Nintendo of America announces that, as of tomorrow, the recommended price for a GameCube console will be just $99.
Following yesterday"s news that retail partners Amazon.com and Toys "R" Us had started selling GameCube consoles for $99.99, Nintendo of America has today announced that the same low price will come into effect across the US from tomorrow. The price reduction of $50 will make the GameCube some $80 cheaper than either the PS2 or Xbox, which both currently sell for $179.99. "So far in 2003, Nintendo GameCube is the only home console showing an increase in unit sales compared to 2002," said George Harrison, senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications, Nintendo of America.
"Every time a generation of technology has moved into the true mass market, Nintendo has prospered. This incredible new price and our great software offers are designed to accelerate that trend like never before." Calling the move "aggressive," Harrison said shipments of GameCube had been on the increase over the past weeks as retailers prepped for the announcement. However, Harrison added he did not expect GameCube manufacturing to resume until later this year. In spite of the price cut, Harrison said Nintendo was not readjusting its 2003 sales forecast (which remains at 6 million units worldwide).