Nintendo Wii

[Matt_3D]

Has anyone here considered importing an NTSC system? Especially since its not going to be region free....

I was thinking about it...then even before the region free was yes then no then yes then back to no etc I figured that importing a faulty unit would cost a decent amount more that buying here. I found that out when I bought a 6800GT video card off ebay. It was new in it's package and aorund $100 cheaper than here, unfortunantly it turned out to be faulty, sent it back with a rediculous postage amount and had to wait for the new one. I sold the card to my work and now have a 7900gt Anyway, my point is, if the Wii happened to be faulty, at least in Oz you could just take it back to the store, that ain't happening if you get it from the US. I'm taking the safe route.

(The safe route also includes waiting until the US launch reviews before making my final decision )

[linton]

Sorry to break this to you, but it has been confirmed that it actually IS region locked.

Isn't that what he said?

[Tsargrad]

Ahh Nintendo Fan Boys at war. LOL.

Sits back in a deck chair and enjoys.

[thundergod]

Has anyone here considered importing an NTSC system? Especially since its not going to be region free....

If I get one it will be a NTSC machine.

I have long given up on the PAL market.

[JimJim]

Isn't that what he said?

Yes, my mistake I misread it.

I'm definatley getting a Wii at launch, money is there ready to go, just waiting for it...

[rainberg]

I'm getting the NTSC Wii. Nintendo has allways treated the PAL market poorly. Importing xbox and sony games is still cheaper than buying in AUS (plus you get them early) so I guess the Wii will be the same.

[linton]

I'm getting the NTSC Wii. Nintendo has allways treated the PAL market poorly. Importing xbox and sony games is still cheaper than buying in AUS (plus you get them early) so I guess the Wii will be the same.

Correction, they treated the local PAL Gamecube market poorly, but if you ask me it was a good decision. Plus lack of retailer support doesn't help (which again comes back to sales). Why continue to pump time or money into a region that hardly bought the console anyway?

Up until the N64/Gamecube point they were having a good run and treating it's local customers accordingly, with really only 1 other console in the region to compete with.

[matt30822]

I think that they will see a surge in console sales even before it comes out and i think that this family friendly console will be very popular under the christmas tree this year being the only console under $400.

[Matt_3D]

I'm getting the NTSC Wii. Nintendo has allways treated the PAL market poorly. Importing xbox and sony games is still cheaper than buying in AUS (plus you get them early) so I guess the Wii will be the same.

I'm hanging out for the Freeloader, that way I can get the PAL version and play NTSC games on my Wii I'd say about half my DS games are imports, they are just that little bit cheaper and they come out so much earlier. Love the region free DS I really hope they do it with the Wii, it doesn't look good though.

[ExecutoR]

i dont think you will need to bother with NTSC this time around. Here is why:

At my local EB a number of months ago i noticed PSP very prominant at the front of the store. I thought that it cannot be their highest seller as the DS is meant to be destroying so i checked with them. Sure enough, the DS was killing the PSP, so i asked why was the DS not at the front of the store.

Their answer?

Sony gives us more money.

Now fastrack to last week (and if you have been to an EB recently they always should be the same) DS and GBA right at the front of the store with a massive reserve space also at the front of the store for Wii. I talked to the guys again and they said "The email came through to change all shops to this way, so we did, our guess is Nintendo is starting to throw their money around".

I personally see this as a good strong move from Nintendo. Maybe the PAL market will be ok this time around.

[Matt_3D]

Now fastrack to last week (and if you have been to an EB recently they always should be the same) DS and GBA right at the front of the store with a massive reserve space also at the front of the store for Wii. I talked to the guys again and they said "The email came through to change all shops to this way, so we did, our guess is Nintendo is starting to throw their money around".

I personally see this as a good strong move from Nintendo. Maybe the PAL market will be ok this time around.

I was at EB today and asked the guy how he though Wii would be, he said somewhere along the lines of 'Bloody Awesome'

There is an event in Brisbane where this guy and a few other EB reps (I'm assuming) get to go and try out the Wii, he also mentioned that they would be getting a demo unit mid october. It's looking quite positive for Wii, like you said, in the past Nintendo hid on the back shelves, they're moving forward again.

[JimJim]

Supposedly Nintendo is planning a mass market campaign for the Wii.

In Europe they will be conducting a £10,000,000 campaign focusing on traditional mediums such as magazines/newspapers and television, but will be doing a major focus on the internet with sites such as MSN, yahoo and myspace in mind.

[virg]

I work in the sound department of a Target store and the nintendo Rep came in and explained the new 'wee' console coming in and it sounds cool! but then as soon as she left we were all cracking jokes about how kid's are going to be saying "Mummy I wanna wee!" oh the fun we'll have trying to explain what a 'wee' does to the parents that are buying consoles for their kids for xmas!

p.s. I'm going to an EA games night next week, so hopefully they'll MAYBE give us some more info on the Wii!

[JimJim]

Virg has just given the perfect example of why NAL (Nintendo Australia) need to begin marketing ASAP.

Whilst me and many others (mainly online) got over the name 'Wii' many many months ago, the general public is only just being introduced to it and we have to re-hear all the crappy jokes.

[thundergod]

I'm getting the NTSC Wii. Nintendo has allways treated the PAL market poorly. Importing xbox and sony games is still cheaper than buying in AUS (plus you get them early) so I guess the Wii will be the same.

ANd by importing a NTSC console, you are always guaranteed full screen and the 60hz gaming speed.

I don't care what people say about PAL 60, there is never any certainty that every game will support it.

For gaming consoles, NTSC console is the way to go

[virg]

Virg has just given the perfect example of why NAL (Nintendo Australia) need to begin marketing ASAP.

Whilst me and many others (mainly online) got over the name 'Wii' many many months ago, the general public is only just being introduced to it and we have to re-hear all the crappy jokes.

sorry! i cant help it if they only tell us general public now about it!

i'd seen posters around months ago but i thought 'Wii' was said as 'Why' not 'wee'!

[JimJim]

You can now practice making your Mii:

http://www.joystiq.com/media/2006/10/mii.swf

[ExecutoR]

You can now practice making your Mii:

http://www.joystiq.com/media/2006/10/mii.swf

hehe i found this earlier today... played around for a while... good fun

[JimJim]

Latest Wii News

CVG reports that Nintendo has confirmed to them that an 'Ethernet Kit' will be available for Wii, allowing users to connect to the internet via a cable, as opposed to wirelessly.

While Wii includes built-in Wi-Fi functionality out of the box, this new accessory will be available for separate purchase.

People who already own Nintendo's Wi-Fi USB Connector are in luck, as the device will also interface with Wii. Meanwhile, most wireless routers will be functional and now the ability to make use of an older modem or router will be a reality.

[ExecutoR]

I really need to get that Nintendo USB thingy so i can play my DS online... cannot believe i havent been bothered yet lol