In light of Nintendo FINALLY spilling the beans on the Wii’s release date and price, I feel compelled to dissect each and every announcement, as only a true fan could. Keep in mind that whatever follows, I am still extremely excited about the Wii and I will be leaving EB on Day 1 with a bag full of games and accessories.

Release Date
In a truly second grade move, Nintendo has decided to release their new console within a few days of Sony releasing theirs. So Nanny Nanny Poo Poo Sony! November 19th is the final United States release date for the Wii. After months of agonizing anticipation and hearing rumor after rumor, I can’t help but be slightly disappointed that I have to wait two months. But, since I’ve been waiting my entire life for a system as innovative as this one, what’s another two months?

I am extremely glad that Nintendo decided to release the Wii the week before Thanksgiving instead of the week after. This was obviously a strategic move to capitalize on the biggest shopping day of the year, but I like to think that it was to give me a work-free week to gorge myself on Zelda. Either way, I’m really just glad that we have a solid release date so I can pre-order this bad boy soon. Hopefully, I won’t have to buy an Arctic Purple Bundle for the low low price of $699 and my soul.

Console Price
Speaking of price, the console will run you back $249.99. While I’m sure the entire world, including myself, was hoping for a $199.99 price point, I feel like Nintendo made the right decision. First off, making a profit on a console has become an almost taboo idea. For Nintendo to make a profit starting on Day One means that we don’t have to deal with the post-launch capital deficit which slows innovation and creates that lull where it’s five months post-launch and you have a new system with a handful of launch games and no new games to buy.

And, while many of you are fooled by their funny commercials and racist mascots, Nintendo is still a corporation, and as such, its underlying goal is to make money. Heaven forbid they actually try and reach that goal. There really is no reason not to make the console $249.99. We all know we’re going to pay the extra $50 and it’s still $150 cheaper than an Xbox 360 and an astounding $350 cheaper than the PS3. Yes, you heard me. You can buy approximately 2 ½ Wiis for the price of one PS3. In summary, good for you Nintendo, good for consumers. Not so good for the competition.