Nintendo Wii Console

[Mike]

The Nintendo Wii has been such a success it has tripled the profits of the firm. That is well impressive, I suppose it boils down to the company actually making money on each console sale, rather than Sony and Microsoft who lose money on the hardware and hope to recoup it in the games.

Yay Nintendo and Yay for common sense (and reasonably priced hardware and software). I was shocked to see that the PS3 games were priced at about £50! EEKK!

[mr_e]

Plus the console itself is going to be about £350. A bit hefty, even with blu-ray (or whatever it's called).

[Mike]

This BBC Article has reported that Nintendo are currently considering pulling their Wii adverts in the run up to christmas as they are still having manufacturing problems. They are now making 1.8 million per month and still not fulfilling the demand which is mightily impressive. 17 million sold and rising - 3 million more than earlier predicted. Yay!

[mr_e]

I would say that they're obviously quids in, but do they actually make any money on the console hardware? Part of the reason it's selling so well is due to it being miles cheaper than anything else (as well as being tons of multiplayer fun).

[Mike]

I have heard from previous reports that they are the only manufacturer to make a profit on ALL hardware sold. So it might be cheaper than all the others but it is actually using less powerful hardware which is how they make their money. Much better business model if you ask me! :D

I like the fact they have bucked the traditional hardware buying trends too. They were claiming that during summer is a usually quiet period for consoles and were expecting to stockpile some in time for christmas. However, they have actually been selling as quickly as they can make them (thus no stockpile!).

[stimpsonslostson]

They are STILL rather difficult to get hold of! I THOUGHT I'd got one last night... only to be disappointed. Game had put them as being in stock on their website, when they weren't in stock! I ordered and promptly got an email saying I wa now in a queue and MIGHT recieve it in the next month, despite ordering for next day delivery!
I called em and they said I'd just have to wait or cancel my order! So I've gone for comet instead. Same price (plus they'll deliver to my office!). 2games, a charger stand and "classic" controller... we wait with baited breath!
P

[BarcelonAl]

That's very naughty of GAME. Strictly speaking they mis-sold you the product when you ordered it. You would be well within your rights to complain to the Office of Fair Trading.

Stock will go very quick, but they should have an up-to-date stock level display (like most other e-commerce sites ). Sounds to me like GAME were trying to be very, very sneaky and capture those parents who were being nagged by kids to get one; "Well we've got one on order...". When were they going to take your money?

[Mike]

Game is a cheeky organisation that is for sure. That sort of behaviour is unacceptable. I am just glad they are honest enough to give your card a refund. The funny one will be when they actually send you a spare console. . . . Good luck with the old delivery, I hope it gets to you in time for christmas

[stimpsonslostson]

To be fair the email was clear about the fact that they didn't have em in stock and that I wouldn't be charged until they dispatched it. So I cancelled it all.
The website now has a notice up saying to "please allow 8-10 working days for processing of the orders due to high demand" I suspect this is another way of saying "we THINK we'll get a delivery in the next 2weeks".
Comet were great- its being sent to my office before noon on thursday (then I'm off home to play all afternoon!). its just a case of wait n see for now. The games I'm supposed to get are Rayman: Raving Rabbits 2 and WWE: smackdown v raw... some trading may happen!
P

[Mike]

I don't know about Rayman, Ravin Rabids 2 but Rayman, Ravin Rabids 1 was a brilliant game!

[Mike]

New Wii news showing profits rising again for Nintendo. Experts are predicting that they will have problems when they come to release their next product. They will be looking for a new innovation to keep them on the top spot!

[stimpsonslostson]

I'm all sorted now!
I've got my Wii, Tiger 2008, Raving Rabbids, Mario Galaxy and resident evil 4. Bex is away for 3 weeks, but I think this should keep me entertained. Reviews to follow... whenever I stop playing them!
P

[Mike]

One of these days we will have to get a Tiger competition going. Between the three of us we have more than 4 controllers!

[stimpsonslostson]

OK. Time for interim reports-

Mario covered elsewhere- Lush graphics, innovative game play. I'm thoroughly impressed, but dare I say it... not totally immersive? I enjoy the challenges, but only play for an hour or so then do something else.

Rabbids -collection of minigames, which can be hit n miss. When the games are good they are BRILLIANT, some are just not interesting or too short. This could be a great party game- sick humour and funny challenges could lead to good forfeit drinking games.

Tiger 2008 I've barely stopped playing, once I got the hang of the swing control I've ben hooked! My only criticism is a lack of "feel" in the short game, but if you hit your fairways this isn't an issue. (oh, and the god awful commentary- stick itunes on instead of listening to that rubbish!)

Resident Evil4 The suprise hit of my collection. I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I do! I'm 1/3 thru now and am properly addicted. the constant balance between zombies to be killed and bullets running out requires some careful shooting- the wii control system is brilliant for this (my hit ratio is over 85% so far!). I can easily play for a couple of hours at a time, it can be unforgiving at times- some characters WILL kill you repeatedly, but this just makes revenge sweeter.

I'll update once I've got further.
P

[Mike]

MacWorld are reporting that the Wii is expected to overtake the Xbox 360 as the number 1 console sometime in 2008. At the moment Xbox 360 is at 25million projected units whilst the Wii is at 30million (up from 18mil) rock on!