Opinion: Wii is actually more expensive than it seems

[Zeus]

Chris O'Brien of Mercury News has an interesting feature on why the Wii is truly more expensive than it seems. While its initial RRP may seem great, he also notes that it can be very expensive when you buy everything to go with it like rechargeable batteries, extra remotes and games like rock band etc.

<blockquote>Then I began looking for a couple of games to go with it. I knew we'd be paying a bit more for these. But as I looked at some games we wanted, like "Lego Rock Band," I realized that I needed other controllers, like a microphone, drums or guitar. These could run another $100 or more if I got all of them. So I passed and didn't get any games, figuring they could just play the games that came with it for now.

As I examined the box, I realized that I had forgotten that the Wii could also be connected to the Web. The problem here was that our cable modem is in the kitchen (don't ask) and the TV is in the living room. Guess that's a headache I'd have to figure out later.

As I was finally checking out, the cashier asked if I wanted any batteries. "Batteries? For what?" I wondered. She explained that the controllers ran on batteries. Gulp. I grabbed a package of rechargeable batteries, for about $30.

Having spent about $90 more than I expected, I had a few knots in my stomach on the way home and was kicking myself for not doing my research. Bad columnist. Bad.

Back on the couch, as my wife and I were discussing this, we also started trying to figure out what the new policies governing this device would be. Would we still have only 30 minutes of screen time a week? Could they play it every day for 10 minutes? One thing was sure: They'd be asking for it every second of every day.</blockquote>

News Source: <A href="http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14194403" target="_Blank">MercuryNews</a>

[IJTF_Cinder]

Uh newsflash! The same could be said of any other system, only the PS3 comes with a built in battery in it's controller, other than that...no difference in what was stated for any of the systems.

What pisses me off, is how Nintendo boasts about the Wii being a "Family" experience...yet the damn thing comes with 1 remote in the box.
Again the same could be said of the 360/PS3, I wish they'd start including 2 fucking controllers with systems...the cost for them would be marginal, and lacking the cost of additional packaging etc a separate controller has.

[Zoddi]

Only extra remotes and nunchucks are really expensive.
The Wii is a real Cashcow with it's little extras you need for playing.

[nambit]

You may as well include the cost of electricity in running the damned thing.

[DanASBO]

At least the games are free, arrr.

[CharmedonWB]

Uh newsflash! The same could be said of any other system, only the PS3 comes with a built in battery in it's controller, other than that...no difference in what was stated for any of the systems.

What pisses me off, is how Nintendo boasts about the Wii being a "Family" experience...yet the damn thing comes with 1 remote in the box.
Again the same could be said of the 360/PS3, I wish they'd start including 2 fucking controllers with systems...the cost for them would be marginal, and lacking the cost of additional packaging etc a separate controller has.

I agree with you, there should be two controllers. The Wii comes with batteries and as for the PS3 battery, it will eventually need to be replaced as well and those batteries are usually more expensive than buying rechargeable batteries and a charger.

[danight]

Toal agree... addons this gen is crazy. from guitars, drums, controllers, batteries, vision cames and eye toys, controllers with rumble and some without, wired and wireless, different size hard drives, customs sku`s, gamecube and classic controllers, psn live and shop channel and micro transactions for 20 year old roms.

it doesnt end....

[EL_CAD]

30 minutes of screen time a week? Why even have a TV or PC then?

[CharmedonWB]

Toal agree... addons this gen is crazy. from guitars, drums, controllers, batteries, vision cames and eye toys, controllers with rumble and some without, wired and wireless, different size hard drives, customs sku`s, gamecube and classic controllers, psn live and shop channel and micro transactions for 20 year old roms.

it doesnt end....

enough to make your head spin...lmfao!!

[nestortoy@hotma]

I agree with you, there should be two controllers. The Wii comes with batteries and as for the PS3 battery, it will eventually need to be replaced as well and those batteries are usually more expensive than buying rechargeable batteries and a charger.

So far i've had a PS3 remote since 2006 and so far its still running strong... I don't believe you have a PS3. Plus rechargeable batteries start to get weaker on every recharge...

[ThreeDog]

I think this is true for all consoles, there's always something that's not in the box that i need.

Id like to see everything in the box to save us some money, HDMI/DVI/VGA/OTHER cable in the box, Everything needed for controllers even if its a few batteries and a usb cable, Ethernet adaptor if not included, secondary storage method (card reader or mu), headset even a standardised optical connection instead of these breakout boxes for each cable type.

[Battlefield]

Nintendo / NES 8-Bit came with 2 controllers, and maybe other old consoles too. SNES came with 1 pad, and because of NES success they could earn quick bucks for the second controller. Everyone need 2 controllers, so they are forced to buy the second? People dont care if its included or not.

[Sal]

So far i've had a PS3 remote since 2006 and so far its still running strong... I don't believe you have a PS3. Plus rechargeable batteries start to get weaker on every recharge...

oh what magic "things" you got inside the ps3 remote that keeps it running- there are different types of rechargeable batteries, what matter is the technology the use and how much capacity they have.
so at some point they gonna run out of life.

[put4558350]

Nope.

It's unfair compare.

1. rechargeable batteries
- on xbox360 you might using rechargeable batteries too.
- on ps3 you when battery will eventually need to be replaced. and it's more expensive than AA rechargeable batteries.

2. extra remotes

- extra remote and nunchuck are a little more expensive than A ps3 controller and A xbox360 controller.

but less expensive than ps3 controller + ps-eye + it's motion device or xbox360 controller + natal.

[msanchez]

This is one of those things that I can't fault the wii for too much, it's a "everybody's doing it, why can't we?" type of thing.