Christmas release for new wireless Nintendo console

NINTENDO’S next-generation games console will hit the stores around a fortnight before Christmas.

The Wii will cost £179 (€265) in Britain, while in the rest of Europe it will carry a recommended retail price of €249, Nintendo announced at a press conference yesterday.

Retailers are expected to take pre-orders for the console from this weekend, the technology giant said.

Nintendo wants the Wii to appeal to more women, families and a broader customer age range than the traditional video games market.

Its new console has a wireless wand-like remote that interacts with whatever game is being played.

Nintendo will have around four million Wii units available to sell worldwide in the run-up to Christmas.

It will benefit from the delayed European launch of rival console the new PlayStation 3.

Manufacturing delays forced Sony to push back the PS3’s European debut until next March.

David Yarnton, head of Nintendo UK, said: “The Wii is really completely different to the opposition because it is very innovative,” he said.

“The thing with December 8 is that it’s right in time for Christmas. It gives people the opportunity to save their pennies but they need to get out there pretty quickly because of high demand.”

The Wii console launches in the Americas on November 19 and Japan on December 2.

Retailers earlier said Sony’s loss could be Nintendo’s gain this Christmas if the Wii proves a hit with fans.