you know, when it comes to the wii, the breakdown in cost is probably something like: 10% console, 70% games, 20% accessories. i got the basic wii console (those things are next to impossible to find these days! everything is bundled now, i guess the margins on the console by itself aren’t very high.) and now i have a small collection of games. but it is the accessories that look like they are starting cost quite a bit.
first, any wii owner knows that they have to own 4 wiimotes. so that means that three of them need to be purchased. i think that you also have to buy at LEAST one more nunchuk. so bare minimum is two nunchuks and 4 wiimotes. but now, we’re starting to get into other more specialized games like guitar hero 3. you NEED two guitars to play the game right. let’s say you buy the bundle, that’s $90. let’s say that you held off and waited for the guitar hero aerosmith bundle to get your second controller instead of buying a second one. that’s another $100. and the wiimotes are useless without batteries. rechargeable batteries just make sense here. you need to charge all of the wiimotes at once, so that means you need 2 wii dual charging docks w/ batteries and modified battery covers at $14 each. i actually saw a quad charger at the store the other day, i think it was around the same price. i wish i saw that before, but oh well. looks like it’s in the accessories where a lot of money is made. i was tempted to buy 3 more wii-wheels for mario kart wii, but opted not to. i think it’s easier to drive with the wii wheel, though…
cost of wii console: $250
$250 wii w/ 1 controller + nunchuk + wii sports
cost of wii accessories: $369 (so far)
$120 3 x Wiimote
$20 nunchuk
$40 guitar – guitar hero 3
$50 guitar – aerosmith
$90 wii fit
$11 rechargeable battery for wii fit
$10 wii fit silicone sleeve
$28 2 x dual charging dock
Yeah, tell me about it. I can imagine that the cost will get higher as more innovative games come out. I suppose I’ll have to get some blasters once a cool new shooting game comes out. Once I come around to getting that, the Wii 2 will probably be out by then. =P
I’ve come to wonder if its a vicious cycle. =P
this could be analogous to a woman’s wardrobe. that new dress from br might look nice, but it is nothing without the accessories-shoes, designer handbag, jewelry! haha. as a fellow (hmm.. what is the female equivalent of that?) wii owner, i get what you’re saying about the cost. but i’m a minimalist and hate clutter, so i am fine with just one guitar hero 3 controller (people can take turns!), and i only have 2 wiimotes (people can bring theirs over when they want to play! haha). i’m ghetto like that. i didn’t get mario kart, but i’ve heard just the opposite, that it’s easier to play with the wiimotes than navigate via wheel where your hands are just hanging uncomfortably in mid-air?
gg! dueling guitars in guitar hero is a MUST. it isn’t about who can get how far in that game, it’s about who can shred harder!