Nintendo has told MCV that it won’t be dropping the price of the DS or Wii for Christmas, despite the fact that competitor Microsoft has already heavily slashed the price of all three Xbox 360 SKUs in time for Christmas.

Following the 360 price cuts, Nintendo’s Wii is no longer the cheapest home console on offer, with the entry level and standard Xbox 360 SKUs at £129.99 and £169.99 respectively, while the Wii still retails for £179.99, the same as at launch.

Speaking exclusively to MCV, Nintendo UK’s general manager David Yarnton explained: “As retailers continue to try and maintain footfall and secure share in the current difficult economic climate, this Christmas should see some interesting and very competitive retailer-led promotions.”  

Yarnton confirmed that despite those pressures, Nintendo doesn’t see the need to cut prices: “In terms of Nintendo’s business, we feel that Wii and Nintendo DS already represent great value for money.”

“This combined with our focus on market expansion and bringing people of all ages to our products through making them smile and helping to enrich their lives means that we currently see no need to drop the price on either of our formats this year.”
 
The news follows the unveiling of the new DSi this morning, which is set to reach these shores early next year.