Wii breaks another sales record in Australia

  • By James Kozanecki, GameSpot AU
  • Posted Nov 23, 2007 12:46 pm AEST

200,000 Wiis sold in 50 weeks, the quickest of any console in Australia.

The Nintendo Wii has claimed the title of quickest console to reach 200,000 sales in Australia, according to figures by industry tracker GfK Australia. The Wii sold 200,000 units in 50 weeks, beating the previous record holders--the Sony PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS--which both took 55 weeks to reach that mark. Back in June, the Wii also broke the quickest-to-100,000 units sold record, which was previously held by the Xbox 360 in Australia.

In contrast, it took the Xbox 360 roughly 68 weeks (or 17 months) to reach 200,000 in sales, while Sony's PlayStation 3 only just broke the 100,000-units-sold-in-Australia mark last week after its release in March this year. When GfK Australia released the Q3 sales figures for consoles in October, the Wii had a total install base of 167,899. This means that it has sold 32,101 units in seven weeks.

This new record comes at a significant time for Nintendo, as its holiday season titles are about to hit Australia. Next week sees the release of the highly anticipated Super Mario Galaxy. This is followed up on December 13 with Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles and the Wii Zapper bundle's release.

Nintendo has also set local the release date for Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day as January 17, 2008, while Advance Wars: Dark Conflict has only been confirmed as coming out in the first quarter of 2008.

73 Comments

  • taddia

    Posted Dec 1, 2007 4:33 am PT

    Deano is kinda right tho 8(

  • alcheng

    Posted Nov 27, 2007 5:37 pm PT

    I've seen this kind of situation for any console that continues to sell well: There are lots of games that are bad but there are also lots of games that are really good (from both 1st and 3rd parties). This is also the case with the PS2. It WILL take time to figure out the hardware and what it can do so a little patience will do.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Nov 27, 2007 10:40 am PT

    Sorry OSXGP so your saying that you do understand why the Wii is selling so well ^_~

  • osxgp

    Posted Nov 26, 2007 7:04 pm PT

    hatieshorrer, my opinion is my opinion. Your ingnorance in seeing the difference is obvious. I am not stating a fact, but you assume that I am wrong because my view is not the same as yours. Post are for opinions and seeing different views people have. None us us are getting paid for this, so lighten up.

  • taddia

    Posted Nov 26, 2007 5:42 pm PT

    When i wake up and i see my Wii Blu (or orange! Or Green!) led blinking, i feel happy. That why i bought a Wii.

  • Deano posted Nov 26, 2007 3:43 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Deano

    Posted Nov 26, 2007 3:43 pm PT (hide)

    wii game lineup is terrible.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Nov 26, 2007 11:43 am PT

    response to: osxgp

    "The Wii is selling like crazy, but I don't really understand why when you compare the games of all 3 consoles. The Wii has the weakest line up as far as top titles go (hear me out before you have a meltdown). I'm not talking about Nintendo's mascot games, but third party games. Wii sports is a great selling item and helps the console sell insane amounts, but it seems that people are stopping there. Everyone I talk to that DOES NOT play games, loves Wii Sports but are not gamers. Nintendo broke the barrier into casual gaming by getting people who don't play games interested, but casual gamers are not gamers. They are the ones who play for a short while and move on. They are not the ones who buy games every month or look forward to new titles. The fanboys can't argue with that because fanboys are still gamers, not casual gamers. I guess my point is that I don't want Nintendo to forget about us gamers who have played since the original Nintendo console back in the day. Nintendo has defined games throughout the years and created some of the most memorable characters in gaming history. I don't want that to change I guess. I just want to see the Wii put out more great third party games."

    OK I just made a response BUT A COMMENT THIS IGNORANT DESERVES A RESPONSE

    1)first you answered your own question (why the Wii is selling so well?) and then said (casual gamers dont count as gamers) the HardCore despite playing eight hours a day only represent 10% of the sales the other gamers represent 90% of sales and, almost all of them play consoles.

    2)second you complain that Nintendo has forgotten the people who grew up with nintendo yet the virtual console provides over one-hundred and, fifty retro games including some that were exclusive to Japan (Sin and Punishment) became so popular on VC that the main character from the classic N64 game is now an assist character.

    3)third you complain that you would like to see Nintendo get more third party support and, half the million sellers on the Wii are third party developers.

    Youve become to wrapped in the traditional thumb stick and button shotem ups you arent able to appreciate the others such as 3D-platformers, or rail-shooters anymore.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Nov 26, 2007 11:23 am PT

    I agree with bogartp_2000

    The Wii sucks because it's too much fun and, has too many great games not to mention the best downloadable games of any console.

    I'm being sarcastic. First of all vacuums suck and, the Wii is the most fun per dollar console. For a measly $249.99. Not that the games on the 360 and PS3 aren't good but, give the Wii a chance before you say it sucks.

  • bogartp_2000 posted Nov 26, 2007 9:23 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    bogartp_2000

    Posted Nov 26, 2007 9:23 am PT (hide)

    The wii still sucks.

  • Warfust

    Posted Nov 26, 2007 5:43 am PT

    It sells well everywhere, not a shock. It makes you wonder what the numbers would be if they cold actually meet demand.

  • Warfust

    Posted Nov 26, 2007 5:40 am PT

    It sells well everywhere, not a shock. It makes you wonder what the numbers would be if they cold actually meet demand.

  • Warfust

    Posted Nov 26, 2007 5:39 am PT

    It sells well everywhere, not a shock. It makes you wonder what the numbers would be if they cold actually meet demand.

  • Warfust

    Posted Nov 26, 2007 5:36 am PT

    It sells well everywhere, not a shock. It makes you wonder what the numbers would be if they cold actually meet demand.

  • xblane

    Posted Nov 25, 2007 8:50 pm PT

    This comes as no surprise to me. The Wii appeals to both ends of the spectrum, the casual gamer and the 'hard core' gamer. The fact that you can pick up a Wii-mote, swing it and see a character do a similar motion is enough to get so many casual gamers hooked... and while the graphics are not even trying to compete with the other next gen consoles, the games are a treat to play despite what many PS & XBox fans will claim.

  • DeathChronx

    Posted Nov 25, 2007 11:14 am PT

    The thing is, I really don't agree when people say the Wii has a bad lineup of games. Most of the Wii titles I have have either had bad reviews on sites like these and completely shunned because of graphical presentation..However, when I stick them in the Wii and play them myself, I'm pretty much convinced that reviewers either don't even try to seriously review a Wii game..or they aren't playing the title at all and just making crap up as they go along..I've been more that impressed my many titles on the Wii which seems weird. And I've played Halo, Assassins Creed, Bioshock, and all those hit 360 titles. When my friends come over to my house, they play the Wii and have a blast. Heck, I remember once my friend packed up his 360, and brought over to my house...We never even got to play the darned thing that night...

  • osxgp

    Posted Nov 25, 2007 1:18 am PT

    The Wii is selling like crazy, but I don't really understand why when you compare the games of all 3 consoles. The Wii has the weakest line up as far as top titles go (hear me out before you have a meltdown). I'm not talking about Nintendo's mascot games, but third party games. Wii sports is a great selling item and helps the console sell insane amounts, but it seems that people are stopping there. Everyone I talk to that DOES NOT play games, loves Wii Sports but are not gamers. Nintendo broke the barrier into casual gaming by getting people who don't play games interested, but casual gamers are not gamers. They are the ones who play for a short while and move on. They are not the ones who buy games every month or look forward to new titles. The fanboys can't argue with that because fanboys are still gamers, not casual gamers. I guess my point is that I don't want Nintendo to forget about us gamers who have played since the original Nintendo console back in the day. Nintendo has defined games throughout the years and created some of the most memorable characters in gaming history. I don't want that to change I guess. I just want to see the Wii put out more great third party games.

  • azone12

    Posted Nov 25, 2007 12:12 am PT

    deano i think your just a wii hater who is pissed off that he spent so much on a ps3 and in the end realised it was a piece of crap and was getting pwned by wii

  • 2w-sephiroth

    Posted Nov 24, 2007 10:02 pm PT

    I am so happy that wii is doing so well, my god the gamecube was catastrofe in Australia. Hurray!

  • aznpr1d34eva

    Posted Nov 24, 2007 9:58 pm PT

    the wii seriously does have a lack of games (in my opinion at least) ive had hte wii since almost launch and i only got 3 gmes, including wii sports xD

  • DukeIgthorn

    Posted Nov 24, 2007 9:21 pm PT

    @Deano
    I'm not sure what it takes to "learn a game", but it doesn't seem like a very hard thing to do. I think though that it is a societal trend, but just not in the way you see it. I believe people in general see game culture as it exists within the trends of the last 5 - 10 years as like a vapid intellectual waste land where couch potatoes would exert their superiority. Generally speaking this image was not desirable within certain social circles. I've noticed a change though recently with branding and marketing being directed more and more to both sexes as opposed to just males as it had been in the past. Nintendo has been trying to push this branding trend with the DS and the Wii much more overtly than it has in the past. While Sony and Microsoft seem content to appeal to the tried and true market of young males. To label the Wii market as a "casual or noobie" one, is partially correct, though the console does have it's own fair share immersive, thoughtful games. The future and success of the console is going to hinge on the casual gamer. In fact the whole industry will hinge on the success of casual gaming simply because the market is so vast. I think you may be in for a shock with future hardware and software releases from sony and microsoft as the success of nintendo is something they are going to want to emulate. This is the future of gaming.

  • JoePiervincenti

    Posted Nov 24, 2007 8:33 pm PT

    I think it's just a matter of the console being something new and interesting. It definitely appeals to the casual gamer due to its controller in some ways, but that doesn't make it for kids. Nintendo had to do something radical to shake up gaming after the failure of the Gamecube and they did it better than they could have ever imagined. After Nintendo's repuation was so hurt after the Cube, why would anyone have bought anything on Nintendo's next console when it was the same as the 360 and PS3 versions? Now they've given people a reason to look at their console!

  • Deano posted Nov 24, 2007 6:59 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Deano

    Posted Nov 24, 2007 6:59 pm PT (hide)

    I have no idea why the Wii is selling so well, it seems to appeal to the casual or noobie gamer market who've never played games before, maybe it's the controller that helps. The wii games for the most part just seem gimmicky and something for kids imo, I think it's a representation of society today is people don't want to spend time learning a game which is sad.

  • Omguki11edkenny

    Posted Nov 24, 2007 5:52 pm PT

    ok you might not be the biggest nintendo fan, i know im not, but you have to respect a company that can sell this many systems with a total lack of a gaming library. i mean jesus the first noticeable game to come out is mario galaxy. although i really do not think the wii will die in 2008 for one sole reason, the reason im going to be tempted into buying a wii, super smash brothers brawl. if they can make it last as long as melee did the possibilities are endless i mean god damnit i still play melee with my friends and online play sounds amazing.

  • Stabby

    Posted Nov 24, 2007 4:27 pm PT

    As even said in Ninendo mag, no one can "win" since people put to much emphasis on sales when what counts is the games, Granted the Wii does have some and the 360 has plenty to.

    The PS3 has yet to wow me but it will get good exclusives soon enough.

    Basically the market is to big to control and people will always hate the PS3, 360, Wii or even the PC (good forbid). What I find odd is when people call this "good news". Let me ask you this: if the Wii or PS3 sold well in a totally different country, how does it improve your life inANY way at all except the poor pathetic reason of bragging to a bunch of strangers on the internet who still won't care since they're fanboys?

    This has nothing to do with the Wii, it applies to all of you who have chosen "sides" whereas I'm happy to have chosen GAMING!

  • vass86

    Posted Nov 24, 2007 4:16 pm PT

    "That's brilliant news for nintendo, and dare i say if this carry's on it looks like they could have won this generation already, the haters will deny it but the Wii so far is what gaming is all about...Fun"

    the ps2 was fun but it also had amazing games, which the wii doesn't. i would bet money with you that the wii will not outsell the ps2, however i'm not sure which console will win this war. i don't see the wii lasting years whilst the 360 and playstation 3 will probably last past 2011

  • vass86

    Posted Nov 24, 2007 4:12 pm PT

    Except that Mario Galaxy is genius and goes way beyond being "just another Mario game"

    mario games are just as recycled as halo. mario galaxy uses the same plot from 20 years ago and the same design as super mario 64. still a good game though and so is halo 3 despite being somewhat recycled

  • Wedge_55

    Posted Nov 24, 2007 9:12 am PT

    "xcollector:
    You are to Nintendo what Halo fans are to Microsoft. Not everyone likes Mario. "

    Except that Mario Galaxy is genius and goes way beyond being "just another Mario game" while the Halo series has always been an execise in mediocrity. If I wanted a good shooter, I'd play Gears of War or Half-Life 2.

  • Erebyssial

    Posted Nov 24, 2007 1:46 am PT

    "cow102:

    Wii will die at the end of 2008"

    I see you have a very good arguement to back it up..

  • lamprey263

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 7:58 pm PT

    @Konfusion - no doubt about it, but I think as far as the console war is concerned more people are concerned of who will come out ahead between the X360 and PS3, as that battle seems more heated

  • bardkieran

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 6:27 pm PT

    Looks like the developers will have even more reason to back the Wii. Looking good for the next 2 years of Wii library expansion. Despite what PS3 fanboys think, the WIi has legs at LEAST till 2010 at this point, possibly further beyond.

  • dannyrun56

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 3:41 pm PT

    speaking of records a whale broke the weight record for being the biggest mammal in the world.

  • lamprey263

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 3:16 pm PT

    I wonder if the Wiis are as hard to find now in Australia as they are in the United States. It's kind of sad they can't make them as quick as the demand for them goes, or else Nintendo would have set a record that would take years to beat.

  • uklegendkiller

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 1:11 pm PT

    That's brilliant news for nintendo, and dare i say if this carry's on it looks like they could have won this generation already, the haters will deny it but the Wii so far is what gaming is all about...Fun

  • lostn

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 12:01 pm PT

    I remember when MS broke the record on first to 100,000, they got cocky and thought they were on track to beat the PS2 in overall sales by the end of its lifetime. Heh, they didn't even beat the PS2 to 200,000. That result was empty.

  • PolkaStripe

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 10:29 am PT

    I can see the wii in austrailia reaching half a million by next christmas =] The good news just keeps on coming

  • metc123

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 8:49 am PT

    Roll on the Wii's

  • Konfusion

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 7:30 am PT

    Haters will forever deny it,but this generation is already settled... Nintendo won.

  • greater_bird

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 5:52 am PT

    It helps that it's been realtively easy to *get* a Wii in Australia since launch. Yes, it's suffered sell outs, like every other country it's released in, but mostly you've been able to walk into any major retailer on a whim and expect them to have a few in stock (plus the department store chains usually bundle them with a game for the same price as console RRP).

    One of the rare cases where having a smaller marker means consumer demand is met better, unlike the more voracious hardware demands in bigger countries. (Sigh... smaller market also means lengthy delays getting games and artificially inflated prices, but let's not go there...)

  • selbie

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 5:25 am PT

    Make that 300,000 when mario comes out

  • diablobasher

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 3:59 am PT

    I cant beleive people still dont have one, i got one day of release with no problems...

  • pikaby

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 2:01 am PT

    For those wanting to know about this Advance Wars: Dark Conflict, it's probably this game
    http://www.gamespot.com/ds/strategy/advancewarsdaysofruin/index.html

  • cimbomboy2

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 12:59 am PT

    i keep hearing people say its got games for everyone, like what? (the only games im interested atm is SGM, zelda TP but i dont know if thats enough to buy a new console) im being serious because im considering getting this or a DS

  • AfterTheFall

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 12:32 am PT

    Wheres SSBB, Bwii, Zack and Wiki !!!

  • theclaw135

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 12:28 am PT

    When it comes to total units sold (not shipped!) worldwide upon midnight of being on shelves for six months, Wii is the fastest-selling game console of all time in that regard.

  • Sagacious_Tien

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 12:25 am PT

    I am now one of those 200,000.

    I bought mine last night!

  • ShadowLaguna

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 12:04 am PT

    Only 200k. That's ridiculous!!!!!

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Nov 22, 2007 11:05 pm PT

    @joemerchant2006 - Oh come on lad. That really is a ridiculous comment. How can a console, that continues to sell on average 1 million units per month, die out? It has: a strong and ever growing user base, has some fantastic games in its first year, has more and more developers pulling resources away from 360 and PS3 titles so that they can work on Wii games, demand is consistently high, is affordable and realistically priced, is marketed extremely well and is incredible fun. I personally believe that the Wii (and DS) is becoming the next big household name (like iPod). It is definitely here to stay. Sales are showing this and public opinion is showing this.

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