I've actually been following news on the Wii quite closely in recent days, and was surprised no one started a thread announcing the Wii launch. Its all here:

http://wii.ign.com/articles/732/732669p1.html
http://wii.ign.com/articles/732/732712p1.html

It seems the North American market is going to be graced with it first, two days after the Sony PS3 hits the shelves; but it seems the rest of the world will have to wait until the 8th of December at least (Japan being an exception and scoring it on the 2nd). Nintendo has promised 25-unique games within its first year and of course I'm sure many of you already know what a few of them are going to be.

You know what? Me thinks I'm going to put in my pre-order now...

You know, I questioned the wisdom of setting the release date that far back. When I looked at it, all I could see was that Nintendo was missing an opportunity to decisively beat Sony out of the gate and establish a strong market share right off the bat. Then I looked at from another perspective.

Nintendo is batshit insane.

That's the key to understanding them. It's their mantra. It's the reason for their success. It's the reason N64 and Gamecube performed below expectations also; they forgot how nuts they're supposed to be. So looking at it from an insane perspective, I come up with this:

Sony is sending a very small initial shipment of PS3s. They're virtually guaranteed to sell out very quickly. If Nintendo launched Wii first, there would be plenty of people who were making it a second priority and saving their money for a PS3. By doing it this way, they get to take advantage of all those poor saps who couldn't get a PS3 and would have to wait for more shipments. They'll be disillusioned and upset and will "protest" that by buying a Wii, which they won't have trouble finding.

Sure, it sounds kinda looney, but it's insane enough to be how Nintendo is thinking.

The only real games I play are multi-console games and Suikoden, so IT LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO WAIT SIX YEARS BEFORE I BUY MY CONSOLE AND BY THEN I WILL BE RULING THE WORLD AND HAVE NO TIME FOR GAMES

FUNNY HOW THINGS TURN OUT

I dont find insame what Prak said. Wii is a cheap (if u compare it with 360 and ps3), fun console with compartibility with old great titles and interesting options. So people would like to have awii if they cant get a ps3.

Most of my friends are now getting a Wii because the PS3 is so pricey and most will get a Xbox 360 for MGS4 and Halo and Resi 5.

I think oughta get a Wii too.

I want to preorder it, but my parents will get on my case when they find out.

YOU SHOULD LOOK CLOSER MR. BUNNIESWORTH (Thread 31056).

of course it's got a misleading title but that's 'cause I can't edit it.

Look at my little eyes, how am I supposed to see little announcements tucked away like that? Besides in the terms of agreement at FFShrine you'll clearly see the following clause:

"... should Mr. Bunniesworth begin a thread on an existing topic, said thread supercedes any and all prior ones."

Rules is rules :-).

As I said before, the only thing I'm griping about is why they are releasing the console so late.