Nintendo promises 4 million Wiis this year

Approximately 4 million Wii consoles will be available worldwide between the 19 November launch in the US (8 December in the UK) and the run up to Christmas. Even with that many units in the pipeline, however, Nintendo believes some gamers could be left empty-handed.

Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo America said, "We're urging shoppers not to get complacent. The level of demand we're seeing goes beyond the ordinary. Retailers are telling us a significant fraction of customers preordering Wii are non-traditional gamers."

Despite these warnings, the company assures customers that it will be planning for a "steady flow" of products worldwide. A press release from the company reads: "Nintendo is maximising all its resources for a rapid replenishment programme designed to consistently pump Wii consoles into the supply pipeline and keep retailers' shelves as filled as possible."