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Nintendo: Wii production might not meet demand

Published on 28th October 2008 by Joe Martin

Nintendo has again been forced to admit that demand for the Nintendo Wii might exceed the supply.

Nintendo has again been forced to confess demand for the Nintendo Wii might exceed the supply this Christmas as families seek to buy a console of their very own.

In an interview with the LA Times (via Joystiq), Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime said that though the production has been increased in anticipation for the holiday season, it's still very likely that the Wii will sell out.

Nintendo is now making a staggering 2.4 million consoles a month, which is a production increase of 33 percent and up from last years 1.6 million consoles a month, but demand is still emptying shelves faster than Nintendo can fill them.

Reggie was keen to put those figures in perspective too, telling the LA Times how those sales figures compare to Sony.

"They will sell 10 million consoles worldwide this year," said Reggie. "For us, that's three months of production."

The Wii has currently been on sale for 708 days and the sales are still showing no signs of slumping thanks to the huge appeal the Wii has with families and casual gamers. Contrary to popular opinion it also has a fair few decent games coming out too from Sega's Madworld to Steven Spielberg's Boom Blox.

Do you have a Wii or do you know anyone who's planning to get one this year? Let us know in the forums.

17 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

DougEdey 28th October 2008, 10:19

Again?

ORB13 28th October 2008, 10:59

2.4 million X 3 is not 10 million. Guess the Reggie left his calculator at home.

proxess 28th October 2008, 11:04

Well its not 3, its 4 and a bit. Wii sells like buzz-buzz in an all girls school.

TurtlePerson2 28th October 2008, 12:20

"Nintendo is now making a staggering 2.4 million consoles a month, which is a production increase of 33 percent and up from last years 1.6 million consoles a month, but demand is still emptying shelves faster than Nintendo can fill them."

That's actually a 50% increase. 1.6 * 1.50 = 2.4

Baz 28th October 2008, 12:30

"We might not have enough Wii's so you better run out and buy them now NOW! NOW!"

Redbeaver 28th October 2008, 13:55

i never actually try to "hunt" one down, but here in eastern Canada, every single store that sells them are always out of stock. always. for the last one year. most would say "please come back at xxx date..." but i never really bother...

i want one, but it wont kill me if i dont get one.

im just impressed by the fact they're always sold out.

themax 28th October 2008, 14:05

They seem to have reach saturation here in my area. Just saw a Target loaded with them (and that is no exxaggeration) a day ago. Normally that kinda of stock is held and advertised but Target had them stacked inside the rack as many as they could possibly fit. And most people were walking right past them. That kind of availability would normally cause a crowd to snatch them all up within the hour.

badders 28th October 2008, 14:53

We bought one, and after the initial "ooh-factor" playing, it sat in the cabinet, lonely and unloved.

Until we got a Wii Fit (The other half likes the yoga, and I like the ski-jumping!) and Mario Kart.

Mario Kart online against people you actually know is awesome.

Mentai 28th October 2008, 17:16

I don't think the wii is as popular in NZ. I don't recall ever seeing them out of stock, even at christmas. This overall world demand bemuses me lol

UrbanMarine 28th October 2008, 17:22

Wii for sale: 1million USD with overnight shipping

Mongoose132 28th October 2008, 20:18

So excited when we managed to get one...
Played non-stop with the family for a week.....

Went back to 360/PC :p

Too......casual-y/minigame-y even for my mum, who I agree with when she says it's a fad thing :p

supaste 28th October 2008, 20:44

I've just sold mine. The buzz was all over very quickly.

fathazza 28th October 2008, 21:11

Last christmas rocked tbh...

I sold my six month old one to CEX for £230 cash, and they were selling them second hand in store for £290 (without wii sports!)...
anyone who panders to kiddy pressure so much that they are willing to spend £110 over the RRP deserves all the get to be honest ;)

LordPyrinc 28th October 2008, 22:32

I find it remarkable that the demand is still so high.

bahgger 29th October 2008, 03:08

The mathematics in this article are atrocious.

johnnyboy700 29th October 2008, 10:33

Usual media hype about Christmas time, they latch on to something and panic the mass public into thinking they MUST have this gadget, that toy, etc, etc and they all rush out like sheep. I agree with the comment about anyone dumb enough to be so desperate for (insert latest panic buy item here) thay they pay £100 or more over the asking price deserves all they get.

I bought Wii Fit on the day of release and paid £70 from my local Woolworths, on line Play and Amazon wanted anything from £99 to £110 for it.

Still, I find it amazing that after nearly two years the Wii is still selling in such huge quantites, wonder if Microsoft and Sony are jealous of the figures?

r4tch3t 5th November 2008, 00:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mentai
I don't think the wii is as popular in NZ. I don't recall ever seeing them out of stock, even at Christmas. This overall world demand bemuses me lol

QFT Every time I go into EB or the Gamesman they have a few Wiis around. I had a look at one and when I picked it up there was a thin layer of dust! Ha.