait until a price cut.
#64
Metal_Sonic said:
Seems legit...
#65
ViralDarkness said:
Nothing is certain until the 13th, though this pricing is probable.
#66
Rensch said:
I take this with a grain of salt. $250 would be a steal.
#67
TimboBaggins said:
I think it would be stupid to pack it a wii remote plus or nun chuck. Many already have those. More like a Wii U pro controller. Nintendo land isn't worth an extra $50. No packages will com without the wiiu pad. that would be stupid of them to do.
#68
PatcherStation said:
@wiiwii And it wouldn't surprise me one bit if it's delayed in Europe. Japan will be getting it defo this year, I'd say the US also, but Europe, I'm not so sure. The Wii and 3DS are selling well, so Nintendo can still keep going for a bit if there is a delay in Europe.
#69
Samholy said:
wait...what ?
youre telling me it could be only 50$ more than a 3DS XL?
are they overpricing the 3DS now ? Geez... again ?
at this price...its very tempting... but
i cant bring this thing in my living without the fear that my kids grasp that tablet...breaks it. scratch it... and thats a problem. I barely let them play with my ps3 gamepad, i just cant imagine having them using a WiiU tablet.
#70
Banker-Style said:
Or simply put £250 in UK ponds.
#71
Gamesake said:
@Samholy You barely let your kids play the PS3? Well, they'll thank you when they're older.
#72
TrueWiiMaster said:
I was expecting a $250 price tag to begin with, so this seems reasonable. The priciest bundle is probably a "gamer" bundle or something, complete with a Wii U Pro remote and 250-500GB HDD, and maybe a Wii remote. I'm gonna put the second at being a regular bundle, but with an HDD and/or Wii remote, and the first as just the Wii U and remote. Oh, and I think all three will come with Nintendo Land. The idea for two gamepads is nice, but have any games even bee confirmed to use two yet? Besides, I think a hard drive is a higher priority if Nintendo wants to have retail games available digitally day 1 as they've said they do.
#73
warvad said:
Gotta say I'm pretty excited. I hope the controllers are comfortable and the games aren't region locked.
I feel like I might be disappointed on both of those accounts.
#74
LEGEND_MARIOID said:
Very excited about the wii u announcements. Far moreso than anything apple has to announce. I am a ipad3 user and a Nintendo gamer. No comparison in my world.
#75
sdcazares1980 said:
@19Robb92 No it doesn't, but Nintendo had a hard time making it a selling point with the games it has.