Surprise: Demand for Wii, DS out of control
by Alisha Karabinus 
{ Dec 17th 2007 at 2:15PM }
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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tristan @ Dec 17th 2007 2:50PM
Well I guess people should just bit the bullets and buy online :( for cutt-throat break neck prices.
Seth @ Dec 17th 2007 2:56PM
... Or wait until next year. Demand will drop once the Christmas season is over. I mean, it's only a couple week until 2008. Save your hard-earned cash for some games (Galaxy, Smash Bros., Zack & Wiki) and extra controllers instead of throwing so much money at someone who's selfishly grabbed up this thing out of the hands of someone who'd actually PLAY it.
z3r0w1n9 @ Dec 17th 2007 3:11PM
@Seth: Amen!
Max Headroom @ Dec 17th 2007 3:16PM
Demand didn't drop after last Christmas. I think it will take a couple months for the sales to slow after this holiday, especially since Wii Fit is coming for the casuals and Brawl is coming for the hardcore, both in early 2008 (US). In addition, we finally have a pretty big library of good games from both third parties and Nintendo itself. Also, in the US Nintendo is going to be taking rainchecks on its January stocks in December. So, I honestly wouldn't expect to find many consoles on shelves until March to April. I'm glad that Nintendo is still winning this round.
hvnlysoldr @ Dec 17th 2007 8:31PM
They'll still be sold out after New Year's but I think he meant to say that the bundles/ebay wouldn't be gouging as much as right now.
bsm0f0 @ Dec 18th 2007 9:31AM
My mom, who I once busted sneaking some time on my NES back in the day (thought she could never get past 3-3), wants a Wii for Christmas. I called around to several stores/friends yesterday asking for stock updates etc. The only way I'll be able to snag one is in bundle form ... $600+ ($500ish if you have a pal-in-retail-discount). Looks like mom might be waiting until next Christmas as the earliest I could get on any list (if they had one) for a single unit ... via friends ... is late June.
I'll agree with Seth and advise to save your loot for games and accessories ... but if you must have, you're looking at a bundle. There's no way around it this late in the season.
I've had a number of other consoles, and while I admit I miss my PS2 and drool over a few Xbox/PS3 games ... nothing compares to the Wii. The thing about it is that it "involves" you with the game and others playing. We recently had an early Christmas due to moving this month and both my wife's family and my family visited. It was your average "Christmas" ... until the Wii was turned on. My wife's parents, who have trouble using a pc, are absolutely ga-ga over it. My mom stayed up until 4 in the morning playing, even our grandparents were having a blast. My wife, who used to make fun of me for playing games, spends more time playing than I do ...
I don't see demand for the Wii going down anytime soon ... not even before next Christmas (not with network play soon coming). And if you think demand is high right now, wait until after Christmas when parents and grandparents are exposed to Wii Fit, Wii Sports, and Rayman. You didn't see it so much last year because of limited quantities ... but with a whole year to score a unit for johnny kid, you're going to see a huge spike. My family is about as non-gaming as they come ... and within the span of two days, the only thing talked about over Christmas dinner was the Wii, how to get one, what can you do on it, etc.
Do I regret freezing my ass off for a Wii? No. Do I wish I had an Xbox/PS3? Sure. But being able to sit down on a lazy night and play video games with my wife is priceless.
Tristan @ Dec 18th 2007 12:17PM
ZOMG, Amazon has Wiis for sale for only $250 right now. people should hurry up and order for free super saver shipping!!!
gorecki @ Dec 18th 2007 8:23AM
There were Wiis in stock in HMV Oxford on Thursday... dunno if they were being bundled with a load of shovelware. But they are popping up here and there.
I wonder if the situation will arise again Christmas next year? It may seem unlikely, but if there is enough demand out there then it could happen!
gorecki @ Dec 18th 2007 8:24AM
There were Wiis in stock in HMV Oxford on Thursday... dunno if they were being bundled with a load of shovelware. But they are popping up here and there.
I wonder if the situation will arise again Christmas next year? It may seem unlikely, but if there is enough demand out there then it could happen!