[andy8]

Europe ahead of launch on December 8 and with an unprecedented number of pre-orders having been taken, it is likely that there will be exceptional demand for the system when it goes on sale in Europe.

Nintendo is doing their utmost to replenish stocks and ensure that as many people as possible who want to experience Wii, can do so in time for Christmas. But the message for shoppers is clear – to play with Wii, or just to get your hands on one, you need to get moving!

"We're launching a great product and we knew that demand would be high. Nintendo's expansion of the gaming market is paying dividends and Wii really is the 'must have' item for Christmas. Obviously, we're doing everything we can to make sure that everyone who wants one, gets one."
- Laurent Fischer, Marketing Director, Nintendo of Europe

Nintendo is shipping an exceptionally large number of consoles - 4 million globally by the end of 2006 - the largest ever for a Nintendo console launch. Wii launched in the US on November 19 and sold over 600,000 consoles in just one week. That’s a rate of nearly one per second continuously since the launch date. The European and Japanese launches follow close behind – Europe on December 8 and Japan on December 2.

The intuitive, motion sensitive control of Wii means that a much wider audience than traditional 'gamers' are interested in the console – hence the surge in demand as Nintendo continues to broaden the video games market. Across Europe this year, Nintendo has reached an installed base of 7 million with the handheld, touch-screen Nintendo DS console – success which Wii aims to replicate in the home.


Wii Sports packs waiting to be shipped to retailers

[mummyno4]

I must admit i've recently seen some of the games on the tv advertised that are for this console and i myself am getting more and more interested in a purchase . It will have to wait till after christmas though but i like the idea of it.

[wilko]

You couldn't GIVE me one of these.

I don't know what the fuss is about. The graphics are no better than a PS2,in fact the hardware specs are comparable with a PS2 or original XBOX.

They are advertising this as a next-gen console, but it clearly isn't. It's just a gamecube with an innovative controller.

The only possible reason to buy one of these is for the Nintendo-specific game titles. If you want real next-gen gaming you should buy a 360 or PS3.

[michael blunty]

With ninty it's not about graphics though, is it?

Can you imagine photo real mario?

Nintendo have always been the most original, creative and interesting of the consolers IMO
D-pad, manual joystick etc

I may think about a ps3 in march...or maybe see if the 360 is dealtastic...until then...zelda zelda and...erm a bit more zelda

[smashed]

Glad that I cancelled my order.
The advert put me right off. Im sure I would get bored of swinging a remote around to hit something, particularly when you cant even control the character to hit the ball.zzzzzzzz

Will wait and see what decent games come out, and how much the console drops in price first.

[Silent Bob]

The Yanks have been complaining about arm and back strain after only 2-3 hours of playing!

[moes_girl]

Only reason I want one of these is because it's Nintendo, hopefully it will bring back fond memories of my brother's SNES when growing up. I know graphics are important to big time gamers but for people like me who just likes to play silly nintendo games the Wii is just what I have been waiting for. :grin:

[KeyserSoze]

Originally Posted by moes_girl

Only reason I want one of these is because it's Nintendo, hopefully it will bring back fond memories of my brother's SNES when growing up. I know graphics are important to big time gamers but for people like me who just likes to play silly nintendo games the Wii is just what I have been waiting for. :grin:

or just buy a snes and games for a fraction of the wii price :wink: :grin:

[moes_girl]

I want the fancy controller though. :grin:

[stingersplash]

i know the wii isnt as hip as havng a 360 or wanting a ps3 - but im not fussed if its not next gen or amazing graphics - at the end of the day im not a hardened gamer, i dont play the popular games (all these war ones and first person shooters) so for me paying 300-600 for a console is absurd. ok so this is a glammed up GC, but there are some top games coming out for it and ill be happy with it - its the first console ive bought on release as i usually wait years, but i just like the look of this one.

differenr strokes for different folks of course, but i love mario and mario is nintendo!