We're coming up on the second anniversary of our favorite console this November, and with the supply of Wii consoles still not catching up with the demand, we were wondering how many of you out there are still hunting for a system still? Are you hunting one down for yourself or for somebody else? Already have one, had your folks try it, now they want you to find them one?Posts with tag demand
Wii Warm Up: Are you still looking?
We're coming up on the second anniversary of our favorite console this November, and with the supply of Wii consoles still not catching up with the demand, we were wondering how many of you out there are still hunting for a system still? Are you hunting one down for yourself or for somebody else? Already have one, had your folks try it, now they want you to find them one?'Most shocking': The death of Jennifer Strange
The end of every year is fraught with polls and recaps, but this one easily caught our eye for a variety of reasons. The death of 28-year-old Jennifer Strange after a radio station's "Hold your Wee for a Wii" contest was voted the most shocking tech story of the year by readers at geeksugar. Would you agree? The story faced some fierce competition, particularly when considering that one of the other contenders was the story of a Nevada couple too wrapped up in their games to care for their young children. To us, the latter is certainly more horrific, but that wasn't the question.Water intoxication is not exactly a commonly known cause of death; it's one of those rarities that's always guaranteed to raise an eyebrow. But with the extreme demand for the Wii since its very release, it's hard to say we're surprised at the lengths people will go to get one. For once, however, we can easily say we'd rather see people paying scalpers on eBay than putting themselves at risk.
Nintendo, Wii GHIII make list of blunders
Next-Gen has compiled a fairly accurate list of some of the worst -- or at least, dumbest -- events to befall the industry this year. From Gerstmanngate to Jack Tretton offering to buy any PS3s hanging around on shelves (boy, that one was embarrassing), the year's greatest flubs are tied up here in one neat package. And success aside, even Nintendo is not immune.Despite their banner year, Nintendo made a few miscalculations of their own -- namely, in their lack of Wii supply. While it seems that every effort was made to ramp up production, the shortages cost Iwata and co. a fair share of that giant pile o' cash they're lounging upon. But the real head-shaker came with the Wii's Guitar Hero III and the Case of the Missing Audio Necessities, which popped in at number three on the list. Thanks to a tipster, we first noticed the sound problems in late October, and while a fix has been promised, owners are still waiting on replacement discs, which will be available in "early 2008." Now that's a blunder.
Wii Warm Up: Nowhere to be found
The consoles aren't the only things to be sold out this year -- a number of Wii games and accessories have been scarce as well. Were you looking to buy something for someone's Wii this year, only to be thwarted? I personally had to check at several stores just to find a copy of Resident Evil 4 for the Wii, and forget picking up extra controllers without a lengthy search. How's your shopping experience been?
Surprise: Demand for Wii, DS out of control
While our quick glance at eBay this morning revealed lower sales prices than some we've seen for the Wii (we didn't see anything over $450), demand for the DS and Wii this holiday season remains extraordinarily high. UK-based MCV says retailers there are selling out of both systems as soon as they arrive. Nick Arran of Amazon (we assume Amazon UK) told the site, "The demand for DS and Wii is like nothing I've ever seen in my time in the industry." Many DS Lite models are sold out on Amazon UK, and as with Amazon US, Wiis prices at Amazon Marketplace hover in the stratosphere. At this point, there are probably a lot of desperate Brits who are hoping for a raincheck program of their own. The demand seems good for the retailers, though. While they may field endless questions about product, the moment stock comes within a few feet of their shops, it's gone.Wii Warm Up: Have you seen it?
Have you ever seen a Wii actually sitting on a shelf, unpurchased? For a while, they were around, but we only ever saw one maybe once -- in an entire year. More than, now. Of course, right now, the Wii is more scarce than an honest politician, so we can't possibly expect to see one just hanging about, but did you ever manage to catch one in the wild?Custom Wii on eBay LIKE NEW, except not [update]
[Update: As one of our commenters noticed, it seems this listing is gone from eBay. A shame, too -- we were hoping to snag something like this just in time for "chrostmas." It's our favorite time of year!]
Continue reading Custom Wii on eBay LIKE NEW, except not [update]
Wii Warm Up: Would you pay extra?
With the crazy prices on eBay, as well as those on so many of the ridiculous retail bundles, we've got to ask -- if you were (or are) still hunting for a Wii, either for yourself or someone else, would you pay extra? We're curious because some of these prices just seem ridiculously crazy and we can't imagine how desperate someone must be to lay down four hundred bones for just a Wii, no extras. Still, one good thing has come out of all of this, and that's hilarious eBay salesmanship. Wii + 14 games!!! Except those "fourteen games" are all the minigames in Wii Sports and Wii Play. So really, that's a) one game-that-isn't-a-full-game (even though we love it) that comes as a pack-in, and b) one game that most people buy just for the extra Wii remote. According to our sane Earth math, that's like one-and-a-half games, tops.
But hey, we're not buying (crazy marked-up consoles, anyway). Are you?
Want a Wii? Wait until April.
It's been more then a year since launch, and demand is still heavily outweighing supply for the Wii. According to Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter, the two won't manage find balance in the U.S. until April. That means that people won't be able to walk into a store and find a healthy supply of Wiis for another four months. Pachter also estimates that the Wii will sell 1.7 million units this December, beating out the Xbox 360 and PS3 despite its limited supply.Need we really bring up the printing money meme again?
Wii Warm Up: Through the roof
Just yesterday, we were discussing the insane prices for Wiis on eBay, but the online auction service isn't the only place anxious consumers will pay through the nose for a Wii. Bundles at many stores, even with multiple games, are more than they should be for all the components included, and all the Amazon marketplace sellers are charging crazy amounts for consoles. As the month wears on, how high do you think prices will go -- and how do you feel about the phenomenon, particularly in regard to retailers overcharging for bundles?
Wii Warm Up: The great hunt
Wii Warm Up: Shortages
Nearly a year into the release of the Wii, the shortages continue. Some areas enjoyed a little short-lived respite, but with the holidays around the corner, it seems that once again -- for a variety of possible reasons -- getting your hands on a Wii is about as common as spying a leprechaun in the wild. As a Nintendo fan, does the continued demand for the console surprise you? Certainly, during the holidays, it makes sense; during November and December, it can be difficult to find a toothpick, much less a hot commodity, but it's not like this is new. Did you expect things might taper off a little? Nintendo seemed to expect it, even if you didn't, at least now that we've all gotten over the initial shock that came with everyone demanding a Wii.
Wii Warm Up: Will it last?
It's the thing that just won't go away -- the idea that the Wii is overhyped, and that any day now, demand is going to simply disappear. The Wii will die. The gaming industry will crumble. The flood will come. Puppies and kittens everywhere will go unhugged. Please share in a moment of collective yawn with us, because we've heard it all before.But that doesn't mean we can't discuss it. Do you think the Wii has staying power? As soon as the console gets over the first-year hump (we saw it with the early DS lineup, after all), will this even be an issue?
Wii Warm Up: Continued shortages and our periodic check-in
Every now and then, we just have to ask -- if you've been looking for a Wii, have you found one yet? Have you given in to bundles just to get it over with? Give us a status update! And in general, we'd love to hear about demand where you are. Are random people (read: not gamers) still crowing about the Wii where you live? Have the shortages seemed to have an affect -- good or bad -- on the desires of the masses? Some people think the demand will wear down eventually, but the commercials and word of mouth seem to be fueling a continued momentum.
Nintendo searching for more Wii manufacturers
Nintendo has struggled to meet the Wii's demand in every region, so much so that retailers have accused the company of planning "strategic shortages." Four months after the console's initial release, it's still unlikely that you'll be able to find a Wii on store shelves.Up until now, Foxconn Precision Components has been the sole manufacturer behind the Wii's assembly. Nintendo hopes to increase its production by taking on an additional manufacturing partner, researching offers from Asustek Computer, Compal Electronics, Inventec, and Wistron.
It's great that Nintendo is looking to increase the amount of systems it ships out, but how long will it be before we see the benefits of this partnership? It was already evident that the Wii's supply was constrained months ago -- why didn't Nintendo bring in a new manufacturer then?
[Via Next Generation]
