Gamepad showing a screenshot from Darksiders 2. (Photo : Nintendo)
Nintendo's Wii U launches in just over three weeks and retailers' stock is beginning to run dry.
Sears, Toys 'R Us, GameStop, Kmart, Amazon, Target, and Best Buy are sold out of Wii U units from their online stores. Amazon, however, has offers on its user marketplace for the 8GB starting at $521 and the 32GB starting at $579.96. Walmart is the only major online retailer with pre-orders still available, but customers will have to opt for a bundle that includes a game of their choice and a Wii remote plus controller of their choice if they wish to take advantage of the deal.In-store availability may vary based on location.
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Reuters reports that Nintendo expects to sell a total of 5.5 million Wii U consoles by March 31, 2013, a goal which appears to be plausible if recent supply shortages are any indication.
The Wii U will release using a multi-tiered pricing system. The Basic version is white and has 8GB of memory, a sensor bar, an adapter, and a HDMI cable. The Deluxe version is black and has 32GB of memory, comes bundled with Nintendo Land, a Gamepad charging cradle and stands for the console and controller.
In an interview with Gamesbeat, Nintendo of America Vice President Scott Moffitt explains why Nintendo chose to go with a multi-tiered pricing system: "Certainly, we think a lot of those consumers may really enjoy Nintendo Land if they choose to buy it - but they may not. They may choose to buy New Super Mario Brothers U; they may choose to buy Zombie U. We don't know. It gives them at least one option that does not have a game that allows them to choose a game. The deluxe set [$349] comes with added memory, a couple of added accessories, and it comes with Nintendo Land, all of which also puts it at a great value for those consumers that know they're going to want that extra memory and they know they want that game."
The Wii U launches on November 18.
