AfterDawn: News

Nintendo Wii debuts in the US

Lines of avid gamers stretched around stores like Toys R Us as Nintendo launched its infamous Wii. With about 1.2 million units making it to the western shores, fans like Isaiah "Triforce" Johnson just had to be the first person to own one. So at midnight in New York City, Johnson was ceremoniously rang up by none other than Nintendo of America president, Reggie Fils-Aime. Not wanting to squander this opportunity away, Johnson quickly unwrapped his brand new Wii and had Fils-Aime autograph it personally.

Thousands of gamers lined up all around the United States each hoping to be one of the few able to purchase the Wiis in stock. Armed with over twice the amount of units as its competitor Sony which launched two days earlier, Nintendo hopes to make a splash with its North American debut. Nintendo also hopes to lure new gamers into the arena with unique games and unique gameplay mechanics with its motion sensor equipped controller.



The Nintendo Wii launched with a price of $250, in stark comparison to its competitors at $600 for a premium PS3 and $400 for the top of the line Xbox

Source:
Reuters

Written by: Dave Horvath @ 19 Nov 2006 13:23

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• 19 comments

• 21Q

  I couldn't get the WII, WHYYYYYYYYY, it's sold out. There's two targets that got 60 and 100 but they're closed today and I can't go tommarow, maybe my dad will get it for me.

  19.11.2006 14:10 #1

• BurningAs

  who the hell is saiah "Triforce" Johnson?

  19.11.2006 14:50 #2

• zincy

  'Nintendo launched its INFAMOUS Wii'
  why infamous?

  19.11.2006 21:26 #3

• sleepele

  went to walmart sat night waited 6 hours got the last one. went to kmart at 5 am got 1st spot got the 1/3 they had.

  20.11.2006 04:23 #4

• bugzy113

  yea, i wasn't able able to get one either. . .
  

  
  
  Bring On The Pain!

  20.11.2006 05:05 #5

• Thonor

  I had mine pre-ordered. Wii Sports is all I've had time for right now, but holy cow is it fun! You NEED to get one of these.
  
  When I went to Toys R Us and Walmart in my area on Sunday around 2pm, the displays for the Wii were EMPTY. Everything, gone.
  
  Good on Nintendo for such a solid launch (unlike the competition). There's already 3 bugs for the PS3, but I've had no problems with my Wii so far, and I haven't heard of any other people with problems.

  20.11.2006 05:40 #6

• handsom

  The only qualms I've had on mine are incredibly minor:
  
  -I'm eager for the news and forecast channels to be up
  -I'm waiting for the web browser
  -I'm waiting for more games in the shop
  
  I'm not too worried at all though, because the 360 launch was the same way; and after hearing that Sony chose to launch their online store with a whopping two games available.... I'm not all too concerned about Nintendo, as long as online games start debuting more soon, thus far only dowhnill jam is available online; but I'm sure there will be many more.
  
  I picked mine up with Zelda and Trauma Center; and I've been abundantly pleased with both.
  
  What I do find very funny, is that a lot of people were apparently anticipating ps3-like graphics; which is utterly ridiculous, Nintendo has been very forthcoming about the specs and the fact that they strongly favor gameplay over all else. Not to mention the system is 1/2 the price of the PS3.... So what on earth were they anticipating?

  20.11.2006 06:33 #7

• TheJoxter

  Heh, zincy I noticed that too ladies and gents the definition of infamous is http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?infamous
  
  So... any chance we could get that changed?
  
  BTW is there any word yet on when the next shipment of Wii units is arriving? I haven't got mine yet :p

  20.11.2006 06:42 #8

• bugzy113

  Yea i would liek to know when the next shipment will be in as well. . . I spoke with someone from the local gamestop and they told me MAYBE sometime next week...

  20.11.2006 08:23 #9

• navi1199

  i have wii too pre-ordered with zelda woohoo, man that i played wii-sports boxing with a friend and holy shit your gonna have muscel aches in the morning after playing hours and hours.

  20.11.2006 09:38 #10

• Ankoku

  Yeah Im lovin my Wii, one of my best decisions of the year, I just want to know when
  
  a) The internet Browser will be up
  and
  b) When Duck Hunt! will be available...
  If anyone has heard anything please lemme know! :-D

  20.11.2006 17:42 #11

• rocket699

  i have to wait till the wii comes out in europe , no fair!!!!!!!!!
  

  21.11.2006 10:52 #12

• lechy4

  Are you all playing your old Gamecube games on Wii without any problems?

  21.11.2006 16:39 #13

• ZippyDSM

  handsom
  sadly there are sheeple of the gaming horde that think the WII will have 360 or PS3 like graphics......
  
  mabye at best in 4 years they can bring basic 360 graphics out of it?
  
  
  naawwww.....stable and good Xbox or slightly better is all I think it can handle but still its enough add the new control scheme Nintendo wins...well they would if it were not for the horde >> *L*

  22.11.2006 08:16 #14

• handsom

  I agree, I've heard too many complaints like that which is a sad shame. I'd prefer the Wii's gameplay over the 360/PS3's graphics any day. It's just more fun.
  
  I look forward to the REAL batch of new games in the form of Super Smash Bros. Brawl; Metroid Prime 3; and Mario Galaxy. I also hope to hear Nintendo announce a new Mario Kart soon, because I could really go for a Wii based Kart game. Methinks Nintendo could make a VERY fun Mario Kart with the controller, but that's to be seen. GCN didn't get one for about the first two years in; which was kind of weird, considering the n64 got one practically right at launch. But oh well. There are new games coming that look good, so I'm happy.
  

  Professional Grade Glass Etching - Get your favorite Game/Movie/Anime logos etched into glass, PM me for info.

  22.11.2006 09:36 #15

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by handsom:I agree, I've heard too many complaints like that which is a sad shame. I'd prefer the Wii's gameplay over the 360/PS3's graphics any day. It's just more fun.
  
  I look forward to the REAL batch of new games in the form of Super Smash Bros. Brawl; Metroid Prime 3; and Mario Galaxy. I also hope to hear Nintendo announce a new Mario Kart soon, because I could really go for a Wii based Kart game. Methinks Nintendo could make a VERY fun Mario Kart with the controller, but that's to be seen. GCN didn't get one for about the first two years in; which was kind of weird, considering the n64 got one practically right at launch. But oh well. There are new games coming that look good, so I'm happy.True the they kinda lost their footing with the GC they didnt seem to have the heart for it 0-o
  
  Hopefuly they regained thier vigor..and I hope Mario Galaxy is better than Mario sun shine whitch felt kinda throwen together.....as "incomplete" as Mario 64 was it had better level contenuinty.......
  

  
  
  FIGHT THE M.A.F.I.A.A.
  Sony has declared war on importers the consumer will be next with CD's,Videos/Games not far behind that....boycott SONY!
  http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/8062.cfm

  22.11.2006 09:59 #16

• pollution

  I just played a guys Wii and this is an excellent game system. It is so much fun!!!!!! I will buy a Wii if and when I buy a new console. I wished they had controllers that attached to the ankles though so my legs could get a work out too while faving fun!
  

  
  TEXAS
  

  22.11.2006 20:40 #17

• Hrdrk20

  "El Guapo is SO Famous, he's IN FAMOUS" lol
  
  Martin Short - Three Amigos

  24.11.2006 08:55 #18

• prfect

  Got my Wii the other day. Somewhat disapointed in the graphics. But not sure what I expected, as until now, have always been a PC gamer. I love the idea of the game play, and the motion controlers. The Wii sports are a ton of fun. And for $279 (CND), you can't go wrong.

  29.11.2006 01:55 #19