Nintendo promises 4 million Wiis by '07

Approximately 4 million Wii consoles will be available worldwide between the November 19 launch in the US and the run up to Christmas. However, even with that many units in the pipeline, Nintendo believes several 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 nontraditional 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 maximizing all its resources for a rapid replenishment program designed to consistently pump Wii consoles into the supply pipeline and keep retailers' shelves as filled as possible."