Nintendo slyly hints at Wii release date

[Phanto]

Arstechnica.com (http://arstechnica.com/) has this news that you need to read NOW!

Check it out Here (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060725-7349.html).


Where the fun comes in is the statement that the press release is not about the launch date of the Nintendo Wii, but "perhaps the secret to the launch information for Wii is somehow encoded in the text of this news item." The release does go on to talk a bit about the Wii and how the much-anticipated Zelda: Twilight Princess will be available for both the GameCube and Wii (the latter an enhanced version), but just when it is about to reveal the release date it ends with a cheeky "oh look, we're out of space."

With the Internet being what it is, it did not take long for gaming enthusiasts to crack the code. Gaming Target was one of the first to figure it out, noticing that at least one new game was being released every Monday in the fourth quarter except for October 2, November 20, and November 27.

OMG!!... October 2, now I'm excited !!

[fitbabits]

10/02/06 is also the release date for Gears of War!

[51|RandoM]

Hmm, I guess exited would sneak right past a spellchecker. :p

[digitalErich]

I've already got an "in" with my local games shop to get on the top of the Wii pre-order list...can't wait.

[HardScores]

It's not the 2nd. It's the 20th of November.

[Tricky Thumb]

Well, considering that Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=220461) was pushed back on retailer release dates I'm gonna guess a late October release if it's in that month at all.

[bapenguin]

It's not the 2nd. It's the 20th of November.

3 Days after the PS3? Not likely.

[protocol_image]

Well, it certainly would be awesome to know that it could be coming out in just over 2 months. However, it's easy to see that they could be releasing games before the system is even out. It happens all the time with system releases! Still, I'm holding out in hopes of an early October release!!!

[Kelegacy]

I hope it's the 2nd. But I'm on vacation that week I think and will be away from home! Goddamn, I still need to get my mitts on one somehow.

[Kamalot]

Call me skeptical of an October launch.

[bboy]

Does this mean it will be out here in Tokyo before then? Or will it be a real Global launch?

[HardScores]

3 Days after the PS3? Not likely.

Why not?

1. They already said they aren't in competition with the PS3. And they really are two different systems because of the price points.

2. It's the only 2-week pause in the list of games. Conventional sales wisdom would dictate a pause in all of your publisher's games when a new system comes out, unless they were for said system. Otherwise the press for your dinky GBA game would be crushed by Wii news.

3. Thake this with a grain of salt, but the GameCube came out November 18th.

[Food Nipple]

I read the press release, I think that if the Wii release date is in the press release, it's more complicated than just looking for a week without a game release. The original press release reads as follows:

Perhaps the secret to the launch information for Wii is somehow encoded in the text of this news item. You might want to pore over it for a few hours before staying up all night to debate phraseology and comma placement with your friends online.

Phraseology? Comma placement? They're suggesting something much more complicated than a cursory glance at the release schedule.

[mkelehan]

I think November 20 is far more likely. Gives them all the time they need to make a bunch of units and polish the launch software and still make it out before Thanksgiving.

[EternalGamer]

Why do you guys just assume it's the earliest of the three dates with no titles? If anything that would seem the least likely. Nintendo has traditionally had big launches near the end of November. I see no indication they plan on changing this. Sorry to spoil the excitement, guys, but my money is on one of the latter two Novemeber dates.

[Uncle Ben]

Phraseology? Comma placement? They're suggesting something much more complicated than a cursory glance at the release schedule.

I think he's doing exactly the opposite of that. The way I read it the advice was to look at the content before settling down to debate imaginary nuances all night.

[Roc Ingersol]

Japan, US, Europe?

[Rirath]

Phraseology? Comma placement? They're suggesting something much more complicated than a cursory glance at the release schedule.

You do realize they're poking fun at the people who would do such things, eh?

*Sigh*, I wants me a Wii at launch... but I just put my two week notice in at my job, and that means I'll be living off savings til I find a new one. Thus, no unnecessary spending. Talk about motivation.

I'm still taking end of November as the safest guess. -- It just makes sense.

[Animated X]

An October launch would give them a large head start, but will the games actually be ready and finshed by then?

[Wyrm]

I just want to get my hands on one. Why wont they announce a release date? It's getting really close...

[Doctor Setebos]

Guys, stop debating this. Here's more of the text from Nintendo's press release (http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=9938):

But that's not what this news item is about! How could that be, you ask? Perhaps the secret to the launch information for Wii is somehow encoded in the text of this news item. You might want to pore over it for a few hours before staying up all night to debate phraseology and comma placement with your friends online. Or maybe it's all just a scam to get you to read the other games we have launching this fall. One of the two.It's a joke. They know people are starving for information, and they're playing a joke about it. I firmly believe there is no hidden information buried within the release date schedule, and anyone who does believe it is fooling themselves. Get back to reality. :rolleyes:

[HardScores]

It took me all of 5 minutes to come up with my theory. I didn't even think GameCube had anything coming out this fall other than Twilight Princess. I stand by November 20 until it is announced as something else.

[The Great Gatsby]

3 Days after the PS3? Not likely.

They've always maintained they would try and launch before the PS3, not alongside it or after it. So I think if there is a date hidden in there it would be the earlier of the dates.

[SexualChoc]

Japan, US, Europe?

If it's true, then probably. Though they said they wanted to launch simaltaneously, or as close as possible. 2 months is pretty freaking huge.

[Roc Ingersol]

I wouldn't be surprised if they were focusing on Japan first. That's where they'll face the most stiff competition with Sony, and where the wiimote has a much better chance of becoming an instant craze. The 360 didn't do shit there, so they've got alot to gain from having near exclusive dominance for a couple months.

No sense thinning out their supply to hit the US and Europe.
We'll pick it up as a second system anyway, because the ps3's shaping up to have nothing more than a paper launch here, with a side helping of sticker shock.

[Xenkylm]

The official release date is Dougtember 4th. It's on the site.

[destoo]

You might want to pore over it for a few hours before staying up all night to debate phraseology and comma placement with your friends online.


Hmm... as long as nintento's A-OK (http://www.nintendo.com/status) I don't have a problem with whenever it's coming out.

I really like the V+V / I+I for 10/02.

[Zurik]

Even if its that early, there's going to be so few launch units that very few of us will be getting one until next year.

[easi]

I guarantee this will be a better launch than the "Malfunction-gate" that was the 360 one.

[51|RandoM]

I think there will be enough Wii to go around at release.

[Scull]

Wii = VVII = 1002 = 10/02. Makes perfect Nintendo marketing sense to me. I'd love to see this Oct. 2, but I won't hold my breath for it.

[cppcrusader]

Does anybody know what day Thanksgiving is this year? They've said before that they plan on being out before Thanksgiving.

[bean19]

You guys are excited? I mean, aren't there too many unanswered questions to be sure about the Wii yet?

1. Does the controller actually feel right/good? I wish stores would get display units already.

2. How much will it cost? $300 and I'm not buying. $200 and I'll probably buy it without worrying too much about this other stuff.

3. Launch titles?

Considering that October is only 2 1/2 months away, they certainly are waiting until the last minute to tell us anything.

[jacktion]

You guys are excited? I mean, aren't there too many unanswered questions to be sure about the Wii yet?

1. Does the controller actually feel right/good? I wish stores would get display units already.

2. How much will it cost? $300 and I'm not buying. $200 and I'll probably buy it without worrying too much about this other stuff.

3. Launch titles?

Considering that October is only 2 1/2 months away, they certainly are waiting until the last minute to tell us anything.


I am pretty excited. I know there are a lot of skeptics out there but I'll try to sum up why I and many others have lil' chubbies for the Wii.

The controller does feel good. Many played it at E3 and came away with very favorable impressions. I personally loved it. It is like a PC mouse and keyboard but better. If implemented properly it has the potential to be the best control method of all. (maybe)

Cost. Well, we know it won't be 300. Iwata has declared that it will be less than 250 and 200 is the more traditional price so it will be somewhere around there.

Launch titles are not declared but they will most likely be at least the new zelda which makes it worth a purchase all by itself. Plus excitetruck which was fun. And maybe red steel if they can work out some kinks. Plus all the other tertiary titles.

But the big thing that makes it exciting is that I know the big picture. It will be a Nintendo system that plays every nintendo game from all the past generations. Plus it plays gamecube and dvds so I can simplify my entertainment shelf and get rid of a few things. Plus even if somehow the wii-mote thing totally blows and is horrible, there is still a regular control pad and it uses gamecube controllers so that isn't really an issue.

The bottom line is that if Nintendo came out with a gamecube that played N64, SNES, NES, Genesis, and Turbografx games as well as dvds, for only 220 dollars, I would buy it. And I think a lot of you would too. So the Wii stuff is just icing on the lollipop.

[Kamalot]

3. Launch titles?
Metroid
Zelda

I'm there.

[Kamalot]

The bottom line is that if Nintendo came out with a gamecube that played N64, SNES, NES, Genesis, and Turbografx games as well as dvds, for only 220 dollars, I would buy it. And I think a lot of you would too.
No shit! What a way to put it.

Yeah, Considering I missed a lot of those consoles in the past by being a PC-exclusive gamer, I'd pick that up in a heartbeat. To think that you get all the latest wacky motion sensing on top of that is amazing. And $200-$250 is such a steal, I may buy 2!

[Doctor Setebos]

Wii = VVII = 1002 = 10/02. Makes perfect Nintendo marketing sense to me. I'd love to see this Oct. 2, but I won't hold my breath for it.OR

Wii = VVII = 111 = 11/1

OR

Wii = sounds like "wee" = child's way of saying "urine" = sounds like "you're in!" = combined with urine to bring us you're in control (http://web.media.mit.edu/~hayes/mas863/urinecontrol.html) = controller = Wii

Wait, what was I doing again? :D

[Rook34]

Nintendo is probably going to have the most units sold with the system at launch, too. Especially priced at where it is. I would expect 3 games sold per 1 system, and then once hooked up at home, another 5 downloaded with the virtual console. Nintendo is going to dominate this fall and as much as I love the 360, they might have to watch out.
I plan on buying Zelda, Metroid, and Rayman...at least. Maybe Red Steel. Oh shit, I forgot about Trauma Center! Damn! There goes all my money.
And for downloading, they better have Kid Icarus, Turok2, and Gunstar Heroes for download among the many, many others I want.

[Freak705]

October 2 would be almost perfect, the day before my birthday. But I'm not holding my breath yet.

[bean19]

jacktion - Thanks for the reply. I was at E3, but didn't want to wait for 4 hours to get my hands on the controller. . . I hate crowds, so I'm already nervous at E3. Lines in crowds. . . that's like the 3rd circle of hell for me.

You did assuage my fears about cost, and it's true that there will be a Zelda game at launch, and the lineup for post-launch includes a good number of titles I'm interested in. . . though I want to see the system getting more titles worth playing than the Gamecube got. I got another one recently from a friend who moved away about 2 months ago. . . I hadn't owned one since after Windwaker. However, it has already gone back to simply collecting dust. I don't need another repeat of that business. . . though if it comes out at $200 and Zelda is only $50. . . well, I guess I'm sold.

[dr_wily]

OR

Wii = VVII = 111 = 11/1

OR

Wii = sounds like "wee" = child's way of saying "urine" = sounds like "you're in!" = combined with urine to bring us you're in control (http://web.media.mit.edu/~hayes/mas863/urinecontrol.html) = controller = Wii

Wait, what was I doing again? :D


Hah! I got a genuine laugh outta that one.

wee = urine = your in + pete townshend = urinetown the musical = release party on Avenue Q in NYC = "Internet is for porn" = N1nt3nd0 is not for teh kiddies + World of Warcraft exclusive on the WII!!!

[51|RandoM]

For the love all that is holy, will somebody please change "exited" to excited.

[31 Flavas]

= N1nt3nd0 is not for teh kiddies + World of Warcraft exclusive on the WII!!!Behold the power of The Da Colbet Code!!!

[EternalGamer]

OR

Wii = VVII = 111 = 11/1



I know you are joking, but how does that even make any sense? 111 in Roman Numerals would be CXI or add up to 12. Although I'm not certain it has any credence, the W = VV (10) and i i = II (2) is actually a pretty cool code if it turned out to be true.

[gspot]

Why do you guys just assume it's the earliest of the three dates with no titles? If anything that would seem the least likely. Nintendo has traditionally had big launches near the end of November. I see no indication they plan on changing this. Sorry to spoil the excitement, guys, but my money is on one of the latter two Novemeber dates.
Nintendo's system has never been so anticipated before. I am not saying this is proof, but it's something Nintendo would do.

[SaintArnold]

I'm with Dr Setebos- they are obviously just joking to get you to read the press release.

[aileron]

It's actually coming out tomorrow, where have you guys been?

[Deathbane27]

It's actually coming out tomorrow, where have you guys been?

It's actually out NOW!

And by "out", I mean out of stock.

And by out of stock, I mean not in stock yet.



"VVII" is not proper roman numeralization.

[Evil Avnovice]

That's an interesting tidbit that was gleamed from the DS software release dates, but I'm still leaning on November. :impatient:

[Everlost_MI]

...must...have...

[DeadPixel]

I might buy a projector for this just so I could play tennis against a virtual WALL screen.

[Micrometalus]

I doubt it'd happen, my luck just isn't that good, but Oct. 2nd is my birthday.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Wii = VVII = 1002 = 10/02. Makes perfect Nintendo marketing sense to me. I'd love to see this Oct. 2, but I won't hold my breath for it.


Wow, you guys (this doesn't just go for Scull) apparently have difficulty reading Roman numerals.



I can't see the system coming out October 2nd. That's nine weeks away with no promotion/advertising. Hell they haven't even announced a price or a firm launch list yet!

[Zacharai]

Quoting from the press release:
"The fourth quarter of 2006 will herald a new era for Nintendo with the
launch of its remarkable new Wii(TM) home video game system. But that's not
what this news item is about! How could that be, you ask? Perhaps the secret
to the launch information for Wii is somehow encoded in the text of this news
item. You might want to pore over it for a few hours before staying up all
night to debate phraseology and comma placement with your friends online. Or
maybe it's all just a scam to get you to read the other games we have
launching this fall. One of the two."

One of the two? Yeah, they're just playing with us. And how many fell for it?

[Feltoar]

All this rubbish VVII stuff reminds me of everything that was said to me to when people were trying to prove hidden meaning to Nintendo On. Im with half the people here, November

[EternalGamer]

I might buy a projector for this just so I could play tennis against a virtual WALL screen.


Actually I DID buy a projector ($499 woot.com special) primarily with this in mind. I already have it set up in the perfect arrangement for Wii gaming also. Large space behind the projector (which is on a rolling cart) for all types of uninhibted running/movement. Wii Tennis 2 players is going to kick ass with my new setup.

[bean19]

Actually I DID buy a projector ($499 woot.com special) primarily with this in mind. I already have it set up in the perfect arrangement for Wii gaming also. Large space behind the projector (which is on a rolling cart) for all types of uninhibted running/movement. Wii Tennis 2 players is going to kick ass with my new setup.

I envy you, and I'm also looking at you the same way I look at people who dress up for game conventions.

I've never had contempt and envy rolled up together so neatly before.

Thank you.

[HardScores]

I know you are joking, but how does that even make any sense? 111 in Roman Numerals would be CXI or add up to 12. Although I'm not certain it has any credence, the W = VV (10) and i i = II (2) is actually a pretty cool code if it turned out to be true.

Yeah, but if you take 10... add one of the 1's to it... it's 11. Then you add another 1 on the end. 111.

Yup.

Anyway, it certainly has us talking about the systems, doesn't it. But I don't think too many people are busting their brains over it.

[Scull]

I never intended it to be a proper Roman numeral, and I'm sure that if I'm on target, Nintendo doesn't either. Wii just morphs well into VVII. I don't actually expect it on 10/02, but I wouldn't be surprised by it either.