Tokyo (Japan) – 21 months after the introduction of the Nintendo Wii, the game console is still in short supply and you have to be lucky to find one on the shelves in retail stores. But Nintendo’s previously announced increase in Wii production capacity is showing effect: The company sold 5.2 million consoles in the second quarter of this year (fiscal Q1 2009 for the company), compared to only 1.7 million in Q2 of last year.

The Wii console was the main growth driver for the company in the second quarter, lifting earnings by 34% to $996 million. Sales came in at $3.9 billion.

Following the company’s April 25 announcement that Wii production capacity would be gradually increased to about 2.4 million units per month in July, unit shipments of the Wii console have jumped considerably from 1.7 million in Q2 2007 to 5.2 million in Q2 2008. Nintendo said that it has sold a cumulative 29.6 million Wiis, which compares to 19 million Xbox 360s and 14.4 million PS3s. Nintendo previously said that it expects to ship about 25 million Wiis during the current fiscal year.

Wii Fit launched successfully with sales of 3.4 million "Wii Fit" games. "Mario Kart Wii" sold 6.4 million units.

DS sales were down by 40,000 to 6.94 million devices for the quarter. Nintendo, however, said that it remains on track to sell about 28 million units during the 2009 fiscal year. Worldwide DS sales now total 77.54 million, the company said.  

Hmm I know lots of people

Jul 30, 2008 10:14     

The Wii must be popular with kids and grandmas! But I don't know anyone that has a Wii. I'm 33. Everyone I know has an XBOX 360 or a PS3. I bought the Nintendo DS because of the R4 device that allows you to use it like a small Macbook Air. Nintendo is now suing the makers of R4 and other companies. I would not have bought the DS without the R4. I'm boycotting any future Nintendo purchases until they get a clue and work with homebrew developers.

Hax Or report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -10

Well, i know a lot of people...

Jul 30, 2008 10:57     

like myself (29 years old), that has a wii, and a friend (that is a girl) that plays really well, that is 36, and all of my friends that own one. Though, investing in a 360 seems a nice addition to my wii, it doesn't mean that only kids and grandmas plays it. I guess that was the final end of nintendo, to expand the user base, not to concentrated, like the other two, in just people of 25-35 age range. I am really glad that Nintendo is taking back is throne... now let's see how long it last. Normally this kind of wake ups, are the ones that helps the company improve again. Sony got to cocky, (just as nintendo with the 64 in it's time) believing that everyone would buy their console, but time repeats itself... and let the market refresh with new ideas and break the paradigms that were set one day to give chance to others.

Quikemon report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +5

We all play the Wii

Jul 31, 2008 00:04     

Myself (35), three close friends (both 35) and several people I know all own Wii systems. One lady at work just bought one and she's 45. Another person at work plays one and she's only 20. Interesting thing is that none of these people own either an Xbox360 or a PS3. Some have Xboxes and PS2s though.
CJ report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Great news for casual gaming

Jul 31, 2008 08:25     

I like the Wii and their games. I think the system is a lot of fun and definitely the number one choice of casual games, but there only a few titles I would play regularly as casual games. I prefer the PS3 but if Nintendo can create a level of accuracy in the there a remote that can accurately simulate reality, I'm in. Right now it's too in accuarate for hardcore gaming. My 6 year old nephew beats me at Wii Golf. That can't be accuarate since I'm a low handicap in real life!

C-Drive report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

good for helping reduce weight

Jul 31, 2008 10:11     

since one has to get up off ones duff to play it, it is great for getting some exercise for those who normally just sit around. Plus it is alot of fun. I plan to get one for myself soon and I am 49. :)
TomLeeM/BigWarpGuy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0