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Cubed
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According to an industry source speaking to Cubed3, the Nintendo Wii is set to launch in the "Thanksgiving period in the USA" (Thanksgiving falls on November 23rd this year), with Japanese and European launches set to be "in the same timeframe". With Nintendo trying for a worldwide launch of their new system, this would probably lead to the system coming out marginally before in Japan and "a few weeks later in Europe".
Our source tells us that the Wii will be on sale in the USA "well in time for Thanksgiving and well in time for Christmas in Europe". Details on the Japanese launch were not so clear, but our source did suggest that it would fall very close, if not before the American launch of the system.
So, we're looking at an early November release for the system. This falls quite nicely in line with a recent announcement by Nintendo where they gave dates for their DS, GameCube and GBA titles for later this year. All titles stopped before November. With this information in hand, we pushed our source a bit further to see if they had an idea of a more exact date. Today, we were provided with the following information...
"So, at the moment Nintendo are aiming to launch the Wii on November 6th"
Our source emphasised that this date is correct at present, but pointed out: "Nintendo aren't going to have an exact date in mind until they are sure they can meet the deadlines". Take it as a guide then if you will, but "they are very keen to be ready in time".
Obviously this shouldn't be taken as gospel and we're not about to shout from rooftops that we have the final Wii launch date, but we are confident that the information we have is correct; we wouldn't share it with you if it wasn't. Hopefully Nintendo will clear up all confusion very soon by confirming the launch details of the Wii. We'll have more for you as and when it happens.
Our source tells us that the Wii will be on sale in the USA "well in time for Thanksgiving and well in time for Christmas in Europe". Details on the Japanese launch were not so clear, but our source did suggest that it would fall very close, if not before the American launch of the system.
So, we're looking at an early November release for the system. This falls quite nicely in line with a recent announcement by Nintendo where they gave dates for their DS, GameCube and GBA titles for later this year. All titles stopped before November. With this information in hand, we pushed our source a bit further to see if they had an idea of a more exact date. Today, we were provided with the following information...
"So, at the moment Nintendo are aiming to launch the Wii on November 6th"
Our source emphasised that this date is correct at present, but pointed out: "Nintendo aren't going to have an exact date in mind until they are sure they can meet the deadlines". Take it as a guide then if you will, but "they are very keen to be ready in time".
Obviously this shouldn't be taken as gospel and we're not about to shout from rooftops that we have the final Wii launch date, but we are confident that the information we have is correct; we wouldn't share it with you if it wasn't. Hopefully Nintendo will clear up all confusion very soon by confirming the launch details of the Wii. We'll have more for you as and when it happens.
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7662
L100 C3 Master
*please don't slashdot us please don't slashdot us*
Great exclusive James.
Great exclusive James.
Wishing for a new Rival Schools!
15712
Founder/Admin
Excellent stuff - sounds like a very good date to launch the console. Hopefully the lineup will be strong for the machine to lead us to a good end of year performance.
If we get Slasdot I will be fucking pissed.
jb(at)cubed3.com
If we get Slasdot I will be fucking pissed.
jb(at)cubed3.com
Virtua Tennis or Grand Slam Tennis? Reviewing both now for C3.
11295
Features Editor
Not The Search Box
8712
Previews Editor
Agreed, great stuff, though - not too long to wait now then if true. 
Cubed3 Staff [ Retro Editor :: Previews Editor ]
Cubed3 Staff [ Retro Editor :: Previews Editor ]
will be right back after the break.
5802
L100 C3 Master
Would be a nice date...gives it 8 weeks leading up to Christmas to pull out some monster sales!
This is my newer, bigger, reasonably sized signature. I hope it's not too big.
This is my newer, bigger, reasonably sized signature. I hope it's not too big.
Wishing for a new Rival Schools!
15712Founder/Admin
fenno2001 said:
Would be a nice date...gives it 8 weeks leading up to Christmas to pull out some monster sales!
Would be a nice date...gives it 8 weeks leading up to Christmas to pull out some monster sales!
Exactly! And with the rumoured price point, a lot of parents will probably consider Nintendo as the strong option for their Xmas pressies!
What Nintendo need for their launch is a lot of in-store presence - demos - hands on and TV advertising! Spread the Wii word!
jb(at)cubed3.com
So yeah, Golden Sun 3.
18111
C3 Mod
Yayzh!! That's awesome, it seems they're aiming to get it out there before the PS3, hm?
That's awesome, it seems they're aiming to get it out there before the PS3, hm?
Got my copy of The Conduit.
4642
C3 Mod
Very cool!
~Top 20 Nintendo DS Games~
[ Moderator :: Head of Secret Police :: Legendary Member :: United State-ian ]
[ Moderator :: Head of Secret Police :: Legendary Member :: United State-ian ]
Let's Tap and Virtua Tennis 2009 hands-on now up!
8959
Reviews Editor
Sounds like perfect timing to me, just before PS3 too. Now announce it officially and let us pre-order. 
There is a question mark on Nintendo's Finnish website with tomorrow's date on it - perhaps it has something to do with launch date information...
Cubed3 Staff :: Reviews Editor
Xbox Live/Twitter :: C3Mike
There is a question mark on Nintendo's Finnish website with tomorrow's date on it - perhaps it has something to do with launch date information...
Cubed3 Staff :: Reviews Editor
Xbox Live/Twitter :: C3Mike
Virtua Tennis or Grand Slam Tennis? Reviewing both now for C3.
11295Features Editor
There is a question mark on Nintendo's Finnish website with tomorrow's date on it - perhaps it has something to do with launch date information...
Oh yeah, so there is...how odd. Wonder what it could be for? We'll find out soon no doubt.
40
L5 Octorock
Nov 17 and after should be avoided at all costs by Nintendo.
MIS's Wii launch schedule
early Sept 2006 - Japan/world debut
late sept 2006 - US/Americas
mid oct 2006 - EU/UK
All well before PS3 arrives - problem solved!
MIS's Wii launch schedule
early Sept 2006 - Japan/world debut
late sept 2006 - US/Americas
mid oct 2006 - EU/UK
All well before PS3 arrives - problem solved!
Kirby PWNZ j00
5523
L100 C3 Master
You know I was thinking 'Prepare to be slashdot'D' and then I saw Hazuki's post 
Anyway, AWESOME!!!Still a proud member of the 'omfg amazing water in games' society
Anyway, AWESOME!!!
7
L1 New Born
I'm New on here but i need to KNOW the offical launch date soon. i'm going crazy over here.
Damn my mate for gettin me hooked on the Wii!!
Damn my mate for gettin me hooked on the Wii!!
Wii r da REVOULTION
Poopin'
3289
C3 Mod
Great work C3!! Im with the rest of you....this is a good date for the US launch as long as the euro launch isnt too long after...
IANC said:
Dude yuor totally awesome. And i won't be killing you anytime soon.
Dude yuor totally awesome. And i won't be killing you anytime soon.
43
L5 Octorock
Well that would squash rumours about a october release
I am the villain of the story.
78
L8 Lakitu
What do you guys mean when you say "please don't slashdot us"?
Kirby PWNZ j00
5523L100 C3 Master
Well last time C3 got linked to from Slashdot it died within minutes... DIED I TELLS YA!!Still a proud member of the 'omfg amazing water in games' society
136
L14 Pirate
Well I dont know about slash dot but I seen that you guys are on digg and if you make it to the front you will have some major traffic going trough you. But Cool the lanch date seems like a good time and um let me think I hope they have the price soon.
I am the villain of the story.
78L8 Lakitu
Megadanxzero said:
Well last time C3 got linked to from Slashdot it died within minutes... DIED I TELLS YA!!
Well last time C3 got linked to from Slashdot it died within minutes... DIED I TELLS YA!!
Ah, I understand. Probably from the spike in bandwidth, no?
I need a job. I really need a job.
4472
L94 Ryu
Hurrah! So we have about six months wait now.
Oh, hello C3!
4695
L96 Marth
hey, if Nintendo are gonna do instore demos (well, not if but when..), how will they stop dirty scals from stealing the Wiimote if its wireless? If they attached some sort of cable or wiire, would the general idea of motion sensing and freedom go out of the wiindow?
*Speculation, not pessimism*
twitter: @bensoutham
*Speculation, not pessimism*
twitter: @bensoutham
.
7662L100 C3 Master
Ah, I understand. Probably from the spike in bandwidth, no?
Server just couldn't handle the spike in traffic.
Prof. Layton 2 Hands-On & Another Code: R Review Now Live!
11672
News Editor
Mason said:
Sounds like perfect timing to me, just before PS3 too. Now announce it officially and let us pre-order.There is a question mark on Nintendos Finnish website with tomorrows date on it - perhaps it has something to do with launch date information...
Sounds like perfect timing to me, just before PS3 too. Now announce it officially and let us pre-order.
There is a question mark on Nintendos Finnish website with tomorrows date on it - perhaps it has something to do with launch date information...I was told earlier today that we should expect a major announcement tomorrow, also something from Zoonami at long last. True? Who knows...
Cubed3 Senior Editor :: Lead Writer :: News & Interviews Editor
Let's Tap and Virtua Tennis 2009 hands-on now up!
8959Reviews Editor
I really hope those rumours of Zoonami doing some massive spy game for next gen. Nintendo turn out to be true.
Cubed3 Staff :: Reviews Editor
Xbox Live/Twitter :: C3Mike
Cubed3 Staff :: Reviews Editor
Xbox Live/Twitter :: C3Mike
Virtua Tennis or Grand Slam Tennis? Reviewing both now for C3.
11295Features Editor
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