Wii Music out in Japan this October, not subject to the core gamer tax

By Spencer . July 25, 2008 . 8:27am

Grab your musical dog suit. Wii Music is coming out in Japan on October 16 for 5,800 yen ($55). With the depreciation of the dollar this sounds more expensive than a regularly priced Wii game in North America. However, Nintendo of Japan charges 6,800 yen ($64) for core releases like the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Fatal Frame 4. It appears there are three price points in Japan. The 5,800 yen price point seems like it’s used for games that have a broader reach.

In Japan, Nintendo charges 4,800 yen ($45) is for “casual” games like Wii Sports, Wii Play, and Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree. Most games cost 5,800 yen ($55) in Japan. Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart, and Mario Party 8 were sold at this price. First party games like Super Smash Brothers Melee, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Battalion Wars, and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn get bumped up to 6,800 yen ($64). Families are likely to pick up games like Super Mario Galaxy and Wii Music, but The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is a title aimed at veteran gamers. Most of the games published by Nintendo of Japan that specifically target the core gamer demographic cost 1,000 yen ($9.50) more than the middle of the road 5,800 yen price for everyone.

Images courtesy of Nintendo.

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