Nintendo Confirms Wii Price Drop, 'Nintendo Selects'

Nintendo has confirmed rumors of a Wii price drop, revealing that the motion-controlled console will have a new U.S. retail price later this month. Starting from May 15, the system will have a suggested retail price of $149.99, a 25 percent drop from the previous price of $199.99. This is just the second price drop for the Wii since its launch in 2006, when it debuted at $249.99. The console will now also come with a copy of Mario Kart Wii and the Wii Wheel accessory, as well as a Wii Remote Plus controller and Nunchuk controller. Mario Kart will replace the previously included Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort games. News site Eurogamer also has details regarding a price drop in Europe, with a similar Wii package being released on May 20 for £129.99 at retail. The price drop comes about a week after Nintendo confirmed it would reveal details about the Wii's home console successor at June's E3 in Los Angeles this year. The company said it plans to launch the console sometime in 2012. Along with the price drop, Nintendo has also revealed a new discounted range of software titles. The Nintendo Selects collection will offer popular Wii releases at a $19.99 retail price. The range will initially include The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Animal Crossing: City Folk and Mario Super Sluggers. It will also include Wii Sports, marking the first time the title has been available to purchase as a separate software release in the U.S. and Europe. Europe will also receive the Select range, with titles costing £19.99. The first batch will include Wii Sports, WarioWare: Smooth Moves, Mario Strikers Charged Football and Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City.