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Consumer electronics industry

Nintendo's Wii Consoles Sell Out in Japan Amid High Demand

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Nintendo's Wii consoles sold out at some Japanese retailers over the weekend, indicating a strong demand for the innovative gaming system. Yodobashi Camera, a prominent electronics retailer in Tokyo, opened two hours earlier than usual and put up a "sold out" sign by 8 a.m. on Saturday. The Wii's lower price and unique wireless motion controller are seen as key factors in its success, potentially helping Nintendo steal market share from Sony and Microsoft. Analysts predict strong sales, with Nintendo expecting to sell four million units worldwide by December 31.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nintendo's Wii consoles sold out at some Japanese retailers over the weekend, highlighting high demand for the innovative gaming system.
  • Yodobashi Camera, a prominent electronics retailer in Tokyo, opened two hours earlier than usual and put up a "sold out" sign by 8 a.m. on Saturday.
  • The Wii's lower price and unique wireless motion controller are seen as key factors in its success, potentially helping Nintendo steal market share from Sony and Microsoft.
  • Nintendo expects to sell four million units worldwide by December 31, surpassing Sony's target of two million PlayStation 3s and Microsoft's estimate of 10 million Xbox 360s.
  • The company has delivered 400,000 Wii consoles to retailers in Japan for the opening day and has produced one million units to replenish stores like Yodobashi, which sold out of the game.
  • Nintendo sold more than 600,000 Wii consoles in the Americas during the product's first eight days, exceeding internal sales projections.
  • Sony shipped 169,082 PlayStation 3 consoles in Japan in the first three weeks, falling short of its forecasted sales of 100,000 units on the first day.

Statistics:

  • 400,000 Wii consoles delivered to retailers in Japan for the opening day
  • 1,000,000 units produced to replenish stores like Yodobashi, which sold out of the game
  • 600,000 Wii consoles sold in the Americas during the product's first eight days
  • 169,082 PlayStation 3 consoles shipped in Japan in the first three weeks
  • Wiis sold for ¥25,000 ($217) in Japan, while the low-end models of PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are priced at ¥49,980 and ¥29,800, respectively

Sources:

  • Masashi Mori, "Nintendo's Wii consoles sold out in Japan," Asahi Shimbun, November 26, 2006.
  • "Nintendo sold 400,000 Wii consoles to retailers in Japan," Reuters, November 25, 2006.
  • "Sony shipped 169,082 PlayStation 3 consoles in Japan," Enterbrain, November 24, 2006.

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