Latest Nintendo Game: Where's Wii?
Spotting a Wii in the wild nearly a year after Nintendo's motion feedback experiment launched is proving to be as difficult as the second to last level of Halo 3. According to NPD August sales data, the Wii is still kicking you-know-what, outselling the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 by a healthy 127,000 and 273,000 units respectively. And if you believe Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime, the holidays are only going to make laying hands on one harder. In a recent interview with the San Jose Mercury News, Fils-Aime responded to the question "What is it about your manufacturing system that doesn't allow you to catch up with demand?"
The issue is not a lack of production. The issue is we went in with a curve that was aggressive, but the demand has been substantially more than that. And the ability to ramp up production and to sustain it is not a switch that you flick on. We're working very hard to make sure that consumers are satisfied this holiday, but I can't guarantee that we're going to meet demand. As a matter of fact, I can tell you on the record we won't.
That's "on the record" in case you missed it, moms and dads reading this, which means you might want to start your holiday shopping early if you're thinking about snatching up a Wii as an end-of-session reward for your hard-working elementary schooler.
I have no doubt Fils-Aime is probably right -- sellout hype has probably sold as many Wiis as anything -- but what of it? Are hardware sales a reason to get in at the ground level when your library selection is still pretty limited? Think about it. Most of the Wii's big name cross-platform stuff like Spider-Man 3 and Shrek the Third and Transformers the Game has been average bordering on atrocious. Except for a smattering of licensed IP stalwarts, e.g. Super Paper Mario, Mario Party 8, and Metroid Prime 3, Nintendo's 2007 lineup zipped by entirely under the radar. Does anyone remember Prince of Persia Rival Swords? Bionicle Heroes? Tamagotchi Party On? Escape from Bug Island? Heatseeker? Legend of the Dragon? Anyone? Nintendo has two, count 'em two, major exclusives coming by year's end: Super Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Bros Brawl. That's it.
Weirdly, critically lambasted stuff like Wii Play -- released back in February 2007 -- has proven impervious to traditionalist pillorying. The latter, whose nine mini-games GamePro called "all, without exception or fail, repetitive and mediocre," is nonetheless fifth in overall August software sales. Games like Wii Play (and Wii Sports, bundled with the system) continue to drive the console off store shelves over and above just about everything else.
That's important, because software sales -- where the real money's made -- are presently dominated by Microsoft, which has to-date sold more Xbox 360 software than Sony and Nintendo combined. In Japan, sales of Wii Play are on the decline, and with 24,992 in system sales -- the lowest weekly number since its launch -- the Wii itself may finally be showing its one-or-two-hit-wonder underbelly.
Can the Wii sustain its lead with upcoming non-events like Petz Catz 2 and Jenga and Smarty Pants? Who knows. It probably depends on the as yet undetermined casual market ceiling. It also depends on that market's proclivity to buy more games once the Wii itself hits market saturation. I rarely play Wii Sports these days, though it comes out as often as Apples to Apples or Reel Clues or Scene It when company's over. But aside from the occasional Zelda (at release) and more recently, Metroid Prime 3, the Wii's presently a distant third on my usage meter. I don't see that changing much in the next four months.
PC World's Marketplace
PC World's Free Whitepapers
tech news tech blogs community & forums laptop prices software reviews downloads
I can guarantee they won't meet demand either. Maybe in some parts of the country yes, but not in most of the country.
I know this cause I have been running a Wii tracker, NowInStock.net, since last November. Up until the last month or so, the Wii would sell out in the matter of minutes online. While stock may be somewhat readily available in stores at this time, it is still not where it should be for certain. The last time Amazon had the Wii in stock it last just over an hour, the longest ever. But, it is important to realize this was just and hour!
So, yes, parents. If you want a Wii for the kiddies this year get on it now
This seems to have been written by somebody who hates Nintendo, also you forgot to mention some great games such as Legend of Zelda, and other games that are on the way like Mario Kart.
The Wii is the greatest gaming consoles I have ever owned, and with the anounced line up of (which seem to escape PC World stores) it is set to get even better.
This article makes a laughing stock out of PCWorld's gaming coverage. He does not remember that there are more good, exclusive games coming to the Wii before the end of the year. These include Battalion Wars 2, Zack and Wiki, and Rayman Raving Rabbids 2. Also, not to mention the other quality games coming to the console including Medal of Honor Heroes 2, Manhunt 2, and more. And if you go farther into the winter, you see such titles as No More Heroes and Mario Kart Wii coming on their way.
I recommend one thing for you Peckham, research what you are going to write about before proceeding with the actual publication of your article.
Well let's see lstormy...
1. If you go by popular response, Battalion Wars for the GC was nothing special, and hardly a bestseller. I won't even mention the 50% Computer Games (now defunct, but very respected) gave it.
2. Rayman Raving Rabbids was kind of funny and a decent party alternative to Wii Sports, but again, hardly a great game.
3. Zack and Wiki? Are you serious? :-) It may be getting critical buzz from IGN, but it's an outlier on the radar at the moment and anyone's guess as to audience appeal. You'd be remiss to call it anything but until it hits.
Speaking of researching what you write, I specified "in the next four months." Mario Kart Wii and No More Heroes doen't hit -- if they're on time -- until 1Q 2008.
I have to agree with Peckham. The Wii is like a new puppy. For the first couple of months it's so fun and new and everyone wants to play with it. Then after it pees on the carpet or takes a dump in your favorite shoes the novelty of talking out for a walk every day starts to wear off. I have played almost every game for the Wii (not that there are a lot) and they are all fun for about a day. I want some substance to my games! Zelda was a rehash with some mildly amusing new twists and semi upgraded graphics. Metroid by far is the best game out for the Wii. But everything else is horrible. No good stories, poor controls, and I am sorry, but shaking the controller is not my idea of fun interaction. I want to have a fully interactive light saber duel or maybe some type of shootout where you have to draw you gun and fire. It seems like there could and should be a lot cooler games out there that utilize the motion sensing capabilities of the Wii. Forget it I'm going out to buy a 360.
PS: Does M.P look like Waldo or does Waldo look like M.P?
I suppose it is all a mute point if you can't track down a Wii system in time for Christmas. We had kept an eye out for one since last summer to no avail. Nintendo obviously is hoping that the hype it receives by people clammoring to get the half a dozen systems allocated to the local Best Buy at 5 in the morning "specials" will keep their system at the top of the heap. Microsoft needs to mount an aggressive ad campaign that states it is the best system that is available in the stores!! I'm not a Microsoft fan per se, but if I have not found a Wii console in the next 2 weeks, they get my vote and my dollars!