What we know: the PlayStation 3 release date has been confirmed by Sony Computer Entertainment as being November 17th, 2006. The company has also been frank about the seemingly high price band we are to expect to have to pay for the console (or should we say, the computer) - $499 and $599 (pricing in USD) for the 20GB and 60GB versions respectively.
What we don’t know, on the other hand, is what exactly the plans are for the Nintendo Wii in terms of release date and there is yet to be any actual confirmation on a price we can expect to pay for the console, though the sum $250 is being bandied about on many video game websites.
What has been only too clear within the last day is that Nintendo seem keen on having (launch?) games ready for shipment in October of this year. Clearly games being release does not directly mean that the console itself will be put on shelves then, but it appears unlikely that software would be produced within that time period if the console were to be released later in the year.
Therefore, as the PlayStation 3 is scheduled for the mid-November, Christmas-rush period, it seems Nintendo are trying to force the release of the Wii before Sony, in attempt to oust certain sales. Given that the Wii is anticipated to innovate in exciting ways that the PlayStation 3 is perhaps failing to, as well as being available for an apparently much cheaper price - the news that the console could well be released 3 or 4 weeks prior to the PlayStation 3 could allow Nintendo an astonishing lead in the ‘battle of the consoles’.
[…] According to Revolved.net, the release of the Nintendo Wii could be earlier than expected. The article suggested that Nintendo may aim to fend off competition from Sony’s PlayStation 3 by releasing the console in October. This would mean that not only are Nintendo ahead in terms of the press received, but they may also be ahead of the PlayStation 3 for the pre-Christmas rush. […]