Nintendo Pulls UK Wii Ads December 09, 2007
Read more Consoles , Gadgets , Games , Gizmodo UK , Wii
Nintendo has pulled its Christmas Wii adverts in the UK because it’s already unable to meet current demand.
You may have read our earlier reports about impending Wii shortages but they are well and truly here so start thinking 2008 for your chance to hurt a relative with the Wiimote.
The company has decided that Wii fever is already at dangerously high levels and, since it’s already running out of its wildly popular console, it would be irresponsible to run a Christmas Wii ad campaign.
The ads have been replaced by ones for the DS – which is already the second most searched for item on the Web in the UK, after the elusive Wii. Speaking to Marketing Week, a Nintendo spokesperson said:
“We have been running the campaign all year round, but we want to take a responsible stance this Christmas and not fuel demand.”
Nintendo has already upped production to 1.8m units a month but most UK shoppers will still have to wait until 2008.-Martin Lynch
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
Comments
I would say this itself is the best form of advertisement: "We have sold so many, that we no longer need to advertise for it". Perfect, go Nintendo, go Wii... We are counting on you.
This is very strange...
Is this just a marketing ploy on the part of Nintendo UK or is it that the sales figures are so much higher for the UK than the rest of Europe.
I am currently working in Lisbon, Portugal and can walk into any Media Markt, Vorbis, Worten etc and pick one off the shelf. In fact I purchased on from Jumbo last week to keep my kids happy.
I also heard that Media Markt in Cologne, Germany have stock.
The only difference between the mainland europe machine and the UK machine is the mains plug. (£1.00 for a replacement lead).
I can't believe these things are still out of stock! I bought mine last xmas on a lucky Argos reserve online, and they've barely been in stock since.
It's interesting to see that they're freely available elsewhere in Europe, it'd be even more interesting if the warranty was valid in the UK....maybe even interesting enough to take a trip to Portugal with a couple of empty suitcases :)
Good old nintendo, they've made the wii fun.
I got one for my parents this christmas, truely fun for the whole family. Do feel sorry for parents trying to find one for there little darlings this christmas through