Nintendo raise trade price.

UK, March 11, 2009 - Nintendo is to raise the price of the Nintendo Wii in the UK, adding a further 18-20 GBP to the trade price.

How much this will affect the street price for consoles, which currently retail at 179.99 GBP, is unknown. "Due to the severe and continuing depreciation of the pound, we are, unfortunately, having to raise our trade price to UK retailers of Wii hardware," said an official statement picked up by gamesindustry.biz, "The price that they then offer to consumers is, of course, up to the retailers."

Nintendo was quick to defend the price hike, issuing a follow-up statement. "We are only – reluctantly – raising our trade price now to retailers due to unprecedented and sustained depreciation of the pound," said the statement, "This is a problem brought about by extreme currency fluctuations that are a symptom of the global economic situation."

by by Martin Robinson, IGN UK

22/07/09