Wii still stalling despite Thanksgiving surge

by Stevie Smith - Dec 1 2009, 07:05

When it comes to pulling consumers towards videogame hardware – particularly during times of recession – hacking down associated prices is usually enough to ensure a swift sales spike. However, while such drops have worked for Microsoft and Sony in 2009, legendary Japanese gaming giant Nintendo evidently hasn’t benefited

Moreover, as the traditional Thanksgiving consumer electronics surge winds down after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, retail feedback would suggest sales of Nintendo’s Wii home console are slumping in the U.S. despite a recent price cut of 20 percent.

According to Nintendo, the company sold in excess of 550,000 units of its $200 USD Wii in the week ending November 28, which is a notable year-on-year shortfall of around 30 percent when gauged against the 800,000 units sold during the same period in 2008.

Despite what appears to be flagging consumer interest in its Wii platform, Nintendo is remaining bullish about the console’s performance and appeal.

Speaking with The San Francisco Chronicle, Nintendo’s Cammie Dunaway outlined that consoles sales have increased 85 percent week-on-week since the Wii was dropped from $250 USD to $200 USD at the end of September.   

Conversely, while the Wii continues to lose momentum in the sector, Nintendo’s hugely popular DS portable system shows no sign of losing its edge in the market.

Nintendo’s report regarding the Thanksgiving weekend outlines that the Kyoto-based heavyweight sold more than a million combined units of its DS and DSi handheld, which is a significant improvement over the 800,000 it sold during Thanksgiving 2008.

According to Nintendo, the company sold in excess of 550,000 units of its $200 USD Wii in the week ending November 28, which is a notable year-on-year shortfall of around 30 percent when gauged against the 800,000 units sold during the same period in 2008.

Despite what appears to be flagging consumer interest in its Wii platform, Nintendo is remaining bullish about the console’s performance and appeal.

Speaking with The San Francisco Chronicle, Nintendo’s Cammie Dunaway outlined that consoles sales have increased 85 percent week-on-week since the Wii was dropped from $250 USD to $200 USD at the end of September.   

Conversely, while the Wii continues to lose momentum in the sector, Nintendo’s hugely popular DS portable system shows no sign of losing its edge in the market.

Nintendo’s report regarding the Thanksgiving weekend outlines that the Kyoto-based heavyweight sold more than a million combined units of its DS and DSi handheld, which is a significant improvement over the 800,000 it sold during Thanksgiving 2008.

Around the Web