Japanese Wii enjoys painless birth; stores across Japan sell out

by Jonti Davies { Dec 2nd 2006 at 6:05AM }

We were in Osaka this morning to see the delivery of Nintendo's Wii to the world's greatest DS fans. Stores across Japan received a total of 400,000 Wii consoles. In Osaka, Japan's second city, 2,800 units were allocated to the Umeda branch of Yodobashi Camera alone, while Bic Camera in Nipponbashi received 650 systems. Both locations were sold out within an hour of opening.

Compared with last month's farcical PS3 launch, there were notably fewer auctioneers-in-the-making at today's Wii debut. Most people we met were genuinely looking forward to playing games with their new purchase. (There are Wii lots on Yahoo! Auctions, but the going rate is only marginally higher than the retail price: typically Y30,000 (US$260) via auction, compared with Y25,000 (US$217) in stores.)

The Wii's software tie-in ratio, too, seems to be more encouraging than that of the PlayStation3. Most customers in line at Yodobashi Umeda bought Zelda, while significant numbers also went for Wii Sports and Hajimete no Wii.

Numerous methods of retail were used to launch the Wii, and these varied from store to store. Yodobashi kept its customers camped overnight in a parking lot, distributing numbered tickets to determine the order of entrance, before opening its doors at 7am. Bic Camera also opened at 7am, although most of the 650 people in line there didn't arrive until the first trains of the morning began to run at around 5am.

Famitsu reports that the Tokyo Ikebukuro branch of Bic Camera sold out if its allocation of 1,200 units, while the Tokyo Yuuraku-cho arm of Bic Camera declared the console "sold out" at 5.41am when the 1,500th person arrived in the queue there.

Sales figures from around the country are still coming in, but we'll keep you informed of the final stats just as soon as we get them. In the meantime, enjoy our snaps of the Osaka Wii launch experience after the jump.

Staff at Osaka's Yodobashi Camera do a fine job of catering to 2,800 Wii-hungry gamers.

The queue outside Nipponbashi's Bic Camera outlet stretches around three sides of the block at 7am. 650 units were sold there during the following hour.

Early Friday evening in Yodobashi Umeda's parking lot -- the crowd there eventually surpasses 2,800 and the Wii is an instant sell-out.

Many arrive too late in the day to secure one of Bic Camera's 650 Wii units, having opted to jump on the first train of the morning instead of camping out overnight. Stock replenishments will be in high demand for the foreseeable future.

Tags: Bic Camera, BicCamera, Japan, launch, Osaka, Tokyo, Yodobashi Camera, YodobashiCamera

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

RC @ Dec 2nd 2006 7:09AM

Congratulations Nintendo!

rawker @ Dec 2nd 2006 7:21AM

so is nintendo at a million yet 400,000 in the us + 200,000 week 2 us + 400,000 in japan.... good job nintendo.

jromz03 @ Dec 2nd 2006 8:25AM

Looks like another successful Wii launch for Nintendo!

No one got hurt or shot, generally peaceful and ample supply. Good job Nintendo!

I hope you guys maintain that kind of attitude come Europe and Australian launch.

DJ @ Dec 2nd 2006 8:28AM

I'm certain this puts Wii over a million.

nexgenwars.com has them at 1,116,470 as of Dec 2, 2006 8:27 AM.

Evan @ Dec 2nd 2006 8:39AM

Nintendo's launch surpasses the install base of the PS3 and 360 combined!

I can't wait for next week's Japanese hardware sales. If the other systems stay relatively the same as last week - http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/01/japanese-hardware-sales-20-nov-26-nov-krazy-kutaragi-additio/ - I predict it'll look something like:

- Wii: 400,000
- DS Lite: 200,000
- PLAYSTATION 3: 30,000
- PSP: 30,000
- PS2: 30,000

Nintendo outsells Sony almost 7:1!

ChrisL @ Dec 2nd 2006 10:37AM

nexgenwars can suck the salty sweat off my scrotum.

It has no basis in reality, stop linking to it.

Big beN @ Dec 2nd 2006 10:06AM

GUYS!!!

Nintendo is just making HiSTORY with the WII. Sames story as the DS, it seems... But to understand the DS success, we have to spend just few lines on those numbers...

- we're talking about 600K DS sold each month... And this out the of Holiday season...

- we're talking about "5 GAMES" ( around 3.5 M units sold each )
- Brain training,
- More Brain Training
- Animal Crossing
- New Super Mario Bros
- and Pokemon Diamond & Pearl )
...that are probably going to reach the "4 Millions mark" EACH... Just for Japan!!!

Just a minute guys you have to understand that AMAZING figure...

JUST 5 GAMES in History in Japan passed the 4M mark, ( sorry but no Zelda, no Final Fantasy, no Grand Turismo achieved that ) :
- Super Mario Bros ( NES )
- Pochet Monster ( GB )
- Dragon quest IV ( PS )
- Tetris ( GB )
- and Super Mario Land ( GB )

Now, the DS is achieving 4M FIVE TIMES... on 1 platform !!!

With the WII, it's going to be the same

Big N RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We @ Dec 2nd 2006 10:12AM

Nintendo's world domination has entered phase two. Resistance is futile!

Mactor @ Dec 2nd 2006 10:16AM

Hajimete no Wii is a lot of fun. I hope they have decided to offer it independently of the remote when it is released in the US.

TB @ Dec 2nd 2006 10:28AM

So much hype for a gimmic and zelda.

Exo @ Dec 2nd 2006 10:53AM

@9

sounds like the comment of a fanboy scared that Nintendo might be doing good.

stop being such a bitch.if you don't like the system then fine, why don't you play the system you like rather then sitting and bitching about the ones you hate?

Its funny how the fanboys do alot more trash talking then actually playing their system of choice

Milkshake @ Dec 2nd 2006 10:44AM

Way to go Ninty, Sony you are in trouble, with the 360 nearly at 10m and the Wii gaining quick ground with sensible launch supplies, good games, good game attached ratios, favorable reviews, positive hype in the media, people actually wanting to keep the console instead of trying to make a quick profit oh and a European launch this side of xmas, like one of my favorite Saturn rally games used to sing GAME OVER YEAH!!!!

Alan Wii @ Dec 2nd 2006 10:47AM

@ Big beN

Dragon Quest 7 (Ps1) and Dragon Quest 8 (Ps2) both reached over 4million sold in Japan.

saboola @ Dec 2nd 2006 10:58AM

To add to 13s comment, the DS was a gimmick too, and all of you were right. It totally failed (/sarcasm).

Chris @ Dec 2nd 2006 3:25PM

i think i might be more amazed at sony's failing.

x876543 @ Dec 2nd 2006 11:22AM

I'd post something witty or funny, but I'm busy playing on my Wii.

Kevin Hanson @ Dec 2nd 2006 11:27AM

Have you guys noticed that XBOX 360 sales in Japan have been on a slight increase for the past few weeks?

Erik Reinertsen @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:00PM

Well, good job Nintendo for supplying the Wiis, but grats should go to the much more cooperative Japanese culture in general. Do you think it's Nintendo that determines whether there is a riot, shooting, or general pandemonium at the release of a product? No, it's the people.

So GG greedy Americans.

Earl @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:05PM

Sony: this is how a console is supposed to be launched! Plenty of units, and not many ebayers.

"Gimmick" people: Sony ripped it off too, just half-assed. We will see the "gimmick" become the new standard on the Next Gen consoles. DS was a gimmick. Where is PSP now? Collecting dust on store shelves.

Stop following nexgenwars website, it's has no factual numbers.

JodyAnthony @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:06PM

Erik, right, just like all the shootings that happened in america over the Wii launch?

Shagi @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:05PM

Gotta say...your blind if you can't see that the Wii aint all its cracked up to bii.

I can understand being excited about it if you can't afford a better console, but its definately the weakest and my least played console.

The motion controls are shitty to the Maxxxxxx! The graphics are horrible. The only thing the Wii has going for it is blind fanboy devotion, a cheap pricetag, and uninformed consumers who think its going to do something it doesn't actually deliver on.

Buy it as your second or third console for party games, but its really nothing else.

Justin @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:06PM

I want to buy a wii. . . I wish the stores here had them

Shagi @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:06PM

Oh by the way, the Sixaxis controller is just as innacurate as the Wii controller, they are BOTH gimicks and suck.

Brian (the REAL Brian) @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:17PM

@ 21

Inaccurate? You're implying that the Wii remote requires accuracy to function properly? It's not a laser. It's not a lightgun.

So, in order for the term "inaccurate" to even apply here (which it doesn't), technically, you would have to say, move the Wii remote up, and the cursor moves left or right. Another example of "inaccuracy" would be an idiot looking down the controller as if to sight it, and noticing that the cursor doesn't stay where you're looking, down the controller. Once again, it's not a lightgun.

As far as the PS3 Sixaxis goes... it's not a lightgun. Nor is it a laser. So how on earth could it be "inaccurate" as you are implying?

Maybe you threw said controllers at a target that you painted on your wall (with your own blood), and you failed to hit the bullseye. Even so, that would make YOU inaccurate. Not the controllers.

Diman @ Dec 3rd 2006 2:14PM

Using a rehashed technology they better release a lot of them.

Brian (the REAL Brian) @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:21PM

@ 19 (Shagi)

Your comment doesn't even deserve a response. But I'll go ahead...

You claim the Wii is terrible... so why do you own one?

Also, anyone who can be quoted saying "to the max" or, in your case "to the Maxxxxxx" can not, and will not be taken seriously.

Exo @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:23PM

looks like shagi forgot to drain the sand from his vagina again

Brian (the REAL Brian) @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:27PM

LOL @ "innaccurate"

I didn't even notice he misspelled it. I'm wondering how long it took him to come up with "not all it's cracked up to bii".

Shit... I'm late for work.

Milkshake @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:47PM

I own a 360 however I might buy the Wii as well because it does look involving in a different way, and by that I mean a great system for the whole family to enjoy together. I have to say Nintendo have lived up to what they said in there marketing for the Wii something Sony and its $600 dollar package of vaporware does not.

TwilightKnight @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:48PM

Oh man... Shagi made my day today with that retarded troll of a post. Was he being serious? Being a Troll? Retarded? Sterile? I don't know!

Hee hee hee...

Moving on...

Of course next weeks hardware sales will have the Wii hovering at 400K. Should be interesting if the Wii though will have the Halo effect the PS3 did on other Playstation products. If the DS Lite shoots up another 50k then that should be interesting.

It is pretty clear what the Wii and PS3 sales are so far, but that 7 million for the Xbox 360 on nextgenwars.com sounds fishy. Considering their complete lack of sales outside of America.

Dom @ Dec 2nd 2006 1:09PM

@ 28

Complete lack of sales outside the US? Its selling pretty damn well in Europe, Australia and Canada especially with holiday bundles and people unable to find the PS3 or Wii.

As far as this nexgenwars.com hate is concerned, the site is fairly accurate. It follows sales trends and its been right on with the 360. It's harder to try to guess the figures for the PS3 and Wii since they just came out and there is not a sales pattern yet. So everyone bitching about the site, its not supposed to be a flawless, buts its a very, very good estimate. I'd love to see you do better.

Shagi @ Dec 2nd 2006 1:26PM

I said the the motion sensing was acurate, if you were not a retard you would know that has nothing to do with the mouse pointer functionality.

The mouse pointer functionality works fine and I would hope nintendo would focus on that beacuse the motion sensing sucks assssssss to the maxxxxxxx!

And I'm giving Brian a De de de for his coments about laser pointers while entirely missing the point of my post. "DE DE DE".

Shagi @ Dec 2nd 2006 1:29PM

Bah, Inaccurate. Evil joystiq gnomes changing my words.

tack @ Dec 2nd 2006 1:34PM

Still reminds me of everything they said about the gamecube. Its a great second system but the games are too dumbed down to compensate for the controller. Any gamers would be smart for picking on up but at the same time an idiot if they didnt have a 360 to complement it. Its a bring it out with friends system, not a system with epic experiences.

The fan base is smaller, so the emo super charged turbo nerds naturally gravitate towards it. But honestly its fun, but very shallow apart from zelda.

Earl @ Dec 2nd 2006 2:03PM

Shagi is just mad cause Sony treats him like a red headed step child.

He is gonna be even more pissed when the next consoles are all using the Wii idea. Just mouse and keyboard PC games for you in the future.

I can't speak for the Sixaxis, but I love the Wii controls. Of course Shagi might know what he was talking about if he wasn't a troll pretending to have the Wii, so he can knock it without sounding like a fanboy.

Brian (the REAL Brian) @ Dec 2nd 2006 2:42PM

@ Shagi

"21. Oh by the way, the Sixaxis controller is just as innacurate as the Wii controller, they are BOTH gimicks and suck. "

Where here, do you say "the motion sensing is accurate"?

Stop watching that show with that silly mexican guy. It's making you dumber than you have to be.

KapsLocked @ Dec 2nd 2006 2:43PM

I love how everybody says the Wii is a shallow system... yet for me I have games like Excite Truck and Zelda which keep me busy.

But I guess I lean more to the side of casually playing games than being hardcore about them.

*shrugs*

Also, I think the Wii does have a pretty good launch lineup, aside from the cartoon-based games. Only game I would want to play on the PS3 is Resistance. But I didn't look very good at their launch lineup. ^^

KapsLocked @ Dec 2nd 2006 2:56PM

P.S. Going in further depth about the "shallow games" thing.... are people referring to the trend that simple games are on it? Because I rarely see likewise on other systems. Maybe the occasional puzzle game, but not really anything like Warioware. It seems like "shallow games" is an argument complaining about something a certain console has in addition to its "killer apps" instead of something lacking.

And it's launch people! Can't expect 10 killer apps for every system! O_o;

ez-az @ Dec 2nd 2006 3:13PM

@ 32,

You’re either saying or implying that the system either doesn’t have any epic experiences or will lack epic experiences? I’d like to point you to your own contradiction citing Zelda in your post. Furthermore; making a generalized assumption on a system that hasn’t even been on store shelves for more than a month is dense.

The Wii has potential and from the early software on display I d say that it has more or equal potential to deliver on “epic” experiences that say, those other two platforms provide. The level of immersion is beyond what the other two consoles can provide and in the hands of talented developers we’ll be enjoying gaming on a whole other level.

Ninja Formally known as Jason @ Dec 2nd 2006 3:16PM

"I am Reggie of Nintendorg. You're gaming life, as you know it, is over. Wii will assimilate you into our collective. Resistance is futile."

I know, I know, bad joke, but with the Wii seemingly flying off the shelves, it seemed fitting.

Zell @ Dec 2nd 2006 3:23PM

Do most people realize that 'hardcore gamers' are the types who hardly ever shower, live in the basement and have no job? They must be, because I've been gaming consistently since I was around 5, playing Donkey Kong on Game and Watch, and I only consider myself an avid gamer.

I find it a shame that the term 'hardcore gamer' even exists. Especially since most people who identify as such foam at the mouth, and seem quick to put down anything without photo-realistic graphics. Trapped in a very strict definition of what gaming means and how video games are supposed to be played. Scared of no longer being in an exclusive club.

Cheers to the Japanese Wii launch.

Moogle @ Dec 2nd 2006 4:57PM

Heh, Shagi == troll, but it prompts me to relate something.

A friend of mine who's played last gen systems tried out Wii Sports and Excite Truck on thanksgiving. He's been too busy w/ grad school to see the 360 or any news on PS3. One of his first responses was to gush over how nice everything looked. This was over composite on a 50" projection TV. It made me laugh, but the truth is that Wii has the sophistication of modern video cards like the PS3 and 360, just not the raw pixel outputting power for HD.

Zelda will probably be one of the least polished of all the AA+ games we'll see in the next 5 years, and it looks fine.

grable @ Dec 2nd 2006 3:46PM

The little shit country i live in (NORWAY) wont get that many wiis. And its been hyped by main-stream media as THE christmas present, just too bad most kids wont get one!

Why nintendo? WHYYYYY!!??

And for the haters, yes i still want one ;)

Question @ Dec 2nd 2006 4:44PM

I love Nintendo fanboy wars. It's like politics.

Donkey Kong @ Dec 2nd 2006 5:15PM

I didnt see any Wiis going for outrageous prices on ebay though. Not sure why.

Stop bytching @ Dec 2nd 2006 5:18PM

I like the wii but to me its like comics and comic based movies. Yea Spiderman was cool and fun but after the 2nd or 3rd time around its just wasnt enough. IMO (notice IMO!) 360 is for the older gamer i myss=elf being 25 started with
atari+sega master+NES+gameboy+SNES+genesis=+TG16+Saturn+PS1+PS2+xbox+360
So i consider myself a gamer. But nintendo hasnt been right with me since the SNES, the 64 wasnt on any of my xmas list and by the time GC came i was buying my own console and never gave it a second thought. Nintendo has constantly experimented with different controllers and the wii isnt any exception. For a gamer like me im not looking to get back to simplier gaming im looiking to advance( AI level design Graphics) so when the wii is presented to me i have to look away. Ive long moved on from mario zelda and metroid. nintendo needs more than a new controller they need fresh faces. I mean how many adventure can mario have saving that damn princess. And controlling a game by making the movements doesnt sounds like a lot of fun. Granted if i have friends over then thats a different story. But i have a family school loans and a careers so having friends over all the time isnt an ideal scernio. I aslo see people bringing up moms and grandmas... at holidays this is cool but the majority of the year this isnt the case. I love my 360 simply because they represent the kind of person i am the 25 year old that doesnt have friends over all the time and semi likes sports and action games. i love racing and games like exitetruck cant even be taken seriously. Yes to me graphics doesnt count i cant imagine GT or forza looking like crap. I love the beauty of the cars, the realism. I like GTA cause i grew up with a bunch of shit going on so to some level i can relate and the shit is funny to me. I tried COD and red steel and the contols just didnt seem right i played for a lil over an hour just wising some of the wii games had a more conventional control scheme.

Shagi @ Dec 2nd 2006 5:31PM

The truth is that Zelda would have made a better GC game. Factor that into the equation and nintendo has 0 must have launch titles.

Zelda would have been the same experience without the gimmicky remote. By the way Zelda is buggy as hell, my horse got lost over the fence to rescue the children and now I can't get over the fence again since I died on that mission.

If anyone knows if I'm missing something please tell me how to get over that fence, I haven't been playing Zelda cause I'm afariad its so buggy I'll be restarting again and again.

Nintendo has a lot of "grass roots" inititive going on, but when you look past all the fan boys the wii is a shallow (albiet cheap) experience. I don't think people are going to be sticking with the Wii exclusively for much longer and as soon as there are more Ps3s in stores I think most people will be making a second purchase.