http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/wii/games/features/125669.shtml

The above is a link to an interview with Reggie Fils-Aime. I only wanted to highlight one of his responses, but the entire thing is worth a read.

GP: Then, do you feel from Nintendo's point of view that the Blue Ocean message has been delivered?

RF: I don't believe we have gotten the message out there as broadly as we can to the consumer. Why do I say that? Because some 30-year-old who hasn't played video games either ever or certainly in the last five or 10 years can't go to a store and buy a Wii today. We're so constantly out of stock, that I don't believe we have been able to effectively get our message out. That's why this year's holiday time period is so important to us. We want consumers to be able to walk in off the street and find our products.

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I think this is pretty convincing evidence that nintendo is stock piling wii consoles for this holiday season. If this is true, is this a wise business deceision? How bad would it be if Nintendo could NOT keep wii's on the shelf this holiday? Do you think they have the ability to keep wii's on the shelf this christmas?

In my opinion, it has already been proved beyond doubt that Nintendo is stockpiling Wiis. The best evidence for it is the fact that Nintendo changes supply to account for big game releases.

Regarding your other question, of course stockpiling is important and the right strategy. Nintendo wants to (and will) see headlines such as:

"Nintendo wins holiday season"

"Nintendo outsells 360 and PS3 combined by 1/2/3/whatever to 1 in the holiday season"

Besides, Christmas is a battle for the consumers' money, since many people WILL buy another console if they can't find the one they want. This factor doesn't seem as important to me because the different consoles have difference prices and styles, but it will likely become more important with the upcoming price cuts and casual titles getting launched for the 360 and PS3.

Wii is going to hit 20million possibly by end year if they made that muc, and who knows I might even get one :D

What I don't understand is why they release more consoles for big releases. I think they should spread out stockpiled consoles (for big releases) throughout the year.

It's always great to hold back a product that your customers want and force them to go to incredible lengths to get one.

I like that Nintendo fans take this in stride as a good business decision but don't think about it from a customer perspective.

Sony are also stock piling PS3s you know!

Wherever I look there are piles of PS3 in stock!

I know I shouldn't but it's only in jest! :0D

It's probably because hardcore gamers can easily find their system with a bit of work. There are sites where you can sign up for stock alerts, etc. So it doesn't affect a lot the kind of people who you'd see posting here.

That's right, we already got our Wiis, now we just want Nintendo to operate from a business perspective lol.

Actually I haven't bought one yet because I'm probably moving to another country, and it will be one less thing to carry around. I'm hoping they'll be available in Europe for the two next months!

 Actually, we got two delivered just in case, and both arrived (this was Wii launch time in the United Kingdom)

We took one back and before we could return it the store manager bought it off us!