Ninten-D’oh! Wii U ZombiU Deluxe Set driving fans away in hordes

Nintendo today unveiled the Wii U ZombiU Deluxe Set, a new bundle that packs all of the contents of the standard Wii U Deluxe Set, the ZombiU game, a collectible booklet featuring artwork from the game, a black Wii U Pro Controller, and a downloadable code for Nintendo Land.

Oh, it also automatically enrolls those who purchase the bundle in the Digital Deluxe Promotion, a program that allows Wii U owners to receive 10% back in points for each download purchased in the Nintendo eShop. These points can then be used for future eShop purchases.

Priced at $389.99, a savings of $70, it is an unbelievable value for fans — but is it necessarily a fair one?

Early adopters of Nintendo's new console are fuming over the missed savings. Nintendo has, in essence, given those who supported the system at launch the shaft by offering so much for so little, relatively speaking. A typical consumer who purchased the Deluxe Set paid around $349.99; this included a 32GB Wii U, the GamePad controller, a charging dock, and the physical Nintendo Land game. The Pro Controller at launch would add another $50 and ZombiU would be another $59.99. Think these people have a right to be mad?

I can't say this move necessarily comes as a surprise to me though. The Wii U has failed to appeal to the mass market and this is really the only alternative for Nintendo to entice new consumers without flat out lowering the price of the console. The unintended consequence of this move, however, could have a lingering effect on the way consumers view Nintendo's newest products.

"Note to self, NEVER again buy something at launch from Nintendo. At tought [sic] buying it first we would get like limited editions things, now every one will have the same as us, plus more," an angered Wii U owner wrote. "I WILL REMEMBER THIS."

Another consumer added, "I bought the Deluxe not even a month ago and im [sic] so mad I cant stand it. Pro controller and Zombie U an extra $110 dollars worth of stuff thats without tax for only $39.99. I think Ill be taking my Wii U back and waiting for the new Xbox or Sony to come out."

Why bother purchasing something when it first releases when you can get it for a fraction of the cost as part of a bundle shortly after? By announcing this bundle, and offering no form of compensation to early adopters, Nintendo has potentially tarnished its reputation with fans. If you purchased a Wii U console at launch, you have every right to be pissed. Hopefully, Nintendo acts quickly on this.

This blunder comes shortly after Ubisoft announced Rayman Legends, a former Wii U-exclusive title, would be released on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Oh, it was also delayed until September.