Want a Wii for the holidays? No promises, Nintendo says
Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:44AM EDT
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After nearly two years on the market, you'd think it'd be getting easier to score a Nintendo Wii. But the red-hot console is still tough to find, and Nintendo execs say they can't promise a healthy supply for the coming holiday season.
Nintendo's CEO says that demand for the Wii in the U.S. is "unusually high" compared to Europe and Asia, according to Forbes.com. And while Nintendo is on track to crank out 2.4 million Wii consoles this year, that may not be enough to satisfy stateside gamers, Forbes reports.
Here's the quote from Nintento CEO Satoru Iwata: "We are really intending to increase the shipments to the U.S., especially compared to last year ... However, I can't give you a 100% commitment [that you'll be able to find a Wii this holiday season]." Ugh.
Based on the latest numbers, Iwata's probably right to hedge his bets. Nintendo sold a whopping 666,700 Wiis in the U.S. last month, and the console just passed the Xbox 360 in terms of total sales.
Meanwhile, this online Wii stock tracker doesn't paint a pretty picture. On Wednesday morning, the Wii was sold out at Amazon, Best Buy, Circuit City, Costco, eToys, Kmart, Sears, Target, and Wal-Mart, while Buy.com and Newegg had only Wii bundles in stock.
Show of hands: Who's still in the hunt for a Wii?
Related:
A Wii Bit Short On Supplies [Forbes.com]
Comments on Want a Wii for the holidays? No promises, Nintendo says
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2 Posted by mhallagan@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:17PM EDT Report Abuse
i just bought one for my sister a few mounths ago. all we had to do was go to 2 stores 2nd one had like 10. the only problem was that they had no extra contolers and very few games in stock
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3 Posted by d_gunde on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:50PM EDT Report Abuse
I'd love to get a hand on one, but they've been sold out nearly every time I've been shopping for one. The only alternative would be EBay, but they are selling for well over $450.
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4 Posted by nighteye23 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:38PM EDT Report Abuse
I got mine on Sunday at Target, after waiting 3 weeks for a new shipment to come in. They are sold out now. My mother and grandmother still plan on buying one, but can't ever seem to beat the rush for them.
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5 Posted by rambkowalczyk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse
I saw a few Wiis for sale at Blockbuster today, so try looking there.
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6 Posted by final_station on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse
I had to wake up early, but I got mine :). Best of luck to you all, and remember it's better to come back home whole and safe than with a Wii. Just saying some people get crazy during the holidays. Take care.
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7 Posted by rsingletonmail on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:54PM EDT Report Abuse
My friend has one and it just collects dust.
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8 Posted by luvs.kit-10s@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:00PM EDT Report Abuse
There are tons on eBay just like the Wii Fit. I got a two player for $426. They just buy them all up at the stores and then over price them. Supply and demand and a created shortage. Same with the Fit going for $140 and more when they are $89. It is pretty much a cottage industry of merchandise scalpers.
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9 Posted by the_demon_38 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:06PM EDT Report Abuse
if your a hardcore gamer dont waste your time with the wii my friend has had a wii for a year and recently got a 360 since he got the 360 he told me he m only plays it once a week for 30 minutes or so.....he plays his 360 7 hours a day but anyway if your the person who wants a console for your little kid or want to have "familyfun" or if your old and want to play these game systems get a wii but if your a hardcore gamer ie-online shooters and first party games dont get a wii i would say get a 360 or a playstation 3. if you really want the best online play get a 360
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10 Posted by kealnt7 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:48PM EDT Report Abuse
We have had lots at our small town wal mart I have seen like 8-9 on the shelves. Hope you can find one!
1 Posted by crapdirector on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse
I just picked mine up from amazon.ca last week and it looks like they are already sold out again. It took 9 months to convince my wife that it was a good idea for us to get one and now I need to get some games to show that it was worth the money. They have been hard to find here in Canada. Once in a while I see a pile of them somewhere, but everytime I went back to get one, that pile was gone. So while I'm seeing more, they aren't lasting long.