Shortage of Wii

[Square]

Does anyone have any idea when the Wii shortages might stop? Considering that Nintendo had quite a bit of stock at launch, I'm surprised that the Japanese import shops are still charging twice the RRP for one.

[MikeRox]

Once demand dies down. No one could possibly predict when that would be though, the DS Lite has apparantly been like this in Japan since it's release despite the number Nintendo have made and sold. (yeah, it's 80-120k per week sales figures aren't a true representation as thats literally all Nintendo can pump out atm)

Nintendo have announced they're ramming up both Wii and DS production rates though so hopefully it shouldn't be too far into the year.

[paul]

Does anyone have any idea when the Wii shortages might stop? Considering that Nintendo had quite a bit of stock at launch, I'm surprised that the Japanese import shops are still charging twice the RRP for one.

I don't get why there are such shortages. I thought it was meant to be about the games, but it seems to have very little to offer me at the moment - and I'd like to think I shared similar tastes to most of Nintendo's traditional audience. Zelda is the only thing that is making me keep my Wii, that and the hope of some as yet unannounced games.

With the PS3 on the horizon, I'm sure those shortages will be sorted.

[elkatas]

I don't get why there are such shortages. I thought it was meant to be about the games, but it seems to have very little to offer me at the moment - and I'd like to think I shared similar tastes to most of Nintendo's traditional audience.

Have you ever considered that console is selling to audience that isn't traditionally attracted to Nintendo? How 'bout that? Wii has more positive buzz in USA and Japan than any other console, so it isn't really surprising casuals are flocking to it.

[paul]

Have you ever considered that console is selling to audience that isn't traditionally attracted to Nintendo? How 'bout that? Wii has more positive buzz in USA and Japan than any other console, so it isn't really surprising casuals are flocking to it.

Yes, but casuals don't normally constsitue the early adopter market. B

By the way, do you work for Nintendo? You always appear to jump in defence of any perceived attack.

[Ouenben]

b

Have you ever considered that console is selling to audience that isn't traditionally attracted to Nintendo? How 'bout that? Wii has more positive buzz in USA and Japan than any other console, so it isn't really surprising casuals are flocking to it.

Yes they are trying to get the "non-gamers" market and seem to be doing well with DS and Wii at this mission but they can't forget about the core fans. The ones that enjoy their Zeldas, mario, smash bros and deeper games that arent minigame fests.

I love the wii but I really am wanting some deeper single player games, Zelda. Well I finished that and I lost interest finishing it the 2nd time, so what do I have to play now? Wario ware or Wii sports... hmm yeh not that interesting for me I'll switch the 360 on instead.

Oh wait here comes my cousins and auntie, I'll switch the wii on and have fun in multiplayer.

Yeh so it's fun, thats for sure but it doesnt offer much for single player at the moment other than a bunch of lousy 3rd party titles (red steel.. no thanks)

[elkatas]

By the way, do you work for Nintendo? You always appear to jump in defence of any perceived attack.

I just stated the facts. And considering that everybody here jumps to defend his pet cause*, I don't think I'm really special in any way. It is just that I tend to defend thing that isn't very popular to defend, and people see it as "Ah, you must working to company X".

* For example, try to speak about HD-TVs here and even think something negative. Let's see how long it takes before certain members basically jump on your throat.

[elkatas]

I love the wii but I really am wanting some deeper single player games, Zelda. Well I finished that and I lost interest finishing it the 2nd time, so what do I have to play now?

This is how it always works on launches. For example, what good titles you actually had for Xbox 360 during first six months if you didn't like FPS's? PGR3 and Oblivion. You really can't win no matter what console you buy at launch.

EDIT: Furthermore, Nintendo has 19 titles for this year. After WarioWare, only Wii Music could even considered minigame / casual fest.

[paul]

I just stated the facts. And considering that everybody here jumps to defend his pet cause*, I don't think I'm really special in any way. It is just that I tend to defend thing that isn't very popular to defend, and people see it as "Ah, you must working to company X".

* For example, try to speak about HD-TVs here and even think something negative. Let's see how long it takes before certain members basically jump on your throat.

Those are not the facts. I don't believe for one second that people who pre-ordered months in advance were casuals. I don't believe for one second that people who queued come rain or wind were casuals. That goes against the very nature of a casual gamer.

I suspect there are an awful lot of disappointed Nintendo fans out there, like myself. Considering I've been gaming since the early 80s and have supported every Nintendo console going, this launch feels like a real smack in the face.
When GC lauched, we had Pikmin, Waverace and Luigi's Mansion, Rogue Leader, etc. This has just been poor.

If Nintendo wants to go for the casual buck fair enough, but that audience does not explain the shortages.

[paul]

Yes they are trying to get the "non-gamers" market and seem to be doing well with DS and Wii at this mission but they can't forget about the core fans. The ones that enjoy their Zeldas, mario, smash bros and deeper games that arent minigame fests.

I love the wii but I really am wanting some deeper single player games, Zelda. Well I finished that and I lost interest finishing it the 2nd time, so what do I have to play now? Wario ware or Wii sports... hmm yeh not that interesting for me I'll switch the 360 on instead.

Oh wait here comes my cousins and auntie, I'll switch the wii on and have fun in multiplayer.

Yeh so it's fun, thats for sure but it doesnt offer much for single player at the moment other than a bunch of lousy 3rd party titles (red steel.. no thanks)

I poppped into Blockbuster earlier to see if there might be some new surprise titles waiting for me. Unfortunately I left dispppaointed. The only other way I can justify my Wii's existence is to pick up some Pal GC titles which I never got round to finishing on my NTSC Cube.

[elkatas]

Those are not the facts. I don't believe for one second that people who pre-ordered months in advance were casuals. I don't believe for one second that people who queued come rain or wind were casuals. That goes against the very nature of a casual gamer.

Sure. But after that, positive mouth-to-mouth buzz and huge media tout made casuals interested. "Pre-order dorks" are core fans.

When GC lauched, we had Pikmin, Waverace and Luigi's Mansion, Rogue Leader, etc. This has just been poor.

I guess you are speaking about European launch. Launch that was nine and half months after Japanese launch*. It isn't really surprising that Euro launch had actually some decent titles out or coming soon. Same reason why PS3's European launch looks really good. It has practically all titles that Sony has got for PS3 during five months.

* Japanese launch had Wave Race and Luigi's Mansion. After that it took three months before Pikmin did come out. Four months later you got NBA Courtside 2002. Two months after that you got SMS.

[paul]

Sure. But after that, positive mouth-to-mouth buzz and huge media tout made casuals interested. "Pre-order dorks" are core fans.

I guess you are speaking about European launch. Launch that was nine and half months after Japanese launch*. It isn't really surprising that Euro launch had actually some decent titles out or coming soon. Same reason why PS3's European launch looks really good. It has practically all titles that Sony has got for PS3 during five months.

* Japanese launch had Wave Race and Luigi's Mansion. After that it took three months before Pikmin did come out. Four months later you got NBA Courtside 2002. Two months after that you got SMS.

I can certainly believe that might hold on Japan, where the market is fundamentally different and gaming is a far more mainstream pastime.

However, you're making large assumptions right there about our market. There wasn't a media bandwagon for the Wii until fairly close to launch by which time most outlets were already expecting shortages. And yes, that was probably down to us 'pre-order dorks'.

I can't think of one person I know of, who have taken an interest in the Wii and ask me about it,actually taking positive steps to buy a Wii.

As for your other points, well considering the lack of GC titles over recent years, what have nintendo actually been doing?

[Ouenben]

This is how it always works on launches. For example, what good titles you actually had for Xbox 360 during first six months if you didn't like FPS's? PGR3 and Oblivion. You really can't win no matter what console you buy at launch.

EDIT: Furthermore, Nintendo has 19 titles for this year. After WarioWare, only Wii Music could even considered minigame / casual fest.

Mario party 8, Wii play (usa), Big brain academy...


I shouldnt judge yet as it's only 2 months in but I think the Wii won't have as many Single player games for us core fans as we'd like.
I just see them getting too interested in attracting the "new gamers"

[elkatas]

I can't think of one person I know of, who have taken an interest in the Wii and ask me about it,actually taking positive steps to buy a Wii.

UK and USA are quite different animals when it comes to Wii marketing*. And I can count over 40 occurences from Penny Arcade and GAF forums, where poster has boasted how his relatives are buying Wii after Wii Sports match. And consider this, Wii has sold 4.05 million units worlwide. I believe this simply can't be anymore just pre-order / core-audience.

* They even had goddamn Oprah and Dr. Phil playing with Wii

[elkatas]

I shouldnt judge yet as it's only 2 months in but I think the Wii won't have as many Single player games for us core fans as we'd like.

16 this year... There is honestly limit how much stuff Nintendo can crank out, especially when they also need to juggle with DS games. But it is fair fear to believe we are going to see lots of casual games.