Nintendo Gloomy on Wii Supplies

They're hard to find now and they could be hard to find for a while to come.

Whether it's because demand is too high, supply is too tight, or something more in the middle, there's no arguing that the Wii is a tough get. Unfortunately for those who have yet to succeed, Nintendo says things could stay like this for a while.

When asked during an interview on the Game Theory podcast when the shortage would end, Nintendo's Perrin Kaplan said, somewhat ominously, that it could still be some time.

"We are at absolute maximum production and doing everything we can," Kaplan told Game Theory.

She said that production of the Wii is higher now than for any previous Nintendo system, but that still isn't enough.

"People are being really diligent about working with retailers to locate one but we are cognizant of the fact that a lot of fans are not able to get their hands on one yet," Kaplan said. "We are asking them to be patient and to know that we are working on this as fast as we can."

The situation is not much different in the UK. Many of the major online retailers have resorted to selling the Wii in bundles - when they do have them in stock. Nintendo recently said that demand was higher now than at launch.

Part of the reason for the supply hold-up appears to be that Nintendo is working with only one manufacturer, Foxconn. According to sources close to DigiTimes, Nintendo is now thinking of getting in bed with another supplier, though it has yet to pick from among its eager suitors.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo