Built on a foundation of pure fun, Nintendo's new Wii(TM) video game system sold through to more than 600,000 consumers in the Americas in just its first eight days of availability. That's a rate of nearly one per second continuously since the Nov. 19 launch. Including just first-party software and accessory sales, Wii instantly has become a $190 million business in the Americas.
During the Thanksgiving holiday shopping weekend, there was plenty of conversation across the nation about the high demand for the Wii system, with the acknowledgment that if you see one, you'd better buy it. "Even with sales already in excess of 600,000 units, demand continues to exceed supply, as it's clear this is one of the 'gotta-have' products for the holiday season," says Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "We've shipped retailers several times the amount of hardware the other company was able to deliver for its launch around the same time -- and we still sold out. Given the inclusive nature of Wii game play, we're seeing this new form of video gaming is already a huge hit with gamers and newcomers alike. It continues to be a phenomenal launch."
The system also is succeeding in its stated mission of reinvigorating current players, while attracting new ones. Every Wii system includes the five-game Wii Sports(TM) software, which is the talk of the Internet, featuring countless reports on how previously devout non-gamers have suddenly been converted via the amazing new way games are experienced using the system's remarkable controller. At the same time, the masterful The Legend of Zelda(R): Twilight Princess, a favorite of avid gamers, already has achieved sales of more than 454,000 units in the Americas, representing more than 75 percent of all hardware purchasers.
Licensees, pleased not only with the sales performance of the Wii, but also its creative development capabilities, are publicly sharing their comments: "Madden NFL 07 is a great example of how the Wii gives players a whole new experience on their favorite games," says EA Studio President Paul Lee. "EA's creative teams are working to build more Wii features into some of our most popular franchises." "The creativity we've been able to unleash on the Wii system with our game Red Steel has been eye-opening for our development teams," explains Ubisoft President Laurent Detoc. "Having the opportunity to design and develop entirely new game-play experiences using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk is both exciting and rewarding."
Classic games also are proving to be a hit on Wii, which offers downloadable access to 20 years of the best of Nintendo(R), Sega Genesis(R) and TurboGrafx16(TM) hits via the system's Virtual Console(TM) feature.
Link: Nintendo
During the Thanksgiving holiday shopping weekend, there was plenty of conversation across the nation about the high demand for the Wii system, with the acknowledgment that if you see one, you'd better buy it. "Even with sales already in excess of 600,000 units, demand continues to exceed supply, as it's clear this is one of the 'gotta-have' products for the holiday season," says Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "We've shipped retailers several times the amount of hardware the other company was able to deliver for its launch around the same time -- and we still sold out. Given the inclusive nature of Wii game play, we're seeing this new form of video gaming is already a huge hit with gamers and newcomers alike. It continues to be a phenomenal launch."
The system also is succeeding in its stated mission of reinvigorating current players, while attracting new ones. Every Wii system includes the five-game Wii Sports(TM) software, which is the talk of the Internet, featuring countless reports on how previously devout non-gamers have suddenly been converted via the amazing new way games are experienced using the system's remarkable controller. At the same time, the masterful The Legend of Zelda(R): Twilight Princess, a favorite of avid gamers, already has achieved sales of more than 454,000 units in the Americas, representing more than 75 percent of all hardware purchasers.
Licensees, pleased not only with the sales performance of the Wii, but also its creative development capabilities, are publicly sharing their comments: "Madden NFL 07 is a great example of how the Wii gives players a whole new experience on their favorite games," says EA Studio President Paul Lee. "EA's creative teams are working to build more Wii features into some of our most popular franchises." "The creativity we've been able to unleash on the Wii system with our game Red Steel has been eye-opening for our development teams," explains Ubisoft President Laurent Detoc. "Having the opportunity to design and develop entirely new game-play experiences using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk is both exciting and rewarding."
Classic games also are proving to be a hit on Wii, which offers downloadable access to 20 years of the best of Nintendo(R), Sega Genesis(R) and TurboGrafx16(TM) hits via the system's Virtual Console(TM) feature.
Link: Nintendo
I want Nintendo to "win" because I still class the SNES as the golden age of gaming and I want Nintendo to do it again.
Bad joke, I know. Don't kill me
as for this... Honestly, as much as a Nintendo fanboy that I am, I am honestly shocked at these results.
It seems as if Nintendo are definitely in this console race for the long run hopefully
I can't wait for it to be released here in Australia, not long now!
Congrats to Nintendo to proving the naysayers wrong
Dont we all :p
lol!!
The world has turned, we are entering the age of US (Thats US as in WE as in Wii)
Ditto. It's Sony and Microsoft's own fault.
I've been trying since launch to get one, but every single electronics store in edmonton is sold out.
I just want to play with my Wii, is that too much for a guy to ask for?
In the end it is all about the games. And this time round Nintendo have gone a different route, and are targeting a different demographic, leaving the 360 and PS3 to duke it out amongst themselves.
But again, it is all about the games. I bought a 360 for Dead rising, Gears of War, and Lost Planet; I will get a PS3 for MGS4 and DMC4; and a Wii, once Mario Galaxy comes out.
Combined, they are still cheaper than the cost of a gaming PC good enough to run CRYSIS at full settings.....
Last edited by Shiranui on 28 Nov 2006 - 08:29
Although I'm buying a PS3 a few months after its launch here in Europe, I wish both Microsoft and Nintendo well in their endeavors. Competition = Good.
Zelda, I know, but it won't last forever. Party games are great but I don't want it to become another EyeToy.
Nintendo fans are chilled to be honest, we know things will be good and you only have to look at the countless Wii launch queue videos to see how laid back and happy everyone is
Nintendo fans are chilled to be honest, we know things will be good and you only have to look at the countless Wii launch queue videos to see how laid back and happy everyone is
no they fight, everybody fights it's what they do. every console has console fanboys.
But I know I'm gonna get a Wii myself, and no way am I paying what they're asking for the PS3!
ahem.....(deep breath)......................
WiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiIIIiiiiiiiiiiiiIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiiiiiii
Here's to looking at a bright future ahead for Nintendo. I believe this would be the N5 or 5th Generation console for Nintendo.
5th Generation.
Not second or third but 5th Generation.
Nes, SNES, N64, Gamecube...........yep, 5th.
I think they know what they are up to and the reviews speak for themselves. Everyone from Whistler's mother is getting their game on with the Wii. Magazine's are touting it as the closest thing to VR. Families are actually gaming together and enjoying it.
That is so true! An older woman (50's) I work with told me she was at her daughters house watching them play Wii Bowling and they had a blast. She was getting passionate about telling me how it works. This is coming from a woman that is the same age as my mother! They normally hate consoles but she had gotten into it. She even said, "you've gotta try [Wii] bowling. it was a lot of fun." I had to pick my mouth up off the floor I was so shocked.
Nintendo got the human interface right and everyone knows it.
Although, back on topic, the hot item at work (major retailer) is the PS3. Every time we get a few (4 at a time) in (by way of Fedex or UPS, not on the truck shipment) they are sold before they even get a chance to hit the shelves. Of course we haven't seen anymore Wii's come in since the original shipment of 60.
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