While pre-orders are still very much available, at the time of writing, around Europe and elsewhere, it seems that demand for Wii U in the U.S. is hitting some impressive heights. We previously reported that Wii U pre-orders were selling out in the U.S., in terms of online purchases, but it's now being reported by softpedia.com that major retailer GameStop has completely stopped Wii U pre-orders.
An alternative is being offered to members of the PowerUp Rewards loyalty program, in that they can be placed on a waiting list — without a deposit — and they'll be contacted with an update when the system launches on 18th November. Being on the waiting list is no guarantee and it seems likely that those without a pre-order will be unable, waiting list or not, to get a system on launch day.
We haven't yet seen reports of sales on this level in other territories, with retailers still accepting pre-orders; the U.S. is undoubtedly in love with Wii U, however, which is sure to make Reggie Fils-Aime and his colleagues smile.
[source news.softpedia.com, via gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 42
I'm pretty sure that all retailers in AUS are still accepting pre-orders. EB said that once Nintendo says stop they'll stop.
Though everyone who doesn't get one should buy a Vita.
There is a Wii u pre order on fleabay for £100. Thats just for the pre order slip, so you would still have to fork out for the console on top! robbing bar stewards !
And then you can already buy all the games that are gonna be released next year on Wii U.
You win!
Glad I got my preorder in! I got the first Deluxe preorder at my local GameStop so I know I'm guaranteed a system. Woo!
without knowing how many units each store is being allowed, it doesn't mean much of anything at this point.
Space Kappa good for you! thank god that pre-orders arent sold out in canada!
Wow. I thought that the iphone 5 was going to completely overshadow the wii u.
The iPhone 5 sold over 5 million in the launch weekend. Good luck getting those figures with a Wii U.
At least this isn't happening in the UK.
no WiiU for me after all the hype i got into.
no pre-orders around me, at least no certified pre-order.
plus, calculating everything needed for the launch, and it makes a freaking bill for this machine. (need a wiimote+nunchuk, another game since nintendo land wont satisfy me for months, and a third gamepad (the pro one) for my kids)
the console itself is well priced. but being unequipped cause i have no Wii for the other gamepads, it piles a nice sum of money for a machine im not sure about. its a machine oyu gotta get at launch, elseway you better get the ps4 (or xbox for micro fans)
ill cash that stash of cash and grow it for the PS4. im so sorry nintendo,
at least i got your 3DS
@RyanO We are the momentum, don't wait to see what happens, be part of what happens. If everyone who wanted one sat back to see what happens, nothing would happen. The more people that buy it, the more support the system will get, and the more successful it will have. We make a console a success by buying it, not waiting to see if it succedes without us. The best system ever made would be nothing if people didn't buy it, correct?
Same here in the Netherlands, one of the big retailers over here stopped taking preorders too... And I didn't order one yet, so it looks like I will need to wait a little longer
I'm glad I just preordered at Best Buy!
@zeldazero
some of us have already given nintendo enough money over the decades to feel able to give this one some time before purchasing.
Not interested right now. Most of the launch games are games I've already passed on the XBOX 360. New Super Mario Bros. U and Nintendo Land are also not worth buying the system new for. I'll get Mario one day, just when there are more games I want to buy released.
@Samholy We're happy for you! Having said that, maybe if you didn't have the pests that are known as kids you could afford it sarcasm... but really, kids are the murderers of dreams
Dang I'm glad I pre-ordered mine!
Good thing I got mine at Best Buy!
@zeldazero Are you talking about stamping out AIDS or pre-ordering a video game system
Nintendo should have released an HD Wii a couple of years ago, so I'm in no rush now. Nintendo can sell me a system on MY timetable, not theirs.
The advantage of NOT pre-ordering is getting the best deal. While manufactures may set the MSRP, and it holds well in the case of video game consoles I'll admit, stores want your business. Whether the WiiU sells 1 million or 10 million, stores offer deals with GC and add-ons to make you buy at THEIR store - not just to sell stuff for Nintendo to make money. Target, Best Buy, Toys R US, Wal-mart, Kmart will all be offering incentives, if not at launch then by Feb. Gamestop is the only retailer I can think of that doesn't, and I buy a lot of games from them, but never consoles.
We're not talking world peace or an end to hunger, it's a pastime, of which there are many, and this one will be available for years to come.
I doubt I'm getting one, but if I did I wouldn't want it on launch day. I generally wait a month to let some games come out before buying a console and considering one month later is christmas it'd be a great time to buy with the inevitable sales. Though a couple days later is black friday and cyber monday so plenty of sales ought to be going on.
At the earliest I won't be able to get mine until Christmas.
Pre-ordered and done. Now the White ones are running out as well. This may be as bad as the Wii at launch from the sounds of things, though I won't hold my breath.
I doubt Gamestop could get many systems, being as they prefer to sell stuff used. If I were Nintendo, I wouldn't be as interested in having my systems sold at a retailer that specializes in used game sales, since they're less likely to get new game sales tied to those systems. Gamestop is known for not always having enough new copies of games and trying to sell their used copies instead of the new copies they have. If the number of consoles Gamestop gets is tied to the number of games they order, then they won't get many of the available consoles.
Pre-orders done at GameStop? No big deal for me at all. I wasn't banking on getting a Wii U until the new year anyway. Lack of cash, you see.
@Boo_Buster
hahahaha oh man, that can be true sometimes. and sometimes not. But seriously, the WiiU looks quite fun to buy when you have kids. especially since that the console looks promising for the couch multiplayer action. Being able to play with the whole family was the real hype factor to me.
no pikmin at launch killed the hype, and no pre-order available destroyed it completly. No N console for me again, i will wait.
Don't mind standing in line at a retail store like Target on day one. Worked for the Wii, and there is NO WAY this will be as hyped or as stock constrained as the Wii launch. I won't be surprised if I wait in line and then go back later in the day and see a huge pile still waiting for people to pick it up, either.
It's possible Nintendo will be way short for the retail sales, but it's unlikely. Look how long Nintendo waited to announce the launch dates. Nintendo is being VERY careful to have stock at the launch I think.
Not sure if waiting in line will be as fun. The Wii had such a wide range of people that were excited about the possibilities. Looking back it really is a shame that third parties couldn't grok the motion controls and relied on waggle so much. Seems like the Gamepad and Asynchronous play are MUCH easier for devs to get a handle on and MAYBE the promise of Wii Motion Plus will be further realized after 5 years and Kinect and PS Move.
My theory is that if the Wii U is hugely successful it's for this reason: A much wider group of people bought a game system than in any time in history with that Wii and while the adults may have tired quickly when Wii sports lost its appeal, those people had kids and for many it was their FIRST console. We'll see if Nintendo's gamble paid off, if these kids, five years older can get their parents on board or buy the Wii U themselves.
Then, Nintendo Land makes SO much sense as it introduces the whole family to the wider range of Nintendo franchises that have been overlooked.
@Samholy
I get the short on money thing (I'm not sure where mine will come from), but why is pre-order so important?
ebgames in canada is almost out of pre-orders too. it says that on their facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/ebgames.gamestop?ref=stream
so gamestop is not the only one selling out of stock. good thing i pre-order mine on the day of the conference announcing the price and release date.
I'm very happy to hear it's selling out !!
I for one am not concerned, wasn't planning on getting Wii U until more great Nintendo games are available for it.
I've got all the 'motes & 'chucks I need, and there are some good games launching along side the Wii U, but not enough for me to shell out the $$ just yet.
Give me one of the following & I'll pick up a Wii U immediately:
Metroid (prime-like), zelda, mario (3d adventure, not NSMB), star fox, mario kart, icarus, super smash.
until then, nintendo land & NSMBU can wait.
I've already got or peordered the 3rd party multi plats on my 360, so not really a reason to buy wii u.
It IS a strong launch line up for those who don't own a 360/ps3, due to great 3rd party support, however, it's not really strong enough for those who own 360/ps3.
Not enough Nintendo greats or Wii U exclusives just yet!
I'm guessing within the year though that the Wii U has some must haves on it, and I'll be taking the plunge.
Congrats Nintendo on another successful console by the looks of the preorders!!
why the pre-order ? cause every store i go to, without pre-order, youre stuck with the basic bundle. no premium available if you didnt pre-order.
and buying this expansive piece requires you to get as much as you can for what you pay for. hence the premium version.
Darn it, my parents should have listened to me
@Pikminsi Exactly what I thought.
Good thing I am going to wait a while before I get it.
Got mine! The Deluxe model too. I was at work the day of the conference, but luckilly my roomate had the day off and I had a $75 Gamestop gift card sitting on the coffee table. I texted him as soon as the price and date were announced and he took care of it for me. Solid dude! Now, we wait...
This happened less than a week after they started taking pre-orders. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get mine because I'm not sure I'm going to have the money to get the system day one. I really hope this thing isn't going to be as impossible to find as the Wii was for its first two years but it looks that way. This is probably going to end up being one of those purchases where I go to the store and just have to hope it's in stock.
Bah,I'm still mad about the EU prices. Wii U ZombiU Bundle (or as I like to call it, teh Zombium Bundle, eheh..) costs about 419 euros around here, which is a friggin' 542 USD!!
Wow. That's was really fast. Good thing I pre-ordered mine the day they were open.
@Boo_Buster #19
Kids don't murder our dreams, they just borrow our mortar so they can build dreams even bigger than ours, and we willing give them mortar. After all, we can always make more.
I'm getting mine on Christmas , so I don't really have to pre- order it
well hopefully they'll be some more stock the holiday season....
Can't wait for the 18th of Nov...
I'm going to be pissed if I can't get one for Christmas for my family!
Lol I actually cancelled my Wii U pre-order and plan to order it again next week. (Payment problems, don't ask) Good old Australia, we will never reach max pre-orders!
Tap here to load 42 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...