Wii - Launch Date Roundup

Posted Aug 3, 2006 at 8:59AM by QJ Staff Listed in: Wii Tags: Downloadable Content, Japan, Leipzig, TGS, Tokyo Game Show, WiiConnect24
Ó


Wii ConsoleNintendoÂ’s new revolutionary console has been receiving a lot of hype both the company itself (Nintendo) and all the press surrounding the Wii. This press generally comes in a positive outlook on the console, whether it be itÂ’s motion sensing controller or itÂ’s downloadable content and service (WiiConnect24). However, with the full specs of the console known and what it is capable of, we still do not know what the exact price of the console nor the launch date.


There have been a handful of rumors surrounding an October launch, but what is surprising is the amount of solid rumors surrounding one date in October. This one date is none other than the notorious October 2nd release. Nintendo has made note of an official announcement this month (probably at the Leipzig Game Covention) along with the price, so will it be this suprising date that comes only a few days after TGS in Japan?


Gamespot List


The strongest rumor of them all comes from a Game Stop employee “leak” that contained release dates for many Wii launch titles. These titles included Rayman 4, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Sponge Bob Square Pants: Creature from Krusty Krab Although, this alone does not support or show a launch date of the Wii seeing how games usually are released before or on the date of a console’s launch. However, the fact that the games are being released so early is a shocker to us all who expected a traditional November launch.


A few weeks after the Game Spot leak, a Wii title appeared on Walmart’s website indicating an October 2nd release date of Sponge Bob Square Pants: Creature from Krusty Krab. Since this was consistent with the Game Spot leak, sparks flew in the rumor mill as these speculated release dates became more consistent with each other. When I asked for Walmart to confirm this release date and possibly the Wii launch date they failed to comment and instead told me about the GBA version of the game – failing to comment on my original question or remarks.


Sponge Bob Launch


About a week after Walmart announced the October 2nd release for the Sponge Bob game, a more interesting piece of the puzzle fell into our laps. Nintendo released a press announcement that contained release dates for upcoming games and an “encrypted” message. Everyone jumped on the press announcement at once seeing how it could hint to a Wii launch date. Currently there are two estimations at what the launch date could be from this message, and both lead to the same conclusion – October 2nd.


So, with a Game Spot list leak, a scheduled release of October 2nd for Sponge Bob at Walmart and an encoded press release from Nintendo themselves. All of these point to one date, October 2nd. Nintendo would surprise everyone if this were to be the date of launch, being only about a week after the TGS (Tokyo Game Show) and very earlier in the last quarter. I hope this is the launch date, but usually when things seem to be too good, they are too good to be true.



 
 
 

Comments

by - 2006-08-03 08:34:37
yeah...

kool...beans, i want it now wit some ubisoft love lol
by - 2006-08-03 08:51:36
2nd

nocomment
by - 2006-08-03 09:07:15
But Red Steel.

While Ubi Soft didn't say if the ansewer was for the UK or US...I'm still questioning an October 2nd release date.
by Branden - 2006-08-03 09:15:30
god dam nintendo

the suspense is killing me. i want to know.
by - 2006-08-03 09:28:44
what?

Where is Nintendo's announcement on the official specs? I can't wait to hear what Nintendo is going to say at the conference. I wonder if it will broadcast over the net like E3 did. I'm looking at the 2nd as well.
by - 2006-08-03 10:47:48
150$

I bet the price will be 150$who wants to go ageinst me????
by - 2006-08-03 11:03:13
watch

watch, they'll release it without telling anyone... lol
by XFiFiX - 2006-08-03 11:34:02
:D

Yay, hopefully it is Oct. 2nd because the 13th is my Bday :)
by - 2006-08-03 13:04:22
its coming on oct 11

nocomment
by - 2006-08-03 13:10:40
srry its me again

I Say oct 11 remember people than have psp. the psp release date was thursday 24 and the games released one week before..... so ithink nintendo is going to use that same tactic.......... Just think about it
by - 2006-08-03 13:20:19
Lame News

I've already posted something about the launch titles' dates.
by - 2006-08-03 16:08:27
^11

Yeah, I've known about this crap scince the GameStop employees got this, and I don't even work there.
by - 2006-08-03 18:44:23
Shipping

Its all about the shipping. Alot of companys will ship out the games and stuff about a week or few days before a system release. That way the stores will have them, set up the appropriate shelving and displays if any muck ups happen there is still time to fix it. That way they can advertise for the games and the system. Dont care how it happens i wnat to get a Wii ASAP tho lol. Even if it means being a nerds freind from a EBgames so i can get it at midnight the day before release.
by - 2006-08-03 19:17:42
GS

GameStop makes their own dates up, I work there and we have had dates like that forever. They make em up until they know for sure.
by - 2006-08-03 22:59:45
Another Possible Release!

Well on Gamestop.com and EBgames.com the have The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for preorder. Its says that the preorder will come in November 1st and there is the rumour that they say the Wii and Twilight Princess will come out on the same day.
by - 2006-08-03 22:59:45
Another Possible Release!

Well on Gamestop.com and EBgames.com the have The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for preorder. Its says that the preorder will come in November 1st and there is the rumour that they say the Wii and Twilight Princess will come out on the same day.
by - 2006-08-03 23:04:04
Sry!

Sry I wrote the last comment twice on accident!
by senjutsu - 2006-08-04 01:20:19
october makes sense..

but I vote november anyway even if october could give them the uppehand on sony launching in november would help them having enough wii for launch and debugging more before the launch, this could help them having the "perfect" launch
by senjutsu - 2006-08-04 01:23:07
finally maybe october lol

I just went to bestbuy.com and they sell the launch games on october 2, like everyone else, so I suppose nintendo decided to go with the time upperhand... should I buy one one launch? ONLY if dragon quest can really impress me! if not, screw you wii!

Add New Comment




You must be logged in to post comments




Add QJ.NET
Add to My Yahoo!
Google Reader Subscribe with Bloglines
Add  to your Kinja digest Subscribe in NewsGator Online
Subscribe with Pluck RSS reader Add 'www.qj.net' to Newsburst from CNET News.com
Subscribe with SearchFox RSS del.icio.us www.qj.net
Add to Technorati Favorite! Add to My AOL
furl! it Stumble for Treehugger!