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Iwata: Wii In 'Most Unhealthy Condition' In Japan Since Launch

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata concedes 'the Wii is in the most unhealthy condition since it hit the Japanese market' -- but that a price cut isn't a good option for the company.

David Jenkins, Blogger

April 9, 2009

1 Min Read

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has admitted that "the Wii is in the most unhealthy condition since it hit the Japanese market," but has ruled out a price cut for now. "A price cut in a difficult economy cannot really excite the market and drive up sales," Iwata said at a conference at the Foreign Correspondent's Club of Japan. "As of now I really don't think that a price cut is a good option for us." Despite continuing strong sales in the West, the PlayStation 3 has been outselling the Wii for more than a month in Japan, with Wii titles starting to perform poorly in the software charts. "The speed with which people get tired of any new entertainment is faster in Japan than in overseas markets," said Iwata. The Wall Street Journal reports that Iwata commented in general on the Japanese market -- which, overall, is also in decline. "The Japanese market is not very strong right now overall," he said. "So we need to do something to re-energize it." Nintendo currently has few major first party Wii titles in its pipeline the most prominent being the delayed Wii Sports Resort - which Iwata announced would be released in June in Japan and in July in the West. The company is expected to announce a number of new products at E3 in June.

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2009

About the Author(s)

David Jenkins

Blogger

David Jenkins ([email protected]) is a freelance writer and journalist working in the UK. As well as being a regular news contributor to Gamasutra.com, he also writes for newsstand magazines Cube, Games TM and Edge, in addition to working for companies including BBC Worldwide, Disney, Amazon and Telewest.

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