Nintendo: 1 million Wiis for NA launch

[UPDATE] Nintendo Canada GM expects 1 million units of upcoming console in North America on November 19.

With only 400,000 PlayStation 3s headed to North America for the console's launch on November 17, diehard Sony fans are already plotting out their strategies for getting a PS3 on day one. Though Sony is launching with more units than Microsoft's Xbox 360 launch last year, shortages are still expected.

While Sony fans visit camping supply stores and sharpen their poking sticks, the Nintendo loyal will likely have an easier time getting their hands on the company's new console, if a report from the Canadian Press is correct.

Speaking about the Wii's price and release-date announcement with the news service, Nintendo of Canada VP and general manager Ron Bertram said, "We're looking at a million [units] for North America at launch."

Previously, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime only specified that 4 million Wiis would be out by the end of the calendar year, with the majority headed for North America.

"If we get what we're supposed to get, this will be our most plentiful launch in the 15 years I've been at Nintendo," Bertram said. "All signs are actually extremely positive."

[UPDATE] Nintendo of America has responded to various reports claiming that Bertram's figures were fact. Apparently, the final tally for Wiis designated for the North American launch may be even greater than a million, according to a cryptic statement from the company.

Says Nintendo: "A number of outlets have reported a misstatement about the number of Wii consoles that will be available in the Americas during the launch rollout. In fact, the truth is even better. After the Americas lead the worldwide launch on Nov. 19, Nintendo expects to sell 4 million Wii consoles globally by the end of 2006, with the largest allotment available in the Americas. Although we expect a huge demand for the consoles, we are working to ensure a plentiful supply and a consistent flow."

548 Comments

  • poncho88x

    Posted Nov 13, 2006 9:18 pm PT

    This system is going to change video gamin forever

  • bigcrusha

    Posted Oct 3, 2006 2:39 pm PT

    Any wii bashers should get a life!! i like all three next gen and they all have ups and downs, wii rocks and will fit in to the next gen collection. Looks like everybody who wants one will be able to get their hands on one.Nintendo keeps making great moves and steppin up every day. I'm making sure the wii is first on my christmas list!!!! (xbox 360 second and then ps3 third)

  • unknown555525

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 2:34 pm PT

    It's common sence that You can make things faster when no one is using the parts for it anymore. 4Million WII's is a low number. With how old everything in it is, they could make 40 Million. Reasons I'm NOT buying a WII.

    #1. I ONLY own a 1080P HDTV, and since I bought it I stopped playing the Xbox, PS2 and GC, the reason is that playing a game in 640X480 on an HDTV is horrible, thats why I got an Xbox360

    #2 Low resolutions cause eye sight problems.

    #3 I liked mario........When I was much younger. They need to drop it.

    #4 I mostly play games when I'm tired. Such as when I wake up, get back from work, or when I'm sick. There's no way in hell that I'm going to swing around a controller (and probebly break something). I like to play games with friends, but this damn controller will probebly make me accidentally hit them, due to the fact that we will all be sitting on the same couch.

    I love HIGH DEF. That's why I got an Xbox360. But many of the games run choppy, have no texture filtering or Vsync. If the PS3 fixes these problems then I'll get one. But a Wii is a HELL NO IM NOT GETTING ONE POS console that may have been great (to me) about 10 years ago

  • darksaber91

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 11:28 am PT

    in my opinion the wii and ps3 are very similar to the ds/dsl and psp. wii promises revolutionary gameplay while ps3 promises a lot of multimedia functionality, graphics and stuff like that. Wait, who is the winner between ds and psp?

  • cmjavier

    Posted Sep 30, 2006 9:04 pm PT

    that's awesome. nintendo says "we are working to ensure a plentiful supply and a consistent flow."

  • yawannataco

    Posted Sep 28, 2006 2:29 pm PT

    And with that my plans to construct the ultimate console are nearly complete! WII60, YOU ARE WITHIN MY GRASP! BWAHAHA!

  • nestea_king

    Posted Sep 28, 2006 12:23 pm PT

    sam8917
    Can't wait for all three to combine and make one glorious, insane console so there's no more **** about which isbetter/which sucks and needing a console just for one or two games...until then...

    EFF YOU WII PEOPLE! METALGEARSOLIDFOUR B*****S! that racing game for ps3 also looks hellasweet...the hovercar one...FATAL INERTIA!

    I can't wait for the three months to come either, so that I can see you being disappointed. I think it will be Wii first, then 360, then PS3. I'm not a Sony hater or anything. But they've made a big mistake this time. They had it right with the PS2, low cost, and MANY games. I don't know what got into their heads. Look at the success of the PS2 last gen, it sold the most by almost double the Xbox, which was 2nd place, and the PS2 had the worst graphics. But even thought the PS2 had the worst graphics of them all, it still came in first, because it was AFFORDABLE to the average consumer. But now they seem to think having the best graphics, and high price (the exact opposite of the PS2) will make them come on top.

  • Zero254

    Posted Sep 28, 2006 5:34 am PT

    Yes, this is indeed good news for a good group of people.
    I l know I will be getting my Console.

    Then a xbox360 too.

    Then sometime later... A ps3.....Thank Tekken and Ninja Gaiden Sigma.

  • polonius

    Posted Sep 28, 2006 12:15 am PT

    i worship the snes bundle now i cna worship the wii bundle too im so HAPPY

  • _Sam_

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 6:47 pm PT

    that's great

  • rusty_13

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 5:46 pm PT

    i only hope i can get twilight princess...

  • MajinNick

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 5:28 pm PT

    I hope the stores will soon find out how many they are getting in so I can reserve mine.

  • grenadier53

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 3:22 pm PT

    Rarson makes a true statement. Id like to see Sony SELL 4 million PS3 let alone making them as well. Good luck Sony. Nintendo is doing an awesome job of looking at the mind of a human being seeing where there is likes and dislikes. I do know I don't get 1000 dollars like the some of you and that is the reason why I am for Nintendo. Thats not the case. I truly am %100 for gameplay. I loved LOZ Wind Waker even with the cartoony grahpics. I still play SNES games and I still love them more than games out today. So, I personally enjoy this because $250 + 2 games + 2 contolers (more) + a possible memory card = an estiamte between 400-550 dollars. (i am only guessing. Dont patronize me) Compared to a possible $750-900 (only for the less memory PS3 console with the same idea)

  • demonik_360

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 3:11 pm PT

    *head explodes*

  • bobreturns

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 1:45 pm PT

    lol true cycoivan but still abit harsh

  • Gunitsoldier91

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 1:44 pm PT

    cant wait for the wii

  • cycoivan

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 8:59 am PT

    To King Dodongo:

    Nonsense, all my comrades (and myself) have more than 1000 dollars right now, why saying something you don't understand that much?

    If I am to assume correctly, you are from Mexico? Why don't you reread my post before saying something stupid in broken English. To refresh your memory, I said that "most" people in Mexico couldn't afford a Wii.

    If you are trying to tell me that 54 million people (that's half the population) in Mexico can afford $250 (or whatever they are going to charge in Mexico) without sacrificing their basic needs OR jumping the border to earn some American dollars, then I will eat my own words with a side of hot sauce.

    However, I highly doubt that is the case and you and your "comrades" with the money are a small minority of people who can afford a Wii.

    On a side note, if I could move to Mexico and make the money that I make in the States, I would do it in a second. The last time I was in Mexico (a few years ago) I lived like a king for a week with only $300 (US). Stuff is cheap there.

  • rarson

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 8:54 am PT

    4 million by the end of 2006?? That's awesome. Sony WISHES they could even make 4 million PS3's, let alone sell them.

    I don't think we've seen a launch like that since the SNES days...

  • FATMAN87

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 7:37 am PT

    1 million wii's, awesome, ill be at best buy at launch

  • Spyrius15

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 6:07 am PT

    I'm still on the fence about getting a Wii, so a much larger quantity of them at launch should allow me some time to read up on popular and critical feedback.

  • TheSilverDragon

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 6:06 am PT

    the wii is teh sex

  • mach-stem

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 5:51 am PT

    Can't wait! Let's hope Nintendo doesn't dissapoint!

  • Benshki

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 5:04 am PT

    Wii is the true next gen system. Hopefully gaming will become 'fun' again.

  • HenduKnight

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 3:19 am PT

    Has anyone heard what the price for a Wii game will go for? I heard that the ps3 game might go for 75 to 80 bucks a game.

  • ftjx

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 3:17 am PT

    I don't even know what to write in these posts anymore. It's the same: Nintendo VOW! Sony Oh Noooooooooo........

  • L33T_HitmaN

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 1:35 am PT

    Wow thats a lot of wii's im on nintendos side for once.

  • Evinco_DX

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 10:23 pm PT

    That's nice to know that many Wiis will be available on launch day. Count me in Nintendo, sorry Sony no love from me at all...Wii60 is for me.

  • aronnyc

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:42 pm PT

    Wait, does that mean that on launch day if I didn't preorder or wait in line at 10 PM the night before, that I still have a chance to get a Wii? Does anyone have numbers from other launches to extrapolate from?

    (Of course, I'll preorder just to be safe.)

  • ImSwordMan

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:35 pm PT

    awesome

  • Acemaster27

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:26 pm PT

    Wii r a good.

  • gozyaj

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:23 pm PT

    Too bad for us here... wii will have to wait until Asia's Launch of the system. Is there a plan to Launch the system?? ^_^

  • Hellraiser3899

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:07 pm PT

    Time to save them duckets.

  • andrewglesener

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:05 pm PT

    Pownzors. Dont have to camp out in front of best buy for my wii

  • FortuneC00kie

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 8:06 pm PT

    A winner is us.

  • evilyoda861

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 8:05 pm PT

    I will most likely be working that night, but atleast I can stay warm while the campers freeze too death slowly. It was horrible waiting for the 360 so cold and like 11 hours!

    I am taking my time getting this. I know I will get it before Christmas for sure pobaly get it as soon as possible I dont expect a lot of problems, but this time I am gettin warranty. Proabaly reserve it at Gamestop when they start that, and just wait until my number comes up. I dont feel rushed to get this system this time, since we are getting a lot.

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 8:00 pm PT

    very cool

  • KDogKool

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 7:27 pm PT

    1000000, eh? That's alot. But I ain't payin' for it......I'll try to get it for free with my school's magazine drive!

  • skipyou

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 5:36 pm PT

    i hope that when i celebrate my bar mitzvah ( i am alredy thirteen) i'll get enough moneyfor the wii and some games!!!

  • wikkedclown17

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 5:31 pm PT

    Now they've announced how many there will be, i can finally put in my freakin' down payment! WOO-HOOO!!!!!

  • bobsmith915

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 5:25 pm PT

    cool. I can't wait until Nov 19!!!

  • Notoria

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 5:20 pm PT

    awesome! no waiting in line at 4 am at Wal-Mart like my 360. There is only one word for this: Wiiiiiiiiiii!

  • acu02151

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 5:12 pm PT

    as long as i get one in europe by x-mas I'l be happy

  • Fascolik

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 4:48 pm PT

    Sony marketing team suck, as it always did.... But BigN one sure is good.

  • sam8917

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 4:42 pm PT

    Can't wait for all three to combine and make one glorious, insane console so there's no more **** about which isbetter/which sucks and needing a console just for one or two games...until then...

    EFF YOU WII PEOPLE! METALGEARSOLIDFOUR B*****S! that racing game for ps3 also looks hellasweet...the hovercar one...FATAL INERTIA!

  • payback_56

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 4:25 pm PT

    I think the system will be good, and I am glad they have more than 400,000 available at launch

    Also, it doesnt have to be HD to be next gen smart guy... (lazy_boy_des)

  • LanceK17

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 4:06 pm PT

    I may not be getting a Wii as soon as it comes out, but with 4 million Wii's at the end of the year, it should be easy pickings for me to get my hands on a Wii for christmas.
    Wiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Awesomeoooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Dennis2845

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 3:49 pm PT

    Thats pretty much expected since it doesnt cost a krap load to produce like the PS3. I know that after the insanity of the first 3 weeks of launch are over, the Wii will keep it steady, unlike the 360 with its spread out krap, theres 5 today, zero the next day, and people camp outside of stores, so stupid LoL

  • jedibish95

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 3:43 pm PT

    yay!!!!!!!!!!!!! i mean 1milion consoles of wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

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