Wii Off to Big Start in Japan

Another smooth launch for Nintendo as thousands of Japanese line up for the Wii.

Nintendo made an orderly entry into the next generation in Japan this past weekend with a sell-out debut that gives more momentum to the Wii.

Reports across the internet painted calm pictures of lines of people hundreds (and in some places thousands) deep snaking through the popular electronics districts around Tokyo and the rest of Japan. Several of the big retailers didn't bother with pre-order programs, coaxing thousands of people onto the streets, as they weathered the brisk autumn temperatures for a chance to savour the new system.

Unlike at the PlayStation 3 launch in Japan, there were fewer reports of people camping out for Wiis simply for reselling. The launch was also not blighted by the inflamed tempers that came with the PS3 in November.

Legend of Zelda was an obvious favourite, though we'll have to wait until the official sales figures are out later this week to find out just how popular Link's new game was. No matter, there was plenty to go around.

Japan's status as Nintendo's favourite territory was on proud display, with nearly a dozen titles hitting there that missed the US launch two weeks ago. Among these was the new Wario Ware game and Tecmo's colourful golf title Super Swing Golf.

Nintendo said it would have around 400,000 Wiis on hand for the launch and it's expecting to have a million just for Japan by the end of the year. The Wii has already sold more than 600,000 units in North America. Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime said recently that Nintendo is on track to have 4 million consoles ready by the end of the year.

How many of those are coming to Europe? Nintendo hasn't said yet, but with the launch just days away now, on Friday, 8 December, we'll soon find out if Nintendo is going to give Europe more of the attention it demands.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo