For the first time since it hit the market three years ago, the Wii is getting cheaper.
After countless leaks, Nintendo finally cut the price of its hit gaming system by $50 to $199. The widely speculated move comes just weeks after Sony and Microsoft cut the price of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 by $100.
The Wii has seen its momentum slow this year, but it is still, far and away, the biggest thing in video games these days.
A not-so-photo finish.
Even though its sales have slipped, it regularly outsells the competition by a 2:1 -- and in some cases 5:1 -- margin.
So what’s the secret?
Some of it, of course, is the system’s focus. The Wii, from Day One, has targeted lapsed- and non-gamers -- a market segment that Sony and Microsoft were largely ignoring. Both competitors are trying to lure those players now, but aren’t having a lot of luck.
What’s a bit more surprising, though, is the number of core gamers who are Wii owners as well. The NPD Group, which tracks sales of video games and video game systems, recently issued a report looking at cross-ownership of consoles. The findings were interesting: 42 percent of both Xbox 360 and PS3 owners also had a Wii in the house.
Wii, owners, though, are less likely to own another gaming system: only 14 percent have a PS3 and 26 percent have an Xbox 360.
The cross-ownership of the Wii among core gamers wasn’t too surprising a few years ago. Nintendo was launching something revolutionary and everyone wanted to see what the fuss was about. Today, however, gaming message boards are filled with Wii owners grumbling about the quality of games for the system.
But if they’re so upset with the games, why are those core gamers hanging on to their Wiis?
Reasons vary. Some grudgingly acknowledge that they still enjoy playing “Super Smash Bros.” or the latest Mario game. Others admit they’re still suckers for hype -- and there’s always at least one Wii game on the horizon that looks like a can't-miss.
More, though, say they keep the system around for the non-gamers in their lives -- wives, girlfriends, young children. Though these people may not want to play as often as a core gamer, when they do, they’re more likely to want to play “Mario Kart” than “Gears of War.”
“My Wii rarely gets used, but when it is … it's almost always in a situation where both my wife and I can sit down and play,” says Michael King, 27. “It's so intuitive on the games we do play that she has a much easier time adapting to it and thus can have more fun faster.”
How's it in first? Because it's fun for everyone.
In some cases, the system’s ability to play GameCube titles and the opportunity to download games from previous Nintendo systems is a draw. Gamer loyalty to Nintendo runs deep – and the chance to replay some of the company’s greatest hits for little or no additional cost makes up for the perceived lack of quality games.
Some Wii owners, though, say their reasons are a bit more personal.
“[I] haven't turned it on in over a year,” confesses Jeff Gondek, a 30-year old gamer. “[I] didn't sell it because I had to sleep in a Target mulch bed for it on launch day - and my wife would mock me mercilessly.”
 |
 |
 |
Posted: 24 Sep 2009
