So sayeth the immortal Pete Burns, "You spin me right round baby, right now, like a record baby, round, round, round, round." In an interview with Los Angeles Times, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime has hinted that, yet again, the supply for the Nintendo Wii might not meet the demand this holiday. The Regginator (a nickname noted in the article) said that production is up 33% over last year, from 1.6 million consoles per month to 2.4 million.
We've talked about Wii shortages once or twice before. "One of our competitors' projects," he said (we're thinking he meant Sony), "they will sell 10 million consoles worldwide this year. For us, that's three months of production." By his numbers, it would actually be closer to four months, but when you're dealing with multiples of infinity all day long, math tends to get a little fuzzy.
We still find it hard to believe that there's still potential shortages after 708 days, but the sales numbers seem to suggest scholars will need to create a new number system for sales calculations.
Reader Comments (111)
Posted: Oct 27th 2008 11:49PM jackal said
Snow,
I have a Wii, so I can voice my opinion of what I think of the system. I only have a few Wii games, and I thoroughly enjoy them (if I didn't, I wouldn't have the system). Having said that, you'd have to be a blind man not to see that 97% of the Wii's entire library is comprised of nothing but gimmicks or mini-games. That's not what I bought a Wii for, and, yet, despite voting with my wallet, that's all Nintendo and most developers (except for Capcom or High Voltage, thank god) seem intent on delivering. For every No More Heroes, Zak & Wiki, Metroid Prime, and, yes, Endless Ocean there seems to be 10 Sudokus or Cooking Mamas.
It also explains why, between my wife and I, we have 25 Gamecube games but only 8 Wii games. What's with the tremendous discrepancy between the two systems? The Gamecube may have not been a great system, but it had compelling, fun titles to offer; the Wii, by comparison, is a wasteland with a few brilliant gems here or there.
Reply
I have a Wii, so I can voice my opinion of what I think of the system. I only have a few Wii games, and I thoroughly enjoy them (if I didn't, I wouldn't have the system). Having said that, you'd have to be a blind man not to see that 97% of the Wii's entire library is comprised of nothing but gimmicks or mini-games. That's not what I bought a Wii for, and, yet, despite voting with my wallet, that's all Nintendo and most developers (except for Capcom or High Voltage, thank god) seem intent on delivering. For every No More Heroes, Zak & Wiki, Metroid Prime, and, yes, Endless Ocean there seems to be 10 Sudokus or Cooking Mamas.
It also explains why, between my wife and I, we have 25 Gamecube games but only 8 Wii games. What's with the tremendous discrepancy between the two systems? The Gamecube may have not been a great system, but it had compelling, fun titles to offer; the Wii, by comparison, is a wasteland with a few brilliant gems here or there.
Posted: Oct 27th 2008 9:06PM (Unverified) said
Looks like Reggie has been watching too many $5 foot long Subway commercials.
Posted: Oct 27th 2008 10:39PM Special Agent Steve said
If this comment was earlier, there would be a plethora of thumbs up.
Reply
Posted: Oct 27th 2008 10:09PM Supermanisdead said
Well, I'm glad I got mine already :D
Posted: Oct 27th 2008 10:13PM Brodo said
The funny thing is that the wii is actually OVERPRICED!! I mean sure, it is the cheapest of the 3 options this generation, however the wii is just a slightly amped up gamecube.
The console alone is $250 I believe, each wii-mote + nunchuck combo is about $70 after tax.
You really are not saving that much money getting a wii as oppose to lets say a PS3. Although at least the wii has built in wireless (too bad nintendo wifi sucks)
The console alone is $250 I believe, each wii-mote + nunchuck combo is about $70 after tax.
You really are not saving that much money getting a wii as oppose to lets say a PS3. Although at least the wii has built in wireless (too bad nintendo wifi sucks)
Posted: Oct 27th 2008 10:38PM Special Agent Steve said
I hate to brag (not really) but there are a ton of Wiis where I live.
Posted: Oct 27th 2008 10:44PM Special Agent Steve said
To be honest I like the Wii. Not an abundance of AAA titles, but when you've also got a good PC and a 360, it's a nifty device. Love Virtualconsole (Looking for some Virtual Boy games :D) jk.
Posted: Oct 28th 2008 5:42AM (Unverified) said
Wow it never ceases to amaze me how much Nintendos continued success turns these 'hardcore gamers' into bitter whinging bitches. Get the f..k over it.
Face it. Game over man. Wii wins this generation there is no way in hell the other 2 are going to come close (if u look at the current sales trends). Sheesh shortages 3 Christmas in a row, man that must really make u hardcore fanboys squirm hahahhahaha.
'WAAAAAAAAAAAAH WAAAAAAAAAAAAH'
thats all i hear these days from the hardcore fanboys. Waaaah Waaaaah Nintendo dont cater for me - so look else where whiner. Whaah waah I sold my Wii - do your research next time you buy, dont blame Nintendo cause you cant think for yourself. Do your own research to see if this is the right product for you.
Sheesh like little babies who dont get there way. Grow up brats and quit your crying, well continue if you want too i enjoy it aswell LOL.
Did you hardcores all of the sudden have no more games because of the Wii? Umm seems like there are plenty on offer on the 360 or ps3 so what you complaining about? If the Wii stopped you from getting the games you want i could understand the complaints but when you fanboys get what you want what you want then why all the Whine? Bitter are we? Hmmm
Just love how much Nintendos success makes those hardcore fanboys cry hahahha, pass the kleenex boys its going to be a deluge!!! HAHAHAHA
Face it. Game over man. Wii wins this generation there is no way in hell the other 2 are going to come close (if u look at the current sales trends). Sheesh shortages 3 Christmas in a row, man that must really make u hardcore fanboys squirm hahahhahaha.
'WAAAAAAAAAAAAH WAAAAAAAAAAAAH'
thats all i hear these days from the hardcore fanboys. Waaaah Waaaaah Nintendo dont cater for me - so look else where whiner. Whaah waah I sold my Wii - do your research next time you buy, dont blame Nintendo cause you cant think for yourself. Do your own research to see if this is the right product for you.
Sheesh like little babies who dont get there way. Grow up brats and quit your crying, well continue if you want too i enjoy it aswell LOL.
Did you hardcores all of the sudden have no more games because of the Wii? Umm seems like there are plenty on offer on the 360 or ps3 so what you complaining about? If the Wii stopped you from getting the games you want i could understand the complaints but when you fanboys get what you want what you want then why all the Whine? Bitter are we? Hmmm
Just love how much Nintendos success makes those hardcore fanboys cry hahahha, pass the kleenex boys its going to be a deluge!!! HAHAHAHA
Posted: Oct 28th 2008 9:25AM xxxsam said
@Ryan: If you buy a Wii this year and you don't consider last year's lineup, then either you're only interested in Wii Music or something (in which case, fine), or you're an imbecile.
I already have a Wii but let's suppose I pick up a PS3/60 at Christmas, I'll sure as hell be getting GTA4 even though it will be, by then, months old and apparently totally passe by your definitions.
I don't know why people are still buying Wii in such large numbers but one you do get one, you should definitely be picking and choosing (according to personal taste) from among the top games of the past couple years - probably before you buy anything from recent months... (With the possible exception of World of Goo, which is awesome.)
I already have a Wii but let's suppose I pick up a PS3/60 at Christmas, I'll sure as hell be getting GTA4 even though it will be, by then, months old and apparently totally passe by your definitions.
I don't know why people are still buying Wii in such large numbers but one you do get one, you should definitely be picking and choosing (according to personal taste) from among the top games of the past couple years - probably before you buy anything from recent months... (With the possible exception of World of Goo, which is awesome.)
Posted: Nov 21st 2008 1:05PM (Unverified) said
The Wii (in my mind) is a completely different beast altogether when compared to the ps3 or 360. The comparison seems silly.
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