Low sales vs japan is easily explainable because of _higher games price _half population _PC games (smaller proportion than germany though) No surprise France is Nintendoland since Japanese culture is huge here (2nd market for manga and anime).

It makes sense for Nintendo to ship more to America than Europe for a variety of reasons... 1. Nintendo had a LOT more success in America than Europe prior to Wii and DS. They have reason to expect stronger sales from America based on historical sales. 2. Higher cost in Europe further means that they can expect higher demand from America. Europe will catch up as the price comes down. 3. Nintendo is ruthless. Releasing more in America, where Sony has already launched, allows them to outsell Sony by more in the territory everyone is watching most intently, at least until the end of March. That said, Wii is still clearly on track to become Ninty's most successful home console ever in Europe... And also, the sell-outs are worldwide...

For the desperate european people that are trying to find a Wii should come to Italy... Here the Wiis are collecting dust bunnies on the shops... Italy (unfortunately for us "real" gamers, not just fanboys) is a Sony stronghold and neither X360 or Wii are getting much appreciation... Example: Gamestop in Parma (where I live) uses 2/3 of space for Sony's stuff (PS2/PSP and their relative games (huge amount of second-hand games)), 1/4 for X360 and a little corner for DS's stuff. Wii consoles are nowhere, you have to ask the staff to get one (as well for any games) and you can't find second-hand Xbox or GC games anymore. Almost same thing at the local MediaWorld (Media Markt in Germany, IIRC), where there's a full shelve of Sony stuff, and the rest splitting the remaning place for themselves. Only DS's are selling better than other (past and present) Nintendo's stuff, but there's no craze on it, you can easily find it anywhere...