Console Wars: Wii Still Short

If you're still looking for a Nintendo Wii, you're in good company. In fact, you're in the company of the country's largest video game retail chain, Gamestop, which admitted in a conference call last week that not only can it not keep up with Wii demand, but the situation might not improve for as much as six months.

So what's the deal? Most gamers are accustomed to a period of limited availability right after a new console comes out, typically in the fall run-up to the holiday shopping season. In the past, it's been rare that console shortages continue far into the following year. But here we are, closing in on eighteen months after the Wii's release in 2006, and you still can't find one outside of Ebay.

Much of the problem is down to the Wii's sheer popularity. Now officially the most popular console of this generation, well over 20 million Wiis have rolled out of Nintendo's manufacturing plants since the launch, compared with about ten million for the PS3 in the same amount of time. Even Microsoft's Xbox 360, which has been on the market a full year longer than the Wii, can only muster sales of about 18 million.

20 million in a year and a half sounds like a lot, right? It is, but it's not exactly unknown territory for electronics manufacturers. Apple shifted well over 50 million Ipods last year, and they're still easy to find just about anywhere. Typically, as products age, they get easier and cheaper to make. Quality control improves, component yields get better, and more factories can be brought online to supply consumer demand. If we're going to have to wait another six months before Wiis are plentiful, consumers could certainly be forgiven for wondering why Nintendo's dragging its feet.

Has Nintendo really underestimated the mass-market potential of the console that some called a fancy Gamecube with last-generation hardware and a gimmicky control system? It's certainly looking like it. With massive, triple-A hits like Mario Kart, Rock Band and especially Wii Fit looming, the Wii is only going to be more attractive to potential purchasers. If Gamestop is to be believed -- which they probably should be -- things aren't going to get any better any time soon.

What's a beleaguered, would-be Wii buyer to do, then? Unless Nintendo makes some serious changes to its resupply strategy, there's no light peeking through the end of this particular tunnel. Your best strategies remain the same as they've ever been: keep an eye on Ebay and local small-ads for used sales, learn which day of the week your nearby electronics stores typically receive their Wii shipments, and be prepared to wait. Good luck - you'll probably need it.

Wii Games That Make It Worth the Wait

• Super Smash Bros. Brawl:
  A metric ton of classic Nintendo characters beat the living daylights out of each other.
• Guitar Hero III:
  The first outing for this smash hit series on the Wii.
• No More Heroes:
  Whoever said all Wii games were for kids?
• Super Mario Galaxy:
  Mario takes to the skies in this instant classic.
• Zack & Wiki:
  Hunt for pirate treasure in this charming, family-friendly story.

MORE ON YAHOO! GAMES:

Top 12 Games Of Spring Playback Week 10