Nintendo promises 4 million Wiis by '07

Nintendo anticipates demand for its new console will be high due to nongaming crowd; advises those who want a console to preorder.

Approximately 4 million Wii consoles will be available worldwide between the November 19 launch in the US and the run up to Christmas. However, even with that many units in the pipeline, Nintendo believes several gamers could be left empty-handed.

Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo America said, "We're urging shoppers not to get complacent. The level of demand we're seeing goes beyond the ordinary. Retailers are telling us a significant fraction of customers preordering Wii are nontraditional gamers."

Despite these warnings, the company assures customers that it will be planning for a "steady flow" of products worldwide. A press release from the company reads: "Nintendo is maximizing all its resources for a rapid replenishment program designed to consistently pump Wii consoles into the supply pipeline and keep retailers' shelves as filled as possible."

198 Comments

  • _Sam_

    Posted Nov 10, 2006 1:01 pm PT

    and they are making a profit from the production of the wii, unlike Microsoft and Sony

  • sirvampalot

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 3:20 pm PT

    Well they can't do any worse than microsoft and sony for their worldwide launches.

  • ryanthegreat232

    Posted Nov 5, 2006 5:56 pm PT

    Mall69- They mean older people, Or people who dont normally buy games. Im sure lost of those could be pre orders for christmas gifts and not people buying it for themselfs but if what the DS has proven anything even 80 year old ladies can pick up gaming.

  • rikardo10

    Posted Nov 5, 2006 6:33 am PT

    sweet!!!! i kan finally play zelda!!!!, i kno the wii is goin to be sick man, i just kant wait!!!!

  • mall69

    Posted Nov 5, 2006 2:36 am PT

    if a 'significant fraction of customers preordering Wii are nontraditional gamers"....how exactly do they know what @#%$ a Wii is? "What's a Wii.....?"
    "Uhh...I don't know, but i'm gonna pre-order it!"

  • Jatt_Warrior

    Posted Nov 4, 2006 1:13 pm PT

    PS3 + XBOX 360 = KINGS

    im just playin wit u Wii boys

  • ThunderEight

    Posted Nov 4, 2006 9:44 am PT

    Finally someone figured it out...if they want it...make it...and they will buy it. Hey Sony, look what happens when you do things the right way.

  • olthof

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 9:27 pm PT

    whats that i hear? ... its coming

  • keeperofgames

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 4:50 pm PT

    Wow, maybe Nintendo will reclaim the throne this console war

  • courtez2k4

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 5:02 am PT

    The problem with Wii is that, like DS, it'll need to be enjoyable after the novelty of a new control method has worn off. If they can pull that off with decent software in the year after launch then Wii will be a success next holiday season as well.

  • bigcrusha

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 11:44 pm PT

    All this leaves me with a stunning question, will I be one af the lucky 4 million to have one in my living room next to my HDTV before 2007 hits?

  • Kravyn81

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 11:30 pm PT

    As long as their replenishment program works then there should be no issues with getting a Wii.

  • Ced_Quijote

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 3:46 pm PT

    GoodFig, nice pic. i haven't preordered... seeing that I will be busy with gears of war, lost planet and my studies, miss Z will have to wait.

  • GoodFig

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 1:43 pm PT

    Well, I'm glad I have my Gamespot pre-order reciept sitting in my wallet

    Wii, LOZ:TP, An extra controller and a nunchuc, im styling come release day!!

    Maybe I'll go try to freeze myself like Cartman to make release come faster. ROFL.

  • mrzero1982pt2

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 1:30 pm PT

    at least i like what nintendo has done. they have opened up a new avenue to introduce non gamers and also brought back old gamers who were turned off by the uber monsters like the 360 and the ps3. and i also applaud them for openly admitting that there may be a slight delay in a steady shipping schedule and telling gamers to wait because of this. so yeah im getting mine when i can find one in a steady supply(which probably will be a week post launch)

  • nhlkoho

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 1:14 pm PT

    what the hell are you talking about Javier? Red Steel, COD3, Marvel UA, Elebits, Rampage, Far Cry, Rayman, these are all going to be great games. 6 maybe 7 out of the 30+ titles are movie related and i'm sure even those will be better than what the 360 had or what the ps3 will have for launch.

  • Javier

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 12:57 pm PT

    Better wait for the good games...besides Zelda, it´s nothing but movie tie-in crap

  • Morten-K

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 12:55 pm PT

    I work at a game retailer in a small city in Norway. After we started taking down pre-orders for the Wii things have gone crazy. We have never seen such interest in a game console during it's launch period. We are sold out already and launch isn't until Desember 8th. I can't wait myself. Wii will rock you!!!!

  • internationaal

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 12:46 pm PT

    Like some have said before: I don't believe people will just pre-order a console from it being on the Toys-R-Us list...if you do... you're a gamer (since it doesn't do more than play games). Or you've got way too much money.

    I still doubt the way the controller works for something like a FPS. On top of that, I basically don't like the typical Nintendo/Japanese games (mario, zelda, mario, nintendogs, mario, whatever). So I will definitely not pre-order one.

    If they get some good games I may want to try it out in a shop FIRST and then see how it works. And I expect that's how non-gamers will stumble on it. They walk past it and see people playing with it and think "that's a nice thing".

    Oh, and a note in reading articles:
    "Retailers are telling us a significant fraction of customers preordering Wii are nontraditional gamers"
    Is that 50%? 80%? 1%?
    And is that all over America? Or is there a town with 2 pre-orders of which 1 was from a non-gamer...
    (or in other words: no concrete info is given... just more marketing tricks to get free publicity on gamer sites and to try and get as many pre-orders as possible).
    I mean: the die-hard fans will have made sure they get one. And if you have "a steady flow" coming in, why urge people to pre-order... Just useless info in my opinion...

    (and no, I don't have a 360 and I'm not going to pre-order a PS3...)

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 12:28 pm PT

    I find it hilarious the way the people that post absolute crap, like addict3d-gamer's comment, have no knowledge of basic grammer or spelling. Coincidence?

  • addict3d-gamer

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 12:00 pm PT

    wii is so expensive imo.do u know why?

    its so abvious.its just a game cube.

    dont go and buy a console just because of a controller that you cant hold it in ur hands for long time.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 11:48 am PT

    microsoft make their cash from software
    with the 360 they can adapt their software ot the pc and make profit that way

    sony however cant, and only depend on microsoft software on their viaos.

    The 360 has ipod support, the ps3 doesnt and probably will have walkman support.

    Out of M$ and $ony, i think M$ will profit more. Because the divisions of sony are seperate.

  • amurphy245

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 10:59 am PT

    if the wii outsells 360 and ps3 microsoft and sony will be banging their head for not making profitable consoles.

  • spacemonkey

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 10:34 am PT

    Quick math: 2 million Wii at $250 = $500 million 400,000 PS3 at $600 = $240 million

    Granted not every ps3 will be the $600 version and the Wii might be more or less in europe and japan. That is just straight revenue.... plus Nintendo makes a profit from every one sold verses a loss from Sony. Nintendo will be rolling in the money this year....

  • Squids-Ahoy

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 10:13 am PT

    Interesting if true.

  • roareh

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:58 am PT

    the ds had a very slow start to its incredible success, as for the wii, it all depends if it can catch on...looks like a very good start.

    i hope things turn out good!

  • LordAndrew

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:56 am PT

    That's a lot of Wii

  • saugh

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:41 am PT

    Oh dear, thats a major problem for me given I was planning on getting one at Christmas, and pre-orders are already full...

  • SuperGogeta24

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:39 am PT

    im gonna w8 4 the january sales

  • cjcr_alexandru

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:36 am PT

    Nintendo will make a lot of money cause they are smart. But I'm wondering what will happen with the Wii in the long run.

  • wild_world_girl

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:14 am PT

    FTA:

    "Nintendo believes several gamers could be left empty-handed. "

    Several? That's optimistic - I'd imagine there will be several hundred-thousand left empty-handed looking for PS3s.

  • bobreturns

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:04 am PT

    i still need to do mine oh w8 santa makes em lol

  • The_Game21x

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:40 am PT

    I've got mine preordered

  • Proman84

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:36 am PT

    Guess this is a good sign for Nintendo and it's investors. Expect Nintendo stock to go up.

  • Sheiko

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:24 am PT

    When you break it down it still will be in high demand. Expect Lots of flogging on Ebay.

  • Disciple_Gamer

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:12 am PT

    The big question is how will nintendo wii fair after the holidays?

  • aashkii

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 7:55 am PT

    Wii will dominate the industry, giving Nintendo its glory back that Sony took away from them. Viva la Wii!

  • encryptkeeper

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 7:36 am PT

    I'm gonna camp out in front of Target the night before if I have to.

  • syxpack

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 7:28 am PT

    "Mr_Bodywave
    Yeah--"nontraditional gamers"--right--and just how would a nontraditional gamer know about the Wii. There hasn't been enough advertising or anything to really get to these magical nontraditional gamers. You are NOT going to get "nontraditional gamers" to pony up $250 for a preorder of a game console. If they are preordering a $250 game console--they are a gamer."

    Mr_Bodywave

    Maybe they are advertising in "non-traditional" places...

  • morororo

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 7:24 am PT

    Gribb85: No need to be a bellend mate.
    My mate works in HMV and I dont have to pay 30 quid deposit unless absolutely necessary. I live in essex so most people wont bother with the Wii cause they are too stupid so there will be plenty to go around. If I have to then I'll go pay the 30 quid. He hasnt mentioned anything about not pre ordering the PS3 but he has put my name and his down on the computer. I havent official pre ordered anything, my friend has just put me right at the top of the list for the Wii, put my name down as soon as they came on the system. Just cause you're "head" of games in your shop doesnt mean you have to get high and mighty, you fart monkey. I was head of games in our HMV last year when I worked there but you dont see me being a douche, you douche.

  • Da1ShrpSh0trGrl

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 7:04 am PT

    I'm thinking I might get one.

  • big_bad_byron

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:30 am PT

    I'll buy it when it comes down in price, sometimes next year.

  • FallenOneX

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:20 am PT

    Mr_Bodywave
    The minute Toys R us put it on their hot toys of 2006, everyone knew about it. It is the first console to ever make that list, so people took notice. I've had plenty of people I work with ask me about it since they know I'm a gamer.

    KingofTrolls
    I'm sorry you live in Hawaii, because that's the only place that had the "trade-in credit only" deal. And that was over a month ago almost. Or mabybe you live in Europe? Either quit lying or go to another store. My store took cash just fine.

    Anybody else smell fanboy?

  • feryl06

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:13 am PT

    I think the big winner this holiday will be the Wii, especially if there will be more Wii's then PS3s and both are selling like hotcakes!

  • Mr_Bodywave

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 5:52 am PT

    Yeah--"nontraditional gamers"--right--and just how would a nontraditional gamer know about the Wii. There hasn't been enough advertising or anything to really get to these magical nontraditional gamers. You are NOT going to get "nontraditional gamers" to pony up $250 for a preorder of a game console. If they are preordering a $250 game console--they are a gamer.

  • Gribb85

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 5:30 am PT

    morororo your a loser and going to hell...

    For the rest of you don't listen to this fart monkey, hmv aren't taking pre orders for PS3 and the wii is at £30 deposit and we still don't guarrantee a console on launch day, despite being at number 2(I'm head of games in the Knightsbridge store). So get a pre-order if you want one but if not wait a week or so and pick up a wii then.

  • morororo

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 5:24 am PT

    I pre-ordered my Wii at HMV no problem and 2 PS3's too, one for me and one to sell to some desperate mug who didnt pre-order. I didnt have to pay any deposit or anything like that either. I am second on the list for the Wii so I plan on strolling down there early on the 8th, get some breakfast, then get some Zelda action on 10 minutes later. I can hardly contain myself from all the excitement!

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 5:21 am PT

    Great job meeting demand, Nintendo!

    Go, Wii60!!

  • Staryoshi87

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 5:01 am PT

    hmm, kinda hard to pre-order when everything keeps selling out....and blitzing me in the first place...

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