Nintendo Wii, the Japanese video game firm’s upcoming console, will be available in the United States on Nov. 19, and it will sell for $249.99—a price that’s significantly lower than what rivals Sony and Microsoft are asking for their next-generation gaming systems, the Associated Press reports via the New York Post.Nintendo also said Wii will go on sale in Japan on Dec. 2. Nintendo Wii Wii is approximately the size of a small, hardbound novel, and it’s Nintendo’s most recent game system since its GameCube, according to the AP. GameCube is the number-three best-selling console in the world behind Sony’s PlayStation 2 and Microsoft’s initial Xbox offering, the AP reports. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe Though Nintendo owns the portable game system space with its Game Boy and Nintendo DS handheld, it hasn’t been the main player in the console market since the days of its Super Nintendo in the early 1990s. Wii Controller One of the most notable features of the Wii system is its innovative controller wand. Users simply position the wand and use its buttons to send signals wirelessly to the main console.Nintendo is attempting to undercut its rivals by releasing the product with a lower price tag than the systems offered by competitors, and it’s banking on the popularity of its main game franchises like Super Mario Brothers and The Legend of Zelda to draw gamers into its user base. Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America president, said, “The next step in gaming is bringing gaming to the masses,” according to the AP.Nintendo said it will ship some 4 million Wii systems in 2006—most of which will land in the United States—while Sony plans to distribute only 2 million PlayStation 3 (PS3) consoles, the AP reports. Sony also plans to sell two versions of PS3 for $500 and $600, according to the AP. Related Links: Nintendo Wii to Hit Japan in December IBM Ships ‘Broadway’ Chips for Nintendo Wii Tokyo Game Show to Showcase 573 Games Microsoft to Launch Cheaper Xbox 360 in Japan Blue Laser Shortage Zaps Sony PS3 Launch Plan Sony PlayStation 3 Site Launches in JapanCheck out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content opinion The changing face of cybersecurity threats in 2023 Cybersecurity has always been a cat-and-mouse game, but the mice keep getting bigger and are becoming increasingly harder to hunt. By Dipti Parmar Sep 29, 2023 8 mins Cybercrime Security brandpost Should finance organizations bank on Generative AI? Finance and banking organizations are looking at generative AI to support employees and customers across a range of text and numerically-based use cases. By Jay Limbasiya, Global AI, Analytics, & Data Management Business Development, Unstructured Data Solutions, Dell Technologies Sep 29, 2023 5 mins Artificial Intelligence brandpost Embrace the Generative AI revolution: a guide to integrating Generative AI into your operations The CTO of SAP shares his experiences and learnings to provide actionable insights on navigating the GenAI revolution. By Juergen Mueller Sep 29, 2023 4 mins Artificial Intelligence feature 10 most in-demand generative AI skills Gen AI is booming, and companies are scrambling to fill skills gaps by hiring freelancers to make the most of the technology. These are the 10 most sought-after generative AI skills on the market right now. By Sarah K. White Sep 29, 2023 8 mins Hiring Generative AI IT Skills Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe