CVG

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has been discussing early US 3DS sales following the publication of last night's NPD results.

Asked why there had been no sell-outs - 3DS shifted just under 400,000 units in North America in its first week - he told USA Today:

"I would characterise it as a launch where we learned significant lessons from the launch of Wii and we made sure to have not only ample supply in the marketplace, but we staged supply so it would not sell out.

"We had product going direct to store and we also had product in retailers' (distribution centres), so they could easily replenish when they had stores running low on inventory.

"That strategy is why you didn't see massive sell-outs on Nintendo 3DS. Obviously, a sell-through of 400,000 units in one week is exceptional. And the fact that we achieved that without people being worried about massive stockouts and shortages just underscored how we properly executed our supply chain."

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/298418/news/nintendo-explains-lack-of-us-3ds-sell-outs/

Gee, I wish someone would have been explaining that the past few days around here already.

PS: That's 400,000 in 1 week.  I see a lot of people thinking it was the whole month (a 5 week month for NPD) for some reason.

4 milions expected shipments vs 2 milions of actual sales in launch quarter say everything on what Nintendo planned to do and what they actually sold.

Explain what exactly?  Everybody already knew that supply was much more than demand.  We've known since the Japanese launch where they had 1.5 million for the quarter, but only sold through 835k till Apr 3rd.  Assuming Nintendo managed to fulfill that shimpent expectation, it probably won't sell out for another 5 months.  The fact that there is adequate supply makes the number look worse not better.  That is the demand.  There are no potential buyers who wanted one, but couldn't find it.

I'm pretty sure most people know it was for one week.  I'd say the VGC estimate of 672k made the actual number look a lot worse as well.

Reggie is just trying to spin this result to look better for investors since they weren't ecstatic about Nintendo's inability to satisfy Wii demand.  The investors aren't going to be happy next quarter though when 3DS shipments are anemic due to the large initial shipment.

'insert a song about spinning here'

2 millions of a console that gives them profit (and no big looses) and with a ridiculus high price. They must be worried.

this

Does anyone know how 3DS compares to other console launched? I remember reading that 3DS >> DS in the same timeframe

In the US, the PSP had about 3 extra days (march 24th versus march 27th), and it did 620k versus less than 400k for the 3DS.  Also at $250 for that matter.  Going by VGC numbers, the DS was about 30k higher the first week, but that was November.  Then again, the GBA was still putting up huge numbers, and they probably had less supply.

In Japan, the GBA sold about 130k more in two weeks than the 3DS has in seven.  The GBA was released at the same time in the year.  The DS and PSP were launched near the holidays, but the DS had a bigger launch, and was only lower in week 2.  I'd assume due to supply since week 3 beat the 3DS by over 100k.  The PSP had a slower start, but it started beating the 3DS on a week to week basis by the third week.

In Europe, Tthe PSP did 622k first week and the DS did 305k.

Compared to the Wii, the 3DS was a little higher in Japan and a little lower in NA/EU.  That is of course severe shortages versus plentiful supply.

No wonder people have been calling doom rofl

Awe well, there's always the holidays explosive sales to cheer Nintendo up

You know that just because something is branded "Nintendo" does not mean that sales explode when the holiday season hits?

I am sure 3DS will require a price cut for that to happen, especially if NGP releases this year since it will be the "New Hot Item".