Nintendo Drops Wii to $199, Introduces "World of Nintendo" Gaming Events

Of course this has NOTHING to do with all the other console price drops and oddball rebates, folks (*wink, wink*). It's merely a recession fighting move by Nintendo to keep those Wiis rolling into homes across America (*wink, wink*).

Or something like that - press release below.

Hell, a price drop is a price drop and at $200, the Wii is a more attractive deal now to budget-minded gamers, especially now that more quality games are here or on the way. Personally, I do like those "World of Nintendo" events, which will be PACKED to the gills once word gets out.

Anyway, here you go:

Wii at $199.99 Beginning Sept. 27

World of Nintendo Events, Key Software Releases Further Demonstrate System’s Incomparable Value

Beginning Sunday, Sept. 27, the world’s most popular home video game system gets even more appealing. On that day, Nintendo’s suggested retail price for its record-setting Wii™ drops by $50 to $199.99. The new $199.99 Wii price point delivers the full iconic Wii gaming experience, including the motion-sensing Wii Remote ™ controller, Nunchuck™ controller and Wii Sports™ software, and furthers Nintendo’s mission to expand the gaming universe by making video games accessible to more and more consumers.

Wii ownership also opens an avenue for players to the industry’s most diverse and unique collection of home console games. Key upcoming releases include Wii Fit™ Plus, launching on Oct. 4, and the first truly multiplayer Mario™ title ever, New Super Mario Bros.™ Wii.

Both new and veteran players in America can jump into this new Mario action when it arrives on Nov. 15.

And beginning Oct. 2, consumers in select cities will have a new, convenient way to decide which Nintendo adventure to tackle next. On that day, a novel series of sampling events called “World of Nintendo” kicks off in Long Beach, Calif.

“Wii has reached more video game players than any game system before because it attracts everyone—both men and women, and people of all ages,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Our research shows there are 50 million Americans thinking about becoming gamers, and this more affordable price point and our vast array of new software mean many of them can now make the leap and find experiences that appeal to them, whatever their tastes or level of gaming experience.”

The inherent social nature of Wii is fully demonstrated in a groundbreaking way with New Super Mario Bros. Wii, the first Mario game ever to allow four players to take part in the action at the same time. That same dynamic is propelling the enthusiastic response for Wii Sports Resort™, while the release of Wii Fit Plus includes everything you love about Wii Fit™, along with new multiplayer elements and the ability to customize workouts to fit individual needs.

KEY Wii SOFTWARE RELEASES

Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo) Available Now
Guitar Hero 5 (Activision) Available Now
The Beatles: Rock Band (EA) Available Now
Metroid™ Prime: Trilogy (Nintendo) Available Now
Dead Space Extraction (EA) Sept. 29
Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo) Oct. 4
Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes (LucasArts) Oct. 6
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (SEGA) Oct. 13
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 (Konami) Nov. 3
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Reflex (Activision) Nov. 10
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo) Nov. 15
EA Sports Active More Workouts (EA) Nov. 17
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Capcom) Nov. 17
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues (LucasArts) Nov. 17
James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game (Ubisoft) Nov. 24

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

See below for full details on the World of Nintendo events that are scheduled to take place in Long Beach, Philadelphia and New York throughout the month of October.

WORLD OF NINTENDO CONSUMER SAMPLING TOUR

In video game aisles, shelves are filled with hundreds of choices. Online, differentiating between thousands of alternatives is nearly impossible. For players, the ideal option would be the chance to see just those titles you’re most interested in—and then grab the controller and take them for a test drive.

That solution springs to life next month as World of Nintendo sampling events pop up in three cities. Among the hit Nintendo titles to be included:

For Wii: New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit Plus, Punch-Out!!™ and WiiWare™ titles

For Nintendo DS™/Nintendo DSi™: The Legend of Zelda™: Spirit Tracks, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box™ and Nintendo DSiWare™ titles

While final details are pending, the current schedule is as follows:

CITY: Long Beach, Calif.

DATES: Oct. 2: 3-7 p.m., Oct. 3: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Oct. 4: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

EVENT: Long Beach Comic Con, Long Beach Convention Center


CITY: Philadelphia, PA

DATES: Oct. 9: 2-9 p.m., Oct. 10: 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Oct. 11: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

EVENT: VGXPO - Pennsylvania Convention Center


CITY: New York

DATES: Oct. 16: noon-8 p.m., Oct. 17: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Oct. 18: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

EVENT: Big Apple Comic Con - Pier 94 (55th Street at 12th Avenue)