Nintendo may be ramping up production of the Nintendo Wii, but for now -- in the United States -- the system is as rare as ever. And whether you literally freeze your extremities off while camping out at Best Buy or spring for a $600 "Customer Choice" bundle at Walmart, you'll be paying an arm and a leg to get the $250 system.
But never fear, your friendly neighborhood cable company is here! Comcast is giving away free Wiis with new subscriptions. Of course, there's a slight catch.
The offer requires a two year contract...
...at an introductory rate of $160 a month.
Doing some quick multiplication, we found that twelve months at $159.99 plus another twelve at $205.84 equals the astounding sum of $4389.96. Needless to say, this is an amount with which you could probably buy a Wii, four Wiimote-Nunchuk combos, component cables, and the Wii's entire physical library of games.
Now, we suppose most households need internet, some could use voice and others cable, and if you were already planning to sell your soul to Comcast you might as well go out in style. But we find it amusing that that Comcast would choose to pair their premier, all digital, high speed service with the everyman, standard definition Wii... and that even if you go out on that limb and drop the $4400, you're still not guaranteed a free console.
"Total number of Wii systems is limited," reads the press release below, and we've even heard a rumor that Comcast will require a $250 "Wii deposit" from those who don't pass mandatory credit checks.
PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comcast, the nation’s leading residential broadband Internet provider, and video game pioneer, Nintendo, have teamed up to offer an exclusive deal available to new Comcast Triple Play customers. From today until August 17, 2008, those who sign up for Comcast Preferred Plus or Premier Triple Play package* will receive a complimentary Wii™ system, merging together the joy of a super-fun video gaming experience with the power of super-fast Internet speed.
The partnership between Comcast and Nintendo will give new qualifying Triple Play customers a free Wii system and it will also allow them to hook up their Wii to Comcast High-Speed Internet for great online experiences:
- Play friends over Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection in games like Mario Kart Wii, Super Smash Bros. Brawl and more
- Surf the Internet on a bigger screen by downloading the Wii Internet Channel from the Wii Shop Channel using Wii Points™
- Visit the Wii Shop Channel to download classic Nintendo games or discover new exciting titles made for Wii
“By connecting to our high-speed Internet, it will be easy for our customers to access all the fun content and features their Wii has to offer online,” said Greg Butz, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Product Development. “The Wii offers something for everyone, so pairing the Comcast Triple Play with the Wii system provides great entertainment value for the entire family.”
“Comcast’s high-speed Internet connects Wii owners with their friends all over the world,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “In addition to playing video games, people can surf the Internet, share family photos, and check the news or weather. The Wii is home to a multitude of fun Internet based entertainment and informational options.”
Comcast Preferred Plus and Premier Triple Play packages* include: Comcast Digital Cable with On Demand and premium channels; Comcast Digital Voice®, offering unlimited local and domestic long-distance calling and 12 popular calling features plus enhanced voicemail, and; Comcast High-Speed Internet with PowerBoost®, providing some of the fastest download speeds available today.
To be eligible for a complimentary Wii system, a two-year contract is required. Customers can sign up for the Triple Play by calling 1-800-COMCAST.
*Triple Play package availability and offers vary by market. Total number of Wii systems is limited.
If you do decide to subscribe, please do yourself one favor -- make sure to ask for one of those Comcast wireless routers that Nintendo hasn't specifically singled out as incompatible with their product.
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