Despite promising that Nintendo will be able to ship a huge amount of Wiis to the US this Christmas, Reggie Fils-Aime has now stated that the 'unprecedented' amount of Wiis just won't be enough to stop the little white console from selling out during this looming holiday season, making it the second time that children will weep with disappointment when it comes time to open their presents.
"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," explained the beef-flavored Nintendo of America head. "And the ability to ramp up production and to sustain it is not a switch that you flick on." The hamburger fisted boss doesn't even try and give us hope that everyone will be happy. He stated on the record that Nintendo simply won't manage to provide a Wii to every American that wants one.
This will be the second holiday period in a row during which the Wii will be less than available to the masses, something that is quite amazing in and of itself. Do we believe Meaty Reggie when he says that the Wii is still so super popular that they don't have enough, or is it the old business trick of creating demand by holding off supply? All I know is, if demand is so high, no wonder Nintendo doesn't feel the need to keep customers around with more games.
[Thanks to Justin]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
Likes
PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3
Meet the rest of the team
| BBcode help |
| [b]Bold text[/b] |
Bold text |
| [i]Italic text[/i] |
Italic text |
| [url]http://www.dtoid.com/[/url] |
http://www.dtoid.com |
| [url=http://www.dtoid.com/]Web link[/url] |
Web link |
|
| [img]http://www.example.com/robot.jpg[/img] |
 |
Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
26 comments | showing # 1 to 26
|
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
Comments policy
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
10:56 AM on 10.01.2007
| 
Oh, and games would be appreciated, too.
especially during christmas, they have to come home with something for junior, so they'll end up buying a ps2 or or a 360/ps3 instead.
But he is right in that Wii components are not hard to manufacture. They should be able to keep up with demand, even if that demand is monstrous.
Of course, that 360 might stop working at any moment, but still...
Sure if you are looking for just the system you might run into an issue because most sites are selling them as bundles, but you know deep down you are going to buy more than just the console anyway when you do eventually get it.
Sometimes I wonder if this Wii craze is artificially inflated. I don't know any non-gamers that own Wiis (the coveted 'casual gamer audience), and those that do have been using them as doorstops and coasters until SSBB comes out.
Dammit, Jim, why are you making me hungry while thinking about Reggie? It just feels... wrong, somehow.
I'm still not sure about the great Wii shortage conspiracy. If they didn't make a substantial profit on the hardware, I would be tempted to believe it. On the other hand, maintaining scarcity does keep hype up among casuals, who have been surprisingly ill-served by Nintendo's first party offerings so far. I actually have fewer complaints about the Big N's core offerings than its expanded audience games. If they could get a full golf game that controls like Wii Sports and looks like Tiger Woods, dads would be all over that shizz.
Last Christmas I played with all the Wii demos in the mall and I thought they were really cool, but I've long since given up hope. I'm not going to stalk shipping trucks or check tracker websites or crap like that. I just want to walk in and buy a Wii. SSBB better be so brilliant I'd want to shelve SSBM. Otherwise, I may just ignore the Wii altogether. I can get an Xbox 360, PS3, or upgrade my PC with no hassle.
Nintendo, if you want to do a VC list, try adding online play before charging $5-$10 a pop. Or else we might all just break all of your protected laws and download ROMS. Because those can go online... and they're free.
That there, that right there is why I love you Jim Sterling. The amount of times I have made this same point and been told I am an idiot for it is not funny.
there's only a certain point until the frustrated people get tired of waiting and just eventually lose interest.
I've already lost interest... :(
About a month ago I just said fuck it, "who cares about getting a Wii". I'll wait until Nintendo stops playing around.
That is NOT a console strategy. The real reason why they are underproducing is because it costs less money. Ramping up production means paying more per unit, reducing profits.
Nintendo figures out how much each system costs at a certain production run, and factors in additional sales per unit with more supply. If ramping up production doesn't offset the increased manufacturing cost, they sit and wait.
I mean, they're Nintendo! Of course consumers are going to wait for Nintendo to get its act together. Seriously, people will wait. Nintendo knows this, so it's all about profit per unit...
...and insane greed.
*Iliketuna: "There's only a certain point until the frustrated people get tired of waiting and just eventually lose interest."
Not really. The Wii is cheap, so the pitch is, "you might as well get one". Also, with so many ungodly overpriced accessories available thanks to the gizmo factor, stores make more money on the Wii. Stores will *always* push people towards a Wii for this reason. I mean, my local newspaper ads never pitch the 360. The Wii is the only thing advertised, even though THEY DON'T HAVE ANY.
Also, what was all this buzz about Wii60?
*Necros: "The only upside to fewer units being made is that they can make sure that the fail rate is incredibly low"
I thought their conservative choice in hardware did that automatically. If it doesn't do much, doesn't work that hard, or has very few pieces to break, it's not gonna blow up.
*SourGr8pes: "Sometimes I wonder if this Wii craze is artificially inflated."
Not for the public. If anything, it's potential investors that will be fooled.
*Boxhound: "I'll wait until Nintendo stops playing around."
Did you notice the price increase on VC this week? You'll be waiting for a long time.