Wii production exceeding expectations
by Christopher Grant 
{ Oct 5th 2006 at 11:45AM }
Briefing.com reports (subscription only) that, according to UBS, 2 million Wii consoles were completed in Q3 (July-September) to support Nintendo's upcoming Q406 global console launch, beginning November 19th in North America. In addition, "at least 7 mln and potentially as high as 9 mln more units are in the build plan for 4Q06." The report continues, "this production ramp handily exeeds [sic] a publicly announced tgt for 6 mln units to ship by yearend"; however, Nintendo had previously announced plans to ship 6 million units by the end of their fiscal year (ending March 31, 2007) and only 4 million by the end of the calendar year. The language appears to indicate the possibility of building, if not shipping, as many as 11 million Wii consoles by the end of the calendar year!With production exceeding expectations, why release the console so much later than many anticipated, and right on top of the PlayStation 3's November 17th launch? It all comes down to software. While Nintendo may have warehouses full of Wiis, they need a launch lineup and reliable system software to go along with all that stockpiled hardware. But Zelda has to be done ... we would have been happy with just that, promise.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
james f. @ Oct 5th 2006 11:51AM
Ditto that! It could just be zelda and wii sports(shades of the 64) at launch and its still going to sell.
Franky Digital @ Oct 5th 2006 11:52AM
This should please anyone wanting to get a Wii early. The more units there are, the less chance there is for disappointment. Sounds like the Wii launch numbers will be a far cry from any console released in the last six years.
primetime @ Oct 5th 2006 11:52AM
They've been building these for a few years now. It's called the GameCube.
Nodnetni @ Oct 5th 2006 11:55AM
Sony is screwed, every kid screaming for a P$3 is just going to end up with a Wii, because its avaiable and its not going to cost the parents an arm, leg and first born.
Ritz @ Oct 5th 2006 11:54AM
Oh, yoursoclever primetime! Such amazing wit. Yes, it's similer to the Gamecube, get over it.
Also yaye! I'm looking forward to being able to actually purchase one on launch day, then =D
Antonio @ Oct 5th 2006 11:55AM
My nine year old nephew and seven year old niece are going to be happy when their uncle gets them a Wii. Glad I won't have to wait in line for one of these.
Dominic @ Oct 5th 2006 11:57AM
I wouldn't care if they called it Gamecube 2, it is innovative and exciting and has launch titles that I care about. Unlike the other two consoles this generation. I want to be clear that I said "launch" titles because all 3 have games I am interested in. Although $250 sounds better than $400-$600 anyday.
voghan @ Oct 5th 2006 11:57AM
Am I the only one that things Nintendo may be building too many of these? If they bring six million Wiis to market will there be enough demand? I'm still not convinced this console is worth $250 when I can buy a new GC for under $100.
PhoenixAvatar @ Oct 5th 2006 11:58AM
Primetime, everyone's growing tired of your casual ignorance.
crono141 @ Oct 5th 2006 11:57AM
primetime
You are either willfully ignorant, or just an asshole.
Even though the chip is built on the GC ARCHITECTURE its still a completely different, physically different chip. New production lines had to be set up and everything. Don't be a retard!
The fact they are forcasting 11 million is great for availability, but I wonder about "flooding the market" with these things. Remember, MS created artificial demand for the 360 by releasing far fewer numbers than anticipated. The same is probably happening with the ps3, only to a lesser degree. If the market gets flooded with Wii, everyone who wants one will get one initially (great sales up front) but it may become something with less demand (and therefor hype) because of it.
I dunno, maybe I'm talking out my ass here. Except to primetime. That was definitely not out the ass.
primetime @ Oct 5th 2006 11:58AM
I knew someone in the Nintendo army was going to get offended.
CJC @ Oct 5th 2006 12:00PM
Not a surprise. At all. Everywhere I look, preorders are full. I wasn't going to pick one up until after the holidays, but as if of these Wiis are just sitting there... I might change my mind.
Zediker @ Oct 5th 2006 11:59AM
no... its not a gamecube... its as much a gamecube as a 1Ghz Intel pentium is the same as a 4Ghz Intel pentium. They just share the same powerPC architecture, just like Intel Pentiums all share the x86 architecture.
DKny2kx @ Oct 5th 2006 12:00PM
The Nintendo Entertainment Wii console is genius...
REMEMBER I Coined the Term First
N.E.W.
peej @ Oct 5th 2006 12:01PM
@voghan
true, buy a $100 gamecube, primetime has already showed us that they are the same thing. heck, you could just go online and use an emulator... same thing, and it's free! then you wouldn't haven't to go through all that "innovation" stuff.
Wulkar @ Oct 5th 2006 12:32PM
now i don't have to worry about not getting one YAY
Martin @ Oct 5th 2006 12:03PM
I want the launch to stay Nov. 19th. I have that whole week off of work and ready to play Wii while I visit my family.
elmer @ Oct 5th 2006 12:05PM
You have to keep in mind that not so long ago PS3 was expected to launch by july this year, and so Nintendo had to a certain extent, planned for that. It means now that they have a useful excess of units at a lower manufacturing cost a few years ago (if all the positive buzz pans out). It's also meant that they've had time to tighten software and flesh out channels and network ideas in the mean time. Also, don't kid yourselves into thinking the tech is dirt cheap. At the same time the motion sensing hardware for a Segway costs a hella lot more than an entire Wii console.
Zediker @ Oct 5th 2006 2:26PM
Heck, even by primetime's own logic, the PS3 and the Xbox360 are also gamecubes.
Jonn @ Oct 5th 2006 12:14PM
#7: It's not a Gamecube, and the Cube is still at a hair under a hundred bucks new. Are you guys just making stuff up now?
#11/15: Alex, What is "make up worst-case scenario 'facts' based on lack of information and ambiguously translated quotes"?
That's right. And we've swept the "Sony Fanits" catagory.
PhoenixGeek @ Oct 5th 2006 12:17PM
Anyone else think they are going to hold onto extras in case of increased demand? When the DS First launched in Japan, then the DS Lite, it sold out consistently, Nintendo even made an appology for not being able to meet the demand. The Wii is looking to do the same thing, so if they initially launch in Japan with 500,000 units and they all sell out, then they send them another 500,000 the next week, and so on, they can already have a few million unit lead on the PS3 by the end of the year. I doubt that demand will drop off before Christmas just because people are able to find them in a store.
voghan @ Oct 5th 2006 12:17PM
Miyamoto said the Wii is basicly a GameCube. It's in yesterday's posts. The only title I have interest in is Zelda and maybe some of the VC stuff. To me it's not worth the price. Maybe six million fans boys will buy up all the supplies but I'm guessing they sell half that amount.
techyted @ Oct 5th 2006 12:18PM
I'm excited for the Wii, that is why I have been stockpiling GC games that go on sale for cheap. It could be released tomorrow with no launch titles and I would buy it. I could just play the GC games until Zelda comes out. FYI primetime, I am not a Nintendo Fanboy, I do have a X360, the PS3 is tempting, but at $600, I don't think so, but I grew up on the NES, and SNES and Nintendo just knows how to make good games.
Delive @ Oct 5th 2006 1:07PM
Next Gen Controller (Cool) + Last Gen hardware for $250 (Lame) = Rip-off. But hey, Nintendo, If they will buy it, I would sell it too. Hell, Charge $300 for it and throw in a Link skin-tight 1 size fits all tee shirt. Sales through the roof.
Martin @ Oct 5th 2006 12:23PM
Since these will be shipping numbers, and Sony and M$ fans use those as units sold, that means if Nintendo can get 11 Million Wii's shipped, they will be way in the lead!!!
Tao68 @ Oct 5th 2006 12:25PM
No need to go on ebay and pay even more than $250 to find a Wii around Christmas: that's cool...
From a consumer's point of view, this is way better than X360 last year or PS3 in a few weeks: it desearves some respect, as Nintendo will be the only ones to lauch when they're actually ready... to launch...
And with 30 games, plus many many others in a very near future, that's what i call a very successful launch indeed... even if all the games are not worth it, there are already too many excellent ones for any gamer with some time, money... and taste...
My God, even with Twilight Princess only, it would be a successful launch...
:)
Montana @ Oct 5th 2006 11:30PM
Stop arguing, children, the Wii is essentially a slim-line GameCube hardware wise - it's about the controller and you can't argue anything but that - even Nintendo admits the system is just a little bit beefier GC - Graphics wise you can't tell me that http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/736/736248/madden-nfl-07-20060928091525796.jpg and http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/726/726977/madden-nfl-07-20060821065316913.jpg are the same. It's about innovation, not power.
On another note, the Nintendo rep gave me a Nintendo dog tag hahaha :P
zerodb @ Oct 5th 2006 12:31PM
A) It's not about the hardware, it's about the control scheme and the software. It amazes me that so many people make comments about how "it will only sell half" and blah blah blah when none of you have played it. I have played it, and I'm sold.
B) Nintendo has historically tried to avoid shortages on console launches. The DS situation got a bit out of hand, and they felt bad about that. They realize the negative feelings that come from situations like the 360 and PS2 launches and they try to avoid that. They don't want their product associated with that sort of negative madness. I don't blame them.
C) I think this is fantastic news, and will make it even easier for me to get one of these things. Even if there are more than they can sell, they're making a profit on the HARDWARE, at launch! This is unprecedented. That, combined with the state of the DS market leaves them in a good position. Every item associated with the Wii... the hardware, accessories, software, all of it generates profit. There is no loss incurred on any of it. That extra profit will create a buffer that will counteract any overstock issues they may have. And, to be frank, I'm still convinced it's going to sell out. Again... just wait until you play this thing. It's amazing.
skyrous @ Oct 5th 2006 3:00PM
The gamecube sold over 20 million units. It can be readily assumed that the Wii will sell at least that many. If nintendo can put 10 million on the shelves this christmas it's nothing but good for the consumer. The only possible downside is the Wii may not sell out, its a point of pride then next spring deluded sony executives will be boasting that the Wii sucks because it didn't sell out it's 10 million units, while the PS3's 400,000 sold out sameday.
Stupid people like primetime WILL may the claim. the rest of the world will be enjoying video games
Rootbeer @ Oct 5th 2006 12:33PM
"Miyamoto said the Wii is basicly a GameCube. It's in yesterday's posts."
And in yesterday's comments you'll find a lot of people explaining what he actually meant by that.
The Wii is a GameCube in the same way a DS is a GBA, or a Pentium is a 386SX.
thomas_h @ Oct 5th 2006 12:34PM
maybe this wont lock up as much as my 360.. it's been locking up atleast once every day now when playing saints row.
C. Grant @ Oct 5th 2006 12:35PM
zerodb: You realize there are still DS Lite shortages in Japan, right? I looked far and wide for a DS Lite and found not a one.
Lou D @ Oct 5th 2006 12:39PM
Yes voghan, just like a PC running Windows 95 is still a PC running Windows. Now Windows 95 PC's don't have a USB stack built-in and alot of other features that didn't exist in 1995 but a Windows XP PC will run Windows 95 software.
The beauty of this is that GC games that suffer framerate issues on GC hardware, may not have those same issues on Wii hardware. Some games might even look better when run on Wii, depending on how they were programmed.
Also, your quote of Miyamoto is not a quote, it's one of two translations. The second using the word "based", not "basically".
Just as all PC motherboards are based on an x86 platform architecture, so is Wii based on the GC platform specification. All PC cpu's have compatible binaries, but some have different things like AMD's old 3dNow commands that were added to negate the MMX or SSEI commands that were "owned" by INTEL. Windows drivers were written to support both and the appropriate driver is installed when you install Windows and "poof" by magic, all software works the same.
Fanboys need to buy a clue.
Alcoholic Zombie @ Oct 5th 2006 12:39PM
Vohgan,
For the love of brains, your quoting poorly translated quotes! He said the Wii is "based" on the GC, meaning the design, not the parts being the same.
Like everyone that "gets it" is saying, It the same idea of how a PC's architecture is. It stays the same even though the parts are upgraded to a insane degree!
I just hope the demand for brains is as high as the Wii will be.
I will take a redefined improved wheel over a glorified shiny wheel that is overpriced any day of the week.
Jonn @ Oct 5th 2006 12:41PM
@voghan:
"20. Miyamoto said the Wii is basicly a GameCube. It's in yesterday's posts. The only title I have interest in is Zelda and maybe some of the VC stuff. To me it's not worth the price. Maybe six million fans boys will buy up all the supplies but I'm guessing they sell half that amount."
And if you read the comments on that post, you'll find that there's an earlier translation where he says it's "based on" the Gamecube, and he's referring to the architecture.
Of course, actually doing *research* would jeopardize you guys' little straw man, would it?
@montana
"24. Stop arguing, children, the Wii is essentially a slim-line GameCube hardware wise - it's about the controller and you can't argue anything but that - even Nintendo admits the system is just a little bit beefier GC - Graphics wise you can't tell me that http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/736/736248/madden-nfl-07-20060928091525796.jpg and http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/726/726977/madden-nfl-07-20060821065316913.jpg are the same. It's about innovation, not power."
Wow. You can see the pits on the ball! That's certainly worth hundreds of bucks!
Nintendo never claimed that next-gen was about graphics, and the fact that you're even bringing it up belies your claim that you believe innovation>pretty.
Wii @ Oct 5th 2006 12:40PM
The more units there are, the less chance there is for disappointment. Agreed
majortom1981 @ Oct 5th 2006 12:41PM
Also in that same article that joystiq got their news from Miyamoto states that the wii is more powerful then the gc and that they almost dropped TP for the gc totally to redoe it for the wii , but they decided to just ad the controls and make a wii version.
I swear I hate the media they lie and leave out things to cause trouble.
Also dont expect them to ship the full amount.
The will still only be shipping 4 million, The rest will be for the shipments for next year .
All this confirms is that the 4 million will definately be shipped.
reguy @ Oct 5th 2006 12:44PM
all this back and forth is stupid. if 11 million people want to buy a super gamecube, they should be able to. and please dont give me any crap about architecture, at the end of the day the wii is 2x the power of the gamecube. if xbox 360 or ps3 were double the power of xbox 1 and ps2 it would be a joke but when nintendo does it its awesome? please dont kid yourselfs. and now i leave you with a quote from matt casamassina, the biggest wii fanboy on the interwebs
"As a gamer, I want Wii to sell for $200 for a number of reasons. It has about one tenth the processing prowess and one fifth the RAM of, say Xbox 360, and it also lacks a true hard drive. It doesn't play DVDs. It doesn't play music CDs. Yes, you read that correctly and yes, it's true. In fact, in many ways, it could be called a turbo-charged GameCube. So why the $249 price point? "
have fun with your new controller y'all
Miniboss @ Oct 5th 2006 12:42PM
"Miyamoto said the Wii is basicly a GameCube. It's in yesterday's posts. The only title I have interest in is Zelda and maybe some of the VC stuff. To me it's not worth the price. Maybe six million fans boys will buy up all the supplies but I'm guessing they sell half that amount."
That's alright. More systems for early adopters. You'll buy one eventually. You'll be cool until all your friends get one.
GameNinja @ Oct 5th 2006 12:43PM
@voghan:
Considering that the whole point of the Wii is to reach out beyond its fanboy base, and many of the positive reactions gamers and "non-gamers" alike have had to the Wii, I'm going to respectfully disagree with you.
11 million does seem like an overly optimistic number, however if that means I'll have the freedom to just pop over to the store after work on launch day to pick one up, without waiting in lines, I'm all for it.
If true this would be a very good thing for Nintendo as the market they are trying to expand to isn't the market camps out in front of game stores on launch day.
Lou D @ Oct 5th 2006 12:43PM
Damn IT! I pre-ordered 3 Wii at FYE about 2 weeks ago!
SuperSneaky @ Oct 5th 2006 12:44PM
This is great news: Pleanty of units at launch, lots of games to go with them, and some potentially triple A titles to come in the first half of next year (Brawl, Metroid, Galaxy, RE) once we're all done with Zelda. Happy Days !
Man, I cannot wait to get my hands on the new slim-line turbo-charged 'cube with the awsome 3d controller. Gonna be fuuuuuun !
Karmakin @ Oct 5th 2006 12:45PM
11 million by the end of the calander year...
Eeek. It's possible that Nintendo could be #1 for next-gen consoles worldwide by my birthday next year, if they sell all those consoles. (Which I think they will. I think there might be a slowdown just after Christmas, but the system will be jumping off the shelves when SMG comes out...that game looks just great)
By the way, running on the GC system, just beefed up is a good thing, not a bad thing. It means that programming is easier, meaning it'll be cheaper and easier to create games and focus on gameplay.
Alcoholic Zombie @ Oct 5th 2006 12:47PM
I love when a point to Vohgan gets repeated and enforced!
Brains!
Gamey McGee @ Oct 5th 2006 12:46PM
I would expect it to be easy to produce a current generation game system.
The Wii is a gamecube. That's not bad, per se, but it's not like there's a lot that could go wrong with producing minor upgrades.
Iscariote @ Oct 5th 2006 12:48PM
Why are people upset that it doesn't play DVDs or music CDs?
Do you people live in Kazakhstan? I own at least twenty devices I could use as a CD player, and ten that I could use as a DVD player. What will I do?
gamerx @ Oct 5th 2006 12:49PM
man that Wii looks so hot, look at the pic used for the post *drools*
Tao68 @ Oct 5th 2006 12:50PM
Another word for the people who think it may not sold out: in Japan only, 4 or 5 million units may be needed for all the DS lovers out there... add 4 or 5 million for the States, and Europe has still to be part of the game...
In fact, 9 to 11 million, that's "only" half of the Gamecube users: and we all know the Wii will be more successful, and will please people never interested in Big N products before, or recent products anyway, so... do your maths!
Silver @ Oct 5th 2006 12:53PM
"I knew someone in the Nintendo army was going to get offended." - primetime
Nope, just the Intelligent Humans Brigade.
Sad, bitter troll spewing your PS3 sour grapes all over everything. Get lost.
Alcoholic Zombie @ Oct 5th 2006 12:53PM
Also, Reguy,
Im pretty sure the last time I check, $50 wasnt a huge amount of money unless we were in the 1950s! God, go to craigslist and sell anything in your place or do a gig like moving stuff. Do that and before no time, youll have your precious $50.
Also, Nintendo was all about innovation and I think this time their new console will definitely take a chuck of the gaming this x-mas!
Also, BBBBBRRaains! Wii definitely needs a zombie game. FTW!