No black Wii for the U.S.?

(Credit: Nintendo)

Quick follow-up to the story we did last week on the black Wii coming out in Japan on August 1. Apparently, Nintendo has no plans to bring it out Stateside, according to a post by Libe Goad over at AOL's GameDaily.

A Nintendo rep said there are "no plans to have other colors of Wii in the U.S."

Say it ain't so, Nintendo. A lot of us Yanks (and some Canucks) are jonesing for a black Wii. In fact, our very own John Falcone has been going around for months telling people he's been holding off on getting a Wii until a black version comes out. (It also wouldn't hurt if the thing added an HDMI connection).

Of course, Nintendo might be just playing it coy because it's worried people will stop buying the current white Wii if they know a new black one is coming. Or it might not be. But it seems like a no-brainer to release a black Wii in the U.S.--and the rest of the world.

Comments?

(Via GameDaily)

Additional reading: Black Wii gets packaged

[myles taylor]

I don't get why the release things with minor differences in different countries. Sounds like it's more trouble than not to do that. I can understand phones and other things that have to be different, but it's ridiculous to give certain areas access to different things. You're already shipping the Wii over here...just ship it in color.

[Lerianis3]

Well, white IS a color, but I get your point honestly! I would prefer that they would start doing that as well: simply give people a choice of colors (at least two) and let them pick, or have a way that they can order a black enclosure for their console and be given instructions to install it themselves. I mean really, how damned hard can this case be to install?

[lazynutz]

Well, Lerianis, some would argue that white is not a color, merely the absence of color.

[UMich_Guy0717]

Actually, lazynuts, in the light spectrum white is the combination of all colors and black is the absence of color...but I digress...it's always nice to have options when chosing media equipment. Most if not all essential media components come in black and those who desire coordination, like myself, would love to have a black wii to go along with a black xbox 360, PC, and PS3.

[RichardMongler]

@lazynutz: REEEEEEEEEEEEEETAAAAAAAAAARD. Black is the absence of color. White is the combination of all colors. Go play with a prism and figure it out.

[george_liquor]

@Richard: In a subtractive color model, white is the absence of color. So take your prism and shove it.

[wiizer]

wouldnt that be Wiiiiiiiitard...sorry, that was a low hanging fruit i couldn't pass up....

[diva336]

It looks really cool, but I don't have the money for it. I'm happy with my white Wii for now... http://www.gamesncs.com/rd_p?p=186122&t=9528&a=13190-cnet&gift=3679

[MadLyb]

Wow, where was this when I bought my Wii?

I wouldn't go buy a new one just because it is black, but if I was still in the market, I would definitely choose black.

Now, since the box itself is pretty much hidden away in the entertainment center, I might be 'encouraged' to pick up some Black controllers...

[homsar57]

Come on Nintendo, you've done nothing but let us hardcore gamers down in the last few years, and now you're crushing the one thing that could give the wii a little respect? For shame.

[viper396]

Is that the key?...Forget gameplay, graphics, or anything meaningful, make it black and "hardcore gamers" will buy it. Can you explain exactly how the color of the console itself has any real relevence to gaming or "hardcore gamers"? I doubt real "hardcore gamers" have such petty and trivial complaints.

The Wii has it's share of problems but the color of the case is hardly one of them.

[jaguar717]

"Hardcore gamers" buy real systems, not toys like the Wii.

He's obviously referring to the more hardcore side of the subset of people who buy the Wii.
Think of it like the tougher nerds or something.

[Sardonik]

"Hardcore Gamers" play primarley PC games.

[Schorschi]

Can of spray paint, masking tape and a backyard is all you need to turn a white Wii into a black one.

[EscapePod]

Used black magic marker on mine (looks like crap).

[Quinten15]

there's an easier way to get a black Wii - buy a custom skin from this wonderful site -

http://www.decalgirl.com/

look along the left hand side of the site and you'll see all the skins available.
Hope this helps :)

[gofalcons]

no, nintendo will hold on to them, then wait til xmas and then lie and say how rare they are so every dumb mom will buy their kid a wii......................so it can collect dust next to the black wii they got bored of after the novelty wore off........

[make_or_break]

Black...white...whatever. Still the same ol' kiddie games.

[sav1981]

Japan always get the good stuff.

[robertorosco]

It doesn't matter if you're black or white! Heeee Heeee!

[FirstReflections]

Sales have slowed in Japan. Sales are still strong in North America. When sales slow in North America, the black Wii will magically appear!

[IOBuschie]

The reason sales are still strong in North America is because Nintendo withheld the system here, not everyone has caught the virus (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/04/22/epic_mike_capps_wii_virus/). I know people who praised this useless piece of hardware before release, now own either a PS3 or Xbox. It is a waste of 250.00 dollars, I would suggest selling it on ebay but now that they are easier to get you won't get anything out of them, last Christmas you might have gotten more than the 250 you paid for it originally. Buy a PS3 or Xbox if you want a real gaming experience, black, red, pink, green, silver, doesn't matter what colors Nintendo sells they will never be an iPod.

[ccmike72]

I don't care what color it is just drop the price 250 is ridiculous for a wii

[sav1981]

I agree. It's just a gamecube and to make matters worse the Wii is a half times more powerful than the gamecube. 0.5! Nintendo is only alive because of its great 1st party software and its dominance in the hand-held market; although, the PSP has the best hardware in handheld existence. Oh and not to mention that freakin Nintendo still refuses to even add DVD playback on its system. I know it's nit picking but come on! For $250 Nintendo could at least add something extra for its loyal followings. I used to love Nintendo and I can say for all us gamers that Nintendo doesn't give a hoot about the generation who purchased the Nes and Snes because we all grew up.

[ZiggyZack99]

Woah, Sav, who told you that the Wii is half as powerful as the Gamecube? It's 100% as powerful as the 'cube. Please don't spread lies.

[paulimusmaximus]

Sorta surprising, since they have offered the gameboy in tons of different colors over the years.

[rafusee2]

blatant wiicism...

[scottbr]

And we have a wiiiner.

[the_iceman]

I thought it was the **** who are so taken by white a/v gear. Here in the US its mostly black & silver. Why nintendo says no to black for the U.S. is stupid

[the_iceman]

japanese

[partoflife]

Guess I won't be buying a wii. It might seem trivial but color does matter. I always hated the white mac products and bought the black ipod as soon as it came out. I've never had an interest in a toy like the wii but my girlfriend did and I told her I would buy her a wii if it ever came out in black. Guess she's out of luck.

[deepen05]

well that ends my hope for a black wii in the U.S. I was hoping for a black one here so it looks more similar to the rest of my black components, but oh well, no Wii for me i guess. the white color is the only thing holding me back.

[unkonchus]

They shouldn't sell the white one here either...

[jsjonz01]

I agree totally...We need the black Wii, along with an HDMI output!