With the holiday season in full swing, retailers like Toys R Us and KB Toys have taken it upon themselves to sell the elusive and coveted Nintendo Wii in bundled packs.  Some of these bundles include up to ten Wii games and carry price tags close to $700.00, nearly triple the console’s $250.00 price.  This does not make Nintendo happy.

In a recent interview with Reuter’s, president of Nintendo of America Reggie Fils-Aime stated that “Retailers have already been given feedback that we are not big fans of that. We think it masks some of the price advantage we have versus our competition and, frankly, the consumer should decide what they want”.  Furthermore, when asked if Nintendo would be taking action against bundling retailers, Reggie stated “We don't have to remind retailers of the strength we have right now.”

Veiled threat?  Nah, Reggie’s too nice a guy for that.  Still, the idea of losing future shipments of the season’s hottest gift item has to scare the crap out of sellers.  Nintendo has a valid point in all this; part of the Wii’s crazy success is dependent on it being the lowest priced system of the current generation. Buyers who see the Wii priced at six or seven hundred dollars may turn elsewhere, knowing that the other two systems are more powerful machines selling at what they see as the same price.  We’ll see if Reggie has to jack up some retailers to get his point across.

Finally, a proper price for a bundled console.  Thanks, imaginary retailer!