Should this generation be the first and last that sees "Global Launches?"

[shams]

Good topic.

In a way, Im all for regional launches (rather than global ones) except for one point:

Because I live in Australia, I (and other gamers here) get shafted. There is nothing more frustrating than waiting for a "local" release of something that has come out in Japan 12 months (or more) ago, and the US 6-9 months ago. Places in Europe are even worse than us.

With a global launch, because Im a keen enough gamer I can be "rewarded" with a console around the global launch time - because Im willing to preorder/line up at midnight. I really like this.

The downside is (global launch again), without a "big" local launch (lots of units, etc..) there isn't a chance for everyone else to get excited about the product. 

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Much of it comes down to demand and marketing dollar spends. If your demand greatly exceeds supply, you might as well do local launches. You may need to focus on one territory for 6 months or until demand dies down. This delays launches in other countries, and if you are "competing" for market share - this can hurt.

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I personally think Nintendo did the right thing with the Wii. They have a very simple problem, which is a good one to have - demand is FAR outstripping expected demand (and supply). They can't lose really, just crank up their manufacturing - and in 12 months time, will be a really strong (and profitable) position.