$212.51 to be exact.

Please.. tell me thats a joke? November launch after PS3 was bad enough. But now DECEMBER?

That's really late. I was looking forward to getting one early. That's right in the holiday season. I hope you'll even be able to find one..

It's a clusterfuck right now. I will wait until Iwata announces it before I come to any conclusions. Any idea on how long this conference will last?

Wow maybe NYP's info was false after all. I can't imagine Japan getting a cheaper price than the states. The late launch date isn't all that great, but frankly, I'd rather have the cheaper price with a slightly later launch date rather than sooner and slightly more expensive.

It started at 1am, and it ends at 3am, AFAIK.

I honestly can't think of a good reason to launch this thing after the PS3... Skills had a point, but still, don't you think it would be better to come before so that people can see it and use it before forking over $600 for the PS3?

Please. It's a hell of a lot more likely that they were asked to remove the article until tomorrow's conference ends.

Now that Famitsu's gone and done that I'm joining the boat of people who are waiting for the words to fucking come out of Iwata's mouth.

I have to go to bed, I'll see what happened tomorrow morning.

All that matters is that the Newspaper Article was WRONG. For better or worse. Just so you all shut up and wait to see what Iwata says.

Agreed. This was put up along with all of the other articles for today by someone who didn't realize there was an embargo on it. Stories are written in advance ALL THE TIME, do people seriously think that the New York Times livewrites their fucking articles like Joystiq is doing right now?

Double Post:
WE DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS OR NOT YET.

I'd be slightly surprised and annoyed if it releases for more than $200 in the US. I'll wait for the official US price before I pass any judgement. Did they say what's included with it as far as games, controllers, etc. yet?

I'm going with Nintendonomicon and Mo0 on this one. It's likely the NYT had the information in advance and put the article out there, assuming Nintendo had already announced it.

Nintendo press release.

This is official word. Unfortunately, it's in japanese, so here follows a babelfish translation.

Because the Nintendo Co. corporation, December 2nd this year (Saturday), 25 and 000 Yen (consumption including tax desired retail price) with the country the new amusement machine "Wii" which creates the electronic amusement experience inside completely new home to sell, we inform. This Wii which we sell (pronounces "ウィー") or less is included in substance set. * Wii itself × 1 * the Wii remote control strap it is attached, × 1 * ヌンチャクコントローラ × 1 * Wii private AC adapter × 1 * Wii private AV cable × 1 * Wii itself private stand × 1 * Wii itself private auxiliary plate × 1 * Wii private sensor bar × 1 * センサーバースタンド × 1 & single three dry cell battery × 2 Furthermore, overseas, it is the schedule which in the next few days is announced from the respective local subsidiary company in regard to sale schedule and price.

And I repeat:

2:56PM: Official release date in Japan is December 2nd. Price is 25000 Yen (approximately US$212)

So... no Wii Sports included? Or is that built-in...?

OR WAS THAT MADE UP BY THE NYT, THOSE BASTAHDS.

The NYT was not reporting on Japan. >8U

Although I'd be incredibly surprised if they were seriously coming out with the damn thing here earlier.

Better translation:

2:06 a.m. EST [update 10]: The press release is up. It lists the contents of the Wii box: Wii console, Wii remote (w/ strap) Nunchuck attachment, Wii AC adaptor, Wii A/V cable, Wii console stand(?), sensor bar, sensor bar stand and two AA batteries. Also, it seems the 25,000 yen price includes tax.

Looks like the 25,000 price includes tax, so now I would be even more surprised if it launches for $250 in the US.

And a higher price?

NYT should have fucking waited a bit longer. All they did now is cause a whole lotta confusion.

Why? They did that with the DS...

Here's the Engrish to English translation for those that want to get the easy to understand version:

Releases on December 2nd, 2006
25,000 Japanese Yen

Package includes:
The Wii console
Sensor bar
Horizontal stand
AC adaptor
AV cable (composite, most likely)
Wii controller with two triple A batteries

Can't quite make out some of what it says though, I'm not sure what "auxilary plate" refers to except for maybe an "alternate faceplate" ala the Xbox 360.

And despite release date, Wii will still sell well in Japan.

They did? I could've sworn that came out over there first. Weird.

Also, Lukage, to my knowledge it's common for the system to cost a little bit less over there because if I recall correctly games cost comparatively more. Also you have to account for that fact that for Wiis to get here they have to ship internationally, and that adds to the cost.

Quoted from gamesarefun.com
Could explain the difference in pricepoints.

3:05PM: Wii.com will go live in approximately one hour. A Japanese press release will soon be available from Nintendo with the full text of Iwata's speech.