Topic: Now this breaks my heart...

[NWR_pap64]

It's a well known fact that the Wii is VERY hard to find in the US (don't know about Europe) and I am sure many children, families and fanboys (like myself) were Wii-less this Christmas. But apparently the Wii is around in Japan, and people don't seem to care...

Don't believe me? These should say something...



Look at those Wiis piling up!! In people in the US saw this they would KILL to reach the pile first.

But now, the Japanese are looking for something of bigger importance...



Yeah, they are buying the DS lite as if it was going out of style while the Wii (and the PS3) remains un-loved.

But my question to you is, is this a glimpse into the future of the console in Japan? Why do I have the feeling that the Wii will be insanely huge in the world but will come second to the DS in Japan?

Again, this breaks my heart. Hey Nintendo! Take those unsold Wiis and bring them here, where people actually want one.

UPDATE: I am full of crap! Turns out that the signs say "sold out" and those boxes are empty.

Silly me...

[Smash_Brother]

I never thought I'd see the day, but it looks like Nintendo managed to land a bigger hit in the US than in Japan with the Wii.

I do have to consider Reggie the driving reason for this, too, as I'm quite certain that all of the media coverage and support the Wii received in the US was largely his doing (like the spots on the Colbert Report).

But it doesn't really matter so long as the Japanese are still buying a Nintendo product like that.

[BlackNMild2k1]

As long as Nintendo is coming in second to... well, themsleves, I guess it really shouldn't be a problem, just as long as whoever is in third is in a distant third and stays there.

[NeoThunder]

maybe it's why they chose to release it in the US first

I think a first for Nintendo on any console too

[NWR_pap64]

OK, someone pointed out at Go Nintendo that the Wii boxes may actually be empty Wii boxes for Display purposes only, and that the signs say that its sold out, so there is still hope.

Anyone know good Japanese here? Can someone tell us how the Wii scene is in Japan right now?

[capamerica]

I think they might be right, My Jappaness is pretty bad, but it does look like its a Sold Out sign. Also note that the sign is covering up the Wii displace case and why would you do that? And there is no price for the Wii around it too. also it kind of goes agest what has been said with the Wii being a huge hit in Japan. I know around here Toys R' Us and Circuit City both have a bunch of empty boxes for the Wii around along with signs saying they are sold out.

[mantidor]

My basic japanese doesn't tell me anything about a selling out in that pic, but it surprises me that Twilight Princess doesn't have a japanese name, is just the english named spelled in katakana, they were serious about the game being focused in its western audience.

[capamerica]

Another thing, even if those are actual units there are only 5 boxes. The picture could have been taken early or they might have had a large shipment and thats all thats left. I bet "IF" those were actual units they were gone at least 30min after the picture was taken.

[NWR_pap64]

Looks like you and I were right, Cap. Go Nintendo updated the story by saying that the Wii is indeed doing well and those signs actually indicate that its sold out, so both the DS and the Wii are dominating sales in Japan. No reason to worry.

The image of a pile of Wiis is simply shocking, especially when you are hunting for one.

And I wanted to post this:
The Spanish are eating up the Wii

[Smash_Brother]

Actually, I thought that might have been the case (empty display boxes) but the sign definitely appears to block the kiosk...

[IceCold]

The Spanish loved Nintendogs too..