The Nintendo Wii has fallen from number one to the number three console. Coming in third usually isn't something to be upset about but the Wii is number three out of three. It has been the top-selling console almost every month since its release in 2006 but its reign as king of the consoles appears to be over.
When the system first came out in 2006 it was impossible to find. I was working at a Best Buy in 2007, and on days we had the Wii in stock, they brought in extra security because of the rabid customers. It was the must-have item months after it debuted. But times have changed.
A recent article in the LA Times revealed the Wii's sales for the first ten months of 2010 were down 24% from 2009. Sales for Microsoft's Xbox 360 are up 34% and Sony's PS3 are up 14%.
Microsoft and Sony can both thank their newly released contributions to motion controls for the sales bump. Casual gamers are why the Wii sold so well before, but with Kinect and Move, Microsoft and Sony are tapping into the same pool of gamers who previously only saw the Wii as an option.
Nintendo is now focusing on late-adopters, people who haven't joined the console party. Nintendo did enjoy high Black Friday sales, selling more than 600,000 Wii consoles.
Will it be possible for the Wii to become number one again this holiday season?
Source: LA Times
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Ashley_Si
over 70 million wiis worldwide in 4 years, xbox is over 40 million(with replacements, a lot of the) and the ps3 is around the same. pretty much everyone who owns a ps3 and 360 also have a wii, going just by numbers even though it isn't true, seems like they've reached all of the market they could.
DPsx72
This means nothing, G4 is trolling and I'm sure their idiotic forum pals will be along shortly.
Come on, the Wii has to reach saturation sometime. It's not going to sell full tilt for its entire life. The fact it took THIS long means that Nin has many games for everyone and a damn near insurmountable sales lead. Wii isn't in third place, just the sales are slowing down.
Nub Salad
So you worked at best buy and now you work for g4? That's somewhat reassuring. Maybe I won't be stuck in retail forever.
xRaymond9250
we need more games, no more shovelware! send that crap to kinect!
abemontez
the wii aint for fat ass`s son!!! pro all 3!
tsoul19
And the Wii is Down! The Wii is Down!!! About Damn Time!!!
lowkevmic
Everyday consumers aren't hardcore gamers. Nintendo has always had an uncanny ability to market to that everyday consumer crowd with low prices and simple mechanics. With the economy the way it is, as long as Nintendo remains the cheapest of the three consoles, they will shine during Christmas time like they always do. The soccer mom trying to decide what console to buy for her boys this Christmas will always go for the cheap one that'll get the job done over the super expensive one with all the bells and whistles. Because they're not checking for graphic engines and processor speed, all they see is a box that plays video games.
ggamesg
If Nintendo keeps up with this good line up of games they've had lately (SMG2, Kirby epic yarn, DKCR, Epic Mickey, LoZ Skyward Sword) im sure more hardcore gamers will purchase a wii making there sales skyrocket again, becuz the sad truth is not many core gamers own a wii...
gamerguy727
wait so the wii lost its number one rank in monthly sales or overall?
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