Wii Conspiracy Roundup

Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:13AM EDT

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The Nintendo Wii was released on November 19, 2006, nearly four months ago. Got one yet? Of course you don't. And don't go looking for one, either. Unless you've got an insider at a gaming store or the tenacity to call one every day to inquire about their next shipment, you're not going to get one soon.

Yet the Wii is a gaming phenomenon and, unlike the Playstation 3, includes no technology of note that hasn't been around for many years.

So why aren't we soaking in Wiis? Have a look at some of the conspiracy theories on the Internet, strictly for your amusement:

First there's the obvious, that Nintendo is artificially keeping supply low in order to keep demand high throughout 2007. That would make sense if Nintendo was charging higher prices now. But it isn't, and so it's losing out on millions every week by failing to fulfill demand and possibly losing sales to other consoles.

Also popular: Big box retailers are hoarding them for big sale days. The idea is that if they advertise Wiis on the weekend, they'll get big traffic on those days and sell lots of paper towels and Pokemon junk (specifically mentioned are Target and Toys R Us). I can't speak to this, but it sounds plausible at least.

On the more absurd side: A variety of lawsuits have stopped Nintendo from producing more consoles. Ok, except it is still producing consoles, just not enough for everyone.

A game store employee offered this to one Yahoo! Tech shopper: "Nintendo is at the end of its fiscal year so they aren't sending them out." Well, he said "physical year," but we know what he meant. And unfortunately, that argument is inane. When companies get near the end of a fiscal year, they invariably try to sell more, not less, as it makes the numbers look better.

And of course, A-list NBA players have all the consoles. Even B-list players can't get them. 

And here's an interesting twist: Independent Wii developers can't even get hardware, as Wii publishers have taken all the consoles.

What's the truth? Well, it should be obvious, if you've ever bought a game console in the past: Gaming companies are notorious for mismanaging their launches by not having enough product on hand for release, and being unable to fulfill demand for months at a time. The Xbox 360 was tough to get for close to a year, if you'll recall, and like the Wii it doesn't feature any outrageously next-gen technology.

What can you do to get one? Be patient. Shop on eBay or Craigslist if you're desperate. And make friends with someone at a store that sells Wii hardware so you can get in line early the day they come in. Or just do what I do: Enjoy your PS2 and 360 for the time being.

Sorry for the earlier "17 million by March" error: That referred to software titles, not hardware. Actually, Nintendo has said it plans to have 6 million hardware units sold by the end of March.

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  • 6 Posted by commorancy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    Quote: So why aren't we soaking in Wiis? The answer, we are. The problem isn't that people don't want to buy them, instead it's about people not being able to buy them. When even major stores gets a shipment of 2 (or less) each week, there is something seriously wrong with Nintendo's supply capability. Instead of 2, they need to be delivering 200 to the stores. The reason they are popular is that they're priced $250 combined with a unique controller system... and for no other reason. However, considering that the Wii is basically a Gamecube repackaged with new controllers, it really is overpriced even at $250. But, that isn't stopping people from standing in line overnight to get them.

  • 7 Posted by jholden936 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    Funny that they mention knowing someone at a gaming store in order to get a WII because that is exactly how I got mine. I had to make buddy buddy with some guys at my local Game Stop in order to get one off of their next shipment. I have had my wii for almost 3 months now. And now that I made friends with them they put things aside for me that are coming out and keep me updated on all of the new product launches. Making friends with these guys does help.

  • 8 Posted by jawnrah on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    sure you can get a wii but you either have to stand in line which to me is crazy to do 4 months after launch. Yes it is true that big box stores are either hording them or not getting them at all. I think the bundles are killing this launch for nintendo. Wal mart toys r us, gamestop all have bundles every now and then. That are almost 600 dollars. the whole point of the wii was supposed to be the price point. But when they bundle it with games you don't want it's not worth it. They would probably sell twice the hardware if they sold them seperate. and you can always go on ebay and pay twice what the wii is worth. That's another thing that might be going on. Since stores are onl y getting a few at a time it's quite possible that ebay dorks are the ones standing in line and buying them all up still. You know what I say about th. get a job and a life. I don't really think nintendo is selling this thing right, they want to be seperate from the console war yet they are still selling it like a console. I never had to buy an ipod in a bundle or a zune in a bundle. I think bundles are the worst thing ever thought of you should have a choice in the matter. But until people stop buying the lame bundles, the game stores will selling them.

  • 9 Posted by joe_fields_8 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    The reason we are soaking them up is not only the low price, the unique controllers really DO change the way you play games (of course literally, but most certainly figuratively.) Besides all of that, the games are fun as heck and Nintendo has done a great job of offering a TON of free online content with a simple WiFi connection. My friends and I are having a blast with it already, but have fun waiting in line with your old "joystick!"

  • 10 Posted by mousgirl2003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    to say a store such as Target is hoarding them is silly. I work for a Target, and trust me if we had Wii's for every call we recieve about them we would be rolling in monies. At best we may get 20 at a time. And this is at best. They sale out usually in the first few hours of putting them out. I do feel Nintendo could put out more,for whatever the reasons they don't. I also feel people should boycott the games. But that will never happen, because ads are aimed at making parents feel less than dirt if they don't get their kids the must have games. We are a nation of instant gratification, and most young people have not clue one of having to wait for something that may be worth having

  • 11 Posted by emmanuel_davis@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    Acually, this article is uncorrect, because I DO have a Nintedno Wii. Got the last one in the store during the last week of December.

  • 12 Posted by one_redhead on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    VERY Interesting theory Cuplacaiazzas.. VERY. I was one of the crazy ones. Stood in line outside a store in 5 degree weather (well, it was 5 until the wind picked up LOL) for about 3 1/2 hours the nite the Wii was released.. Got 2 units (hubby got 1 - I got 1) and we kept one, sold the other on eBay to help pay for the unit we kept. Figured we earned it, both standing out there in line in that weather. And our kids were Heroes at school cuz their parents were crazy enough to do that and they were the only ones they knew who got one!

  • 13 Posted by athena3721 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think the Wii is the coolest of them all, because it's very unusal and strange. It's also small so it's portable. My cusin has one.

  • 14 Posted by powerinfused on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    I used to manage for Gamestop. They specifically (at least in California) required we hold them for special "sale" days several times in order to sell the customers crap they didn't need. A friend who works at Best Buy mentioned the exact same thing. Furthermore, the Nintendo rep said that the production was not coming as quickly as possible because Nintendo stock piled some post-Christmas for a fair amount for a February promo, but that errors in manufacturing, switching out the controllers, and one of their suppliers suing them over appropriate comission delayed more consoles coming.

  • 15 Posted by jshack73 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sam's club in my town got in 40, so I was able to buy one for my family and then went back and bought the last five they had and sold them on ebay. Sam's seems to be getting a lot in.

  • 17 Posted by qpidkcid on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    This isn't just limited to the consoles. Try finding spare controllers. I finally found them the other day at Walmart. I've been searching endlessly for them except on Ebay because I didn't wanna pay a fortune. A Target had them but wanted to upcharge it bigtime ($40 for each). Walmart upcharged the main one when the out of stock sticker WAS $25 a piece. Now one is $40. Can't find them anywhere because it's always out of stock. So again, it's not just the consoles, it's the controllers. At first, it was predicted Nintendo was going to be able to ship out way more consoles than Sony. Yet, I see PS3s at Best Buy, Circuit City, Walmart etc now AND they've had PLENTY of the next-gen controllers, never sold out. So why can't Nintendo keep up with supply and demand? They keep advertising it on tv and yet, you can't find them. "'Wii' would like to play.'" WITH WHAT!? Can't play with something if you can't get it! I'm not bashing the Wii. In fact, I have one and it's awesome! But, why limit it to just the consoles. I'm sure controllers are easy enough to make.

  • 18 Posted by jburnesz on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    I got lucky apparently. Went to Best Buy last Tuesday and they had 12 of them. I've been looking for one since December. They are hard to find, but persistance is how you'll get one. And a little luck apparently. When I left Best Buy with one Wii, there were a few more people with them too.

  • 19 Posted by hkron3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    well I think the fiscal year theory makes sense....Nintendo might want to keep there sales control....I mean it would look bad to stockholders if at the end of this fiscal year they make huge profits and next year make less....some might see their finacial statements and wonder "hey what is going on?...why this years sales drop so much?" Remember company's are judged by what they do badly in the current period but always by what they DID right in days of yore...so I would not be suprise if they want to flaten their sales and contine to control it throughout the year.

  • 20 Posted by cleochatra2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    Walmart.com is where we found our Wii less than a month ago. They're out there!

  • 21 Posted by srchopspcs on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    Since my Dad works for Nintendo in Washington State where they package games and other such Nintendo items, I got alot of scoop on when the release dates are for games and diffrent parts of Nintendo systems.

  • 22 Posted by pfikshun on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well, for myself, I had just happened to be at Target one morning after checking week after week for one and low and behold, the store security guy gave the electronics team member two of them to place in the display case and I snagged one up right there on the spot. It took a bit of timing, but I now have one.

  • 23 Posted by gundam_1990 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm lucky to have got one. I called around one weekend and Target was selling them the next day. I got there early in the morning and was 8th in line. Only 30 or so people showed and they had 40 of them. They told us it was the first night no one slept outside. Luck

  • 24 Posted by playsilvercreek on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    from an inside source: nintendo's projections were way off, so they have stopped sending systems temporarily to retailers to increase inventory. so expect to see larger shipments in the mid april timeframe... Here is some advice from someone who knows a thing or two about this industry... you're chances of getting a wii are very small, but with this advice you may just get your hands on one. first you will never, ever get one on a weekend so don't even bother. the reason being, that most every retailer gets shipments daily or every couple of days or whatever. but never on weekends, and if a couple of consoles happened to arrive on friday you better believe they wont be there by saturday. second, here is the best way to come across a wii... you have to basically physically be in a store when they are expected. calling wont help. employees have most likely been informed to not give out shipment quantities or dates to avoid customer service issues. so my advice, and this is if you even have the time, find a handfull of retailers that carry the wii... plan out a route that strings them all together and literally drive to each place stopping in to see if any had arrived. the best and optimal time frame for this sort of thing would be any time between 10-11am to 2-3pm. the reasoning on this is that by 4 or 5pm forget it if any store has recieved a wii its gone by then. also depending on when each store opens, most shipment will arrive between that time frame... good luck and dont worry, everyone will get one eventually!

  • 25 Posted by monicamoo88 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    I work at a game store so I guess I am pretty lucky to know when we will be getting one in. I am just glad my boyfriend has one so if I want to go play it ill just go see him. Plus it isnt THAT big of a deal. Wow video games....go read a book and excercise your mind..

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