Buying a Wii in Beijing

[cdn_in_bj]

Just wondering if anyone's got one? If so, what's the going rate these days? I was at Vantone and the pre-bargaining price was 1800 (meaning, maybe around 1600-1700 after bargaining) for a modded Japan-market unit with one controller set. This seems like a lot less than back home, so I am very tempted, but I was wondering if even better deals can be found at zhongguancun?

Also, what are some "must have" games?

[roddy]

Price looks about right. There are a couple of stockists listed here, although at slightly higher prices. Might be worth a call to see what deals they can do.

Also edited the title to make it a bit more descriptive.

[adrianlondon]

Damn - cheaper than the UK (not surprising I guess). I paid £200 for mine including "Wii Play" I think it's called. All the Wii's come with Wii Sports as well, which is not bad - a compilation of games to get you started.

Wii Play comes with some semi-good games but an extra controller, and you really need two controllers unless you have no friends at all.

I've not bought any other games yet - they are around £40 here in London and, unless you have a chipped Wii (mine isn't) you can't play copies.

So ... make sure yours is chipped. Or get it done.

[cdn_in_bj]

Thanks Roddy for the info and the title revision.

Adrian - yes, modded = chipped . And I believe the price for an extra controller was 400 RMB.

I've tried Wii Sports, it was quite fun. I also plan on getting World Poker Tour, I hope it will satisfy my gambling urge.

[adrianlondon]

I also plan on getting World Poker Tour, I hope it will satisfy my gambling urge.

Do you win and lose real money? Are the players linked over broadband? If not, I don't see the point. The ONLY thing interesting about gambling is the adrenaline of winning and/or losing, right?

[cdn_in_bj]

Do you win and lose real money?

I doubt it...

Are the players linked over broadband? If not, I don't see the point.

I'm not sure if it has this feature, but I agree that it would make the experience more interesting.

The ONLY thing interesting about gambling is the adrenaline of winning and/or losing, right?

While certain casino games are no fun if there isn't money involved (Blackjack comes to mind), I do enjoy playing texas hold'em even if it's with fake money. And the simulated players in WPT did seem realistic. But who knows, maybe you're right - I may get bored of it after a few hours of playing.

[magores]

I'd say try Zhongguancun.

Go down the smaller aisles, hallways, and all the way to the back. This is where the people on the main floor get their inventory.

Offer 1200. Don't be afraid to walk away. Worst that can happen is you go to your original shopping site the next day, and start all over.

[cdn_in_bj]

Thanks for the suggestion magores, I'll probably head over this weekend.

[shreder]

Hey... I have the same Dilemma about rather or not buying the Wii in china ...

Did you buy it at last ?

Is it working good ? not a fake ?

I have so many questions about it...

[roddy]

Got my first shot on a Wii over the weekend and have to say I quite enjoyed it. Not sure if I should consider getting one as things like that tend to eat my time, but the games I saw (Play and Sports, basically) all seemed suitable for quick short blasts.

What's availability of games like at the moment in China? Is it a case of being able to pick them up anywhere that sells PC / PS2 games, or do you have to go hunting?

[cdn_in_bj]

Did you buy it at last ?

I did make it to Zhongguancun but didn't end up getting one. Why not? Well, because I got cheesed off at their sales tactics and left (I was already in somewhat of a bad mood due to traffic/waiting for parking). I went to the Hilong building and the guys on the 5th floor wouldn't budge with their prices. Most places wanted 1800 RMB, one place had it for 1750 RMB. But wait, neither of these prices included the special chip, nor did they include the AC adapter (wtf??). So add another 140 - 180 on top of the "base" price. Really, it wasn't the price that put me off so much as the attitude of the vendors, which was basically "you won't find a better price here because we're all in collusion". Man, going to Zhongguancun always puts me into a bad mood. I can't stand that place.

When I relayed my experience to a friend at work, he told me that I should've gone to the building behind Hilong, and go to the vendors in the basement level?

Anyways, I'll maybe try again next weekend. I'm not in that much of a rush to get it.

What's availability of games like at the moment in China? Is it a case of being able to pick them up anywhere that sells PC / PS2 games, or do you have to go hunting?

The former, from what I can tell. At the very least, any place that sells Wii consoles should have games. I've seen them whip out 3-ringed binders full of game "covers".

[cdn_in_bj]

Not sure if I should consider getting one as things like that tend to eat my time, but the games I saw (Play and Sports, basically) all seemed suitable for quick short blasts.

Given that there seems to be a lack of social activities here (besides eating out, karaoke, etc.), I think it would be great for that as the games are fun, and easy to pick up (but not necessarily unchallenging to play). I'm sure some of the games could be adapted into drinking games which would make things very interesting indeed.

[adrianlondon]

I'm tempted to bring my wii with me next time I visit Beijing, so I can get it chipped and loaded up with decent games.

Some of them look great fun, in that they're cute and would probably keep me entertained and laughing for quite a few hours. But that doesn't justify the £40 UK price.

As for other things to do in beijing ... cycle! You also wouldn't have parking problems in ZGC.

[roddy]

Really, it wasn't the price that put me off so much as the attitude of the vendors, which was basically "you won't find a better price here because we're all in collusion". Man, going to Zhongguancun always puts me into a bad mood. I can't stand that place.

The surrounding places tend to be quite a bit better, in terms of attitude if not prices. The main Hailong Dasha building itself is frankly an unpleasant place to be and I won't go there if I can help it. Bainaohui in Chaoyang or ordering online might be mildly more expensive but you don't end your transaction feeling psychologically exhausted.

That said, on high-ticket items where people are bound to price-check and shop around I think prices do tend to gravitate to a single level - I've found this with cameras and laptops in the past - and there's not much leverage. You'll still get the odd chancer who thinks it's funny to double the price, but they're not that common in my experience. I was also going to say that if you have major problems at a place like Hilong the building operators have a complaints department, but this makes it sound like a bit of a joke unfortunately.

Anyway, the pertinent question is - did you get a Wii yet, and when are we having the Chinese-forums.com Wii Sports Tournament?

[cdn_in_bj]

That said, on high-ticket items where people are bound to price-check and shop around I think prices do tend to gravitate to a single level - I've found this with cameras and laptops in the past - and there's not much leverage. You'll still get the odd chancer who thinks it's funny to double the price, but they're not that common in my experience.

I was surprised because I've purchased two cameras here and both times I was able to bargain a bit and end up with a better than average deal (in my mind). I just find it surprising that the pricing for Wii is so uniform. Maybe there's only one wholesaler that's importing the consoles from Japan.

I was also going to say that if you have major problems at a place like Hilong the building operators have a complaints department, but this makes it sound like a bit of a joke unfortunately.

Heh, no need for that. It was just my sensitive western side acting up. I've got to stay tough out here!

Anyway, the pertinent question is - did you get a Wii yet, and when are we having the Chinese-forums.com Wii Sports Tournament?

I feel bad for starting a thread and not following through, but no I haven't...

Did you get one? And when are you coming back to BJ?

[roddy]

Perhaps I'm just rubbish at bargaining and pay too much. It's not impossible.

I'm not going to get one. Much wiser to keep myself as far away from computer games as possible, or I really do end up losing weekends. I think I'm going to avoid owning a desktop PC in the future for the same reason - my laptop does everything I need it to, but is lousy for graphics. Much safer.

There's a guy here who's also quoting 1750-1850.

As for coming back to Beijing, I'll make a special trip for your tournament. I like the original flavor Pringles best, thanks.

[md1101]

hi guys. i have a wii and its okay. if you and some friends plan to use it then it will be fun as its good for a short laugh every now and again. but its not too good as a single player console that can comsume you for hours (at least thats how i found it). most of the games are designed for very young players so if you're an experienced gamer you're not going to have too much fun with it. some of its so easy it insulting (including zelda, and warioware smooth moves). wii sports is great for playing with a few friends but you get tired of it soon enough. the non gamers will definitely appreciate it but anyone who had a couple of consoles as they grew up might not like it as much.

never the less if you can get one chipped then itll definitely be worth it. if anyone finds a good place to do it in shanghai then please let me know! (i'll be going at the end of the year).

in the mean time i suggest you play WoW. now that game can take over your life.

[Prodigal Son]

The wii is available all over the place in Chengdu. I wasn't too clear on the price, I thought around 2,000 yuan including the mod chip. Games are already pretty numerous, I've seen the thick booklets of wii games available at video game shops.

I'd like to get a wii but I think I'd be happier with an xbox 360 and all the slightly more adult-themed games available for that console. Like Roddy said though, having a new video game console can be a big distraction, I already have a PS2 and a modded xbox which probably already steal me away from productive projects more than they should. Like a lot of you guys though, I grew up playing video games.

[cdn_in_bj]

Last week we had news of the first Apple store in China and then the RIM BlackBerry, and now it's time for the Wii:

Nintendo to sell Wii in China

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUST15805220071026

I'm just curious as to how they intend to make money over here. What have they and the others (Sony, Microsoft) done in the past? Maybe they've got something up their sleeve with online gaming/services?

[imron]

Unlike MS and Sony, for this generation of hardware, Nintendo makes a profit on their hardware, and not just the software. So even if the software gets pirated to hell, they'll still profit because people will need the hardware to play it on. Sony and Microsoft can't follow this strategy, because their hardware is a loss-leader and they rely on software to make their profits.