Weak dollar blamed for Wii Fit shortages in America

The reason for Wii Fit shortages in the U.S. is that Nintendo can make more money selling the game abroad, according to oft-quoted analyst Micheal Pachter.

Wii owners in the U.S. are getting plenty of exercise from Wii Fit -- primarily because just finding one requires a LOT of legwork.

The latest creation by Shigeru Miyamoto has reportedly sold out in America in two weeks time, everywhere from Gamestop to Amazon, and there's little relief in sight.

According to the LA Times, Nintendo shipped a paltry 500,000 copies of the game to North America, but saved the bulk of their Wii Fit units (2 million) for higher-paying UK gamers and their fancy European money. That's right -- the UK got more units because the Euro is worth more than the U.S. Dollar.

"The shortage demonstrates one consequence of the weak dollar," said analyst Michael Pachter, speaking to the Times. "We're seeing companies ignore their largest market simply because they can make a greater profit elsewhere."

As Pachter cleverly added, Nintendo "knows that Americans will be just as fat a few months from now," meaning the demand will be just as high when more units become available.

Comments [72]

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Mandifesto

But wait, aren't Americans suffering from rampant Diabetes and obesity? Shouldn't that be reason enough to forgo a couple bucks and work to save the country through gaming? It's for the betterment of mankind bitches!

Toneman

Oh well, I don't care anyway... I might eventually get Wii Fit (for the Balance Board)... but definitely no rush... I wanna see what other games will utilize it.

the_storyteller

Damn economy.....i don't care for this. i already go to a gym. This is an upset for North America. We got our butts handed by the Euro, next is the canadian dollar.

ihateplaguestation

That's right -- the UK got more units because the Euro is worth more than the U.S. Dollar

Someone at Gamepro needs to edit this article. The people in the UK do NOT use the Euro. UK uses the sterling pound. Talk about horrible research for an article. Germany, France and some other European countries use the Euro. The UK does NOT use the Euro, they use the sterling pound, and the pound is wayy more valuable than the dollar!

greensabre

Toneman Posted at: 06/03/08 at 10:59 AM PST Oh well, I don't care anyway... I might eventually get Wii Fit (for the Balance Board)... but definitely no rush... I wanna see what other games will utilize it
Same here.

ihateplaguestation

Toneman Posted at: 06/03/08 at 10:59 AM PST Oh well, I don't care anyway... I might eventually get Wii Fit (for the Balance Board)... but definitely no rush... I wanna see what other games will utilize it

You don't think other games will be made for it if it sells over 5 million wii fits? I'm sure they will start making some other games for it. Look at how many games they already made for the wii zapper.

gatekeeper

Like i always say F)ck the World & every one in it!!!!(sheep people) Its all about who has the most money and they don't care about you or me they make there money off the sheep people!!!!! bhaaaaaaaaa!!

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