The N64's tally of 33 million will soon be overtaken within a few weeks. The Xmas period will yield around 9 to 11 million Wii sales. So Wii will finish around 46 million at the close of the year.

A lifetime tally of 160 million Wii consoles is possible that would equal the combined tally of the previous Nintendo consoles: NES(61m), SNES(44m), N64(33m) and GC(22m).

I could see it passing the SNES,maybe it will need more than the calander year to do so but the start of 2009 from a company perspective(April 1 2009) is not only possible but almost a guarantee. As far as passing the NES, without a price cut or any price drops it'll be in late 2009. I do see a color or colors coming up in 2009 as well as bundles and a price drop towards the Wii's third holiday season so it might be a shorter period.

I can see Wii passing the NES by mid 09, before the end of June 09.

As for the Wii passing SNES this year, I agree my prediction was 45 million Wii's by the end of the year.

@axumblade: Wouldn't that include every console after SNES?

I wouldn't count out the SNES yet. It's a great system! I think it could sell a lot of units this holiday season.

SNES sold nearly 49 million not 44.....

The SNES has shipped over 49 million, so there's no way the Wii will pass it this year.

things really looked bad for nintendo.

60 mil. --> 40 mil. --> 30 mil. --> 20 mil.

I am glad the Wii is such a success. A 15 mil console would had Nintendo knocked out of the race. They would just produce handhelds

Actually, it's 62 mil. --> 49 mil. --> 33 mil. --> 22 mil.

The NES sold 60m, and the SNES sold over 49m.

Wii will not pass SNES this year. It'll pass it sometime early next year.