Analyst: PS3, Wii shortages to linger into 2007

by Blake Snow { Dec 26th 2006 at 1:05AM }

Though expected by most, games analyst PJ McNealy predicts both PS3 and Wii shortages into early 2007 while speaking with Reuters. But his guestimations are pinned further into the new year than maybe some expected: June for the PS3 and March for the Wii. That reality would be even more troublesome for gamers than the great 360 shortage of '05/'06.

McNealy notes the ridiculous scantiness of the PS3 reminding us of the pending European launch that is sure to keep the console scarce even longer. If that's the case, June doesn't sound too far off for supply to finally catch up with pent up demand. But Wii shortages into March?

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Duscrom @ Dec 26th 2006 5:50AM

What PS3 shortages... you can get them on Ebay for market price... or sometimes less for the 20 GB version.

And stores are having a bit of problems selling them.

Frankie @ Dec 26th 2006 1:24AM

I am sure that thw Wii will die down, but the PS3 demand has been saturated, just try to sell one on eBay for retail price, or simply go to the store, they are likely in stock too, or checkout an online tracker:

http://ps3finder.com/

DeadPlasmaCell @ Dec 26th 2006 1:57AM

March seems about right.. I plan on using my Feb. Tax return to get a Wii and some controllers.

Steve2 @ Dec 26th 2006 1:00PM

Frankie. Thanks for the link. There's not a single PS3 available on that site except on eBay or in a bundle. And the two bundles available are 20GB (extra yuck).

There is a large percentage of the buying populace who doesn't feel comfortable buying off eBay, even at retail price or a bit lower. And many people are not interested in $900 ($400 over list) bundles.

So although I do agree Sony is closer to meeting demand than Nintendo is, I don't feel they are nearly as close to meeting demand as you say.

Around my area, stores still almost never have them when you go in. That doesn't mean if you are looking for one, that you can't find one (that's how I got mine on Dec 1st). But at this time, in my area, you don't just stumble across them yet.

I think if Sony kept producing units at the current rate, demand would be sated soon (long before June), but I think they'll start switching production to European units, and start warehousing those, waiting for the chosen day in spring when they it is released in Europe. Hopefully that day will be the same day some more good games came out, the pickings on PS3 are awfully slim right now.

buba @ Dec 26th 2006 2:41AM

Wow this analyst is an idiot, ps3 is already available in every store in my area. He is predicting a larger shortage then the Wii which is currently still selling out.

Revo @ Dec 26th 2006 2:45AM

I'm tired of these conflicting claims. Either the PS3 is scarce due to continued production problems and/or high demand, or it's relatively common due to recently increased production and/or low demand. Which is it?

Nodnetni @ Dec 26th 2006 10:38AM

friday i witnessed 4 PS3's sitting in a best buy, as i contemplated what game to purchase for my 360 I saw a group of guys appeared to be college students, look at them and discuss buying them to sell on ebay.I also got to see a younger gentlemen call someone (probably his wife) he tried to convince her that it would make good a good christmas present, he walked away from them angry. I think only the most hardcore gamer and PS fanboys are going to be buying them from her on out. And im sure that most of them already waited in line or paid twice as much as it was worth.

Burnt Meatloaf @ Dec 26th 2006 3:35AM

@Revo: Well, I live south of Boston, and I can't see any PS3s in stock anywhere I go. All the PS3 kiosks are always turned off, too (not broken, but just OFF).

mo @ Dec 26th 2006 6:34PM

and acually

i live in southern cali with all the rich bitchs

and i hav 3 stores near me that still have stocked ps3's and used ones selling from less than retail -1000

the other day a sales man came up to me and offered me a used one for 475

but im poor, so i couldent, i was there to get a nunchuck

BUT I CANT GET A GOD DAMNED NUNCHUCK

honestly i dont like the ps3

but i thought all the rich bitchs would buy but aparently not

makes me belive the thoughts of playstation turning into sega

Mr Sinister @ Dec 26th 2006 11:46AM

As was mentioned, PS3s are readily available plenty of places... just go here, www.techbargains.com click on their PS3 finder, and as of last check, at least 3 stores, including Walmart, Toys R Us, and Compusa had PS3 bundles in stock. I've seen all of the hype die down on the PS3s on E-Bay, I've even seen a couple of 60gb PS3s go for $650 on E-Bay, which if you calculate the taxes you would have paid retail, makes it about the same you would have paid for it in the store, minus shipping of course. However, Wiis still seem to be going for $150-200 more than retail, which seems to indicate to me that Sony is in some serious trouble unless they don't get their act together soon.

hegemonyhog @ Dec 26th 2006 8:04AM

"I'm tired of these conflicting claims. Either the PS3 is scarce due to continued production problems and/or high demand, or it's relatively common due to recently increased production and/or low demand. Which is it?"

I think the answer is scarce but in low demand.

Spilt_Milk @ Dec 26th 2006 6:55AM

What ps3 shortage? They so easy to find this week it's not even funny. Almost every store has them collecting dust. It is almost sad.

Pixelbox @ Dec 26th 2006 8:08AM

PS3s are pretty easy to find now. I reckon the niche has been filled until they lower the price, which will open up the market some more.

carlos @ Dec 26th 2006 2:48PM

how come a 3 year technology takes soo long to make and why does it have soo many problems making it and as for ppl saying that ps3 is easy to come by were are u going cuz my bb is always sold out

Austin Powers @ Dec 26th 2006 11:03AM

I stood in line last week at 3:30 AM to get my nephew a Wii for Christmas (got mine on launch day), and was nine out of 15 to get one. Meanwhile there were two 60GB and five 20GB PS3's behind the counter with no one there to claim them.

I hope that the PS3 does pickup steam soon, as I'd eventually like to own one, and don't want to see it lose any third party support due to low adoption rates.

WillyFourEyes @ Dec 26th 2006 9:34AM

I'm now wondering if I should have asked for a Wii for Christmas, because that way I would have been guaranteed one (sort of) before the end of the year. I'll take my chances this weekend and shop around, I suppose.

Pushtrak @ Dec 26th 2006 8:33AM

I'd love if this is right. It would be the right thing for those sony fanboys who use the argument that 360s weren't readily available until March. I, personally only went looking for one in March because of the release of Oblivion, so I can't really say how easy or hard it was to obtain one, but if it was something that amused Sony-heads so much, then a Wii60 fan who got a Wii on day one finds the resulting payback brilliant.

Anonymouse Rep @ Dec 26th 2006 8:36AM

Personal opinion - These two seem to be right:

"I think the answer is scarce but in low demand. - hegemonyhog"

"PS3s are pretty easy to find now. I reckon the niche has been filled until they lower the price, which will open up the market some more. - Pixelbox"

Based on what I've seen personally - went into Wal-Mart on the 22nd, they'd just got a shipment of 7 PS3's in - and went back in half an hour before closing on the 24th (wife ran out of sugar) and they still had six of them in the case (I asked - they'd sold ONE PS3 in two days) - all 60GB units.

In the meantime they could've sold 50 or more Wii - they'd had that many requests - and had sold 32 Xbox 360 systems. Lots of customers at the Wal-Mart level go $600 - I can buy a 360, an extra controller, and two or three games for that price - and that's how they look at it. They're not the gamers that we are, they're the consumers.

Think about this - DVDs just this month finally surpassed VHS players in homes. That's your average consumer market - so pushing a next generation of player onto consumers at this point isn't worth it - to anyone. I'm not saying HD-DVD is better, at this point I personally don't care about either one. I think Blu-Ray has been a mistake from Day One for the PS3 is all.

Pushtrak @ Dec 26th 2006 10:06AM

Anonymouse Rep, totally agreed. I recently upgraded to a hdtv, and i'm now considering when i'll fork out to upgrade to the hd-dvd player. I've decided against doing so now because there aren't enough movies out to justify buying a dvd player, when I consider the fact it is bound to be at a better offer in a few months.

Also, personally, I don't think the hd-dvd player is necessary to the 360. I mean, its them going out of their way to challenge Sony on the high definition dvds front, really. They'd have been much better off producing a bigger hard drive, and limiting themselves to the download service which was obviously a significant deal into the planning process by the time the hd-dvd player was made.

Whitster @ Dec 26th 2006 8:54AM

The points about failing to shift PS3's seems good for us Europeans. Maybe Sony will focus on banging out some PAL consoles.

Not that I care either way with no motivation to purchase a PS3.

Alecks @ Dec 26th 2006 8:57AM

I figure blu-ray is gonna stay ps3 only. Everyone see's playstation 3 coming at them with blu-ray as a world media changing aspect. If the playstation can read and play dvd's, blu-ray, and read from a memorycard reader- I think we're fine. Why? Blu-ray for the games and dvd's for the movies. It'll probably hit developers later that one blue ray will probably lower manufacturing costs instead of having to package a product with 2 to 3 dvd's, Not just that but in my honest opinion, It's more overwhelming to play a single cd game and play for 50-60 hours and be surprised how long that cd was when you were expecting it to be short.. like the first time I played Xenogears.. omg that first cd was the fliggen longggggest. argh, but I'd play it again ;):hint hint squarenix: I'm glad people are calming down about the ps3's though. More chance for me to get one around feb or march.

Brian Bouton @ Dec 26th 2006 9:15AM

Buying my Wii on E-Bay seemed foolish 4 weeks ago, but I'm so happy I did it now with all these shortages.

This is hardly related to shortages...but has anyone noticed that the Weather Channel on the Wii is wildly incorrect?

I'm near Nashua, New Hampshire and the Wii Weather Channel says it is 33 degrees and clear. However, the REAL weather is the exact opposite with rain, fog, and cloudy conditions.

This is not the first time this has happened. It said it was going to snow on Christmas the day before, and as we all know in New England, there aren't any flakes on the ground.

Where the heck is Nintendo getting this weather information from and can they scrap this service?

BMWM3P @ Dec 26th 2006 11:41AM

Anonymouse Rep
Personal opinion
You and those two faggots are full of shit.

Did sony crap on your dinner, did they rape your wife and eat your children?

You're just a sad pathetic ms bitch who just can't get enough of Bill Gates semen. What are you trying to accomplish with these lies, do you work for microsoft, are you making money off every 360 sold are you mad because sony took down yo're beloved nintendo. Grow up man the only one you're lying is to yourself you and the rest of america knows that the PS3 is going to br number 1 for the third time in a row. Don't hate sony just go play with you're shitbox 360, if you even have one, and be happy.

Unimental @ Dec 26th 2006 11:03AM

I would posit that Wii demand will remain strong through at least first quarter of 2007 due to the sustained buzz around the system. Out of the 10 people who visited my house this holiday season, 7 left saying "I've got to get one of those." Usually after a particularly exciting boxing bout or bowling game.

Quote of the weekend: "Bah! I can't believe I missed another spare. This is so frustrating... just like REAL bowling. Damn, I want this!" - family friend and non-gamer who couldn't throw the ball straight to save her life

Jeff @ Dec 26th 2006 10:47AM

Still no PS3's anywhere in Long Island that I can find. Guess it's regional...

skyrous @ Dec 27th 2006 6:01PM

You guys don't believe the demand for the PS3 has been filled? You can get bundles online right now both here:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5303667

and here:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2557732&cp=2255956.2273442.2255974.2290624.2290628&parentPage=family

If you don't want to shell out for a bundle you can probably just go to the store and get one

Jimmy @ Dec 26th 2006 4:55PM

Walked into TRU and Best Buy on Saturday in Springfield, MO and both had 60GB PS3's just sitting there - no takers...

BillDoE @ Dec 26th 2006 3:39PM

I just need some damn wiimotes. I had the opportunity to have some great wii sports moments at Christmas parties but, I have one remote. Now New Years is approaching fast.

nick @ Dec 26th 2006 11:45AM

The part that concerns me...

"since Sony shipment numbers include units in transit or in warehouses, the company's target of 1 million could translate to 600,000 to 800,000 units at retail by year end."

Sony is counting PS3 in warehouses as shipped?

That would explain with vgcharts.org is at 1 million PS3 sold, even though that number seems unlikely, since the number was arond 300K for November, and December hasn't concluded yet.

If that's how shipments are accounted, then I can totally see Microsoft making the 10 million number. 'Oh, they're in the warehouse! You'll get them... eventually'

Revo @ Dec 26th 2006 12:35PM

"18. Still no PS3's anywhere in Long Island that I can find. Guess it's regional..."

To me that seems like the only reasonable explanation. Even so, I have to say I'm surprised even at the lack of interest in the places that do have a decent number of PS3s in stock. Even at its current price I would have expected it to continue selling out at this early stage in its lifespan.

BMWM3P, you're accusing about half the people who have commented here of lying. How likely do you think that is, particularly when they cite evidence (EBay, etc.) that you can see for yourself? At worst, they're giving personal testimony that doesn't accurately reflect the situation as a whole, and by no means does that equate to lying or being a "sad pathetic ms bitch."

vidGuy @ Dec 26th 2006 5:16PM

My parents bought my brother a Wii for Christmas, the second for my family since I'll be taking the one I bought on launch day back to college with me in January. My mom stood in line for 3 hours at Gamestop to get the fourth of the five Wiis they were getting in. There was a line of over 20 people, so they turned away more than a dozen hopefuls the week before Christmas.

The same day, the store got in 4 PS3s, all 60GB-ers. 3 of those 4 are still on the shelf. They paid a guy to stand at a busy intersection and hold up a sign that said "PS3s In Stock at GAMESTOP" or something like that all day and only one person came to buy one.

There's at least a dozen PS3s available in my town of 20,000. The Wii sells out within minutes every time a new stock is available. Go figure...

justin @ Dec 26th 2006 7:38PM

I want a Wii :(

I wish the stores had them.

justin @ Dec 26th 2006 1:13PM

I want a Wii :(

I wish the stores had them.

raging_evil @ Dec 26th 2006 1:14PM

what the hell is going on??

I just saw a couple ps3 on ebay go for over $1000.

they were at retail price just the other day.

devi8i @ Dec 26th 2006 1:44PM

#6 please show me a listing for a ps3 on ebay selling for less than retail I have bid on over 15 auctions on ebay and am willing to pay up to $100 over MSRP for one and have lost them all

#7 I live in Biloxi and there are no PS3's to be found not in Bestbuy circuitcity walmart, kmart gamestop.... maybe its a different story where you live

gman @ Dec 26th 2006 8:15PM

If sony just fucking sucked it up at the beginning, and joined up WITH toshiba on the HDDVD instead of greed-fucking their way through the whole blu-ray creation process, they'd be making a KILLING right now instead of losing that killing. IF there was one next gen movie format, people would almost certainly be willing to adopt early. The blu-ray disc is a fantastic idea. Buuut since sony is at the helm, it has become a giant clusterfuck of mixed codecs, and drm issues. Way to go sony...short term loss for longtime gain? way to fuck us sony

epobirs @ Dec 26th 2006 2:24PM

#11

Keep in mind that those DVD numbrs were achieved in just ten years, while VHS had just short of 30 years, much of it as the sole choice for most markets. Plus, it still had strong sales after DVD appeared, frequently combined with DVD in the same unit.

So DVD reached its postion quite rapidly, all considered. HD formats are limited by the installed base of HD displays, cost, content availability, formats choices, and the continued success of DVD. With those factors in mind I don't think they're off to a bad start. Only the most naive marketing execs would have expected the products to launch big and demand exceed supply.

But the time is not terribly far off when a nice home theater system with a 30" or greater HD display, speaker array, and HD content player can be sold as a package for under $1,000. The markt is entirely open to higher quality content but the price has to be right.

Michael @ Dec 27th 2006 2:00PM

I guess BestBuy, EB Games, Walmart et all should read sites like this one to see just how badly they are managing their inventory - because they are clearly unable to manage their supply allotments well enough to match them up with demand. Lots of PS3 reported in the boonies where nobody wants them. Impossible to buy them in urban areas (NYC, LA, Boston, Seattle - heck - even Charlotte where I live - which is not exactly a metropolis...) Hence all the conflicting reports (on the shelves gathering dust vs. can't be had at all).

Michael

porkepik @ Dec 26th 2006 3:21PM

I agree it is easy to get deal on ebay for the ps3, just bought a 20GB for 495$US shipping included and 3 year extended warranty from future shop( if You calculate the taxes and the cost of the plan the seller made a loss of about 110$US) I could not pass on this deal. DOn'T need wifi my house is wired everywhere, i'll upgrade the Hdd when the time is right

w()()ter @ Dec 27th 2006 8:09AM

It's all about where you live. around me there are no stores with any Wii and a couple have some ps3's on the shelf but not many. I've heard stories of Walmarts way out in the boonies with Wii on the shelf since day 1 but nobody seems to be able to actually FIND these stores, they always hear about it from a friend of a friend of a guy who knows this chick who works for a law firm that shops at this store that has them...it's all bullsh*t =)

BYOB @ Dec 26th 2006 5:27PM

The bundles are sales tactics directed at the idiotic parents who will do anything for their idiotic spoiled kids.
Also, just as a related rant... eBay use to be a site where people sold their old stuff for cheaper or to sell their collectibles, now it's a crappy place where it's just one big massive shopping site for knockoffs and for idiots to make a ridiculous profit on top of retailers' profits on top of manufacturers' profits

Michael @ Dec 26th 2006 3:41PM

The answer to the PS3 'gathering dust on the shelves' vs 'nowhere to be seen' riddle is quite simple: companies like Best Buy, Walmart, Game Spot, Circuit City etc are miss-managing their supply chain and are clearly unable to match stock allotments with local demand. PS3s can be readily bought in the boonies and are nowhere to be seen in urban areas (New York City, LA, Boston, Seattle, etc. Heck, even Charlotte where I live - not exactly a metropolis - has yet to see PS3s 'sitting around' at retail stores).

It's been said here before... walmrart.com has PS3s available with delivery dates in early January (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3611121) And they are not even forcing you to buy the ridiculous $900 game bundle.

Michael

tituspullo @ Jan 11th 2007 9:57AM

maybe the faster the dvd spins the more noise it makes the ps3 with a 2x drive must sound like a humming bird compared to big 12x of the 360! i had 2x drive once it was about 15 years ago and it had a cd caddy too. well some progress is good , great job sony.

tituspullo @ Dec 26th 2006 3:46PM

well i live in HOUSTON (not the boonies) and i just saw a batch over at bestbuy and a batch at fry's electronics. there out there maybe people don't want them as badly as the do the wii. but i guess it's easier for a fan boy to blame the retailers not the product.

tituspullo @ Dec 26th 2006 3:53PM

It's been said here before... walmrart.com has PS3s available with delivery dates in early January (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3611121) And they are not even forcing you to buy the ridiculous $900 game bundle.

Michael

uhhh the link is a walmart "PS3 GIFTCARD" to buy a ps3

Revo @ Dec 26th 2006 3:55PM

"33. The answer to the PS3 'gathering dust on the shelves' vs 'nowhere to be seen' riddle is quite simple: companies like Best Buy, Walmart, Game Spot, Circuit City etc are miss-managing their supply chain and are clearly unable to match stock allotments with local demand."

That's kinda what I was guessing. The only thing is that I have a hard time believing these major retailers have so little common sense, particularly considering that most of them have dealt with console launches before.

Michael @ Dec 26th 2006 3:58PM

>uhhh the link is a walmart "PS3 GIFTCARD" to buy a ps3

Yep. And the 'trick' is to click on 'See estimated arrival date' link. (Thu, Jan 04 – Tue, Jan 09 for standrd shipping.)

If you want one today - I'm affraid you will have to take a drive to HOUSTON ;-)

Michael

sheppy @ Dec 27th 2006 9:06AM

Today, out of curiosity, I made some calls. PS3 sold out everywhere and when they do show up, they usually only last a couple hours. Which, last time I checked, is phenominal for a $600 toy. When I was in the St. Louis area over christmas, I convinced a friend he needed a PS3 (or rather, constant "pwnage" at Resistance did the convincing) and we spent two full days trying to find a unit. No goes anywhere and they usually sold out within minutes in that region.

So in my area, a college town during semester break, with research, a PS3 is findable, but still quite a bit of legwork involved. PS3 in the St. Louis area? Infraggingpossible.

So yeah, it does appear to be a regional thing. And I'd hardly say it's indicative of the product itself. After all, how many MP3 players are superior to iPod yet fail to sell out? Personally, I see Sony hype ramping up in March.

Which is good, because Nintendo has already started pulling their typical dickhead moves. Like delaying WiiPlay because they don't want it to compete with Warioware: Smooth Moves... the ONLY FUCKING GAME RELEASED IN THE WHOLE MONTH OF JANUARY.

Mark @ Dec 27th 2006 5:23AM

I arrived at my local EBGames today as a new shipment of Wiis was delivered by UPS, and I was STILL too late to get one. March? Maybe NEVER!!! It's incredible.