At long last, the wait is over: today, Nintendo of America finally revealed that the Black Wii will be available in the USA starting May 9, 2010, only a few days from now.  The new bundle (which will still retail for $199.99), includes the console, one remote, one nunchuk, one motion plus accessory, plus both Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort.  As an added bonus, those of you who prefer the white version can get this new bundle in either white or black.  Not bad, considering that right now you’d have to pay at least $50 more to get the same stuff.

“Nintendo leads the way in delivering rich motion-control gaming experiences at an accessible price point,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “By including even more of our top-quality hardware and software in the basic Wii system package, we’re extending that commitment to entertainment and value. Now more than ever, consumers can count on Nintendo to deliver inclusive fun and advanced motion controls at a mass-market price.”

Now, I really, really want a black Wii, but not enough to spend another $200. However, if you’ve been eying Monster Hunter Tri and don’t have a Wii, now might be a great time to pick one up.

[Source: Nintendo]

Those Europeans have all the fun!  Well, that may not always be true,  especially since our poor PAL friends often get releases far later than North America, but at least in this case they’re the ones with the last laugh.  Remember that sexy black Wii Japan got a while back?  The same one that Nintendo taunted us in the West by only releasing the controllers?  Well, it looks like Europe will be getting a limited edition black Wii bundle in just one month.

Releasing on November 6 in the UK and Ireland and November 20 for the continent, the bundle will include a black Wii console plus matching Wiimote, nunchuck, and Motionplus (with action jacket).  Also included in the package: the original WiiSports and the new WiiSports Resort.  Europe will also receive the newly redesigned black classic controller (available separately) to complete the deal, if desired.

No price has been announced yet for this bundle, and right now it looks like it will be available exclusively in Europe.  However, the fact that the black beauty is making an appearance outside its home country is encouraging that US gamers may see these in stores sooner rather than later.

[Source: Nintendo]

It’s looking even better for those wanting to get on the Wii bandwagon.  In a few days, the Wii will see its first price cut, dropping the system from $249 to $199.  Now, Nintendo has announced their top-selling Wii Sports Resort bundle will get even better.  Starting October 12, and available for a limited time, you can purchase the Limited Edition Wii Sports Resort bundle for $59.99 ($10 more than the original bundle).  However, unlike the original set, this bundle includes 2 MotionPlus accessories.  Considering one of those will drop you back $20, and the original Wii Sports Resort bundle retails for $49.99, that’s a savings of $10, without discounts that most retailers will most likely offer.

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It’s a game many people want to hate.  Motion control, ew!  Nintendo claimed the new Wii Motion Plus would give 1:1 motion control.  They claimed it would feel like you were swinging a sword accurately, slicing golf shots as though off the tee at your local range, and shooting arrows like a virtual Robin Hood.  Did their claims hold up?  Does Wii Sports Resort showcase the new Wii Motion Plus accessory in a beatific light?  Is Wii Sports Resort a good game, even without the added control?  Hit the jump to find out.

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While Nintendo’s first quarter earnings didn’t look too hot in comparison to the company’s recent years, Nintendo Co., Ltd. CEO and President Satoru Iwata believes that New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Sports Resort, and Wii Fit Plus will sell ten million copies each, based on their own analysis and feedback from journalists and distributors at E3.

He also claimed that the slowdown of Wii sales was due to the lack of software, noting that Wii Sports Resort should have been released earlier to boost sales and that Animal Crossing: City Folk and Wii Music did not have lasting sales power as Mario Kart Wii and Wii Fit did.

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So here I am, sitting at work posting up an ad for an event at work on Craigslist, the everyman’s source for all things Happy Ending, when I did my “for fun” routine search of video game events in the New York City area. This actually turned up something rather interesting this time! Apparently Nintendo is hosting an early launch event in Times Square on July 23rd for Wii Sports Resort. It’s not your regular event though held at the less-than-exciting Nintendo World Store in Rockefeller Center, Nintendo will be taking over the strip in Times Square known as Military Island and reforming it for a good six hours into a beach resort. Complete with a swimming pool, a sandy beach, and a lounge. In the middle of Times Square!?

Click below to see the entire advertisement for the event.

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Nintendo Co. Ltd. President Satoru Iwata announced the approximate release dates for Wii Sports Resort in Japan and overseas. During a lunch meeting Iwata spoke of Nintendo’s worries regarding the Wii’s sales in Japan, saying that the Wii is in its “most unhealthy situation since its launch in Japan” because of decreased demand for the Wii. To boost these sales, Iwata said Wii Sports Resort would be released in June in Japan and in July in overseas markets.

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