Wii launches in Europe, loads of people buy it
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Dec 8th 2006 at 6:45AM }
The demand for the system has been "unprecedented," according to Nintendo UK's David Yarnton. He notes that Nintendo is very confident about the Wii's launch and predicts nothing but a huge success -- a prediction very much backed up by the gigantic lines that formed at the UK's HMV store in Oxford Street yesterday. The crowd even had to be broken up and asked to return at a later stage, though not before being given several (likely sturdy) wristbands. Speaking to Gamesindustry.biz, Tim Ellis, head of games at HMV, says that demand is most certainly exceeding supply and that the retailer could easily have "sold many more times than we've got, to be honest." Despite the presence of orderly lines and a lack of violent, Wii-related crimes (so far), he goes on to label the launch as "bedlam." Not to worry, Nintendo promises more stock is on the way and aims to satisfy everyone that wants a Wii this Christmas. That would be everyone, then.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
fraxyl @ Dec 8th 2006 6:57AM
Nice of you to mention the Australian launch. I don't really know how it went, I went to a midnight launch and there were a few people there, they pre-ordered, I didn't and thus didn't get a console at midnight, but got one at 4pm the same day, I wasn't too concerned... it seems to be selling quickly, I'm not sure how quickly.
As a side note, www.nintendo.com.au is now redesigned to look more Wii-esque to coincide with the launch. Or maybe they already changed it, it's been a few weeks since I visited last.
Club @ Dec 8th 2006 6:58AM
I pre-ordered, but I'm Wii-less for I was too late. I do have Zelda and an extra controller though. Completely sold out evrywhere here in the Netherlands.
Club @ Dec 8th 2006 7:01AM
By the way, for people who think the controllers are too expensive, like me, you can order them at Play-Asia.com for less. The Wiimote is 30€ (in stores 40€) and the Classic and Nunchuk are 15€ (in stores 20€). If you don't have a credit card, I would recommend a combination of Moneybookers and iDeal.
Josh* @ Dec 17th 2006 12:47AM
I'm currently "stationed" in Sheffield, UK, as that's where I'm studying my degree -- every Wii in every store was in some sort of pre-order scheme. I'm hoping things are a little better once I get to Birmingham (Second largest city after London) next week. One can hope they'll be sending lots more in the run up to Christmas.
Slaziman @ Dec 8th 2006 7:08AM
I got my Wii the 6th of December in the Netherlands, in a shop in Schiphol (Capi)! Been playing Wii Sports for 2 days now, in your face Wii-less Europeans, if you are dutch I suggest checking that store out, it didn't have a pre-order list...
Club @ Dec 8th 2006 7:19AM
Hoe heet die winkel? Capi? Heb je er een ticket voor nodig om binnen te komen?
playclever @ Dec 8th 2006 7:31AM
I'm still waiting for my Wii/Zelda combo... it feels a bit like Christmas would be if Parcelforce won the present-delivery contract from Santa...
Ah well, back to the daytime TV...
Club @ Dec 8th 2006 7:35AM
Ik heb er 1 besteld bij Capi, heb em volgende week. Thanks Slaziman.
Jules @ Dec 8th 2006 7:39AM
I bought my wii from GAME in England this morning before I went to work. Got Zelda and extra controller and stuff too. There were no queues but they only had enough to meet preorders anyway. I'm a bit annoyed that they didn't have any separate remotes - I had to buy wii play to get one (but was gonna get that at some point anyway).
My Wii is now sitting underneath my computer desk at work screaming at me to play on it...but i've got another 5 hours to wait :(
John @ Dec 8th 2006 7:41AM
Oh how I want one, didnt even try to get one but i want one badly!
Will look nice sitting next to my 360
lol!
Bober @ Dec 8th 2006 7:48AM
Camped out at the Mediamarkt(Netherlands) today, but no luck. Been looking for a Wii all week, I give up. Best trick was the Freerecordshop, they insisted that they would NOT sell Wii's until Friday, and without pre orders. They told me this wednesday night a few minutes before the store closed. Come Thursday morning, they sold all their Wii's. :/
Keef @ Dec 8th 2006 7:52AM
woke up this morning.... walked to my local GAME in Oldham.... got a Wii, no pre order......
peice of pie...
Nicolas Redfern @ Dec 8th 2006 11:50AM
Woo Keef, I live near Oldham too! Sadly I don't have the money yet but will hopefully get one for Christmas
Nicolas Redfern @ Dec 8th 2006 11:50AM
Woo Keef, I live near Oldham too! Sadly I don't have the money yet but will hopefully get one for Christmas
Kazza @ Dec 8th 2006 8:13AM
Beh, here in belgium, all sold out of course.
Prices are relatively high in comparison to our northern neighbours (the netherlands) gelukzakken! :)
wii-mote: 49.99€
zelda tp: 59.99€ (!!)
didn't get a wii, but i got those two...
you can't imagine how long i yearned for the wii!
ChrisL @ Dec 8th 2006 8:18AM
"you can't imagine how long i yearned for the wii!"
I'm glad you finally came out of the closet.
minus_273 @ Dec 8th 2006 8:24AM
any fanboys have data on how the Ps3 is doing in europe? oh yeah, never mind.
SemiLOOSE @ Dec 8th 2006 8:21AM
i pre-ordered my wii console and wii play from amazon (21st of november when amazon started their preorder)
and then yesterday ordered an extra nunchuck
nunchuck was despatched yesterday..
wii console got despatched 10am today..(hopefully be at home when i get home from work)
estimate delivery for wii play is the 14th...
amazon.co.uk doing pre-order at 3-4pm today.. seems like they have some left..amzon say "We'll have a very limited number of Nintendo Wii consoles available for sale from 3-4pm."
is @ Dec 8th 2006 8:31AM
Hahahahaaaa. Got my wii (+zelda, nunchuck and wii play) at 8 am this morning. Im only posting for you losers while I eat my late breakfast.
Yeah, in case anyone was still in doubt - its fuckin awesome.
aw @ Dec 8th 2006 10:11AM
My Wii was sent out last night via DHL. Arrived at the Glasgow depot, about 10 miles from my house, 6am & was put in a locked area.
Tracking detail at 10:45; "Item held - damage"
There's not quite words to describe my fury.
Andy Robertson @ Dec 8th 2006 8:46AM
I got mine at 8am with minimal queuing. No spare wii's in Exeter though!
Lmda @ Dec 8th 2006 8:50AM
I was told I would have to wait until January then I realized that Toy R US (NW London) would most probably have extras so I woke up early like 7am and made it down for about 8:30 and was 3rd from the end of a queue of about 36 -all of which got a Wii.
Toys R us did pull a fast one though, I was forced to buy a bundle but the cheapest one (£229) came with a game of your choice and 1GB memory so I can't complain.
My friend pre-ordered weeks ago and got nothing - now that's nuts.
Grey @ Dec 8th 2006 8:53AM
i can confirm that this is 100% correct.
every shop ive been in around my areas in a 15 mile radius have COMPLETELY sold out.
FKIN BALLS I NEED MY WII!!!!! "CRY"
kayzai @ Dec 8th 2006 8:54AM
I cant beleive I managed to bag one!.
I preordered one from GAME (UK) 2 weeks ago and was told that i will only recieve it by Christmas. Got a call two days ago asking me to come and collect my Wii on Friday!
No standalone Wi-motes in stock but I just bought Wiiplay (comes with a free remote) for £35. Bought an extra Nunchuk for £15.
My Advice: BUY YOUR NUNCKUCK NOW BEFORE THE WIMOTE SHIPMENTS ARRIVE!!!
Dave @ Dec 8th 2006 9:03AM
the Wii looks amazing but i dont really see the need to get one i mean what games are a must buy.Ill get zelda for the cube.but what is there for Wii
Steve @ Dec 8th 2006 9:06AM
When Nintendo announced the $250 US price (and comparable prices for other regions) the general reaction was that the price was way too high. I think all these shortages in the US, Japan, and now even Europe show that the price is actually far too low.
Nanatsusaya @ Dec 8th 2006 9:12AM
Europe demand more Wiimotes! I got a nuchuck, but nowhere has any spare Wiimotes at all, couldn't even fine any of the Wii Play bundle :( Glad I got the machine though, perhaps one of the only advantages of working in retail ;)
Ste Dyer @ Dec 8th 2006 9:12AM
2 of us in my office got one on preorder this morning in the UK from GAME. Both of us brought them into the office. The result? 6 grown men considered IT Professionals, taking over the meeting room with the projector and spending the whole morning squeeling like little girls with delight as we pound the less coordinated into the ground with Wii Tennis!!! True hilarity ensued. BRILLIANT. and we get paid for this too.
martinr @ Dec 8th 2006 9:24AM
Am still sobbing, pre-ordered my Wii from Currys Digital at the beginning of November, only to turn up to the store today to be told they received no stock and I'll be lucky to get one by Christmas. I'd booked the day off work, so am consoling myself by playing Link To The Past and eating pizza in bed. Balls and bum sticks.
gramsci @ Dec 8th 2006 9:38AM
Pre-ordered mine from play.com back on the 18th SEPTEMBER, and have mysteriously still not had it despatched. feel so jipped, if id ordered one from any of the high street shops at that time I'd have been fine. went and bought wii play from game at lunch just so i'd have something to swing around :(
spoot @ Dec 8th 2006 9:40AM
i didn't have a preorder so i waited at john lewis from 7am. the other people waiting were the furby buying type (though some did seem interested in the console). at 9am they let me in fist and i grabbed a lift that took me quickly up to the third floor only to find loads of people and a queue. apparently there's a side door :(
bought wiiplay for multiplayers and a bluetooth thingy to try out glovepie but it doesn't seem to be working.
FinalDelerium @ Dec 8th 2006 9:45AM
Preordered months ago, went to midnight launch at mount gravatt, brisbane, australia. Sixty people who had preordered turned up, lined for half hour, left happy. No worries at all. And i've been fucking loving it ever since.
Nudgenudge @ Dec 8th 2006 9:45AM
Pre-ordered it in November, in a local game store (south of France).
I was happy to get it today at lunch break, with Zelda, Rayman, WiiPlay/Wiimote AND a nunchuk (I honestly believed I wouldn't get one of these).
Now, my objective: leave work ASAP. Yeah, still haven't tried it.
JaSoN! @ Dec 8th 2006 9:53AM
got mine in cork today. no extra wiimotes delivered to anyone except the ones in wii play. way too many classic and nunchucks floating about. everyones currently making miis! woo!
Slaziman @ Dec 8th 2006 9:52AM
Je heb geen ticket nodig om bij Capi in Schiphol te winkelen, maar volgens mij is het nu ook uitverkocht daar :(
And for all who doubted, the Wii is fucking awesome, and this comes from a sceptic
BigKountry @ Dec 8th 2006 9:52AM
I've had my Wii for almost 3 weeks now, and I honestly have to say that the gimmick has run its course with me. The only reason I want to play it is to finish Zelda. I loved it at first, but as of right now, it's just collecting dust. It's a cool machine, but until another AAA title comes out, it won't be touched.
killy @ Dec 8th 2006 10:22AM
wait 3 hours in front of a big shop that open at midnight in Paris. The queue was huge (many people behind me left because of that) but everybody that wait until the end get their wii (i was in the last group to enter in the shop). Though there weren't many left after that (maybe 20 or so and i don't know if they finally have to use the reserve they were planning for this morning)
??? @ Dec 8th 2006 10:04AM
Wow. Wii's hotter than a Keaton Mask in Hyrule! Glad we got ours on pre-order up here in Canada. Our EB Games is averaging 70-100 calls a day and getting only 5-8 Wiis every couple of days or so. By the time the huge throngs are satiated, along will come Metroid and Mario to start the rush all over [be sure to pre-order, there will be guaranteed shortages on these too] Zelda is an awesome game and plays superbly on the Wii controls. It is an absolutely massive game! I also have a PS3 and 360 but the Wii by far gets the most use. You guys that haven't got your Wii yet-you are in for a treat!
playclever @ Dec 8th 2006 11:14AM
My delivery experience turned into one of woe as well. Bloody Parcelforce couldn't find my flat. I have to drive for an hour tomorrow to pick it up instead.
I've gone from anger, through bargaining, to something approaching acceptance. I'm just making myself a cup of tea - it'll either end up calming me or against the wall - then I'll know if I've broken the cycle :s
Hixx @ Dec 8th 2006 11:25AM
Pre-ordered from Woolies two weeks ago after missing out on the Amazon 9am thing.
Arrived at 8am today, in a cardboard box 3x bigger than the actual Wii box. I didn't think the controls would be as... "indepth" I suppose, but was quite suprised at how responsive and clever it is. Loving the purchase, hope GAME have some copies of Twilight Princess in tomorrow >_
BarryOgg @ Dec 8th 2006 11:43AM
Sigh. I'll probably go and get mine in a few hours, but in Poland it costs 1100zl, which is over 280€. Also, from what I've heard we got riddiculously small amout of Wiis shipped to us. I have a bad feeling about it...
Wiiinholland @ Dec 8th 2006 12:47PM
Wii launch in Holland http://www.d-are.nl/upload/1/MOV00007.3gp
play @ Dec 8th 2006 1:58PM
Austria was a mess. Went to 6 stores in Vienna, the largest store said they got 50 and sold out immediately, seems every nerd in Vienna lined up and snagged them all.
Rest of the stores looked like they didn't even bother, with every store not even having a dedicated spot for Wii , all being cleared out by 930am. Oh well, mail order it is.
mars @ Dec 8th 2006 2:04PM
I got to the electronic store Saturn in Stuttgart Germany about an hour before it opened and was greeted by about 30 other people. By the time they opened the crowd had grown to about 100 and it appeared as though everyone who waited left with a Wii. The had great stock on games, wiimotes, nunchucks, you name it.
What was left an hour later, however, is anyone's guess.
Brian @ Dec 8th 2006 4:23PM
Some stores here in Dubai received units today and are claiming that 2500 dirhams ($675) is the list price.
mike @ Dec 8th 2006 10:56PM
've had my Wii for almost 3 weeks now, and I honestly have to say that the gimmick has run its course with me. The only reason I want to play it is to finish Zelda. I loved it at first, but as of right now, it's just collecting dust. It's a cool machine, but until another AAA title comes out, it won't be touched.
--
Um.. welcome to the world of video games.
SuperChuck @ Dec 9th 2006 8:52AM
The English are exceptionally good at "queuing up".
Unlike Americans, who would gladly trample their fellow man to get a Wii, our British cousins will form a nice, orderly line and be served in the order in which they arrived.
Even at the bar counter of a busy pub, everyone is served in the order in which they arrived and everyone is very honest about their position in line.
It's easy to see, then, how something that Americans see as very orderly might be considered "bedlam" by a frazzled London storeclerk.
That Guy Called Scott @ Dec 9th 2006 1:49PM
I got one. One of ten at the shop. Only had to wait about an hour, not really that long of a queue.