Nintendo's Kaigler talks Wii price cut

Q&A: NOA VP explains what took so long, addresses speculation of an HD Wii, talks first-party support for Balance Board and MotionPlus.

While the rest of the gaming world was focused on yesterday's opening of the Tokyo Game Show, Nintendo of America pulled the trigger on the long-awaited first price drop for the Wii. The system--which has been selling for $249.99 since its November 2006 launch--will be dropped to $199.99 in the US beginning this Sunday.

Nintendo of America exec Denise Kaigler.

Earlier today, Nintendo of America vice president of corporate affairs Denise Kaigler answered a handful of questions for GameSpot about the price drop, the industry's recent sales rut, the console maker's relatively sparse support for its hit Balance Board and MotionPlus peripherals, and Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada's recent remarks that he expects a new high-definition Wii system and controller by the end of 2011.

GameSpot: First off, the obvious question about the price drop. What took so long?

Denise Kaigler: [Laughs] Was it a long time?

GS: Nearly three years, which is longer than some systems' entire life spans.

DK: That is true. This is the first time we've dropped the Wii price since we launched in 2006. The Wii console has done very well, as you know. We have sold [every month] at least 250,000 units since it launched 34 months ago. No other home console has ever done that.

So it's time now to do it. We're going into the holiday season. We're about to launch a couple of very strong titles. We announced yesterday the launch date for Super Mario Bros. Wii. We just launched Wii Sports Resort. On October 4, we'll launch Wii Fit Plus. With the great content that has already launched on Wii and is soon to launch on Wii, the timing is right to give consumers even more incentive to go out and purchase the industry's best-selling home video console.

GS: When you launch a system, are there projections you have as to when you might expect to drop the price? And if so, did the Wii go longer than you initially thought?

DK: I can't talk to you about what our internal discussions have been, but certainly pricing is a very delicate issue and there's a lot of discussion around it before it's executed. So we executed during the time we felt was right, and we're excited about what this could mean for consumers.

Our research shows that there are 50 million consumers in the US alone who are sitting on the sideline wanting to be engaged in this fantastic, fun form of entertainment but just haven't found the motivation or been given the incentive to do that. We believe by lowering the price to $199.99 and by launching these great new titles, this is the right time to do that and this will be the incentive that gets these consumers in the game, so to speak.

GS: Microsoft and Sony just lowered the prices on their consoles. How big a factor were those cuts in bringing the price of the Wii down now?

DK: Not at all. We were not driven by any other factors but our own business decision to do this. As I mentioned, this was timed to take place exactly when we're executing it. The holiday period is the best time for us to offer this great incentive for these consumers on the sidelines.

Nintendo expects Wii Sports Resort sales to continue strong through the holidays.

Another key factor for our decision is the timing of what we also announced yesterday, what we're calling the World of Nintendo consumer sampling tour. It's an opportunity for consumers around the country to experience for themselves what all the excitement is about.

From October through the end of the year, we hope to put our games in the hands of at least 1 million consumers in about 35 or 40 markets throughout the country. We're going to be showcasing most of our holiday products--those already on the market, like Wii Sports Resort and those that haven't launched, like New Super Mario Bros. Wii and the Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for the DS.

GS: Will the accessories get price cuts as well?

DK: We have not made any other announcements for any other price cuts.

GS: Game industry sales have been down for months, but analysts are expecting things to turn around and grow again from September until the end of the year. What are Nintendo's expectations for the rest of 2009?

DK: You know this industry very well, so you'll certainly recall our pacing last year, where we had during the first half Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and Wii Fit--three phenomenal titles. This year, our strong lineup is coming out in the second half of the year. Between Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit Plus, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, we've got a very strong lineup that we believe consumers will respond strongly to.

That's our hope, but it is up to the consumer. The consumer makes the final decision. So we believe we're making fun, compelling gameplay experiences with these titles, but the consumer is the ultimate judge of how good a job we've done. We're definitely doing our best to get them into retail, and certainly lowering the price of Wii helps do that. Hopefully at the end of the year, we can look back at sales that are stronger versus other time periods, but again, the consumer's going to make that decision.

GS: Square Enix's CEO told the Financial Times that he expects Nintendo to release an HD version of the Wii and a new controller in 2011, and we've heard analysts suggest similar things before. Can you comment on that?

DK: We read the same comment. It's always interesting to read comments from other companies about what Nintendo's supposed plans are. We don't have anything to announce on that.

GS: By the end of this year, Wii Fit and the Balance Board will have been out for a year and a half in the US, with Nintendo developing a total of three compatible games--one (Wii Music) that uses the board in a limited fashion, and another (Wii Fit Plus) that is an enhanced version of the board's pack-in game. Can we expect Nintendo to step up support for the Balance Board?

DK: The Balance Board is a remarkable accessory, and there is a tremendous amount of potential for games to be developed using that truly fun interface. As you know, there are numerous third-party titles on the market that utilize the Wii Balance Board. Certainly, our designers are always looking at ways that we continue to utilize our accessories, and the Wii Balance Board is certainly one of those accessories developers are looking at leveraging to further enhance gameplay.

GS: With the Wii MotionPlus, can we expect more robust first-party support than the Wii Balance Board has received?

DK: I don't want to do a comparison of Wii MotionPlus to the Balance Board, but I will say Wii MotionPlus has tremendous potential. The response we've gotten from consumers has been fabulous and phenomenal, so we definitely recognize it's a very powerful, engaging accessory that completely transports you right into the heart of the game you're playing. There's no other motion-sensing controller like it on the market, so we're excited to look at incorporating that experience into other titles.

So just like with the Wii Balance Board, yes, our developers are working at leveraging that technology into other games. And as I mentioned with the Balance Board, we also have third parties that are incorporating that technology into many games.

134 Comments

  • chronolzx

    Posted Sep 29, 2009 2:54 pm GMT

    she is just full of it... what a load of bs!

  • dmil1991

    Posted Sep 29, 2009 2:11 pm GMT

    Nintendo: please support your peripherals. Instead of making us pay for every new game through peripherals, why don't you use the peripherals you have to make new games or sequels? I know, I know... Wii Fit Plus is your answer! HA! That's almost the exact same game that launched a year and a half ago, just aimed at the people who didn't buy Wii Fit the first time.

    Also: Mario and Zelda aren't your only franchises worthy of sequels. It's good that Metroid is finally getting some love, but look at everyone else: Kirby, Fox, DK, Pikmin... And give these games sequels, but GOOD sequels that use new ideas instead of an Animal Crossing~esque cash-in.

    All right. I'm done now.

  • cyborg100000

    Posted Sep 29, 2009 2:10 pm GMT

    "and by launching these great new titles"

    lies

  • Athletes_Foot

    Posted Sep 29, 2009 12:07 am GMT

    @ wez_316

    What the heck are you talking about? Nintendo rehashes old games just as much as Bungie will and has rehashed the Halo series, and Activision has rehashed again and again the Guitar Hero series.

    Every old Mario is "remade." Basically they port it to another system, like Wii or DS and it will have the Wii or DS label on the end of the game title. Super Mario 64 turned into Super Mario 64 DS and there was little to no change in gameplay. Mario Kart Wii is another fine example. What was so different on it that made it much better from any other Mario Kart? The Wii Wheel was lame and you know using an actual controller was the much better method of playing the game. Then we have New Super Mario Brothers for the DS. It's still basically the same, he can just get big. WOW, that's exciting. Brawl is yet another fine example, the SAME exact game.

    I can see it now... Luigi's Mansion Wii. That sounds about right.

    Don't accuse other game developers of rehashing games as if Nintendo doesn't do it. Super Mario Bros. Wii is going to be the same game with 4 idiots running around instead. And I'm pretty sure there will be complaints about movement restrictions in game when one person goes one way and another person is doing something else. To me, unless it's split screen, things like that normally don't work out too well.

  • 9thedevilmaycry

    Posted Sep 28, 2009 11:34 pm GMT

    Whats the next price cut? $100 and $100 games $50?

  • mysteriojoe

    Posted Sep 28, 2009 8:12 pm GMT

    Hey business lady, how about instead of cutting the price on the Wii, I'll give you my Wii back and you can give me a system with good games I'd want to play!!!. What a complete waste of money... the Wii only has about 4 good games (good, not great...) and the rest of the games are 3rd party garbage and stupid mini game crap. What the hell happened to Nintendo? Just cut and dry, lying, business double talk... nothing except another re-hashed Mario Bros game and another dumb Wii Fit coming out for the system. I'm tired of these ''non gamer chicks'' running Nintendo. I bet she doesn't even have a Wii in her house. Just like the other lady from Nintendo who was at E3. Remember she said, '' I don't play games, I sell games'' Sorry, I'm dropping you just like I dropped Sega after too much crappy hardware and software and too many Sonic games. Bye.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Sep 28, 2009 5:11 pm GMT

    @mathdeity

    Yeah she acts like a Vice President of the North American branch of a major company. Of course she answered everything from a business stand its her job.

  • mathdeity

    Posted Sep 28, 2009 1:55 pm GMT

    Why did gamespot even publish this "interview"? All the woman does is evade every question using corporate double speak. And she referred to me as a consumer several times. I'm not a consumer I'm a gamer, to bad she isn't.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Sep 28, 2009 12:03 am GMT

    Everyone ignore C_T_SKYE he just trying to get attention. He gave Halo 3 ODST a score of 1.0/10.0 and said that Master Chief should put a Plasma sword in Mario. Hes just trying to get yelled at for fun so let him wallow in his own misery.

  • 9thedevilmaycry

    Posted Sep 27, 2009 11:51 pm GMT

    to C_T_SKYE comments
    shut up about nintendo sucks your picture is nintendogs so i know you like nintedo games

  • 9thedevilmaycry

    Posted Sep 27, 2009 11:42 pm GMT

    C_T_SKYE said

    PLEEASE NAME AT LEAST 3 GAMES THAT ARE AS GOOD AS LEGEND OF ZELDA WHICH ACCORDING TO SOME RTARDS OUT THERE THINK ITS BETTER THEN GEARS OR GOD OF WAR

    your saying that loz sucks?
    ok im not a zelda fanboy but violence dosent make a game.
    almost the whole seris of the games are the best of its system and oot is rated as the best game evar.
    and it is one of the best game of the nes
    and get a life

  • 9thedevilmaycry

    Posted Sep 27, 2009 11:35 pm GMT

    C_T_SKYE said

    @Harerazer thats because your a family gamer who likes to play gay things like wii sports or things like that and wave your arms around like a wiitard

    people that play wii accaly(typo) get fit.
    And is madworld a family game. no it is the most violent game of gaming. and what about just get a life and stop spending your life on the internet saying that wii sucks.

  • C_T_SKYE

    Posted Sep 27, 2009 9:31 pm GMT

    @Meet7heSniper and actually i dont give a shiit about natal, legend of zelda by the way is one player with no online and only good through one playthrough so you cant compare that stupid shiit to gears and halo and cod or whatever .

  • TheBatman2004

    Posted Sep 27, 2009 6:27 pm GMT

    What a suprise. A Nintendo article comes out and the whiners surface. All you Kratos, Gears fans would be totally lost in a Zelda adventure.

  • Meet7heSniper

    Posted Sep 27, 2009 1:32 pm GMT

    @ C_T_SKYE
    1st of your probably about 12 years old, by the way your acting.
    2nd, believe me Halo, Gears, GOW, and especially COD arent that great.
    Come on you actually want to compare those mediocre (average) games to the likes of Legend Of Zelda (OoT is far better than those games mentioned....and that came out ages ago!) Mario, Metroid, SSBB, Mario Kart Wii?
    Sure the Wii is flooded with shovelware, but when Natal/PSWand come out, the 360/PS3 will be flooded with them to.
    (And being immature as you are, you'll probably enjoy them

  • C_T_SKYE

    Posted Sep 27, 2009 1:04 pm GMT

    @Marcster1994 your the fool none of the wii games compare to games like gearsofwar series halo series god of war series l4d series and the good COD games made by infinity ward, your the lame crazedwii fanboy, so go enjoy your crap games while i enjoy my actually fun ones, the wii is for THE CASUAL crowd and not hardcore crowd, I can tell your just a stupid teen whos most likely 15 so kid, stfu

  • Marcster1994

    Posted Sep 26, 2009 9:02 pm GMT

    @ C_T_SKYE

    Wow....Just..wow. I've never seen so much fail in someone.
    You are a fool. A crazed 360/PS3 Fanboy.

  • C_T_SKYE

    Posted Sep 26, 2009 9:02 am GMT

    @Harerazer thats because your a family gamer who likes to play gay things like wii sports or things like that and wave your arms around like a wiitard

  • Harerazer

    Posted Sep 26, 2009 6:30 am GMT

    deadkingdg said-

    "The other consoles can release incredible games like MGS4, Gears Of War, Mass Effect, God Of War... The grand mother wanting to play bowling in her living room won't care"

    And that's it in 2 nutshells. 1) MGS4, Gears, & Mass Effect are basically the same game to her (and me) and 2) she wants to bowl. Why the heck should se get a PS3 or 360 for that. The Wii sells because it's lower priced but seriuously, pricetag wasn't responsible for the incredible winning ratio over the other two systems. The games are just fun, period. I love my PS3's (I have two) and even tho I do play my PS3 more often than my Wii, I play more different games on the Wii. I also have to add that I'm a family gamer and not just a solo gamer tho. My entire family plays so once the Wii goes on, it's on for a while.

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Sep 26, 2009 12:33 am GMT

    That was a pleasant read. I don't know what it is about Ninty's reps but they always seem very pleasant and real.

  • chrisszy

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 9:08 pm GMT

    Denise Kaigler, Ima gonna let you finished, but Sega had one of the best game systems of all time!

  • shadowrh

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 5:49 pm GMT

    i want nintendo to make a new system with graphics and proccessing power compareable to the PS3 and Xbox 360, but i'm gonna be so mad if they do make it by 2011. I spent alot of money on that piece of crap and it will all go to waste cuz they will stop making games for it and then ill have to waste money on another that will probably be just as short lived

  • XanderZane

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 3:11 pm GMT

    Price is always good. I already have a Wii though. I want them to cut the price on their Wii Remotes and other accessories. Yes, they dropped the price because they saw Sony & Microsoft do it and felt they would lose some sales this holiday if they didn't follow suit. It had nothing to do with any previous plans. If Sony and Microsoft didn't drop their price Nintendo wouldn't have. It's that simple. XBox Now the Wii is the same price as the XBox 360 arcade.

  • accesdenied

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 2:33 pm GMT

    Overall nintendo has had a very succesfull system wether people like the system or not. Im sure that nintendo knew the life span of the system maybe 5years tops anyway I think that nintendo is now just trying to squeeze the most out of the system and i mean that in a good way anyone who had a product for sale will try to make the most profit in their victory lap (financially speaking). on a different note deathjoker I agree with you on what you said about if you want to have physical fun play outside if you want video game fun get a real console. Now I didnt really get what you were trying to say with the rest

  • D3A7HJ0K3R

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 1:43 pm GMT

    if you want fantastic fun, you play outside, if you want to have fantastic fun PLAYING VIDEO GAMES, you get a console like the PS3 or a 360 because while youre a kid now and you own a wii, if you had a PS3 or 360 you could have games for childhood, teenage years, and adulthood. Unlike nintendo that gives you sub par games for childhood, screws you over in your teenage years, and makes you think you never bought such a POS console in your adult years.

  • Sethbeastalan

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 1:03 pm GMT

    I still don't know what to think. Nintendo is my favorite console company, but their line up is terrible. It isn't completely their fault, if people buy crappy games there's no incentive for making good games, but it still doesn't make me feel any better when I look at my shelf and the only games I deem playable are Metroid, Mario, Zelda, and Brawl.

    It's also the fault of many hardcore gamers. So many left because Nintendo is too 'kiddy,' and then complain when Nintendo basically ignores their market. Besides, if Metroid is too kiddy for you because Samus doesn't strip and no one hurls off the fbomb then I don't want to be in the same market as you.

  • Flint247

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 1:02 pm GMT

    To people complaining about how this price cut should have been more than just $50:

    All I can say is, some price cut is better NO price cut.

  • dadoesch

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 12:56 pm GMT

    Gosh what an overly polished, coached interview. She peppers her comments with "fun" and "strong" way too much. Look at this line:

    "Our research shows that there are 50 million consumers in the US alone who are sitting on the sideline wanting to be engaged in this fantastic, fun form of entertainment but just haven't found the motivation or been given the incentive to do that."

    I know you're supposed to sell your product but this just sounds silly - "fantastic, fun form of entertainment."

    And this is just a complete lie:

    "GS: Microsoft and Sony just lowered the prices on their consoles. How big a factor were those cuts in bringing the price of the Wii down now?

    DK: Not at all. We were not driven by any other factors but our own business decision to do this. "

    Own up to reality and level with customers. We're not silly little students who will believe whatever lines you feed us. At the very least admit that you were, of course, aware of the cuts. But don't act like Sony and Microsoft's cuts didn't come into play whatsoever. It's simply not believable.

  • Kleeyook

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 12:52 pm GMT

    I don't care about Wii HD because I only have SDTV.
    And when will the price-cut for Wii come to EU?

  • whitetiger3521

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 12:33 pm GMT

    Still say it should have been a $100 price cut! Also Nintendos game lineup is looking very weak compared to the competition.

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 12:14 pm GMT

    I think its time to Make PS3 Healthy. Very similar to wii fit except with more monotonous games. Im very curious as to how many hours wii fit owners actually play their game anymore. i cant imagine more than once every few weeks.

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 12:12 pm GMT

    "As you know, there are numerous third-party titles on the market that utilize the Wii Balance Board." no i dont know of any Mrs. Nintendo Lady. At least none WORTH knowing. @Flint247 We dont think we are the best, the thing is if you compare it to say sports. You don't want a Recreational league deciding what goes and what stays in the rules of said game. Just like WE the more hardcore, if you call it that, gamers dont want OUR games and what is made to be decided upon by people who find games, if you can call them that, like wii music and wii sports to be enjoyable and what everyone wants ... its not.

  • kobraka1

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 12:11 pm GMT

    nintendo is so full of themselves. how hard is it to admit they dropped the price because the competitors did.please nintendo get over yourself.

  • Flint247

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 12:04 pm GMT

    No offense, but why is it that Hardcore gamers feel like they are the best kind of gamer there is?

  • mikeyvp87

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 11:54 am GMT

    At this price i still don't think i want one. Most people i know who have it admit to not playing it at all. With Sony and microsoft releasing motion controls what's the point of buying a Wii at this point? The software for the most part sucks with no real reason for me it is going to improve. And yes a lot of the motion stuff for the 360 and PS3 will suck to but atleast since the system comes with a standard controller we have the choice to ignore it.

  • C_T_SKYE posted Sep 25, 2009 11:30 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    C_T_SKYE

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 11:30 am GMT (hide)

    @Marcster1994 red steel was garbage and the second wiil be too, Metroid is good, REDC i wouldnt get cause theres no change in gameplay as in the previous one, Silent hill thats great but its just a remake of the firstand it wont be as scary, and all those other titles who gives a shyt about em

  • Marcster1994

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 11:25 am GMT

    At least there will some light at the end of the tunnel with some new good games like Red Steel 2, Metroid Other M, Resident Evil Darkside Chronicles, Silent Hill Shattered Memories, Sin and Punishment 2, Final Fantasy Crystal Bearers, Grinder, Modern Warfare, and Super Mario Galaxy 2

  • Leo_Colt

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 11:23 am GMT

    To drop the price of a console after three years, and then only by $50, is a pretty impressive feat.

  • C_T_SKYE

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 11:19 am GMT

    @GCwastebestys there hell of a lot more xbox and ps3 fans out there so not really any one gunna give a shyte about that stupid italian dude hopping around. and how is it "icing on the cake" ? a terrible cake made by a 3 year old . so your saying that just because it becomes HD wow OMG its HD PFFFFT doesnt mean the system will rule. and obviously your taking a drug mayby, cause i dont think they realize that gameplay is what matters cause 95 percent of their games are trash.

  • nate1222

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 11:15 am GMT

    I'm looking forward to the New Super Mario Bros. I own the DS version and love it. But my biggest gripe is that "Tatsunoko Vs Capcom" won't be out until January 2010. I actually want that fighter MORE than BRAWL.

  • big-boss-91 posted Sep 25, 2009 11:08 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    big-boss-91

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 11:08 am GMT (hide)

    nintendo is too childish for me, i rather stick to my lovely alienware!

    Plus, "adult games" for Wii is utter rubbish compared to real games like crysis, fallout 3. wii need to stop pretending to be cool. what moron called it a wii which sounds awfully like wee?

  • GCwasthebestsys

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 10:52 am GMT

    the new Super Mario Bros will probably be one of the best games of the year.

    all the nintendo haters in here are hilarious. hilarious and sad. bitter just because nintendo will obviously keep dominating video games? apparently.

    wii HD will be the icing on the cake. no more excuses and lame "the graphics are terrible" arguments from nintendo haters. graphics have almost peaked in a way, and nintendo was first to realize that gameplay is what matters this day and age and in the future

  • wiifan001

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 10:28 am GMT

    @ im-a-roustabout

    If you're going to attempt to insult me at least have a valid argument. Wii fit plus is a game, and more games including Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, red steel 2, and all the other titles I mentioned (Endless Ocean 2, sin & punishment 2, metroid other m) are going to be good. Do your research, and until then, don't bother me and try to tell me what I can see coming for the wii.

  • LOXO7

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 10:26 am GMT

    @auron11022
    People read articles to learn information. Obviously someone didn't think that there is any real valuable information about Nintendo here. And there isn't. So you can go ahead and bash people for misinterpreting them. How foolish?

  • CharlesSteak

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 10:23 am GMT

    I finished reading the interview, and was immediately diagnosed with diabetes...never have I ingested anything so sugarcoated. No worry about the Sony and Xbox price cuts and the strong lineup to come of Wii games to come. These two silly comments go hand in hand: The Wii with a only small lineup of good games (SMBWii will be a huge seller, but Wii sports resort has peaked and Wii Fit Plus will tank) would get blown away by Sony and Xbox if there was no price cut to match.

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 9:07 am GMT

    Denise Kaigler wrote:
    We're about to launch a couple of very strong titles.
    COUPLE being the key word here
    Denise Kaigler wrote:
    Not at all. We were not driven by any other factors but our own business decision to do this.
    You don't have to lie. You can tell us the truth. We know you were going to drop the price, but your competitors helped make the decision of when.
    Denise Kaigler wrote:
    We don't have anything to announce on (the Wii HD).
    She didn't deny it. But I'm sure Sony & Microsoft are also working on their next consoles. Maybe just not set for 2011. Maybe PSP2, but not home consoles.

  • shawise

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 8:42 am GMT

    yep!....that's how it looked on my super nintendo or was it nintendo, its amazing how by simply upgrading a controller could amass such huge overall sales. Good show of creativity, way to go nintendo! Now the question is do i want to give you $250.00 -$300.00 for a system with a life span of 2yrs.

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