Nintendo reports that shortages of their handheld DS game console and Wii are widespread in Europe–certainly a problem, but one that has Mario and Company smiling wide. According to data collected by Chart Track, December saw the DS sell over 500,000 units in the UK alone, and another 1.7 million units throughout the rest of Europe. The Wii also had a remarkable tally, with 700,000 consoles sold during the same time period. Nintendo says that the initial Wii weekend launch made its console the fastest selling game machine in European history.
Nintendo’s European Marketing Director, Laurent Fisher, marveled at the sales figures and said, "We have enjoyed one of the most successful Christmas holidays ever, with both Nintendo DS and Wii selling at staggering rates. The success of our products this Christmas clearly shows that Nintendo’s drive to make gaming accessible to everyone has attracted people of all ages and abilities to the industry."
Laurent then assured waiting customers that Nintendo is doing its best to insure the game machines are available. "We are facing such high demand for both platforms that unfortunately we are facing stock shortages, however we are doing everything possible to combat this by attempting to deliver both consoles and games to retailers on a daily basis."
The Nintendo business model in making gaming attractive to "people of all ages and abilities" was mentioned by Laurent, and it has certainly gone over well with the general public–in the form of millions of new individuals that have been added to the rank and file of the gaming world. As Nintendo continues its rampage across demographics that have been traditionally off-limits to gaming, the game industry, as a whole, is taking note and may be changing its course to accommodate this new breed of gamer and expand their views and strategies as to what sort of titles appeal to them.
