A million Wiis in the UK

Nintendo's latest console becomes the fastest-selling games machine in UK history.

The Nintendo Wii has sold over a million units in the UK, according to data from official sales trackers Chart Track.

It has been 38 weeks since the Wii launch in the UK on December 8, which makes it the fastest-selling console in the country's history. The PlayStation 2, by comparison, took 50 weeks to reach one million in sales, and the Xbox 360 took 60 weeks.

In home country Japan, the console recently celebrated reaching the three-million-unit mark, seven months from its December 2 launch in the region.

Nintendo put the console's runaway success down to the fact that it has been selling regardless of seasonality, and due to the new, nontraditional gaming audiences that the Wii attracts.

The Mario factory also revealed last week's chart figures (ending August 25), which show that the market share for the Wii stands at 68 percent and the DS at 86 percent, for home and handheld markets respectively.

154 Comments

  • Agermemnon

    Posted Sep 5, 2007 10:14 am PT

    This sort of topic is pointless unless it is backed up by overall game sales also per console sold , anyone else agree ?

  • Sigil-otaku

    Posted Sep 4, 2007 8:02 am PT

    Halo didn't need online to be great it just helped, the PS3 doesn't need a BR player but it helps. Same with everything pretty much. UT is nothing compared to Halo in my opinion because it is just a run and shoot mindless game, the guns are large and overpowered, no cover and almost no strategy involved. HL2 is good but I hate the stories of it, so boring. CS is great but I need more practice. Halo revived console FPS and no one can disagree with that, it's story is good (Halo 1's) and Halo 2 actually had a lot happen it was just some stuff seemed silly. Halo 2 did have mountain ranges, it did have a city and if you want something different then what about the little forest part?

  • KingChainz31684

    Posted Sep 4, 2007 6:45 am PT

    and one last comment as far as xbox live making xbox more than just a console well it better since xbox's top game was halo and if you didn't have online to carry that title though even that didn't win me over with the HL, UT, and CS games being out. Halo is a big joke of a single player game hopefully halo 3 has a better story for me to follow with some unique worlds. I hope to run though more than just alien structures, big space ships, and tropical beach areas. give me some city scape maybe a rugged mountain top or something a little different.

  • KingChainz31684

    Posted Sep 4, 2007 6:28 am PT

    First of all the controller works fine for online or any other kind of game play. Madden and strikers playswell enough online for the wii that its an enjoyable game to play online. Madden lags no more than the 360 version i played at my cousins maybe even less at times. I myself can't wait till Mario Kart Online . Next year they will start pumping out games more seriously involved with online and for a FPS the wii controls are unrivaled it is just about on par with a mouse not quite there but as close as any console will ever get. I just hope nintendo does a better job controlling the hacks than PS and Xbox. If taking their time means i don't have to play with as many code magic using 10 year olds then i am a happy man.

  • dev_ron

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 8:50 am PT

    pretty much expected. isn't it? two of my cuzs got 'em

  • StarDust666

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 1:07 am PT

    Its all about ps360... trying to catch up. i think most people will get offended by puting ps and 360 together. i mean even MS endorsed we should take up a wii and 360.... i have two Wii's and one 360. ps3 is not on my radar. I'm a proud owner of both. online is cool but here in Aust, its a ripped off so i'm happy with no online.... its dosen't make Nintendo selling any less. they are still number with or without online. if Nintendo are selling number one and two each and every month, why rush onto onlines just becos hardcore gamers said so???

  • 03207771

    Posted Sep 2, 2007 4:59 pm PT

    Wii sucks! its all about ps360!!!!

  • Raiko101

    Posted Sep 2, 2007 6:55 am PT

    If Wii's were widely available in the UK, they'd have sold so many more. My local GameStation is still taking orders because they don't stay on the shelves long enough...

  • PelekotansDream

    Posted Sep 2, 2007 5:23 am PT

    I casually play mine unlike my 360 which I just hardcore. But the Wii is definatley fun and well put together. Its simple and a good low price also.

  • HALOISTHEBEST26

    Posted Sep 2, 2007 12:21 am PT

    nintendo has already killed themselves in online, because any game that is not a minigame will never work with their controller! now i have a wii and i got tired of it but there is hope, if nintedo relizes this and makes a new controller or make FPS's or any quick action games work with gamecube controllers then they have a huge chance to compete online.

  • Sigil-otaku

    Posted Sep 1, 2007 11:37 am PT

    @Grimbee: I think he was being sarcastic and was sort of going off my point where I said Sony claimed to have sold 1 million but you should never trust Sony.

    I didn't used to care about online but it can be really fun, I believe both subscriptions and micro transactions are poor methods of payment though because it forces users into different situations. The microtransaction process benefits gamers who are willing to pay alot of money and can leave others behind, subscriptions make people play more because they feel they should get there money's worth and then gets them more involved so more likely to resubscribe. I'd prefer to see a pay per play method so people aren't paying more than they are gaming and it would help if it was prepaid so you weren't racking up a bill without realising. Apparently one of the Nintendo execs when questioned about online said 'we are working for online, you just haven't noticed' or something to that effect so I hope that means they have something in the works.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Sep 1, 2007 7:52 am PT

    1 Million Wii owners - Minus 1 million online gamers on the wii.
    The thing about the 360 was that when I had it, I went onto xbox live and I really felt that the console was more than just a console, everything was so intuitive and easy and there was always something there to check out.

    And the amount of users online means that there was always someone to play against when you were bored.

    Once you have made the Mii's and browsed the net on the cool internet browser - there isn't much for online wii stuff except expensive VC games and updates (which recently stopped my action replay disc from working).

    I hope that Nintendo offer some online stuff pretty darn soon, Metroid would of made a good online multiplayer - and so would of red steel (if you can get around the game itself that is).

    Nintendo have successfully managed to change the face of consoles - but have yet to offer a solid online service. Sega tried it out with the dreamcast - failed - and then microsoft took it up from there.

    sony are now getting free online to rope people into their ad campaigns and stick people up with "microtransactions"... Nintendo have friend codes, no online games and on a console which would make an AWESOME online console.

    I just am waiting for the day when lucasarts made a lightsaber game - where you fight people online... that would be awesome. And hopefully then people will see everything the wii can do.

  • StarDust666

    Posted Sep 1, 2007 4:50 am PT

    Sigil-otaku; oh yeah, i forgot... :-) ps3 are outselling wii60 everyweek. sony cd's don't give you malwares, sony flash drives don't hide stuff from you; we need blu-ray, UMD are better than DVD's, MD's ACC are better than Mp3, betamax have out lived VHS and the PS3 have good games.... lots of them. sony make we wanna buy a ps3 today, i mean NOW!

  • Jenkins_2005

    Posted Sep 1, 2007 3:58 am PT

    But how many have been returned once the novelty had worn off?

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 5:22 pm PT

    I would think sales would slow down because of the shortage.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 4:54 pm PT

    GrimBee speaks the truth as usual....

  • GrimBee

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 4:26 pm PT

    Thanks for the positives I really do hope developers "set the bar" now. Even nintendo have been lazy with some genuine wii stuff.

    All console need their time to break free. But with the wii being the most inferior, yet most successful, it may be easier for it to fall into simple genres (kinda like how the GBA only delivered certain types of games).

    The control setup on the psp seriously limits the console, and even though the DS has basic graphics - the controls elevate it beyond the psp.

    The wii has the controls, but developers lack the creativity. I suppose the wii, at the moment, is like a very shiny and wonderful ball - given to a kid who has never had a ball... not quite knowing what to do with it.
    But when others start to show them what they can do with it - im sure the wii will create some excellent experiences

  • nintendonerd101

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 2:22 pm PT

    GrimBee

    I wholly agree with you on most of the things you have said there, but in regards to a third party making a good game, I think you should look into Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles The Crystal Bearers. The game looks absolutely amazing and seems as though it is going to provide said standards for the other third parties. Leave it to Square-Enix to be the ones to set the bar .

  • Sigil-otaku

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 6:34 am PT

    I agree with Grimbee, the Nintendo games are the only ones that are decent enough at the moment but Zelda is a port in my opinion, metroid doesn't do enough, never been interested in Mario and super smash bro's isn't a console seller in my opinion so thats why I'd leave it.

    @ StarDust666: if we believed Sony (oh god just don't do it) they've sold 13 million in europe so the UK should have reached a million by now...if you believe Sony....so no it hasn't....hehe..

  • StarDust666

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 4:47 am PT

    kkee: oh dear... the headline said the 'UK'... now lets see how long can the ps3 reach 1 million in the UK.... maybe at xmas....

  • kkee

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 4:07 am PT

    Actually, Sony have sold 1.3 million PS3s in EUROPE. Sony have never claimed to have sold 1 million in the UK. Get your facts straight before you try and put them down.

    Impressive figures, considering supply has been limited.

  • lamprey263

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 7:57 pm PT

    Funny. Sony claimed to have sold 1 million PS3s a while ago... oh wait, they shipped them. Anyhow, way to go Nintendo.

  • HK-47-M4

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 6:24 pm PT

    Good for Nintendo, if only their 3rd party friends could make a good game. The only game that's not from Nintendo and implements the motion sensing well is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for Wii from EA. There's Ubisoft, but all their games have stunk on Wii so far except everyone liked Rayman, but IMO that was WAY overated. I bought the game, read my review to hear what I think of it.

    Then the only good third party game other than Rayman is RE4, a port. But hopefully publishers (I'M LOOKING AT YOU ELECTRONIC ARTS AND UBISOFT) try harder now when making games for Wii.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 5:31 pm PT

    GrimBee

    I "thumbed up" your post because I believe the same thing. But as a supporter of the Cube and Xbox last gen things are working out just the way they did for me before. I love Nintendo made games but 3rd parties need to approach the Wii with the same degree of seriousness as they do other consoles. It wouldn't hurt them to put a little more effort into the games they create. I don't care about the graphics but give me something creative I can play. Nintendo is proving with their own games that you can make some pretty solid traditional games on the Wii. They can make as many casual games as they want but at least try to emulate Nintendo control schemes when making hardcore games.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 5:09 pm PT

    I hope now that developers will see the Wii's sheer sales - and then think to themselves "you know... I think I will make a GOOD game for the wii now!".

    Im a bit tired of lazy conversions and ports. I see zelda as a port, like resi 4.

    When the wii was announced, i heard it was 3x that of the gamecube. Immediately I thought to myself "ooh, 3x that of resi 4? 3x that of metroid 2? im in!".

    Developers, unfortunately, as soon as they see nintendo or other good developers try out something - people buy into it (like nintendogs for the ds).

    You then, unfortunately get a mass of copies of that game from all sorts of developers.

    All it takes is one developer to show people how it is done. If it wasn't for mario - platformers would be crap.
    If it wasn't for mgs - cinematics in games would never be the same.
    If it wasn't for halo - console fps would be a thing of the past.

    All kinds of games live off the back off of previous titles.
    Unfortunately for the Wii - Wii sports is all developers are looking for - quick style games with some control added in.

    As soon as developers see the wii sales figures - all they need to do is make the best out of the wii.
    I am still hoping on that 3x that of resi 4... and also a silent hill style game on the wii (searching things with a torch/wii remote setup).

    All it takes is one developer to make an example - the rest everyone will buy.

    Its like that for every console - this is why EA like to buy liscences and things, because the things they sell are commercial and once it becomes commercial - developers try to cash in on it.

    Like how the ps2 sold so much - a developer can see one game sell well - copy it (badly) and sell it. Because of the vast amount of users, it sold well anyways. And on goes the mass of crappy ps2 games amongst the few good ones.

    It's time for developers to take the gloves off now and get mixing about with the wii. Experiment a bit, see what works. Ports, conversions, added controls at the last minute ... no thanks.

    Give me a game I can talk about!
    If it wasn't for mario galaxy and smash bros and metroid - the wii would be very pointless this christmas.

    Lets hope that developers (like valve for example) make one game which sets the standard for developers to work from.
    Once one does it - it will all fit into place then.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 4:52 pm PT

    ragin_massaih
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I might be blurring the line too much for you to decipher which side of the fanboy fence I'm standing on. Let me make it easier for you....Nintendo has done everything it said that it was going to do with the Wii. Just because a few people think it's horrible doesn't hold true for others, simple enough for you to understand...you lose.

  • ragin_massaih

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 4:11 pm PT

    getoconnection can u stop posting ur giving us all a headache trying to understand you - Do you even understand what you're saying? lol I tihnk your're reading into things a bit too much YOU LOSE

  • Zaxex

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:52 pm PT

    I regret my purchase but good news for Wii fans.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:52 pm PT

    StonyShred420
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The selling point of the 360 was that it was supposed to outclass it's predecessor. It didn't for a year. The selling point of the PS3 is that it is supposed to outclass the 360. We don't see that happening. So why can't the same be said for the Wii? Zelda proved that you can make an adventure game with Wii controls. RE4 proved that you can make a 3rd person shooter with Wii controls. Metroid is proving to me daily that good 1st person shooters can be made to utilize Wii controls. Mario will do the same for platformers. The controls are still a legitimate selling point. It's not "the controls" fault that devs are making crap games. They are simply trying to cash in.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:43 pm PT

    XwarzoneX

    Oh, look, Nintendo claimed yet again that they've got the fastest-selling machine in the UK since evah, just like Sony claimed and Nintendo claimed before and Sony and Nintendo and Sony and Nintendo.

    The more numbers I read, the less I trust them. The only numbers that don't seem outworldly are Microsoft's, and that gives me the impression that they're the only ones being honest. (Or at least they aren't cheating that much.)

    Meanwhile, Wiis over here keep piling up and don't exactly fly off the shelves. From their reactions at the demo stations, kids don't seem more interested in the wiimote than they are in God of War 2.

    And meanwhile, Microsoft (and third party videogame publishers) look at the sales numbers on their console, and prepare to celebrate the victory that will inevitably come for the 360.

    It's all over but the crying. I wonder if we'll ever see "why did it fail" articles? I'm still waiting for anyone in the industry to admit that the GameCube was as big a failure as they come.

    >lots of cheap second-hand wiis in a couple of years time.

    They'll probably have to stop production well before the console is considered dead, just like they did with the GC.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    What a useless waste of forum space. Are you upset because the Wii has taken the title of fastest selling system despite being grossly underpowered or are you upset because it took Nintendo 1 year to do what M$ has done in two...I'm confused. Consoles are just catching up to PC's in terms of graphics. Nintendo's success is due to it's understanding of the market. They can bring out Wii Sports 2 tomorrow and sell another 10 million Wiis. Get over it fanboys.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:35 pm PT

    spelledarn

    A lot of families and casual gamers get the Wii. That's fine, but it isn't exactly the best system for hardcore shooters or deep RPGs.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Why? Dragon quest is exclusive to the Wii. Don't be fooled...Metroid is as hardcore as it gets..fun too.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:31 pm PT

    Finstar

    Nice, good to know at least one company of the old breed are still top notch. Now if only Sega would come out of the abyss...

    Still, I can't shake the feeling that only non-gamers or casual gamers are buying Wiis in that big amount... I mean, aren't the same people that go crazy about Wiis the people who go crazy about Singstar, Sims and all that stuff? Or do I have a wrong impression? Don't get me wrong, I welcome the innovations made by the Wii, but I would never swap Bioshock or GeoW against shaking the controller in front of the tv...It's not enough right now... The only game I would play on it is Metroid P3 and Tw. Princess... I mean, even my 10year old brother thinks the Wii is not so hot...
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The problem is games like "Singstar, Sims guitar hero and all that stuff" sell better that BioShock and Gears on the 360....

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:27 pm PT

    thomass60r

    s wade they all have bad ratings lol

    thomass60r

    andy ive never heard of someone ignoring there 360 for months well theres a first time for anything
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The big guns for the PS3 are getting poor reviews too. I waited a year for Gears.....

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:21 pm PT

    Nomad0404

    Digital_soul

    You make a valid point about MP not being AAA but that also reinforces my point. You can't sustain sales on Wii Sports alone.

    So if I have a family full of people who want to play my Wii once we've played Wii Bowling what should we play? Raving Rabbids? Super monkey ball blitz? Both have party games but both are rather limited in their presentation.

    Mario Party has been roudly slated, Wario Ware seems like the best option so it's one of the next games for me to buy.

    And then there's me the gamer in the family what do I buy to play on the Wii right now that's going to really catch my attention, keep me playing and offer me a decent gameplay challenge, not a hell of a lot really.

    Oh and I already have the GC version of Resident Evil 4 so there's no point purchasing that again really is there?

    You have to admit that the current software available on the Wii is not upto scratch.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Neither is the PS3 library. You ask all these questions about which games to buy, why did YOU buy the Wii? Which games did you have interest in playing? This is what kills me about people who so call have a Wii who pan it all day on GS. I bought a 360 to play Halo...when it 1st came out. I knew full well what I was getting into. Gears pops up a year later then Bioshock and I'm still waiting on Halo. I didn't pan it for a year. The point is you bought the Wii for a reason. If you bought it to play family games it is more than meeting that criteria. If you bought it to play Zelda...done. Metroid...done. I bought it to play 1st party Nintendo games and it hasn't disappointed me yet. Don't tell me you bought into the hype... BTW you really should play RE4 just to experience the controls. Metroid has made me a believer and I hate going back to dual analog..until next month.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:08 pm PT

    digital_soul

    Nomad0404, one more thing. You state that the Wii needs more AAA games to sustain its success, then state that you are waiting for 3 titles that are unlikely to achieve AAA status at gamespot. MP is already confirmed AA.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I agree. Gamespot has had it out for the Wii since it scored Zelda. Edit- Metroid is a blast, I don't care what GS rated it.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:05 pm PT

    Nomad0404


    I'm sure some people will disagree with me but that is my opinion currently - I am desperately waiting for No More Heroes and Metroid Prime, and if rumour is to be believed Red Steel 2.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Metroid will not disappoint, trust me...I just fought MetaRiley for the 1st time...Wow.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:01 pm PT

    Sigil-otaku

    @ retrofraction12: It is nintendo's fault that they don't have many exclusives because they failed to convince games companies that the Wii would be popular (as we all now know) and they have the DS money they could have spent on the Wii. Not to mention the Wii costs much less to develop for and to make so there are some good arguments to programming for the Wii. And money may influence some companies but not all, Kojima isn't held by any exlcusitivity agreement but isn't going on to the 360 (most likely). Games developers choose which console they want to develop for and Nintendo failed to make the Wii look like a good choice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    If the masses of gamers standing in line at E3 06 to play the Wii was indicative of interest in the system I fail to see your point. Devs bet on the wrong horse plain and simple.

  • fitch19

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 2:29 pm PT

    The only blame Nintendo should make for lack of third party support is the Gamecube. That is why so many didn't jump on board the Wii.

  • Sigil-otaku

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 2:14 pm PT

    @ retrofraction12: It is nintendo's fault that they don't have many exclusives because they failed to convince games companies that the Wii would be popular (as we all now know) and they have the DS money they could have spent on the Wii. Not to mention the Wii costs much less to develop for and to make so there are some good arguments to programming for the Wii. And money may influence some companies but not all, Kojima isn't held by any exlcusitivity agreement but isn't going on to the 360 (most likely). Games developers choose which console they want to develop for and Nintendo failed to make the Wii look like a good choice.

  • TehPickle

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 2:10 pm PT

    Good for Nintendo! I cant help but think though, what is everybody playing on their Wii at the moment to justify all these console sales? I'm sure somewhere down the line it will have a massive library of games judging by various developers investing more time and money into it, but right now there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of truly worthwhile software available.

    I'd just like to see more games to justify the purchase which, for the time being at least, there doesn't appear to be.

  • retrofraction12

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 2:07 pm PT

    i think it is a good thing that many are selling so then mabey the developer might actually spend sometime on developing some good games instead of ps2 crap. Tough for youi ps3 and 360 fan boys that think the wii does not have a good selection of games, I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE THAT THE WII DOES NOT HAVE MANY EPIC GAMES BUT THATS ONLY BECAUSE MICROSOFT BOUGHT OUT A MAJORITY OG THE GOOD DEVELOPERS, AND SONY SPENT MUCH OF THEIR PS2 $$$ ON MAKING SURE THAT THEY GET ALOT OF EXLUCIVE TITLES. so I would like to say its not nitendo's falt but rather the developers. but with this new cash the better buy some exclusive titles or some rights to games back like ( perfect dark ).

  • smollett13

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 2:01 pm PT

    I'm glad (again) to see this work. Everyone was a little "I hope this works" before the Wii came out (even the Nintendo fans were a little on edge). Seeing this school of "cheap but fun" thought succeed hopefully will drive next-next generation...at least my wallet hopes so.

  • retrofraction12

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 1:54 pm PT

    yeay!

  • Kurtisadei

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 1:52 pm PT

    LOL razu_gamer, im with you

  • Franzkill

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 1:41 pm PT

    Meh this is just attracting Wii fanboys by the shedload.

  • Sigil-otaku

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 1:16 pm PT

    The Wii Is an Ok console in my opinion but I do find it very boring, apart from the buzz of the nintendo fans there's not much buzz. Games companies are constantly saying they neglected it and will get to it soon but that will take a year before they start releasing decent games on it. Even Nintendo is dissapointing me, Zelda was hardly improved, Metroid doesn't look very improved either. there's never really much news about new games and stuff, the online is poorly supported, I don't see many innovative games coming out and too many new peripherals that I'd just laugh at. If I got it I'd want Super smash bro's melee, the new fire emblem game, maybe resident evil 4 (I have it on the gamecube), mario galaxy maybe (not much of a mario fan), I'd get metroid, I'd hope they'd make a proper zelda game (not one that is a gamecube port) and stuff. I'd get that trauma center too cos I never got a DS.

  • Jestarius

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 12:51 pm PT

    RoC1909....since when was there a ps3 shortage?

  • robertd1138

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 12:49 pm PT

    If the Wii is selling more then any other console on a monthly basis, then it is not a false shortage. A false shortage would be if Nintendo was producing a million units a month and only shipping 700,000. The shortage is unfortunate only because Nintendo would probably selling another 50,000-100,000 a month in the US if they could produce them.

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