Comparing Nintendo Wii Launch to the XBOX360 Launch
Read more articles on Science and Technology and Games.October 3, 2006
Posted by MarySmithCO
October 3, 2006
Posted by MarySmithCO
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The much anticipated launch of the Nintendo Wii is right around the corner. With a release near Thanksgiving, many are waiting with baited breath to see if this will cause the same kind of frenzy the launch of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 brought just one year ago. Will stores run out? How necessary is it to pre-order your Nintendo Wii? How much will price affect the flurry of activity before and immediately after release?
Timing is (Almost) Everything
Even before Microsoft released their Xbox 360, they were plagued with manufacturing delays, last minute changes and fewer launch games than originally advertised. Their timing, however, was impeccable. Just two days before Thanksgiving and the great holiday shopping rush, black boxes marked with the bright green “X” started flying off store shelves.
Nearly $70 billion were said to have been spent between Thanksgiving and December 30 in 2005 – many of this on electronics. Financial gurus report that the US is expected to be in a more stable place in regards to their money in 2006, meaning even more holiday spending.
Gaming consoles have long been known for their timing, even if their release is a year late. Their strategic launch timing, just before the Christmas shopping sprees begin ensure they are the new, cool toy that every child, teen and adult ask Santa for. The game launch of the Nintendo Wii will come at the most profitable time of year during a generally lucrative year for retailers.
The Xbox 360 was released pre-Thanksgiving and was the Tickle-Me-Elmo of 2005. The calculated date of launch of the Wii has Nintendo hoping to be the Tickle-Me-Elmo and Xbox 360 in one.
Supply and Demand
You don’t need a degree in economics to understand the basic principal of supply and demand. The more people want something (demand) the higher the required stock (supply) is needed. If there is a limited supply, people will quickly be willing to pay more for one and the demand goes up even more. This is where Microsoft made a considerable miscalculation costing them millions of sales.
When Microsoft launched the Xbox 360, they shorted retailers, pre-order customers and even the big-box discounters like Wal-Mart with their game launch. Nintendo Wii intends to avoid that mistake by releasing many millions more consoles than the 360 did. Anyone that wants a Wii should have a fighting chance of picking one up before the turkey pops and the pumpkin pie cools.
Nintendo has promised at least 4 million consoles to be available with the majority earmarked for North America upon the November 19, 2006 game launch. Wii is already building the demand and now they must come through with the supply. Since they began manufacturing many months before the November game launch, Wii is likely to be found at least through Black Monday.
Affordability and Availability
No matter how much little Johnny wants a Nintendo Wii, if it costs too much, Santa simply won’t be able to leave it under the Christmas tree. Nintendo seems to understand this, though. Their very reasonable console price should be $249.99. The Sony Playstation 3, coming out at approximately the same time, will carry a heavy price tag of $500. The Xbox was $300 upon release and wasn’t even bundled with any titles. Of course, that’s another issue all together.
Games for the Xbox have ranged from $20 to $80, averaging about $55 a piece since its 2005 release. The games that were available upon launch were limited to primarily the hard-core gaming market; most were rated Teen or Mature. Upon game launch of the Nintendo Wii it has been confirmed that at least 21 games will be available, ranging from $20 to $60, with many carrying a price tag of less than $50.
Controllers are another hot topic when comparing the Xbox 360 to the Wii. One of the distinctive features of the Wii are the variety of controllers available and their exciting interactions with the games. While both the Wii and the 360 come with standard controllers, an upgrade is a must for added playability. An upgraded 360 controller will run about $40 a piece. A typical 2-person game will require $80 in upgrades. And that doesn’t count the Xbox Eye or other interactive controllers.
The Wii offers a remote available for purchase for $40, a nunchuk for $20 and classic controllers for $20 a piece. These are much more affordable than the forced feedback and fancy button controllers of the Xbox. What’s more, you can use your Nintendo Gamecube controllers on the Wii if you choose.
If you are worried about availability of the Wii before game launch, the following sites are likely to have what you want, though at press time they are just adding names to the “to be informed” lists:
www.amazon.com
www.ebgames.com
www.bestbuy.com
www.wiipreorder.com
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As of the end of January, 2007, Wii is outselling Playstation 3 by about two to one in consoles and three to one in software sales.