Toys R Us getting big Wii shipment Sunday
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Apr 24th 2008 at 2:00AM }
To guarantee a Wii this Sunday at Toys R Us, customers need to stop by their local store and put down a $200 deposit. The five stores we called were accepting pre-orders for about 50 systems. Meanwhile, two of the stores asked why we wanted the pre-order details when they have them in stock?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DomoBraden @ Apr 24th 2008 2:04AM
That image brings up a good question... is "Wii" the correct plural form?
vectorelement @ Apr 24th 2008 2:32AM
Funny you mention that, and funny that I didn't read your comment before posting below.
Me.autoFail();
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 24th 2008 9:12AM
Why people keeps saying that is a fake demand?
I mean, month after month, week after week, the Wii outsell the competitors consoles by a huge margin.
I don't think Nintendo would be able to do that of they don't send enough Wii's to retailers.
They are producing 1.8 millions Wii per month... that's a lot more than Sony or Microsoft produce per month.
Other point in consideration is that Nintendo clearly said a few months ago that they will increase the production at the end of the fiscal year. This new fiscal year started April 1:
http://www.gamer.tm/news.php?id=2010&filtr=wii
Now... this is just from Toy's r Us... I just receive an email from Circuit City newsletters, and it say that they will have large amounts of Wii's this Sunday too... and some stores are receiving Wii's for this Sunday too (Wal-Mart was receiving some Wii's yesterday).
Maybe Nintendo already increased the Wii production.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 24th 2008 9:14AM
*That was a reply for someone else...
Go White Sox and Go other Team @ Apr 24th 2008 9:52AM
Or maybe Nintendo hoards them for "Big" releases like Mario Kart.
Just a thought
wtf yo @ Apr 24th 2008 2:17AM
wtf? seriouly its been a year and a half. this wii marketing ploy must stop.
they obiviously do not make enought to supply the demand. hense who ever is runing nintendo of america is a genious.
ergo everyone that falls into the wii his is retarded.
T @ Apr 24th 2008 8:28AM
This continues to be one of the stupidest conspiracy theories on the web.
The Wii is in demand, how does it benefit Nintendo to NOT pump as many Wii as possible to retailers to make sure everybody who wants one NOW is able to find one NOW.
Retailers from day one have been hoarding shipments they get during the week to meet their Sunday ads. By putting "We have Wii!" in a flyer, they are drawing shoppers who will come in looking for Wii with the hopes they'll do additional shopping on top of it.
And yeah, it's convenient that they got a whole bunch in for Mario Kart Wii's release. And why would that be? Oh I dunno, maybe TRU figured they'd stock up a few Wii shipments so they could be the ones to grab the Mario Kart Wii crowd.
Because a lot of people will want Mario Kart. And a lot of them may not have a Wii yet. So TRU hordes their Wii shipments and then is able to put this flyer out. Now if you want a Wii AND you want Mario Kart...why bother with any other store when you can set yourself up with one via TRU.
Put the tinfoil hats away.
Fatass of Kickassness @ Apr 24th 2008 8:24AM
Your account name is awesome, seriously.
trmacdonal @ Apr 24th 2008 9:09AM
I just don't understand how anyone can say that the wii is withholding stock. Do you realize that they sell more wii's each month worldwide than PS3's, 360's, and PS2 combined? Maybe they make as many as they can and don't want to be stuck with an extra production line if demand does cool off. Its is an extremely expensive investment to "just make more Wii's." If withholding stock did make a console sell out, then don't you think Sony and Microsoft would do the same thing?
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 24th 2008 9:13AM
Why people keeps saying that is a fake demand?
I mean, month after month, week after week, the Wii outsell the competitors consoles by a huge margin.
I don't think Nintendo would be able to do that of they don't send enough Wii's to retailers.
They are producing 1.8 millions Wii per month... that's a lot more than Sony or Microsoft produce per month.
Other point in consideration is that Nintendo clearly said a few months ago that they will increase the production at the end of the fiscal year. This new fiscal year started April 1:
http://www.gamer.tm/news.php?id=2010&filtr=wii
Now... this is just from Toy's r Us... I just receive an email from Circuit City newsletters, and it say that they will have large amounts of Wii's this Sunday too... and some stores are receiving Wii's for this Sunday too (Wal-Mart was receiving some Wii's yesterday).
Maybe Nintendo already increased the Wii production.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 24th 2008 9:16AM
I guess I was right... I just find this:
http://kotaku.com/383472/nintendo-to-increase-wii-production-to-24-million-a-month
2.4 million a month is a lot of work... and still, there will be a huge demand.
Go White Sox and Go other Team @ Apr 24th 2008 9:58AM
The PS2 has sold 125+ million systems. Using your logic they should still be hard to find. Yet somehow, despite being the most successfull console ever, Sony managed to get the supply issue in order in about six months after US launch.
Yes alot of Wii's are sold each month, but Kyoto knows that the "wow" factor and the "must have" status would start to go down if they were readily available in stores. Creating this sense of want and urgency is something that Nintendo routinely did with the GameBoy line.
The DS sells as much or more than the Wii yet Nintendo ironed out "supply" issues a long time ago.
People want what the can't have. Just look at Cuban cigars, if you go to a country that has them, they do not carry the mystique that they do here.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 24th 2008 10:23AM
I think it's mostly to do with factories. Sony knew the ps2 was going to be a smash hit because the ps1 was, so they had more factories ready to produce. Last I heard, Nintendo only has 1 factory in china or somewhere close making wiis.
They don't want to build another one cause they're worried that the wii hype could die at any time and thus they would then be over-supplying.
Go White Sox and Go other Team @ Apr 24th 2008 10:54AM
Jordan,
That is exactly spot on. Kyoto knows that the hype will die down, and they do not want to be left with a factory full of Wii's. It makes perfect sense for them to refuse to fix what is not broken. Why saturate the market to meet demand when you can get all of this free advertising from stores like Toys that will do it for you.
Nintendo is doing the only thing they can do, riding the Wiiwave until it breaks.
rv @ Apr 24th 2008 11:13AM
forbidden fruit tastes the best
hard to find game consoles satisfy you more
I dont see why they would increase supply if they could.
It only takes basic econ to learn about supply and demand curves. Supply down, demand goes up. Supply up, demand goes down.
MarkHawk @ Apr 24th 2008 2:23AM
I bought mine six since ago and haven't touched it... It even glows blue to tell me it misses me.
Wish it had a DVD player in it. At least with my PS3 I can watch Blu-Rays while I wait for a good game.
samfish @ Apr 24th 2008 2:37AM
Uh...huh.
So within the past 6 months you're telling me that you haven't found a single game worth playing on the Wii?
I mean, I'm not going to go all list-whore on your ass (someone else will, probably), but I can easily think of 10 good games on the Wii that have come out within the last 6 months.
Even the most rabid Nintendo trolls around here would probably admit there's been good reason to turn the Wii on in the last 6 months...
DomoBraden @ Apr 24th 2008 2:49AM
Yep, six sounds about right.
-SMG
-MP3
-SSBB
-MKW
-NMH
-Z&W
Third party developers seriously need to take it up a notch..
DomoBraden @ Apr 24th 2008 2:51AM
Er, wait... I misread your post, you said six months, not six games. What were the other four you were talking about?
(I wasn't including ports.)
ScottyGEE32 @ Apr 24th 2008 4:45AM
I would argue that the past 6 months have been the best for the wii in terms of games.
MarkHawk @ Apr 24th 2008 5:30AM
Alright, let me try and defend myself.
(I did mean 6 months I haven't turned it on)
You guys are right, There are good games. I'll agree in saying That (haven't played any of these)Metroid, Zelda, Brawl (Minus online), and Red Steal (last one was a joke... I played that one and it sucked)
I personally own 3 games. Wii Sports, Wii Play, and Raven Rabbids. I've only played one but my time spent in it was beat my me creating Miis for about 5 hours. Cyler Mii is so eviiiiilll!
I just do not get hyped for Wii Games. I'm not saying it sucks but I just don't see things getting better. It seems to of been released at it's peak. The best games are here, they've been here, and this is where it'll stay (here as in the past year and this next 8 months). Is this a bad thing? No... It just leaves no room to expand. To me for 20 extra bucks you get a 360 and yes it's a "crappy" version but it's upgradeable. In case you want more ... um content? Plus for 20 extra bucks it's a system that you can play GTA4 on and it come with free games (arcade games) but isn't that what Wii sports is?
In Conclusion (Just read this part if what is above is to much text for you)
The Wii isn't my genera. I like cutting edge with a mix of pick up and play + in depth games. I shouldn't be the one to rank it. I am stoked to one day get Geometry Wars (Anyone got a copy they'll trade for Wii Play)? I just haven't turned it on because there isn't anything for me to do on it. I really wish it did have a DVD player because I'd be able to use it much more in my bedroom.
Markez @ Apr 24th 2008 10:33AM
Those are your 3 games, seriously?
No wonder you haven't touched it in awhile.
vectorelement @ Apr 24th 2008 2:30AM
I just bought a Wii last Friday at the Nintendo World Store. It looked like they had 3x9x4 (108, rough math, I tried to estimate) Wii's behind the registers. It's good to see TRU taking some initiative though.
j.howlett @ Apr 24th 2008 2:35AM
got a wii and ps3 last august just wish student loans weren't kicking my ass. hope to get karting soon but had gta4 on preorder since last june or july. maybe even earlier
Tranando @ Apr 24th 2008 2:55AM
Who would believe it, a large wii shipment magically appears when Mario-Kart appears.
As consumers, don't you feel embarrassed for getting conned like this time after time?
mmxzero @ Apr 24th 2008 3:04AM
So... they shouldn't have more units available when a big game launches? I'm not following.
Tranando @ Apr 24th 2008 3:18AM
They have been delibrately witholding supplies to create fake demand, and then dump large numbers of consoles, when a half decent game arrives.
Its a cheap ploy to fool dumb consumers.
DAK @ Apr 24th 2008 3:22AM
@ Tranando
Tranando, I know people love conspiracy theories and all of that but pretend your Nintendo, and lets assume they do have a shortage still of the Wii, if you knew a big release was coming out and you happen to have a few more units produced, you wouldn't want to release them along with the game so when people demand the game there are systems for them to play it on?
I think we all look at this too much from the point of view of a customer, look at it from a business standpoint and trust me, they are doing whats best for them.
A Pissed-off English Gamer @ Apr 24th 2008 7:27AM
Perhaps they are playing it a bit conservatively, but it makes business sense to be on the safe side of things. Better to be selling all that you're making than to over-stock and have a useless surplus.
As for you saying it tricks dumb consumers, please! If you want a Wii you want a Wii. You don't go into a shop, see that it, unlike the 360 or ps3, is out of stock then instantly want one. Have you seriously ever met anyone who said they wanted it because it was sold out all the time!? No, of course you haven't, because people like that aren't just dumb, they're mentally retarded.
baby sea tuna @ Apr 24th 2008 8:22AM
Now who's being naive? Of course a lot of people went out and bought Wiis because they were scarce. That happens all the time. I know people who were on the fence about iPhones when they came out until they were supposed to be in short supply as well, same with DS Lites, same with PS2 and 3. I'm not saying Nintendo is creating false demand for this or anything, but they're certainly not hurting from the fact that this thing isn't readily available.
T @ Apr 24th 2008 8:28AM
If this truly were a global Nintendo conspiracy...why would it only be TRU getting massive shipments of Wii?
Oh wait, that's becaues there is no global Nintendo conspiracy.
dramamoose @ Apr 24th 2008 11:31AM
Here's the thing; if it was a global nintendo conspiracy, wouldn't it make sense for them to release very few (if any) and flood ebay with them, grabbing the inflated prices? That would certainly be what I would be doing in this situation if I were an 'evil corporation.'
PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Apr 24th 2008 3:42AM
its hard to believe this is still going on. i mean the Wii came out in '06 and if you ask any Walmart employee (or any department store for that reason) you will find that the 6am Wii check phone calls have not yet stopped. i would just suggest that Nintendo just make more Wii(s) since there is certainly a demand right now but i know its more complicated than that.
like one of my newer friends just picked up a Wii last week. apparently he's been trying to get one since launch, while i have had mine since launch and have cast it away and brought it back numerous times already. certainly a love/hate relationship for me and my Wii.
Syn @ Apr 24th 2008 3:56AM
I waited hours in line at Walmart at launch. Went home, played Red Steel and Wii Sports. 1hr later. That was the last time I touched a Wii. My wife and I both hate the Wii with a passion. I guess I'm not a waggler.
BPM [SSBB: 5026 4120 1186] @ Apr 24th 2008 4:29AM
I've heard that once the next fiscal year rolls over, they're going to increase production again (currrently at 1.8M systems a month, with NA getting 40% of the allocation).
FOXHOUND @ Apr 24th 2008 7:09AM
RED STEEL? ...well there's your problem! Go play UMBRELLA CHRONICLES, GHOST SQUAD, or MoD2 HEROES. Granted, of the three suggested, only GS is 4 player offline, but there's a good starting ground.
TheOverlord#2 SPEAKS: YOU READ IT NOW(Brawl: 1461-5875-9923) @ Apr 24th 2008 7:51AM
I got my Wii January '07. I now have 11 games(12 in 4 days) and I can't find the time between internet, Brawl, and TV its so time consuming!
Schmobu @ Apr 24th 2008 4:29AM
sounds like it's gonna be a regular sausage fest.
ScottyGEE32 @ Apr 24th 2008 4:48AM
The kind that regular people eat?
Or the ones that Tranando likes to eat?
Schmobu @ Apr 24th 2008 5:54AM
The Wii sausages
TheOverlord#2 SPEAKS: YOU READ IT NOW(Brawl: 1461-5875-9923) @ Apr 24th 2008 7:53AM
New perhipreal?
Foetoid @ Apr 24th 2008 5:22AM
Just curious, whats Nintendo going to do now? As in, this is the first time they have rushed out all thier big-wig titles in the first 18months. What then? Sales may start to slump, which they can repair with a price drop (and still make profit per unit) but i'm talking about software. Pikmin 3 is obviously in development (can't wait!) as well as Project HAMMER and Day of Distaster, but we need more. A fully 3D MMORPG Pokemon (the only think i can think of that would destroy WOW) but that is wishful thinking.
We need MORE announcements from Nintendo, and more 3rd party N64 games would be nice (I'm looking at you Shadowman and Forsaken). I'm expecting WiiWare to take off bigtime, but then they need to fix thier storage woes. High Voltage seem to be on the right track to making some decent games for the Wii, showing off thier graphics engine in 'The Conduit: http://au.wii.ign.com/articles/867/867498p1.html and thier new WiiWare title 'Gyrostarr' http://au.wii.ign.com/articles/868/868645p1.html but we need more!
Schmobu @ Apr 24th 2008 6:05AM
I'm gonna bet nintendo has something hidden up their sleeves, I've seen the gameplay vids for disaster day of crisis, it's looking quite good although nothing compared to Wiis highest power, even the conduit uses no where near Wiis power.
Lets see we have
Pikmin 3
Animal Crossing Wii
Turrican Wii (proly what else is Factor five got)
Legend of Zelda Wii
Starfox Wii
Kid Icarus
Another Mii based game
Disaster Day of crisis
not project hammer as has been indefinetly suspended
2 MMOS
I think there is like 5 major third party titles as well but I don't remember them.
And Zoonami is coming out with Goldeneyes spiritual sequel.
I'm not too fond of the fact that most these titles are nintendos old IPs
We Need New IPs lets hope that Disaster sells well, so nintendo decides to bring us something new.
TheOverlord#2 SPEAKS: YOU READ IT NOW(Brawl: 1461-5875-9923) @ Apr 24th 2008 8:06AM
I really want Pikmin 3, D:DoC, and Animal Crossing Wii.
Oh, If you are talking about the "unannounced MMO project" that some company leaked earlier this week, It's a Wii-Project and an MMO-Project. There isn't news regarding whether or not the MMO is for Wii or if the Wii is an MMO.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Apr 24th 2008 12:34PM
agreed. Hopefully we'll see some new games at E3.
Curmeo 2.0 @ Apr 24th 2008 6:14AM
some of you guys have no clue about economics and how the world works.
if truely demand for Wii outstripped supply, Nintendonald's would be idiots NOT to raise the $250 price.
all three companies manipulate the supply chain to look good. Nintendonald's shifts Wii systems between different countries to create the illusion of never-ending demand. M$ deliberately cuts supply since actual demand is much less as retail stores cant get rid of the systems they already have stocked whilst lieing about number of shipped vs sold units. so every time PS3 has the potential to outsell 360, M$ blatantly lies about "unavoidable supply shortages". Sony just uses PR suits to lie about artificial demand saying they'll give $1000 to anyone who can find a PS3 on a retail shelf in America.
embassy @ Apr 24th 2008 6:41AM
when has *raising* prices ever worked in the consumer electronics industry, specifically video games?
this isnt the high-end fashion industry...
Curmeo 2.0 @ Apr 24th 2008 7:02AM
to embassy: and that is why demand has NEVER truly outsripped supply in the history of video games industry, yes even during the PS1 and PS2 eras.
M$'s OS monopoly, on the other hand, was a true monopoly during the early to mid 90s (not monopolistic competition which describes the "Big Three" right now) with true demand outstripping supply, and what happens? the following: "Dramatic" Price Increases "Prove Microsoft Monopoly" from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CGN/is_/ai_53335233
T @ Apr 24th 2008 8:28AM
I'm curious, when you write your posts...do you first do a Find/Replace for all instances of "Nintendo" and "MS"?
Because I find it hard to believe anybody would honestly and intentionally write out "Nintendonalds" and "M$" every single time.
baby sea tuna @ Apr 24th 2008 8:31AM
I suggest you stop using M$ and Nintendonalds, lest you get banned again. Or at least make it fair and throw a $ony in there somewhere.
PS. You have no idea what you're talking about. The reason that the 360 was in short supply 2 months ago was because they either sold or recalled their Xmas stock bundles so that they could rebox some without the free games and put some newer units out there. Personally, I think they should have thrown a price-drop in there but I don't run a multi-billion dollar software company, so what do I know?