Dear Nintendo,
Congratulations on your success with the Wii. Really. Despite my doubts, it continues to sell well — so well, in fact, that people still can’t reliably buy one anywhere. I recognize that you’ve shipped twice as many Wiis per month, on average, as Microsoft has shipped Xbox 360s. But the Wii was released 1.6 years ago.
On launch day, it was hype. That’s good. But 1.6 years later, the perpetual shortage is just an annoyance to people who want to buy your products.
I’m one of the 24 million Wii owners. I’ve been massively disappointed in the pathetic, shallow game library. My Wii has been played about three times in the last year, and I usually forget that I even have one. But you recently released a game I’d like to buy: Wii Fit. Even though it’s $90, I still want to buy it. If it had good multiplayer (it doesn’t), I’d buy two.
But I can’t buy it. Anywhere.
I’m trying to give you money. And you won’t take it. That kinda goes against the way successful businesses are operated.
Some of your customers are so devoted, and have so much time, that they’re willing to call around and travel to multiple stores for the chance to get one of your products. That’s a huge pain in the ass. Most people don’t care about you that much. I sure don’t.
The eternal shortages are no longer cute.
Love, Marco
There are times when I am eternally grateful to my significant other’s line of business. I reserved Wii Fit, but even still only received my copy on the second shipment. Now they receive one or two every now and then and they are still trying to provide copies to people who reserved the game late.
The Wii system itself is a huge problem. My fiance manages one of the busiest, most productive stores in his region, and yet they still can’t get Wiis in stock on a regular basis. Occasionally they’ll have used Wiis available, but those sell out as soon as they are advertised on the floor.
I agree with everything Marco said and believe that Nintendo needs to concentrate their efforts onto games that focus on body movement incorporated into gameplay (Wii Fit, WiiSki, Wii Sports) and less onto what is thought of as “traditional” video games. Stay away from classic shooters or games that are also available for and play better on the 360 or PS3 systems. They should also create more multiplayer opportunities. Rock Band for the Wii is a good start.
One day i shall be shopping and find a store that sells a WII and i shall buy it. However there has never been that day that I have found a WII in a store and could buy it. Except that one tiem with jackie, not the point ok. MAKE MORE WII’S!