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Wii launch 

The Wii launch was the release of Nintendo's seventh generation video game console. This successor to the Nintendo GameCube was released in most territories in November and December 2006. It was the third (after the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3) seventh generation console to be released in Japan and North America, but was second in Europe, being released before the PlayStation 3.

Contents

Announcement

At a June 7, 2006 policy briefing, Nintendo revealed plans to release 6 million console units and 17 million software units during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007.[1] This included the 4 million or more console units they expected to ship by the end of the 2006 calendar year.[2] On September 14, 2006, it was announced that the majority of the 2006 shipments would be allotted to the Americas.[3]

The Spanish launch of the Wii console was moved to December 9, 2006, because December 8, 2006 is the celebration of the Immaculate Conception and thus all shops were closed.[4] For the same reason, Italian and Swiss releases were moved also moved but to the day before, December 7, 2006.[5]

Nintendo of Canada vice president and general manager Ron Bertram stated that the company expected to have one million consoles available in North America at launch, as reported by IGN on September 25, 2006.[6] The next day, Nintendo branded the information as a "misstatement about the number of Wii consoles that will be available in the Americas during the launch rollout," and reiterated earlier statements of expected shipments of 4 million consoles worldwide by the end of 2006 with the largest allotment available in the Americas. The company affirmed that they "are working to ensure a plentiful supply and a consistent flow."[2]

On December 26, 2006, Nintendo announced that they would release its console in South Korea by the end of 2007. However, on October 28, 2007, plans for South Korea were changed as Satoru Iwata announced that the Wii would instead be launched in South Korea on April 26, 2008, along with first details to release the Wii in China also in 2008, due to high demand for the Wii console.[7]

Release dates and pricing

Release date and suggested retail price by region*
Region Expected pricing at release Release
date		 Accessories
Release Price Approx. USD Equivalent Wii Remote Nunchuk Classic Controller
 United States US$249.99[8] $249.99 November 19, 2006 $39.99 $19.99 $19.99
 Canada CAD$279.83[9] $265.31 C$44.99 C$24.99 C$24.99
 Mexico MXN$4,499 $410 ($355†) MXN$699 MXN$349 MXN$349
 Panama PAB B/.299 $299 PAB B/.49.99 PAB B/.29.99 PAB B/.29.99
 Guatemala QtzQ3,499 $450 ($375†) - - -
 Colombia COP$1,099,000[10] $480 ($410†) - - -
 Peru PENS/.1,499citation needed $465 ($390†) - - -
 Chile CLP$219,900[11] $440 ($360†) CLP$34,900 CLP$14,900 CLP$14,900
 Brazil R$2,399§[12] $1,110 ($274†) R$299.00 R$199.00 -
 Japan JP¥25,000[13] $215* ($205†) December 2, 2006 ¥3,800 ¥1,800 ¥1,800
 Australia AUD$399.95[14] $315 ($285†) December 7, 2006 AU$69.95 AU$29.95 AU$29.95
 New Zealand NZD$499.90[15] $340 ($305†) NZ$99.95 NZ$49.95 NZ$49.95
 Italy €259[16] $340 ($285†) €39.99 €19.99 €19.99
 Switzerland SFr 399‡[17] $330 ($310†) SFr. 69.90 SFr. 34.90 SFr. 34.90
 Croatia HRK 2099.99 - December 8, 2006 HRK 399.98 HRK 199.99 HRK 199.99
Flag of Europe Europe €249‡[18] $330 ($275†) €39.99 €19.99 €19.99
 United Kingdom GB£179‡ $350 ($300†) £29.99 £14.99 £14.99
 Hungary HUF 70,000[19] $360 ($300†) - - -
 Ireland €259 $340 ($285†) €44 €25 €25
 Denmark DKK 2,199citation needed $390 ($310†) 449 kr. 249 kr. 249 kr.
 Russia RUB 9,900‡[20] $380 ($335†) 1999 RUB 1499 RUB 999 RUB
 Norway NOK 2,499[21] $385 ($310†) 399 kr 249 kr 249 kr
 Sweden SEK 2,699‡citation needed $393 ($310†) 479 kr 299 kr 299 kr
 Iceland ISK 29,990[22] $440 ($335†) 5990 kr 2990 kr 2990 kr
 Finland €269.90[23] $355 ($290†) €49.90 €29.90 €29.90
 Turkey YTL 799.90 $550 ($466†) - - -
 Spain €249‡[24] $330 ($285†) December 9, 2006 €41,95 €19,95 €19,95
 Singapore SGD499.00 $330 April 25, 2007 SGD69.00 SGD39.00 SGD39.00
 South Africa ZAR 2899 $410 ($360†) September 28, 2007 [25] ZAR 475.00 ZAR 239.00 ZAR 239.00
 Argentina ARS2399[26] $760 March, 2008 ARS 320 ARS 200 ARS 190
 Malaysia RYM 1399 $410 ($360†) - RYM 139.00 RYM 69.00 RYM 69.00
Flag of South Korea South Korea KR₩220,000 $220 April 26, 2008 [27] ₩28,000[28] ₩15,000[28] ₩15,000[28]
Flag of the Republic of China Taiwan NT$ 8,500 $280 July 12, 2008 [29] NT$ 1,050 NT$ 525 NT$ TBA
 China CNY TBA CNY TBA Late 2008[30] CNY TBA CNY TBA CNY TBA
 Egypt EGP TBA TBA TBA EGP TBA EGP TBA EGP TBA
 India INR 19,990[31] September 30, 2008 INR TBA INR TBA INR TBA

* Wii Sports comes packaged with the console in all regions except Japan and South Korea.

† USD equivalent with local VAT, GST or sales tax removed for ease of comparison with territories that do not include taxes in consumer prices

‡ Retail price as estimated by, rather than suggested by, Nintendo[18]

§ Prices might be significantly lower on the informal market

Titles

On November 14, 2006, it was confirmed that 21 titles would be available on launch day in North America and South America, with another 12 games being released in the 2006 launch window. This makes 33 games total.[32] Wii Sports is included with the console bundle in all regions excluding Japan. Despite the price point of US$60 quoted for many seventh generation games,[33] Wii titles cost at most US$50 at major retail stores.

For a full list of all titles available for the console since launch, see List of Wii games.

Key:

Launch Title Region(s) Released[34][35] Launch Title Region(s) Released
Avatar: The Last Airbender Flag of the United States[36] Barnyard Flag of the United States[36]
Call of Duty 3 Flag of the United States Flag of Europe Flag of Australia Cars Flag of the United States Flag of Europe Flag of Australia[36]
Crayon Shin-chan: Saikyou Kazoku Kasukabe King Wii Flag of Japan[37] Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 Flag of the United States
Elebits Flag of Japan[38] Ennichi no Tatsujin Flag of Japan[39]
Excite Truck Flag of the United States The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy Flag of the United States
Gottlieb Pinball Classics Flag of Europe GT Pro Series Flag of the United States Flag of Europe Flag of Australia
Happy Feet Flag of the United States Flag of Europe[40][41] Kororinpa: Marble Mania Flag of Japan[37]
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Flag of the United States Flag of Japan Flag of Europe Flag of Australia Machi Kuru Domino Flag of Japan
Madden NFL 07 Flag of the United States Flag of Europe Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Flag of the United States
Monster 4x4 World Circuit Flag of the United States Flag of Europe Necro-Nesia Flag of Japan
Need for Speed: Carbon Flag of the United States Flag of Europe Flag of Australia Open Season Flag of the United States Flag of Europe Flag of Australia
Rampage: Total Destruction Flag of the United States Flag of Europe Flag of Australia Rayman Raving Rabbids Flag of the United States Flag of Europe Flag of Australia
Red Steel Flag of the United States Flag of Japan Flag of Europe Flag of Australia SD Gundam G Breaker Flag of Japan[37]
SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab 'Flag of the United States Flag of Europe[36] Super Fruit Fall Flag of Europe
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz Flag of the United States Flag of Japan Flag of Europe Flag of Australia Super Swing Golf Flag of Japan
Tamagotchi: Party On!/Tamagotchi's Sparkling President Flag of Japan[37] Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam Flag of the United States Flag of Europe Flag of Australia
Trauma Center: Second Opinion Flag of the United States Flag of Japan WarioWare: Smooth Moves Flag of Japan[37]
Wii Play Flag of Japan Flag of Europe Flag of Australia Wii Sports[1] Flag of the United States Flag of Japan Flag of Europe Flag of Australia
Wing Island Flag of Japan[37]

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption was pushed as a launch title, but was eventually delayed to a release date of August 27, 2007 in North America.[42] Satoru Iwata also initially wished for Super Smash Bros. Brawl to be released at launch.

[1] Wii Sports came bundled with the Wii in all territories except Japan and South Korea.

Sales

On November 28, 2006, Nintendo reported that it had sold over 600,000 consoles in the first eight days of launch in the Americas. Including the sales of accessories and games, Nintendo's Wii-related revenue has hit $190 million since its debut.[43]

The Wii launched in Japan on December 2, 2006. Japan initially received 400,000 Wii consoles,[44] with around an estimate of 370,000 sold in two days, with Wii Sports and Wii Play being the top two selling games.[45] While many PlayStation 3 consoles were resold on online auctions for a much higher price, the average Wii price on Yahoo! Auctions were only 30,000 ¥ (USD: $260).[46] This is perhaps because more people wanted to use the consoles, rather than resell them, as the Wii software tie ratio was 1.69.[46]

On December 12, 2006, sales data analysis firm Chart-Track and Nintendo confirmed with several press outlets in the United Kingdom that the Wii had become the fastest selling video game console in the region's recorded history, selling 105,000 consoles in its opening weekend, trumping the previous record holder, Xbox 360, which posted sales numbers of 70,000 units.[47] Nintendo announced on the following day that the Wii had sold 325,000 units across Europe in its first two days of sale, making it the fastest selling console across the entire European continent.[48]

In the United Kingdom, gamers lined up at the midnight launch of the console at GAME and HMV. Queues from both retail stores stretched into back alleyways and side streets. GAME even provided them with slices of pizza and Wii branded umbrellas. HMV in the meanwhile, handed out goodie bags containing Wii-branded T-shirts and Legend of Zelda posters. Celebrities such as Pat Cash and Ian Wright turned up to promote the Wii. For a sample of the reaction from gamers, celebrities and others, see video here.

On December 14, 2006, it was announced that the Wii console had become the fastest selling console in Australian history with 32,901 units sold in just four days, beating the Xbox 360's opening weekend record of 30,241 units.[49]

In Singapore, local distributor Maxsoft said that 2,000 consoles were sold in the first 2 days of retail, much greater than for the launches of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and that many preorders remained unfulfilled due to a low stock inventory.[50]

While the Wii launch was considerably smoother than that of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, it was not without its problems. Due to the scarcity of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, widespread price gouging began to form.citation needed Initial consumer reaction to the Wii appears to have been positive, with commentators judging the launch to have been successful,[51].

According to the Financial Times, as of September 2007 the Wii became the market leader in worldwide console sales.[52]

The Wii has sold over 1,060,000 units in Canada, as of July 2008, according to NPD Group.[53]

References

  1. ^ "Nintendo Co., Ltd. Corporate Management Policy Briefing". Nintendo. Retrieved on 2006-11-11.
  2. ^ a b Bozon, Mark (2006-09-26). "Nintendo Sets the Record Straight", IGN. 
  3. ^ "Nintendo to Sell Wii Console in November". Gadget Guru. Associated Press. Retrieved on 2006-10-29.
  4. ^ "Nintendo Wii Release Dates". Video-Game-Consoles. Retrieved on 2006-10-29.
  5. ^ "Wii arriva in anticipo solo in Italia, con una "sorpresa"" (in Italian). GameStar. Retrieved on 2006-11-04.
  6. ^ "One Million Launch Wiis for North America". IGN (2006-09-25). Retrieved on 2006-09-30.
  7. ^ "Wii in Korea - 2008". Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
  8. ^ Nintendo (September 14, 2006) Nintendo's Incomparable Wii Console Launches Nov. 19; MSRP $250.00, nintendo.com
  9. ^ CNW Group (September 17, 2006) Nintendo's Incomparable Wii Console Launches Nov. 19; MSRP $279.83, newswire.ca
  10. ^ "Wii pre-orders in Colombia". Viva Nintendo. Retrieved on 2006-11-28.
  11. ^ ZMART Wii
  12. ^ NintendoLife.com December 2, 2006[1], nintendolife.com
  13. ^ Sanders, Kathleen (September 13, 2006) Japanese Wii Price, Release Date Revealed, ign.com
  14. ^ Nintendo (September 15, 2006) Wii Australian details, NintendoWorldReport.com
  15. ^ Nintendo Australia (2006-09-18). "Nintendo Wii release information announced!". Gameplanet Store NZ. Retrieved on 2006-09-18.
  16. ^ Nintendo (4 November, 2006) [2], wii.com
  17. ^ Weltbild.ch. "Weltbild - Wii Konsole inkl. Wii - Sports". Weltbild.ch. Retrieved on 2006-11-22.
  18. ^ a b NintendoWorldReport.com(September 15, 2006) Europe Gets Wii Last, NintendoWorldReport.com
  19. ^ "Nintendo Wii - a nevető harmadik?". Index.hu (November 20, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-06.
  20. ^ Hardware.no - Prisguide [3], hardware.no
  21. ^ Hardware.no - Prisguide [4], hardware.no
  22. ^ BT (2006-12-08). "BT.is - Leikir". BT. Retrieved on 2007-04-08.
  23. ^ Nintendo Finland (2006-10-26). "Nintendo Suomi - Wii:n suositushinnaksi 269,90 euroa!". Nintendo. Retrieved on 2006-11-01.
  24. ^ Nintendo.com (November 4, 2006) Wii, wii.com
  25. ^ "Wii’s SA launch - all the details".
  26. ^ Musimundo [5]
  27. ^ "Korea - Wii launch date confirmed, and more info".
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  33. ^ Morris, Chris. "Nintendo president vows cheap games", CNNMoney. 
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    "nintendo.com.au - News From Nintendo" (November 2, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-02.
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  38. ^ "Elebits Update". IGN (November 8, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-08.
  39. ^ Anoop Gantayat (October 20, 2006). "Ennichi no Tatsujin Update". IGN. Retrieved on 2006-10-20.
  40. ^ "Happy Feet drops to Wii, PS2, DS, GCN, GBA". Retrieved on 2006-11-14.
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