The Wii U is in desperate need of a price cut. The $350 price tag for the Deluxe Set is just too much for the family hoping to buy a new Nintendo console this holiday season. Good thing that sweet relief is coming in just a few weeks.
Nintendo announced yesterday that the Wii U Deluxe Set will have its price cut by $50 on September 20 to $300. The price cut comes right before a deluge of quality software hits the Wii U this holiday season, including The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, Super Mario 3D World and Wii Party U.
So, why now? The Wii U needed a price cut earlier this year when it was revealed that it sold only 200,000 units in a three month period earlier this year. Nintendo’s insistence on not cutting the price until now seems kind of foolish. Speaking to Kotaku, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime says it’s all about driving that holiday momentum:
“Obviously we want to drive Wii U momentum. We’ve been very clear that software is what drives hardware. And we feel very good about the line-up of software for Wii U. Taking the added step to improve the value just reinforces our commitment to make sure that Wii U has a strong holiday this year and is set up to be a strong platform into the future.”
It should be noted that the Wii U Deluxe Set isn’t the only $300 Wii U console you can pick up on September 20. Nintendo also announced yesterday that a special Wind Waker HD Wii U bundle will be available for $300. It includes a special gold trimmed Wii U gamepad, a digital copy of Wind Waker HD and a digital download voucher for Hyrule Historia – a Legend of Zelda book that details the creation and history of the franchise.
In other Nintendo news, the company announced the Nintendo 2DS yesterday. It’s a 3DS without the ability to display games in stereoscopic 3D. It also lacks the hinge that children could easily break. It launches for $129 on October 12 – the same day that Pokemon X/Y hits stores.
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