Nintendo to raise price of Wii in UK
Credit crunch bites British gamers
Nintendo UK drop something of a bombshell this afternoon, announcing that despite their desire not to, that the platform holder is being forced to raise the price of the Wii console.
Factors outside the company's control (the rise of the Yen, the fall of the pound) are blamed for the increase, with Nintendo increasing the price it charges UK retailers by 18 to 20 GBP. This, at a time when Sony are being urged to cut prices.
Presently, the system retails for 180 GBP, and it is likely that at least some of this price hike will have to be passed onto consumers by cash-strapped retailers.
The "unprecedented and sustained depreciation of the pound" is to blame, then, "a problem brought about by extreme currency fluctuations that are a symptom of the global economic situation" according to Nintendo.
It is presently unclear when this price rise will be put into effect, or if other countries with suffering currencies will also be facing up to gaming 'inflation'. More soon.
