Nintendo: 35 million Wiis in US by 2012

NOA SVP George Harrison tells Bloomberg that his company's installed base will hugely expand during the next five years.

With more than 5.4 million units sold in the US, the Xbox 360 is currently the frontrunner in the next-gen console race. However, the Wii is catching up fast. Though it's only been on the market since November, the motion-sensing, $249 console has sold some 2.5 million units as of the end of April, according to the NPD Group. By contrast, the higher-priced PlayStation 3 has sold some 1.3 million units in the US.

The Wii's impressive start has made Nintendo confident--cocky, even--about the console's long-term viability. Today in an interview with the Bloomberg news service, Nintendo of America senior vice president of marketing George Harrison predicted that there would be an installed base of 35 million Wiis in the US by 2012. For comparison purposes, the PlayStation 2 has sold 38.5 million units in the US since its release in October 2000. "Demand is much greater than we anticipated,'' he told Bloomberg. "A year ago no one thought we would be in this position.''

Harrison also brushed off the main criticism of the Wii--namely, that its processing and graphics power are low when compared to its rivals. "We're starting to see in the performance of the PS3 and Xbox 360 that that's not necessarily motivating the market the way it used to,'' he said, also shooting down speculation that a technically upgraded Wii would be launched any time soon. "We're going to start work on future technology only when we believe it's necessary," he said.

402 Comments

  • 0v3rcl0ck3d

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 3:52 am PT

    "i love nintendo's "do our own thing" motto . I love the wii like a fat kid loves cake."

    yeh. after reading the Killzone 2 impressinos and seeing the huge game montage ms had I was sad that I wasnt going to be able to play those btu tehn I realised that nitnnedo will put out something jsut as good.

  • veni-vidi-vici

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 12:53 am PT

    i love nintendo's "do our own thing" motto . I love the wii like a fat kid loves cake.

  • wmark007

    Posted Jun 13, 2007 7:53 am PT

    i can't wait that long.

  • theKSMM

    Posted Jun 9, 2007 10:33 pm PT

    This prediction doesn't sound quite as wild as some others that I've read (e.g. one in three American households will have a Wii in five years). Frankly, I think all three major consoles can hit around the 30 million mark. But Nintendo's success in that area will depend on their ability to keep their system viable for five more years.

    Right now, it seems like developers link their multiplatform Wii games with the PS2 version, not the PS3/360 version. This could mean trouble as support for the PS2 begins to fade. It may be too difficult to scale a game down in order to accommodate the Wii's relative lack of power.

    Then again, once you have an installed base of 10 million or more, it tends to make developers sit up and take notice. And with Nintendo likely to have the first console at the $150-$200 price point, it could keep budget-conscious and first-time gamers interested for a few years to come.

  • ntnimara

    Posted Jun 6, 2007 7:27 am PT

    I'm glad for the Wii

  • boobush

    Posted Jun 5, 2007 1:14 pm PT

    Nintendo's trying to stop emulation. That's good.

  • THE_WHITE_MAGE

    Posted May 29, 2007 2:47 pm PT

    And to Mkeegs79, you are wrong with the third party situation. With the N64 and the GameCube this was a really bad problem, but Nintendo seems to be slowly fixing that with the DS and Wii. Look at Rayman Raving Rabbids, they sold enough on the first game (which had lackluster ports to almost every system) that they are making the sequel exclusive to Wii/DS. Also, Square Enix is starting to support Nintendo more and more, and Final Fantasy III was a sales success on DS. Crystal Chronicles for Wii and DS will sell well, Dragon Quest IX will sell exceptionally well, more in Japan probably than the U. S., and Nights 2, No More Heroes, and the Resident Evil games show that third party companies are seeing a future in Wii. And the graphics argument is getting SOOOOO old. Look at the DS. Not only does it outsell the PSP by hundreds of thousands of units each month, but until this month when Wii finally beat it, it has been the number one selling game console of all for months, more than the PS2, PS3, 360, etc. Not bad for a console that sports graphics from the beginning of the 3-D era, huh? People are starting to bore of the bigger, better, faster argument and are hungry for a new way to play. That is why Wii is dominating. 5 years from now? I don't know, but neither does anyone else. By then, Microsoft will have ripped off the technology and put it in their Xbox720, so Nintendo will have to innovate again. For now, I will just enjoy my Wii.

  • THE_WHITE_MAGE

    Posted May 29, 2007 2:34 pm PT

    I think Gamespot's Tor was a little biased here. He said that Wii's numbers were making Nintendo confident about the console's long-term viability. That's fine, but then he had to add - cocky, even. Meanwhile, Sony was not cocky back at least year's E3 when they said Sony has dominated, and we will again. This is not something a true journalist should comment on. It comes across more as opinion and less as fact.

  • Valandil1983

    Posted May 25, 2007 2:42 pm PT

    Nearly as many Wiis in the States as Gamecubes worldwide?! Now that's confidence! But at the moment it looks as if the only thing hindering big N in achieving their goals are their production capacities. Just remember: Wii sold 2.5 million units without any MAJOR killer apps - can't wait to see the sells soaring after SSBB, MP3 or Super Mario Galaxy.

  • sho565

    Posted May 25, 2007 9:17 am PT

    Nintindo in front because of Pokemon Diamon&Pearl and don't forget about Battle Revolution for Wii.

  • edhc44

    Posted May 25, 2007 1:23 am PT

    I see the potential and maybe they're right, but getting cocky at this point in time may be too risky for Nintendo. They should understand that they got it right, but now they should keep their feet on the ground. It took some 11-12 years, Sony got cocky and screwed up. It would be pretty sad if the same happened to Nintendo in 11 months.

    As for staying power and gimmicky or not, I've been saying it all along and quain-chi here got it too: just look at what people used to say about the DS and look at what it has become.

  • malmeid2

    Posted May 24, 2007 10:33 am PT

    yea the craze will die down soon in the U.S.. Maybe Japan will continue to buy Wii's in heavy stock through 2012, but I doubt that trend will continue here for another 5 years. If Nintendo drops the price down to $50 I'll consider picking one up.

  • Mark_HD

    Posted May 24, 2007 8:15 am PT

    Well, I will not buy a Wii, thats for sure... because for me, GRAPHICS ARE IMPORTANT

  • quain-chi

    Posted May 24, 2007 1:36 am PT

    I love the fact that everyone is saying exactly the same thing about the Wii as they did the DS. That its a gimmick and people will get tired of it, the graphics dont match the competition etc. Where as the DS is destroying everyone, dont you think its possible the wii will do the same?

    1) DS: 471,000
    2) Wii: 360,000
    3) PlayStation 2: 194,000
    4) PlayStation Portable: 183,000
    5) Xbox 360: 174,000
    6) Game Boy Advance: 84,000
    7) PlayStation 3: 82,000
    8 ) GameCube: 13,000

    Which it def is doing right now.

  • ccherlin

    Posted May 23, 2007 11:25 pm PT

    The Wii doesn't need to compete with the PS3 and 360 on graphics. It's competing with the PS2. And as long as the PS2 continues to outsell the PS3 and the Xbox 360, that will remain true. So graphically, the Wii is the clear winner.

  • the-very-best

    Posted May 23, 2007 9:50 pm PT

    I think maybe worldwide, but probably not that many in the US alone.

  • heretic92

    Posted May 23, 2007 8:58 pm PT

    meh by 2012 people will realize that it is just a gimmick: push a button or swing ur arm retardedly its all the same does the same thing on screen

  • TooDamnRaw

    Posted May 23, 2007 7:17 pm PT

    At this point in the game, I don't think Nintendo can afford to get cocky. Nintendo's been representing themselves pretty well as far as ego is concerned...meaning they didn't have one and took the more humble approach. I'm now starting to think that maybe the success of the Wii and DS have gone to their heads already. Even though I don't have a Wii or the DS Lite, I still think they are great consoles; however, I don't think Nintendo can just put their heads in their rectums and start celebrating just yet. The only thing that has made Nintendo successful this far is the pricing of their systems being cheaper than the others. It's obvious that the PS3/360 are far more superior systems so Nintendo shouldn't toot their own horn just yet.

    As far as the Wii lasting 5 years is concerned, they must be prepared to upgrade it at a huge level because I just don't see it happening.

  • digitalpro

    Posted May 23, 2007 7:02 pm PT

    Once the price goes down on the xbox360 and ps3 i think it will be a different tune. But we have to give it up to the Wii. They are hitting the casual gamer market.

  • eric2mrng

    Posted May 23, 2007 6:52 pm PT

    hmm bold statement.. wii has potential but not 35mill potential. unless a goldeneye wii-make comes out which is never. hehe guess i'll continue dreamin.

  • Mkeegs79

    Posted May 23, 2007 6:08 pm PT

    Third-party games will always hurt on the Wii. It has in the past and will again. Nintendo systems are known for Nintendo's own games and Nintendo fanboys buy each and everyone. What are the biggest games on the Wii? Zelda:TP, Warioware:Smooth Moves, and Super Paper Mario. I don't think though they consider the weight of the PS3/360 enough considering price-drops will sale it. Not everyone can afford one right now and the Wii sells to the mass consumer making it affordable NOW. As cool as the Wii is, I still don't see it carrying it's weight for so long. The 360/PS3 will still wow people when the innovation of the Wii-mote wears off. You people that talk about graphics whores need to realize innovation and great gameplay doesn't just come in controllers but also in the games themselves. 2012 is a long way to go to see how great gameplay and innovation can hold up in a console that will reach it's limitations in AI, graphics, phyiscs, and such in the future.

  • Pete5506

    Posted May 23, 2007 5:59 pm PT

    The wii is just that good too

  • Mkeegs79

    Posted May 23, 2007 5:55 pm PT

    By 2012 we will see Metroid Prime 6 and Super Mario Galaxy 5!!! WOW! so exciting. See Nintendo comes out with new orignal games

  • Southpole92

    Posted May 23, 2007 5:41 pm PT

    no i say wii will sell between 60-80 million units by 2012

  • black_ice23

    Posted May 23, 2007 5:24 pm PT

    yo chainblast nintendo should hire you to shut up the graphics whores who say ps3 is the end all to be all
    but you couldnt be anymore right

  • siversonicboom

    Posted May 23, 2007 5:23 pm PT

    yay

  • crills

    Posted May 23, 2007 5:19 pm PT

    All I can say is
    Metroid Prime 3................................you took the words rite out my head its time for nintendo to show them how fps are done on a console

  • Zapoo

    Posted May 23, 2007 5:18 pm PT

    Is 2012 a typo? I'd think they meant 2008 or 2009

  • crills

    Posted May 23, 2007 5:17 pm PT

    mario galaxy, metroid 3,sbb,sadness,the 2 resident evils, nights 2, manhunt 2,no more heros,final fantasty cc 2,pokemon r, with all these games being exclusive to the wii and more on the way how can they not sell that many if not more then 35 million. i think it will be more since its only been out for about half a year and there all ready headed toward 8 million. and graphics dont mean nothing tell that to the million people that got god of war 2 and thats on a way weaker console then the wii and it looked realy good

  • cluelesspunk

    Posted May 23, 2007 5:10 pm PT

    All I can say is
    Metroid Prime 3

  • AngelPhoenix

    Posted May 23, 2007 5:06 pm PT

    35 mill? 2012? PS5 and Xbox 1080 will be out by then, no one's gonna want A Wii anymore lol. But in all seriousness, the Wii is fun, but it's less a console than an interactive board game. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I just think big name titels (Halo 3, FF 13, Liar, GTA 4) will eventually overtake Nintendo.

  • Toasteddude

    Posted May 23, 2007 4:58 pm PT

    I love how people complain about its graphics not being next gen. FYI Everyone, there aren't any consoles with Next Gen graphics. They are all "current gen".

  • ogretroll123

    Posted May 23, 2007 4:23 pm PT

    Heh, In my opinion, the Wii is just a gimmick. It's fun now (Really fun) but I think it'll start to lose it's appeal in 2-3 years time.

  • tigerfan1993

    Posted May 23, 2007 4:21 pm PT

    Wasnt there an article a while back about 75 million ps3s sold by 2010? Strange huh? But right now, the press is ruling the game industry, not the consumers. They can say whatever they want to right now.

  • Dream10459

    Posted May 23, 2007 4:16 pm PT

    Let's see what happens. Can nintendo really hit the 35 million mark goal they predict to achieve? It can and it can't but we will never know till that time comes around.

  • LLsmooth

    Posted May 23, 2007 4:15 pm PT

    I wonder why you people are so closed minded in your belief that "next generation" only means a Graphics update.

    It is about time the gaming industry redefined what the "next generation" is.

    Every generation.. the promise of REALISTIC graphics never measure up.

    Aren't you tired of the same things? You should love what the Wii has brought to the industry because the 360 and the PS3 will soon copy it.

  • cfamgcn

    Posted May 23, 2007 4:15 pm PT

    I think this can happen without much problem if the system continues to sell and there are more good games...

  • vgmkyle

    Posted May 23, 2007 4:14 pm PT

    100+million>35 million

  • sho565

    Posted May 23, 2007 4:06 pm PT

    By the end of the year Wii will rock you!!!!!!!

  • joestierman

    Posted May 23, 2007 4:02 pm PT

    i think that's a very realistic estimate. a long time in the future, and definitely an attainable goal, no matter how many xbox and playstations are sold.

  • Quofan

    Posted May 23, 2007 4:01 pm PT

    Its great to see all the haters continuing to throw insults the Wii's way - it mean Nintendo have got it right and people obviously feel threatened. I dont know why, its just a games console.

    Lets be honest, Nintendo are UNDERESTIMATING this and deliberately being modest here. Think Pokemon and the DS as well, they were big crazezs, and the Wii is turning into the same. Hold off supply and make people desperate and you get loads of sales at the same time. Its cheap, easy to develop for, and I could draw numerous comparisons with both the PS2 and DS. I think the Wii will come close to selling as many as the PS1.

  • Fingerella69er

    Posted May 23, 2007 3:57 pm PT

    thats cuz all u n00bs care about hxc games n00bs! nintendo is selling so stop hating on a playa hate the game foo who cares who sells more?

  • blacvi3t

    Posted May 23, 2007 3:39 pm PT

    finally theres Wiis all over wal mart, i finally got one late this aftternoon, looks like the nintendo wii is going to double their console sales in no time now that the supply is meeting the demands.....

  • Unprintable

    Posted May 23, 2007 3:39 pm PT

    Haha, cool off there XBox/Sony/Graphics nuts. I think Nintendo probably overestimated. The reason the PS2 has such a large install base in the US is because of the massive 3rd party support and the killer app games (namely, GTA and Final Fantasy). Wii has some games that are big but there's still not a lot of unique 3rd party games that are moving the system. All the great games are still coming out of Nintendo, and hopefully Nintendo realizes that they can't plan to go it alone again and still put in $35 million consoles into the US. But it's reassuring to see how well the Wii has done so far because that only means more 3rd party games and even more Wiis sold.

    In the meantime, enjoy the great system that the Wii is. There WILL be more 3rd party games coming in the near future judging by its sales. Will it approach the staying power of the PS2, probably not, but it should do at least as well as the Gamecube and if Nintendo's smart could top the generation. Either way, it's good to see that graphics aren't what the gaming community flocks to, but rather good, fun games.

  • Rookie87

    Posted May 23, 2007 3:37 pm PT

    Good for Nintendo, but they're a little cocky by 35 mil.
    Maybe 20 I say.
    I wish I could get one. Had the money for 2 months and not one I have found.

  • TowerGuard64

    Posted May 23, 2007 3:32 pm PT

    Yes Nintendo did get a bit cocky after the Gamecube but the made up for it by making the Wii, one of their biggest risks a gaming company could ever make.

  • ShadowMan06

    Posted May 23, 2007 3:30 pm PT

    good job nintendo

  • Boat3600

    Posted May 23, 2007 3:23 pm PT

    Well, but 2012, PS3 will be the king of the market again, so...

  • spelledarn

    Posted May 23, 2007 3:17 pm PT

    If I were Nintendo I'd be cocky too. They've convinced millions that an overpriced GameCube with a gimmick controller is the must have "next-gen" system. I don't know how they did it, but they're making billions from it.

  • dj_b02us

    Posted May 23, 2007 3:13 pm PT

    nintendo was barely making it after the gamecube BECAUSE they were cocky and figured they could sit on their laurels of being the first timers so oftenin the past, so for them to not learn from their previous mistakes, could hurt them HUGE in coming years.

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!