14 DAY TRIAL // The Nintendo Wii is without a doubt the most popular console of this generation, as it has amazed a lot of people through its motion-sensitive controls and its unique features. Ever since its launch it has been breaking sales records left and right, but in the last few months the small white Japanese console hasn't been doing very well.
This is especially highlighted by the recent Japanese console sales charts where the Wii has been beaten by its local rival, the PlayStation 3. On the handheld market, the difference between the PSP and DS is shrinking every day, meaning that people are very interested in Sony's product than in the new DSi.
Now, the president of the Japanese company, Satoru Iwata, reveals that, because of the Japanese market, which experienced its first decrease in sales last year, as opposed to western markets, the Wii isn't in the healthiest condition right now, and his company needs to get the hype around its product to grow once more.
“The Japanese market is not very strong right now overall,” Iwata said. “So we need to do something to re-energize it. The Wii is in the most unhealthy condition since it hit the Japanese market. The current condition in the Japanese market is not the one we want.”
The Nintendo president also tackles the subject of a Wii price cut, especially since the production costs have been rumored to drop almost 45% since the Wii was introduced on the market. “A price cut in a difficult economy cannot really excite the market and drive up sales. As of now I really don't think that a price cut is a good option for us.”
Wii sales, at least according to the charts, have dropped in 5 weeks almost 69 percent, one of the biggest downfalls in its lifetime. Hopefully though, with the introduction of the MotionPlus alongside new games and rumored features for the console, sales will pick up.