Nintendo has confirmed through a press release that they have sold over 600,000 Wii consoles in the Americas and is completely sold out. With the inclusion of first-party software and accessories, the Wii is now a $190
million buisness in North America.
According to the press release "the system also is succeeding in its stated mission of reinvigorating current players, while attracting new ones...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."
Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime was very pleased with the Wii's launch and he even had time to get in a jab at Sony's PS3 shortages.
"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. 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."
A phenominal launch indeed as the rate of Nintendo Wii consoles sold is nearly one every second.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess has also done very well selling over 454,000 units, meaning more than 75% of Wii owners are also Zelda owners.
EA Studio President Paul Lee and Ubisoft President Laurent Detoc also praised the Wii.
"Madden NFL 07 is a great example of how the Wii gives players a whole new experience on their favorite games. 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. Having the opportunity to design and develop entirely new game-play experiences using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk is both exciting and rewarding."
Nintendo didn't reach it's goal of 1 million Wiis at launch, however they say we will still see 4 million before the end of the year.
Wii is a massive hit - 600,000 First-Week Purchases Attracting Veteran and New Gamers - Go Nintendo
Congratulations Nintendo. It didn't take long to sell out at all. And just imagine the numbers you'll be getting when the Japanese launch happens.
If the Launch date for Europa is here I am sure the 1 million at launch will be broken
Hooray for Nintendo! Cut the cake and pour the champagne!
Zelda practicly made the Wii sell out so much.
Well in Australia the Wii is set to be the biggest video game console release in HISTORY. Thats just an idea of how much we'll be contributing to the sales total.
I wanna see those numbers fly when the entire WORLD is capable of getting a Wii. Well, not the ENTIRE world... some Antarcticans are gonna have some trouble.
Or just when the Europeans go crazy.
Our retailers around the country are being forced to stop taking preorders because they may not be able to guarantee enough at launch. They've even had to contact Nintendo Australia about it... this is gonna be huge.
Why did this system come out first in America??? I love that and I'm glad but why?
Who knows, maybe it was becuase Nintendo knew they would be facing alot of resistence from PS3 in America so they had to try and get it out asap. As for Japan they knew that they would be able to get a decent grip as they were happy with the DSLite.
As for Europe and Australia, I have no idea... I think they just don't care.
or more likely so it would be out for the Thanksgiving holiday. U.S. is only country that celebrates, but also marks a HUGE point in sales for the country, so Nintendo likely realized that if the system wasn't out before/about then, the sales wouldn't be quite as good as they have been
I think it was both these points that contributed to it launching in America first.
way to never admit you're wrong Lemon
Way to go, Nintendo!
This is one small step for fans, and one giant blow to Sony's wallet!
way to never admit you're wrong Lemon
Me? Wrong? Whenever they go in the one sentence a species goes extinct.
hmm Every company has to focus somewhere and of course some places more than others. I think Nintendo was looking to have the U.S. set up and ready to go.. because not everyone sells so well in Japan like they do here in the U.S. We can't say that about the Wii however since it's been doing decently.
Closing in on 700k, but with the Japan release right around the corner, I think they will break 1 million by the end of the weekend!! Eat it SONY!!
By the end of the year or mid summer next year I think the Wii will outsell the 360.