Nintendo launched their latest gaming console, the Wii U, in the US last week and the unit has already racked in more than 400 000 in unit sales. Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said that the newest gaming console has been sold out at most retailers, but Nintendo is trying to keep up with stock.
“Wii U is essentially sold out of retail and we are doing our best to continually replenish stock. Retailers are also doing their best to get the product to store shelves. But as soon as product hits retail, they’re selling out immediately,” he told CNET.
In other released data, he also revealed that Nintendo has sold more than one million units of combined consoles last week alone, which include the sales of Wii U, Wii, 3DS, and DS. The sales figures of the Wii U beat those of it predecessor, as the original Wii only managed to get 300 000 sales in its first week.
It was also revealed that 250 000 3DS and 275 000 DS devices were sold, while Fils-Aime said the 3DS “continues on record-setting pace” with more than 6 million units sales during its first 21 months on store shelves.
But while sales of the Wii U proved strong during its first week of releases, Fils-Aime said that it will not necessarily reach the original Wii’s numbers. “Wii was a unique phenomenon. You couldn’t walk into a retailer and buy a Wii until spring of 2009. We’ve certainly learned many lessons from that and we are replenishing retailers more quickly this time around. We are looking to have as much product into retail as possible. It’s driven by consumer response.”
Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor
