Keeping the production numbers where they are is just another cost cutting measure that is keeping Nintendo rolling in the $$$.

Keeping the Wii out of the hands of the wishfull consumer only generates more anticipation & hype

Gee, Jack, who would want to do that?

I wouldn't necessarily say the Wii is too popular to manufacture enough, especially after a year, but I would say it has something to do with. Don't get me wrong, my personal opinion is that Reggie is talking bullshit. I just think they are holding off incase everybody loses interest. Also this way they can keep a constant stream of Wiis coming in.

Oh man, Jack already flamed this post :(

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.

The only upside to fewer units being made is that they can make sure that the fail rate is incredibly low, something certain other companies can't claim. Other than that, this is total bullshit.

What a load of crap. I'll have to agree with Jack on this one.

Whatever. If you haven't been able to get a Wii yet it's your own damn fault.

I always wondered; is there REALLY such a huge demand for the Wii, or do they only make 10 of them a month? Hell, they make more Limited Edition Dukes of Hazzard collection plates than that a month.

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.

Second holiday season? I think you mean the second year.

Artificial supply squeez keeps it moving, the exact reason why wii sales slowed down drastically in Japan was because they increased supply.

I'm actually finally started seeing systems in the wild. Won't last long with the holidays coming up. Reggie is right that production can't be increased just by flipping a switch, but it's been a year now. Get on it already.

All I know is, if demand is so high, no wonder Nintendo doesn't feel the need to keep customers around with more games.

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.

JACK of No Trades: "Keeping the Wii out of the hands of the wishfull consumer only generates more anticipation & hype."

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.

I WANT THE WII!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh wait. I have one first day. I'm having a wonderful time making Mii's its awsome!