There is no denying that Nintendo has done it again. Not only is its console the hottest thing on the market, but the company even has Americans falling all over themselves to get fit – Wii Fit that is.

The shortage of this anti-couch potato “game” was predicted by Nintendo itself prior to the start of the 2008 holiday season and it’s panning out to be quite true. Retailers all over America have been running into shortages of this hot demand item.

Amazon.com, for example, has instituted a Wii Fit purchase limit policy. On the Wii Fit page, Amazon warns customers: “As you may know, the Nintendo ‘Wii Fit’ is in great demand, and there are shortages of this product across the U.S. In an effort to provide as many customers as possible with the opportunity to purchase a ‘Wii Fit,’ we are limiting the total number of ‘Wii Fit’ units that can be purchased. As a result, each household may only purchase two Nintendo ‘Wii Fit’ units within any 30-day period.”

Even in my local Wal-Mart in the Tampa, Fla., area, a limit of one per customer is in effect. A sign hangs ominiously on the Wii display proclaiming this fact. Unfortunately, the store’s been out of Wii Fit boxes for a while.

So, what is it about this particular Nintendo creation that has had shoppers going nuts since its release in May? It all comes down to the sheer brilliance of this title. Not only is Wii Fit fun, it also provides one heck of a workout.

A friend of mine managed to snag one earlier in the holiday shopping season and I’ve been hard-pressed to catch her on the telephone ever since when she’s not Wii Fitting. An avid sports fan and gamer, she said she wanted the Fit just to see if it would work. She was in shock when she realized she had actually broken a sweat following the routines.

While a lot of people will probably go without a coveted Wii Fit this holiday season, there’s no doubt Nintendo has done it again. The company has not only packaged and sold simplicity, it’s got gamers actually on their feet, working out and breaking a sweat in the process.

Now, that’s impressive!

Related:
Analysts Expect Wii To Deliver Movie Content Soon
A Return Of Wii Holiday Shortages?

Labels: nintendo wii, Wii, wii fit

Gamers wondering what will be hot this holiday season only need to look back to the past two years to see what’s coming. While Nintendo is promising a good supply of consoles for the season, some retailers are not convinced they will be able to meet demand. GameStop, in particular, is expecting a complete sell out.

According to GamePro, David Carlson, GameStop’s CFO, is anticipating a run on the consoles. In particular, he expects Wii Fit to sell out.

"Wii Fit is in very, very short supply. It sells through as quickly as it hits the stores," Carlson said. "And although the Wii hardware is in very good supply right now we believe it may as well be out of stock by the holiday season."

Nintendo, however, is confident it can meet the holiday demand for consoles. The Wii Fit is another issue all together though.

“With Wii hardware, I think we've got a good shot at meeting demand during the holidays," Reggie Fils-Aime recently told Forbes. "With Wii Fit, I know we'll fall short."

With many holiday shoppers looking for bargains and value both, Carlson’s prediction makes a fair amount of sense. The Wii, as much as I picked on it in the past, does offer both value and excellent pricing. This is a console that can cut across generational lines and give owners some serious bang for their bucks. While it might not have the bells and whistles of the competition, it is a purchase that will get used – unlike many other gifts out there for kids and adults both.

So, if you want to get your hands on a Wii for Christmas, my suggestion is to shop now. Chances are reasonably strong that finding one as the holiday approaches will become increasingly more difficult.

More links:
Wii: Deadly Creatures Creeps Into Stores This December
‘Extra’ Wants Its Viewers To Get Wii Fit

Labels: nintendo wii, Wii, wii fit

Hoping to get your hands on a copy of Wii Fit in time to whip yourself in shape for the holidays? You’re in luck! At least you could be if you’re a fan of “Extra.”
Warner Bros. “Extra” wants to help its viewers get fit while having fun. The entertainment magazine television show is giving away a copy in a promotion to sign up “friends” on its Web site.

Now in its 15th season, “Extra” is the second-longest running entertainment news show on television. Starring Mario Lopez, from “Saved by the Bell” fame, the show covers what’s hot and what’s not in Hollywood.
Gamers or viewers who sign up online to be “Extra” friends will automatically be entered to win a copy of Wii Fit. They can also win one of three Mario Super Sluggers packages.

Interesting promotion, I’ll give them that. Not many news releases catch my eye, but this one did. Wii Fit has become a sensation since it hit store shelves. Shortages in my particular community led a friend of mine to rope an out-of-state relative into sending her a copy. I understand from her it does provide quite a challenging workout along with some fun.

To check out the promotion and have a chance to win your own copy of Wii Fit, click here.

Labels: nintendo wii, Wii, wii fit