Nintendo Retracts 1 Million Wii Statements

[Siraris]

Gamedaily.Biz is reporting that Nintendo has retracted their previous statements (http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=14695&ncid=AOLGAM000500000000008) of shipping 1 million Wii's to the US by the end of the year. According to NPD's latest numbers (http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=14685), the Wii only sold 476,000 units, meaning they would need to sell another 534,000 systems in the next 3 weeks to make their targets.

Today, however, Nintendo of America alerted the media that its statement from yesterday which read, "Despite spot shortages in some locations, well more than a million Wii systems will be available in the United States by the end of the year," has been retracted and should be ignored.

Looks like Mr. Avatar was correct when he doubted Nintendo's initial statements of 1 million sold by end of the year. It looks like shortages are the new trend!

[Evil Avatar]

I'll take those donations now, please. ;)

[DangerousDaze]

I'm not going near this one with a ten foot pole.

[flinxz]

I thought it was listed that they did not take Wal-Mart or GameStop numbers into the total.

If that is true then those number mean very little. 6:00 AM for me, so maybe someone else can find that source.

[KidCactus]

I thought it was listed that they did not take Wal-Mart or GameStop numbers into the total.

If that is true then those number mean very little. 6:00 AM for me, so maybe someone else can find that source.
Does that really matter if Nintendo themselves now say they won't reach 1 million?

[NoName]

At least Nintendo is willing to admit this, unlike another company with console shortages...

[antoniogaud]

So Nintendo sells 900,000 instead of 1,000,000? Are they doomed now? I know 3 people lining up tonight in the hopes of getting one tomorrow morning. Wii is mainstream and that is all that matters.

[flinxz]

Does that really matter if Nintendo themselves now say they won't reach 1 million?

I did not care about the 1 million bit. It was the 476,000 units bit. I just would like to see something other than the NPD handing out numbers. The NPD numbers are also only for November so Siraris’s 3 weeks is actually 4 1/2 weeks (The title of the article is November Game Industry Sales Skyrocket.)

This quote was also a decent thought.
So what does this mean? Nintendo did not say why that statement should be disregarded, but one can only assume that either they are having more difficulty with manufacturing than they let on, or perhaps more likely, they are sufficiently satisfied with the U.S. launch numbers and want to divert some of the shipments to Japan and Europe, which haven't been allocated quite as many systems (especially Europe).

[Savok]

Gamedaily.Biz is reporting that Nintendo has retracted their previous statements of shipping 1 million Wii's to the US by the end of the year. According to NPD's latest numbers, the Wii only sold 476,000 units, meaning they would need to sell another 534,000 systems in the next 3 weeks to make their targets.
God dammit people.

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

So Nintendo sells 900,000 instead of 1,000,000? Are they doomed now? I know 3 people lining up tonight in the hopes of getting one tomorrow morning. Wii is mainstream and that is all that matters.

This news doesn't mean jack for Nintendo, but it means a heck of a lot for this site.

[MaiXu]

We still have to see if they'll hit the world wide numbers. Doubtful, since about 2 million of those were to be from the US ... we'll see.

[31 Flavas]

This news doesn't mean jack for Nintendo, but it means a heck of a lot for this site.Yea. For the Yellow's of the board: There is a bet between Evil and I.

I said Nintendo would make their worldwide shipping target of 4 million units, in response to his hoopla that Nintendo wouldn't make even 2 million worldwide.

If I'm right, Evil Avatar becomes "Wii-vil Avatar" for at least a day. And I get a custom color username.

Regardless of the outcome I'm donating $50 to the site. But, at least two other members have pledged $$$ in response to my bet with Evil.

So this is bad ominous news for me :(

I've no idea what happens if both of us are wrong. i.e. Nintendo ships between 2 - 4 million units.

[T-Dawg]

Wow, I guess those reports of them selling 600,000 units the first week weren't true.

[DeadScreenSky]

I thought it was listed that they did not take Wal-Mart or GameStop numbers into the total.

If that is true then those number mean very little. 6:00 AM for me, so maybe someone else can find that source.
Not sure about GameStop, but NPD's numbers always use very reliable estimates for Walmart. You're welcome to quibble with their methodology (sounds like you might be the type to do just that), but they aren't ignored.

[NoName]

I've no idea what happens if both of us are wrong. i.e. Nintendo ships between 2 - 4 million units.
Since you issued the bet saying Nintendo would meet the 4 mil, I do believe 2-4 mil still goes to Evil. He accepted the bet and just gave his view that they wouldn't meet 2 mil, that wasn't part of the bet.

I was hoping you'd win this bet too :).

[31 Flavas]

Well, as the article states, it could be that Nintendo wants to shift already produced allocations around. They havn't yet retracted their 4 million worldwide shipment goal/target/whatever.

But yea, this is certainly bad news in general for my bet... Boo hoo :(

[Mdot23]

all i know is that i still can't find one of these fucking things and i'm about to give up until i can walk into a store and just see one sitting there.

[Johan]

Good job Evil! Chalk one up for Evil Avatar on this one!

[Deadend]

The real reason Nintendo can't make the numbers is because they can't find any nunchucks. Thus they can't sell Wii's without Nunchucks.

[31 Flavas]

Good job Evil! Chalk one up for Evil Avatar on this one!Well, assuming he's right. He's only batting .500 :) Perhaps it should be less, he really fucked up on calling the DS :D

I mean, even the GBASP is outselling the PSP :p

[Johan]

Well, assuming he's right. He's only batting .500 :) Perhaps it should be less, he really fucked up on calling the DS :D

I mean, even the GBASP is outselling the PSP :p

Well, hell...if your sig is going to remind people of how he fucked up, how about reminding them when he didn't? :)

[zrikz]

The real reason Nintendo can't make the numbers is because they can't find any nunchucks. Thus they can't sell Wii's without Nunchucks.
I will agree with this.. but yesterday a relative of mine was shopping around and found found a nunchuk and a classic control at the same store!! He bought them for me and will ship them before Christmas.. wooo.

[Oskin]

I though Evil said they would sell 1.2 worldwide! As far as I know they are already over that number... Or maybe I'm just mistaken! And BTW we have nunchuk and classic controllers at the store where I work!

[RUSKULL]

I remember thinking the initial PS3 2006 number of 2 mil was too little, then Nintendo planed to ship 4 million Wii units this year. So any number under 1 mil still kind of shocks me.

[cp#]

Nintendo did launch in Europe though, and Australia.

[31 Flavas]

Well, hell...if your sig is going to remind people of how he fucked up, how about reminding them when he didn't? :)I'll remove the sig if I'm wrong. How about that? :)

Besides, aside from the fact, i'm sure there will be a lasting reminder, in one way or another, if I lose. :cool:

I seriously doubt Evil would let me get away with just being wrong ;)

[Draft]

Hahaha, didn't someone bet him too?

Also expect MS to crush all next gen competition in December too.

[31 Flavas]

You're a little late to the party, Draft :)

[Draft]

Yes I see, but your bet is kind of lame. You were paying either way so there should really be some additional penalty. Change your username to "Evil was Right" or something like that.

[31 Flavas]

I petitioned for additional penalties, but I havn't heard anything yet. Unless these discussions are being held behind closed doors...

[Nate Graves]

I'm not going near this one with a ten foot pole.

I am!

unF

This is disappointing news, since my mother, brother, girlfriend, and girlfriend's aunt all want a Wii. I cannot even supply one for myself.

[Watership]

It's interesting how we view each corporate entities in these shipping 'adventures'. Last year when the 360 shipped 350,000 units, and people were screaming Microsoft conspiracy. With Sony this year, it seems that everyone understands that they've had technical difficulties in production, yet we smell a little bullshit thrown in too. Nintendo on the other hand, is selling as much as they can, really! They are trying to get them out, but demand is just so high. Now that November is gone, we see that the 360 shipped 40 percent more than the PS3 in the same time period. Not many are freaking now. Strange.

[Switcher]

Yeah, good job.

But then again....it's not like this is the first time Evil's been right about a Nintendo-related subject.


Oh wait, my mistake, it totally is.

[jspeak32]

So Nintendo sells 900,000 instead of 1,000,000? Are they doomed now? I know 3 people lining up tonight in the hopes of getting one tomorrow morning. Wii is mainstream and that is all that matters.

Dang, people still having to wait for one huh? I guess I got lucky only waiting 30 minutes outside of my local Toys R Us (on black friday) before being let in to buy one...

[The Continental]

Not to detract from his success in this matter, but didn't Evil predict that not only would the DS fail but that the PSP and UMD movies would succeed?

He's 1/3 by my count.

[oldjadedgamer]

A wise man will admit his mistakes, a foolish man will deny his mistakes ever happened.

[Vagabondllama]

Not that surprising I guess...they'll probably still get close to 1 million, though, I would think.

[trip1eX]

They're retracting the well more than a million part.

Note: A million isn't well more than a million.

Also note: The less units the better. I'll throw up my used Wii on Ebay and be without one for a couple weeks for the right price.

[DaedalusFolly]

Also note: The less units the better. I'll throw up my used Wii on Ebay and be without one for a couple weeks for the right price.
I've had one sitting under my christmas tree since launch, been very difficult not to bust it out when the family isnt home... but then again I'll be the hero come the 25th :)

[bapenguin]

I'm gonna try to snag one tomorrow morning at Circuit City.

[J Arcane]

This news doesn't mean jack for Nintendo, but it means a heck of a lot for this site.
It means Siraris is getting a good Christmas bonus this year.

[Nessus]

I really need to get a second controller/nunchuck combo so we can play Boxing without needing one of my friends who own a Wii to come over.

I think Nintendo will probably be at least over 2 million by the end of the year, global. No one that I've seen has attempted to give estimates as to what the total European shipment was. And the US and Japan are receiving constant resupplies (the Best Buy I went to got 60 Wiis in, and only 7 PS3s).

[DaXIthR]

NPD's figures don't include reports from all retailers.
NPD's figures don't report on sales in Canada, which the 1 million unit figure included.

The issue for Nintendo is simply one of how many systems they can get out. Everything produced is being nabbed.

And kudos to them for not choosing to screw Europe and Australia - pushing their launch back supplying systems to NA instead.

No one gets a cookie for Nintendo missing their initial claims but 50 or 100K units. But I'll give you Krispy Kremes if you'd called Sony on missing their shipments by 60% or whatever it turns out to be.

[Manzy]

Didn't we have some news earlier that there were 600,000 units sold?

[Zeal]

NPD's figures don't include reports from all retailers.
NPD's figures don't report on sales in Canada, which the 1 million unit figure included.

The issue for Nintendo is simply one of how many systems they can get out. Everything produced is being nabbed.

And kudos to them for not choosing to screw Europe and Australia - pushing their launch back supplying systems to NA instead.

No one gets a cookie for Nintendo missing their initial claims but 50 or 100K units. But I'll give you Krispy Kremes if you'd called Sony on missing their shipments by 60% or whatever it turns out to be.
What's the point in all of this when Nintendo themselves just said they're not going to make it.

You people are unbelievable.

EDIT: I also don't get how people are magically pulling the 900,000 figure out of their asses. I'm pretty sure Nintendo would go with their initial claim of 1 million...if they were anywhere near 900k.

[Disgustipated]

I'll remove the sig if I'm wrong. How about that? :)

Besides, aside from the fact, i'm sure there will be a lasting reminder, in one way or another, if I lose. :cool:

I seriously doubt Evil would let me get away with just being wrong ;)

He didn't tell you? Your new username is gonna be "31 Flavas Of Wrong."

[ZephidsEmbrace]

I don't know if it has been said yet because I didn't read through the thread...the news post says it all. However, the title of this thread "Nintendo Retracts 1 Million Wii Statements" sounds retarded. And no, it's not because I like Nintendo and I'm trying to get a Wii. It's because it sounds like Nintendo retracted 1 million statements about the Wii. Yes, that's right, 1 million statements about the Wii appear to have been retracted. I had to say it, it's been bugging me since the news post went up.

Anyway, as for discussion, I'm not particularly surprised they weren't able to hit their mark. Huge companies do have a tendency to overestimate themselves a bit, whether accidental or for publicity. Congratulations to Evil on a good call :D Bravo, sir.

[Zeal]

Just change it to "Nintendo Leaves Console Business"

[ECM]

Not to ruin everybody's fun, but the statement that has been retracted reads: "Despite spot shortages in some locations, well more than a million Wii systems will be available in the United States by the end of the year..."

That statement, in and of itself, says nothing about their inability or sudden realization that they will not make 1 million units by year end (shipped, that is) and rather refers to the fact that they won't have "well more than"--which is what? 10% more? 20%?

Now I'm not defending Nintendo (as proof, I offer that I'm one of the ten people on this board that actually owns a PS3) but let's maybe actually read the original article instead of locking onto choice excerpts from the story someone is trying to create (as it happens, a notoroius member of the SDF.)

On the plus side, at least a Kotaku-like situation has been semi-averted as the headline isn't mis-leading :P

[dapngwnman]

They should totally just box up the parts then, send them to me, and I can create Build Your Own Nintendo Wii kits. Genius.

[mister_slim]

Wow, I guess those reports of them selling 600,000 units the first week weren't true.
Those were the numbers for North America, which also includes these countries named Canada and Mexico.

[Sl1pstream]

Beh, I got mine. Does anyone really care about the 500 000 people who still need one?

[Evil Avatar]

I though Evil said they would sell 1.2 worldwide! As far as I know they are already over that number... Or maybe I'm just mistaken! And BTW we have nunchuk and classic controllers at the store where I work!

I said I was thinking 1.2 Million sold for the USA by the end of the year and that they would not reach their shipping goal of 4 Million units worldwide by the end of December.

Now it looks like they aren't even going to make 1 Million SHIPPED by the end of the year in the USA.

Good news for our fun bet, bad news for anyone looking to buy one.

[HardScores]

What if Nintendo just wanted that statement about "spot shortages?" Has anyone talked to Nintendo? Nope. They just assume it's about the 1 million mark. It's not like there an entire paragraph being removed. I got the e-mails from Nintendo to change it, so I did.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Those were the numbers for North America, which also includes these countries named Canada and Mexico.


It really amazes me that so many people can't understand this - thanks for pointing it out again. ;)