Photo credit: ginnerobot

So you’ve decided to get a Wii. Well, it’s a good news/bad news proposition. First the bad news: Nintendo keeps a level playing field by setting a standard price for its console — $199.99 — which makes shopping around for the best price fruitless. But the good news is that the Wii world is a little more complex than that, so savvy shoppers can still save some dough. Here’s how.

1. Look for a gift-card bonus. The way some retailers get around Nintendo’s MSRP (or any manufacturer’s, for that matter) is a store gift-card with the purchase. These were prevalent around the holidays and may be harder to find at other times, but are still worth a search.

2. Shop bundles. This is where things get complicated, because a Wii isn’t all it can be without accessories and software. Bundles are usually designed around an interest–like sports, fitness or music. Think about how you want to use your console and start shopping bundles.

3. Think used. There are tons of used consoles for sale online and some in stores. Depending on your comfort level, you can shop eBay (where there are dozens for sale) or go for a more “brand name” refurbishment. Our family shops regularly at GameStop for used items. There, a Wii console ($165 on a recent search) comes with a guarantee that it’ll work. I like that! Again, it’s essential to know exactly what is included in the price (especially if you’re buying a bundle), so that you’re comparing apples to apples in evaluating the price.

4. Work the coupon codes. If buying online, search to see if any coupon codes/coupons are available for the retailer you’re planning to buy from. Just do a search on “coupon code” and the retailer’s name and check any of the coupon sites that come up. If this search doesn’t turn up anything, at least let the purchase benefit your favorite charity — for example, most schools are hooked up with online malls like eScrip or Boxtops for Education. With a significant purchase like a Wii, you might as well have a small portion (usually 3-10 percent) help your favorite cause.

Happy shopping!