UK retailers have once again called on Nintendo to lower their pricing for Wii U, in an effort to spear consumer interest toward driving the console’s faltering sales forward.
Such comments came ahead of the company announcing the Mario Kart 8 Wii U Premium Pack, which received a recommended retail price of £249.99.
Whilst competition has seen Tesco Direct discount the new bundle to as low as £199, others are steadfastly holding their price point at around the £239.99 mark. Mario Kart 8 is already seen to be the “one real last chance” to turn the console’s fortunes, although
“The market needs a sub-£200 Wii U proposition and the Mario Kart 8 at £250 RRP is going to be a tough one to drive extra sales,” ShopTo purchasing director James Rowson commented to MCV. “To get the same kind of weekly sell through that PS4 and Xbox One are seeing a sub-£200 price is needed.”
Responding to Tesco Direct’s competitive deal, Xbite CEO Steve Thomas added: “It’s a step in the right direction, but it would have been better if all retailers were involved. Nintendo needs support from the wider industry rather than one retailer.”
Although Games Centre MD Robert Lindsay places more faith behind Nintendo, believing that it will be software that will reinvigorate their sales: “[The Mario Kart 8 pack] is a fantastic bundle at an attractive price which should see a nice sales spike over the coming months. Will this continue through to Christmas? That really depends on the strength of additional software which is the key to ongoing sales, not the price point.”
UK retailers call for “sub-£200 Wii U proposition”
