The PS2 had all of those things you named and more. The Wii has the Casual stuff which more than makes up for what it is lacking as far the ability to push HW. I am just saying I think it will be in stock in NA, and will be more like the PS2.

@bigjon
They're in it for the long run if they cut price the market will not see it as a big value. If they want to keep the Wii around as long as I think they will they aren't going to cut price until right before they come out with a new console.

It should handily beat 2008 by 3-5 million.... at the moment I can't say what will happen in 2010, other than 2010 sales will still be above what the PS2s best year was (21-22 million)

I don't think it Wii is close to peaking. There's still lots of people who havn't even begun to think of getting a Wii but ultimately will. Wii Sports Resort will really help substain sales too.

You can't really compare Wii's 'normal' with PS2's 'normal' since the Wii is attracting a lot of people who never had or never would have gotten a PS2. It's a different beast than anything else out there.

Also the recession may work to boost Wii sales as people, especially families decide there's more value in spend $50 on a game that the whole family can play for weeks than $50 on a movie the family will enjoy for 2 hours. This works for all systems but since Wii appeals to the wives and kids much more than the HD systems it'll benefit the most.

However we may finally see Wiis in stock on a regular basis. Or Nintendo may syphon some supply off for it's long delayed China/India launch (I am correct that it hasn't launched in those markets yet - right? Someone?).

Plus we have little idea what's coming out in the second half of '09 from anyone. It's not like the PS3 where we've been waiting years and years for the games coming out now. On Wii we rarely know more than a few months in advance what's coming even from 3rd parties.

No it won't.

It clearly doesn't have competition in the traditional sense. The people giving the Wii its huge sells want the Wii and nothing else.

Pam from the old people's home isn't choosing between a Wii with Wii Sports or a 360 with Gears of War 2. That's just ridiculous. It's a mainstream product. It's the 'in-thing' just like Ipods are, just like mini scooters and space hoppers were. It's fashionable to own a Wii. When consumer tastes change and move onto something else, and they inevitably will, then demand will fall. You can't expect this to last, it's no longer a question of what the hardcore want. Gaming is now part of the fad economy just like every other product in the mainstream.

In our economy, we have this thing called money. If you have money, then other people want your money, so they will try to make a product that appeals to you, so that they can take your money with your consent, and both parties feel happier for the exchange. So long as you have money, whatever your demands be, they will be catered to

Equally: iPod has slowed down, yes, but now the brand is strong, and it's here to stay. The MP3 player is now an everyday household item, MP3 players didn't disappear when iPod stopped being the hip thing to have, instead, they became almost a necessity (as much of a necessity as anything that isn't food, shelter, or clothing can be, as much of a necessity as a home computer)