The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

Analyst predicting tough times ahead for Wii

Korea not Wii smitten

Agentless Backup is Not a Myth

The Wii's popularity has dominated headlines for the last year or so, but it’s been forecast that a lack of availability in some regions could see the console’s sales start to dwindle.

According to a report by Korean paper the Chosun Ilbo, the Nintendo console has failed to take a hold in Korea since it was launched there in April. Nintendo may have spent a rumoured KRW30bn ($29.1m/£14m/€18.7m) on marketing, but figures from a selection of Korean electronics distributors have shown that a mere 35,000 units have been sold there so far.

By contrast, figures from market watcher NPD have already revealed that the Wii sold roughly 1.3m units in the US between March and June 2007.

A spokesman for one Korean electronics firm told the paper that when the Wii was initially launched there, the retailer was worried about being unable to keep up with demand. Its fears proved unwarranted, he indicated.

In the US, IDC analyst Billy Pidgeon recently warned that the Wii’s sales success may soon diminish if Nintendo’s can’t replenish stocks of the console and Wii Fit. According to an Los Angeles Times report, several US retailers, including Circuit City, have sold out of Wii Fit, while the videogame's being sold for 66 per cent more than its retail value on eBay.

Customer Success Testimonial: Recovery is Everything

More from The Register

Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Proof the pen is mightier?
Sammy’s iPad Mini killer has a stylus to stab other rivals too
First look: iOS 7 for iPad
No, Apple hasn't released it yet, but that doesn't stop intrepid devs
 breaking news
Curtain drops on Apple Store ahead of WWDC: What lies behind?
Steve Jobs watching from on high. No pressure, lads
 breaking news
Cold, dead hands of Steve Jobs slip from iPhones: The Cult of Ive is upon us
Billionaire biz baron's death clears way for uber-shiny iOS 7
Airbus imagines suitcases that find themselves
Point your mobe at your smalls to track their every move
Microsoft lures buy-curious vixens, corduroys with a cheap fondle
Surface slab sales latest: Will no one rid Ballmer of these turbulent tabs?
Surprise! Intel smartphone trounces ARM in power trials
Tests show equal performance while sipping significantly less juice
Samsung plans LTE Advanced version of Galaxy S4
1Gbps download capability could stiffen drooping S4 sales forecasts
Apple said to be 'exploring' 5.7-inch iPhone
Who's the copycat this time, Mr. Cook?
Google Chromebooks now in over 6,600 stores
Major, worldwide retail push begins this summer