Day After, Wii sales so smooth

news via ign

UK, November 20, 2006 - The "wires" have been buzzing with the first reports from the Wii launch in the States. In comparison to the PS3 release, which was accompanied by masked robberies, drive-by shootings (with BB guns) and muggings, the Wii's electronic birth seemed a much friendlier affair.

The build up to the launch began with hardcore gamers camping outside big name stores like Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Fry's, to ensure they got their Wii when it went on sale at 12am on Sunday. However, once they got their new babies home, news of initial problems with both the console and the motion-sensing controller began rolling in.

It seems the main niggle (albeit only for an isolated few) appears to be an issue with the machine's firmware. Nintendo originally announced plans to release the console alongside a start-up disc including important firmware updates it didn't have time to pre-load onto the system prior to launch. However, someone clearly worked overtime at the Wii factory because the majority of consoles did ship with the latest firmware installed, therefore not requiring a separate disc. While this was good news for most gamers however, those who bought early production models still requiring the disc were left with a console that didn't work properly.

Other general problems being broadcast from across the Atlantic include trouble getting the Wii to connect online via a wireless router, the occasional issue with the remote not detecting certain movements and the devastating blow of the disc drive simply not reading games. Not too bad considering some of the teething issues experienced around the launch of Xbox 360, so we can safely say Miyamoto and pals are probably high-fiving each other while you read this.