The Most Overpriced Console Is.....

[Blu-Ray Buckeye]

The Wii!

Sure I know the media hype would say it's the PS3 then the 360 and the Wii being the cheapest. However I'm looking at the value equation. When you account for what you actually get for the money, they rank as such:

1) PS3 (easily)
2) 360
3) Wii

While the PS3 forces you to get the BD player, wireless everything, a hard drive, DVD upscaling and so on, it is incredibly cheap if you want all of those things... and eventually you will even if you don't think so today. At $399, it's a bargain.

A similar 360 at $349 comes with a 20GB hard drive, isn't wireless and has no HD-DVD player. Oh yeah, enjoy that $50/yr X-Box Live subscription. Once you load it up you spend a minimum of $650 in year 1 and add another $200 for Live if you plan to use it for 5 years total.

Finally we get the Wii for a "cheap" $249. Still, isn't this really just a last gen console w/ a gimmick controller? The graphics seem kinda PS2 and the controls are actually worse than PS2... sure they look cool and they are novel but I've never used a less precise controller for any system all the way back to Atari 2600. Now consider that it will never be HD in any way.... why isn't this below $200? For $150 more for the 40GB PS3 you get actual next-gen content & functionality along w/ a BD player.

People are the media are stupid.

[Go Blu]

For what you get with the Wii it should be $99.

[jediknight182]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ray Buckeye

The Wii!

Sure I know the media hype would say it's the PS3 then the 360 and the Wii being the cheapest. However I'm looking at the value equation. When you account for what you actually get for the money, they rank as such:

1) PS3 (easily)
2) 360
3) Wii

While the PS3 forces you to get the BD player, wireless everything, a hard drive, DVD upscaling and so on, it is incredibly cheap if you want all of those things... and eventually you will even if you don't think so today. At $399, it's a bargain.

A similar 360 at $349 comes with a 20GB hard drive, isn't wireless and has no HD-DVD player. Oh yeah, enjoy that $50/yr X-Box Live subscription. Once you load it up you spend a minimum of $650 in year 1 and add another $200 for Live if you plan to use it for 5 years total.

Finally we get the Wii for a "cheap" $249. Still, isn't this really just a last gen console w/ a gimmick controller? The graphics seem kinda PS2 and the controls are actually worse than PS2... sure they look cool and they are novel but I've never used a less precise controller for any system all the way back to Atari 2600. Now consider that it will never be HD in any way and has no kind of connectivity.... why isn't this below $200? For $150 more for the 40GB PS3 you get actual next-gen content & functionality along w/ a BD player.

People are the media are stupid.

It's actually only $200 if you think about it. In Japan the Wii is sold without Wii Sports for $200. Wii Sports is available seperatly for $50.
Reguardless of that though, you are correct. The Wii is way overpriced for last gen hardware.

Despite the price the Wii really is doing incredibly well. I just wonder what all these people who buy them are playing. The system doesn't have very high attach rates. Are people really paying $250 for Wii Sports?!? I have a Wii and the I only use it for the Virtual Console, BC as a Gamecube and the rare good Wii game (Zelda, Metroid, Mario). Other than the possibility of Mario Kart next year I don't really see myself buying any Wii software.

[Barnum]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ray Buckeye

The Wii!

Sure I know the media hype would say it's the PS3 then the 360 and the Wii being the cheapest. However I'm looking at the value equation. When you account for what you actually get for the money, they rank as such:

1) PS3 (easily)
2) 360
3) Wii

While the PS3 forces you to get the BD player, wireless everything, a hard drive, DVD upscaling and so on, it is incredibly cheap if you want all of those things... and eventually you will even if you don't think so today. At $399, it's a bargain.

A similar 360 at $349 comes with a 20GB hard drive, isn't wireless and has no HD-DVD player. Oh yeah, enjoy that $50/yr X-Box Live subscription. Once you load it up you spend a minimum of $650 in year 1 and add another $200 for Live if you plan to use it for 5 years total.

Finally we get the Wii for a "cheap" $249. Still, isn't this really just a last gen console w/ a gimmick controller? The graphics seem kinda PS2 and the controls are actually worse than PS2... sure they look cool and they are novel but I've never used a less precise controller for any system all the way back to Atari 2600. Now consider that it will never be HD in any way and has no kind of connectivity.... why isn't this below $200? For $150 more for the 40GB PS3 you get actual next-gen content & functionality along w/ a BD player.

People are the media are stupid.

I have all three consoles and I do not regret buying any of them. I don't see any of them as a waste of money.

[flynho_PS3]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ray Buckeye

The Wii!

Sure I know the media hype would say it's the PS3 then the 360 and the Wii being the cheapest. However I'm looking at the value equation. When you account for what you actually get for the money, they rank as such:

1) PS3 (easily)
2) 360
3) Wii

While the PS3 forces you to get the BD player, wireless everything, a hard drive, DVD upscaling and so on, it is incredibly cheap if you want all of those things... and eventually you will even if you don't think so today. At $399, it's a bargain.

A similar 360 at $349 comes with a 20GB hard drive, isn't wireless and has no HD-DVD player. Oh yeah, enjoy that $50/yr X-Box Live subscription. Once you load it up you spend a minimum of $650 in year 1 and add another $200 for Live if you plan to use it for 5 years total.

Finally we get the Wii for a "cheap" $249. Still, isn't this really just a last gen console w/ a gimmick controller? The graphics seem kinda PS2 and the controls are actually worse than PS2... sure they look cool and they are novel but I've never used a less precise controller for any system all the way back to Atari 2600. Now consider that it will never be HD in any way and has no kind of connectivity.... why isn't this below $200? For $150 more for the 40GB PS3 you get actual next-gen content & functionality along w/ a BD player.

+1
People are physche with this new gaming style hype and that's where the Wii is taking advantage off of them. People just buy unknowingly the overall price just for fun..

[Gamekid]

Keep in mind that Nintendo believes that the next gen games should not be in high def. Ask yourself this question, if Nintendo has choosen to go with high defination, how would they have seperated themselves from both Sony and Microsoft? Each company offers something unique for the player. The goal overall was to get to the non gamers. You can't really do that with the ps3 or the xbox 360. With the wii, you can. We have all held a remote before.
Justin

[cathexist]

I originally got the Wii on release day because I couldn't get a PS3 due to the shortage. I enjoyed it for a short time, but the game offerings weren't that great (there is a lot better selection now).

I later sold my Wii and bought a 60gig PS3 and my HD projector.

I would not repurchase a Wii for the $250 price. If it was $179 I would consider it, if it was $150...more so, if it was $99 I'd get it in two seconds.

[Gamekid]

If you get a wii, it also depends if you are a Nintendo fan.
Justin

[GregBlu5]

Ironically, on MSN yesterday, there was an article about how Wii has hit the big time with--of all places--old age homes. Seems that it stimulates their brains and many have become joyful gamers.

Actually, though, they were referring to folks over 60, and as I am now 58--and counting fast--I'll be in one of those homes before I know it. But, please, make sure that I have a PS3 in front of me. Don't let me die with an XBox or Wii controller in my hands!!!!!

-Greg

[Shin-Ra]

Originally Posted by GregBlu5

Ironically, on MSN yesterday, there was an article about how Wii has hit the big time with--of all places--old age homes. Seems that it stimulates their brains and many have become joyful gamers.

Actually, though, they were referring to folks over 60, and as I am now 58--and counting fast--I'll be in one of those homes before I know it. But, please, make sure that I have a PS3 in front of me. Don't let me die with an XBox or Wii controller in my hands!!!!!

-Greg

[flynho_PS3]

Originally Posted by GregBlu5

Ironically, on MSN yesterday, there was an article about how Wii has hit the big time with--of all places--old age homes. Seems that it stimulates their brains and many have become joyful gamers.

Actually, though, they were referring to folks over 60, and as I am now 58--and counting fast--I'll be in one of those homes before I know it. But, please, make sure that I have a PS3 in front of me. Don't let me die with an XBox or Wii controller in my hands!!!!!

-Greg

That's one funny way to look at the future....LOL!... you're cracking me up...my jaw hurts.,,,

[bajor27]

I think teh Wii just seems overpriced now because both the PS3 and 360 recently dropped in price, while the Wii hasn't needed to.

I personally love my Wii and don't regret purchasing it for a moment. I don't play games everyday, and as such, I get along just fine with what's out there.

And to the peson who said they might buy Mario Kart next year, are you seriously not excited about Smash Bros? That game looks great.

[jediknight182]

Originally Posted by bajor27

I think teh Wii just seems overpriced now because both the PS3 and 360 recently dropped in price, while the Wii hasn't needed to.

I personally love my Wii and don't regret purchasing it for a moment. I don't play games everyday, and as such, I get along just fine with what's out there.

And to the peson who said they might buy Mario Kart next year, are you seriously not excited about Smash Bros? That game looks great.

I was thinking about Smash Bros. but I never really cared for the N64 or GCN versions so I will wait until I get to play it first. (Assuming the big N decides to release a demo channel)

I don't want to seem harsh on Nintendo because I love the first party titles. I just haven't seen anything from the third party publishers that made me saw wow.

[CptGreedle]

I have to disagree. The 360, which, when equivalent to a PS3, costs close to $700, is the most overpriced POS ever!
The Wii, overpriced it may be, is not nearly that bad. Plus, they are not aiming for the best graphics or whatnot, but ingenuity and fun. They have the cheapest player, the most innovative controller, and tons of games. I think for the price, you get a hell of a lot of fun out of it. The PS3 is better of course, cause you also get graphics, an option of PS2 games, ps1 games, sixaxis controller, BD and DVD and CD and SACD playback, etc. The 360 is the worst. You get the same controller, the same crashes, smaller storage, add on for HD playback, add on for internet, etc....

So I see it this way... from best value to worst value:

1) PS3
2) PS2
3) Wii
4) bouncy ball
5) XBOX 360

[Terjyn]

Originally Posted by bajor27

I think teh Wii just seems overpriced now because both the PS3 and 360 recently dropped in price, while the Wii hasn't needed to.

It depends on your definition of overpriced.

Nintendo charged people 250$ for a game, a gimmick, and 200$ worth of parts.

Sony charged people 600$ for a different gimmick, and 1000$ worth of parts.

Which one is overpriced is entirely dependent on perspective.

For me, as an owner of a Gamecube I was supremely pissed at the price they were charging for the Wii, especially when they took away several Gamecube-projected games and moved them to the Wii.

It's not inconceivable that Nintendo could have just released a Wii-style controller for the Gamecube, and called it a day, although it was obvious they were attempting to distance themselves from the 'cube.

[joeorc]

i am going to disagree with the OP the Nintendo Wii hardware wise is just not a souped up Game cube..far from it Hardware wise its would spank the Game cube...the first thing is the processor speed in the Wii

first the Processors:

CPU

The Technical: 729 MHz IBM PowerPC (codenamed “Broadway”)

lets look at the game cube:

MPU ("Micro Processing Unit"): 485 MHz Custom IBM Power PC "Gekko"


graphics chip:

Wii:

Graphics

The Technical: 243 MHz ATI (code named “Hollywood”) Graphic Card Memory
3 MB,Polygons Per Second : 500 Million

lets look at the game cube:

System LSI: 162 MHz Custom ATI/Nintendo "Flipper"
Polygon Performance: 6-12 million polygons per second

Ram

Wii: 512 MB of flash ram, operating at a bus speed at : 512 MHz

lets look at the game cube:
System Memory "Splash" :40 MB total

ram break down as such:

Main Memory: 24 MB MoSys 1T-SRAM Approximately 10ns Sustainable Latency
A-Memory:16 MB operateing at a bus speed at:81 MHz DRAM


add with the fact that the Wii has a web browser , Wii channels, new controller effects being done with old technology...not a bad upgrade for the hardware and for the price..just like the Playstation 3 both Very good Quality UPGRADES from the previous to set boxes.

the upgrade to the hardware is Quite evident if you break it down the playstation 3 has Quite the added UPGRADE with the most Value for the $$$'s you spend on the HARDWARE. EVEN WHEN IT WAS ACROSS THE BOARD AND PEOPLE COMPLAINED about the $500.00-$600.00 the cost in upgrade compared to the playstation 2 when it was first launched in year 2000 just shows it was ONLY a $200.00 Cost to upgrade and people still think its too expensive when even now at $400.00...

the Wii in My opinion from a strictly hardware perspective is not over priced when the game cube was first released compared to the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo is only asking for $100.00 more than the Game cube and that's with a Game ..so in effect the upgrade is $46.00

with that much of a UPGRADE compared to the Game cube...?

the Wii is no game cube, its a ton better

game cube when released:

US$199.99 (November 18, 2001, Launch Price)

the Wii comes with a free game, and much better upgraded spec's with a net result of $46.00 more than the GAME CUBE i call that a great buy

[ikbradley]

The 360 is the most overpriced. By the time you get it to where the typical purchaser wants it to go, you have to spend $200 on Wifi, Wireless and XBox Live.

The Wii does what it is supposed to do. Sets up with game included. The only thing it really should include is the second controller since it is intended to be a social console.

[MotionBlurr]

I have the Wii. I already downloaded Super Mario World, Super Mario 64, Zelda,Castlevania 2 & 4, ActRaiser, Mike Tysons Punch Out and Super Mario Bros. all in the internal memory. Its not so bad. But I wouldnt want to show it off on my HDTV.

[Luis_A51]

The wii is just a Gamecube with a fancy controller and a built in emulator.

The wii may have the cheapest system hardware, but you get screwed on controllers. A wii-mote/nunchuk combo is like $70+, and then you need to buy classic controllers ($25 a piece) and Gamecube controllers and gamecube memory cards.

We have a wii and 3 games, but so far they've all been dissapointing. The time spent on our wii (about 1/20 the time spent on the PS3 by the way) has been mostly spent on Mario Bros 3 (nes), RE 0 (GC) PaperMario (N64).


Also It doesnt really matter that the wii has better specs than the gamecube. So far it has not proven that those better specs translate into better graphics than the GC, so for now atleast that point is moot.

[Shin-Ra]

Has anyone here bought a classic controller? Maybe it's because I never had a NES or SNES but it's just not comfortable to hold a controller like that for me. The face buttons and dpad are horribly squishy and I don't really like the shiny finish on the front of any of the Wii controllers.