14 DAY TRIAL // With Microsoft and Sony throwing bundles around the globe to attract buyers, what do you think Nintendo is going to do? Probably launch a bundle of their own, with a new type of Wii even, but given that people are buying more Wiis than Nintendo can ship, they wouldn't have to worry about the holiday season. Still, there is a bit of a rumor surrounding the Internet that the company is indeed prepping a new Wii model for a holiday launch.
According to 1up.com, Codename Revolution has a few details on this new Wii SKU from a "distributor contact" who leaked them the news of such a system being in the works, "including the package's UPC number." According to 1UP, "the number, 045496880088, does indeed belong to Nintendo of America," being titled "Wii Play 'n Learn." Codename Revolution even goes on reporting the estimated price for the new system, which is, according to them, $289.99 CAN - $10 more than the retail price for the Wii in Canada.
So let's ask ourselves the following question: why on Earth would Nintendo want to ship a new system, even if we're talking about the winter holiday season, if the Wii sells like water in the desert with Nintendo themselves admitting that they won't be able to meet demand this time around?
Simple answer really, to be able to keep folks interested in the system. All of the company's success with the Wii is because it could constantly support innovative ideas, due to the unique motion sensitive controller it sports. Still, even that can start being dull at a point and so Nintendo needs to throw in something "totally" new every once in a while. Something "totally" would definitely be new hardware features and that's what Nintendo is expected to ship - a Wii with new hardware features.
Of course, they could simply ship differently coloured Wiis, but then they'd actually upset those hoping for a hard drive-enabled Wii, or at least a bundle featuring a bunch of games, not ensuring the system's continuity at all. But hey, if all the "we won't meet demand" thing is true then they shouldn't have to worry about a thing, right? However, it would be a pity not to equip that Wii with more features.