Just last week we highlighted some outstanding Amazon UK deals on white 8GB Wii U systems, while other retailers have also been discounting the — effectively discontinued — unit to get rid of stock. As the model has struggled to sell it was safe to speculate that it was a damage limitation exercise to clear valuable storage and stock space, but it seems that the discounts may have been assisted by Nintendo itself.
Trade publication MCV is reporting that Nintendo effectively cut the trade price of the Wii U (the amount retailers pay for stock) by around £70 in the UK — in late October — allowing retailers to attempt to shift these units at lower prices and still squeak a profit. As the deals we highlighted show there are some outstanding offers, especially considering the fact that even a 32GB system won't go far without an external hard drive.
It should be noted, which is no surprise considering the deals and prices offered by most retailers, that the black 32GB model has seen no price change, and none is currently expected.
It says much for the struggles of the Basic Wii U model that Nintendo is willing to take a sizeable hit to encourage more sales and clearance of stock.
Have you been tempted by any of the deals on the white model, or do you know others that have? Let us know.
[source mcvuk.com]
Comments 35
i bought that amazon bundle and a hard drive
@thebigN if my "storage-paranoia" hadn't kicked in while making my decision, I would have gone the same route (as it is I picked up the 32gb model with an external 2tb HDD). I had a bad experience... the onboard memory?should have been swappable (only SSD? Sure.) 32gb is not quite enough. IMHO.
32GB model will go pretty far without an external hard drive.
I have 16 downloadable games on mine. And 19GB of space still free. I'll never fill it during the Wii U's lifespan.
I might pick something up in January if they don't shift all their stock by then. I have a nephew and niece who deserve quality games.
32GB is nowhere useful if you go the digital route. Concrete example? I bought Ken's Rage 2 on the eShop since it's only available digitally and it's almost half of that space that vanished. White model is really attractive now especially since the deluxe digital program linked with the black model runs out at the end of the month. If you are in for a Wii U go for this it's dirt cheap. This bundle is fantastic http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nintendo-Party-Mario-Super-World/dp/B00P68FY0M/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1416941449&sr=8-4&keywords=wii+u+console
What people seem to forget is that the Black Wii U have a rewards program. In fact I just realized DLC also counts towards it and I got $15 back thanks to all the DLC (and some free digital games) I have got.
What people seem to forget is that the Black Wii U have a rewards program. In fact I just realized DLC also counts towards it and I got $15 back thanks to all the DLC (and some free digital games) I have got.
@thebigN
what hard drive did you get? I'm not sure what works with the wii u :/ been looking for ages.
@IxC That depends on your taste/choice in games and if you'd rather buy some in their physical form. Other than that, having only 19GB left and thinking it will last until the end of the Wii U's run seems a bit too positive for me and probably for most other Wii U users.
I know a couple of people that went for the Amazon £199 deal. It's such good value and IMO looks a lot nicer.
@Mogster You can basically buy any portable hard disc and find a cable shop (online or just go to the city) and look for a USB Y cable.
Or play it extremely safe and take your pick from these:
http://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1359/~/what-external-storage-devices-can-be-used-with-wii-u%3F
I bought the Deluxe 32GB set for obvious reasons but, I've always wondered if I'd have been happier aesthetically with a white Wii U lol.
@audiobrainiac This is why they need to sell 1 model (32GB) in two colors.
Good. There shouldn't be even 8gb version out there! Nuff said
@Alucard83 @OneBagTravel I agree! The 8GB version is whats holding back Oddworld: New n' Tasty from the eShop. Lorne Lanning of Oddworld Inhabitants said "If you're going to make a Wii U game, it better run on the 8GB unit. Otherwise, it's not really a Wii U game". What a frickin' steaming load of horse hockey. Yeah, good riddance 8GB lol.
I ordered the Amazon UK bundle with MK8 and Super Mario 3D World for £199.99 last week for my nephew for Christmas, my brother got a good deal a month ago too but that Amazon one is fantastic
Pick up one of these and a 500GB portable drive and you're laughing! I think the white is prettier anyway
@tysonfury Yeah not sure which one's easier to keep clean. The black one shows fingerprints like crazy but the white one shows dust.
This zavvi deal is quite good, but it's a pre-order (Treasure Tracker) and not shippable until 9th Jan. Wii U basic with Just Dance, Smash bros, SMBU, Nintendo Land and Treasure Tracker £229.
http://www.zavvi.com/wii-u-hardware/nintendo-wii-u-console-includes-5-games/11033314.html
@Blue-Thunder most of Japan would agree as they only sell the white there but I'm the opposite to you my friend and hate white electronics! Each to their own I guess!
I could be wrong here (people??) But I'm pretty sure you get a sensor bar with any Wii u !! It's an essential part of the boxed hardware, maybe you were unlucky man?
I love my Black launch day Wii U!
I really wanted to get a wii u basic especially now that the price has dropped but I really didn't like the colour and I tought it might distract you from playing the game so I will wait for a Bundle with either smash or mario world in Europe
@IxC
No it won't, unless you don't buy any retail games online, But 3 retail games will fill it. Even some of the downloadable e-shop games are quite big for the drive.
@IxC
I had to get an external HDD for it (so I went for 2 TB; go big or go home), but I initially thought the same thing since I never get retail games digitally. My problem (if you can even call it that) is Nintendo's promotions; what took up a whole lot of my space was really good sales on the eShop and (more importantly) getting Game and Wario for free from Club Nintendo and getting Pikmin 3 for free from pre-ordering Wind Waker HD.
if they could make a new white model with extra things in the box, i will buy it, but i still want the black 32GB
I prefer the white colour and downloading full Wii-U games means an external hard drive is a must even if you have the 32gb model
Same situation with me owning a 4gb Xbox 360. No chance in hell of playing GTA V on that as you need 8GB of space to bloody run it.
Even if you buy a 32GB model, you'll need extra storage space rather sooner than later. So why not buy the cheaper model and buy a 500GB+ external hdd for the difference in price?
You can have a few games with 32 gig tho, which is nice if portability is a concern..... But yeah, it goes fast.
@Mogster this one with something called a y cable http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Slimline-Portable-Hard-Drive/dp/B008PABFX8/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1417477206&sr=1-1
y cable
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=y%20cable&sprefix=y+cab%2Ccomputers
I saw this deal on the site , you get four games and a Wii-mote for a good price! I should have waited but I got mine with one game for £300.00 on the day of it's launch.
@thebigN Hey, just like I said...
@TheRealThanos ah sorry didnt realize
My partner picked up the White bundle with a remote plus and two disc games: Nintendo Land and Wii Party U and a hard drive. Download versions of Mario Kart 8 and Smash will go on that.
@thebigN No offense taken, was just pulling your leg. Although in general it happens quite a lot that people rush down the list way too fast to make a comment without having read some reactions that might have saved them the trouble...
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