Breaking: Nintendo has sold a lot of controllers alongside all those Wiis

PRESS RELEASE ’ Every day since the Wiiâ„¢ system launched in November 2006, Nintendo has sold an average of 46,000 Wii Remoteâ„¢ controllers in the United States. That’s a lot of people playing ”“ and a lot of people playing together. Nintendo’s motion-controlled video games continue to create new players every day. People play Wii to try new experiences not available on other systems, including games like Wii Sports Resortâ„¢, Super Mario Galaxyâ„¢ 2 and Metroidâ„¢: Other M. Wii makes games more active, but it also makes them more social. Moms and dads play with their kids, and even grandma and grandpa join in.

Perhaps the best evidence of how Wii continues to expand the world of video games to new audiences is the total number of Wii Remote controllers that have sold. In the United States alone, more than 65.3 million Wii Remote controllers have sold through to consumers. This demonstrates that Wii owners like to play and they like to play together. They’re not the stereotypical gamers playing alone in their parents’ basement.

How much is 65.3 million Wii Remote controllers? That’s enough for every man, woman and child living in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, San Jose, Detroit and San Francisco, and enough still remains for every resident of Florida, Ohio, Virginia and North Dakota.

Here’s the breakdown of the number of Wii Remote controllers sold in the United States through the end of September and where they came from, according to the independent NPD Group:

  • 30.41 million included with the Wii hardware
  • 12.92 million sold with Wii Playâ„¢
  • 18.56 million white versions sold separately
  • 2.44 million black versions sold separately
  • 467,500 pink versions sold separately
  • 465,200 blue versions sold separately

The NPD Group also reports that Nintendo has sold an additional 52.9 million Nunchukâ„¢ controllers in the United States through the end of September.

Wii continues to represent the best value for players as well. The current Wii hardware is available at a suggested retail price of $199.99. That includes:

  • Wii hardware
  • Wii Sportsâ„¢
  • Wii Sports Resortâ„¢
  • A Wii Remote controller
  • A Wii MotionPlusâ„¢ accessory
  • A Nunchukâ„¢ controller
  • Access* to hundreds of downloadable games, including new games like World of Goo and classic games from the NESâ„¢, Super NESâ„¢ and Nintendo 64â„¢ eras
  • Access* to a variety of entertainment and informational channels, including the Nintendo® Channel, which provides information about current and upcoming Wii and Nintendo DSâ„¢ games
  • Access* to streaming Netflix** movies

Starting Nov. 7, the new Wii Remoteâ„¢ Plus controller replaces the iconic Wii Remote controller. The Wii Remote Plus controller has built-in Wii MotionPlusâ„¢ functionality and offers players precision motion controls all in one unit. It becomes the new standard Wii controller, and will be available starting Nov. 7 in all Wii hardware packages and bundles, as well as sold separately at a suggested retail price of $39.99.

As the holiday shopping season approaches, shoppers will have dozens of excuses to pick up a Nintendo controller of their own and start playing. Some exclusive games for the Wii console include the already-available Samurai Warriorsâ„¢ 3, Wii Partyâ„¢ and Kirby’s Epic Yarnâ„¢. Upcoming games include PokéParkâ„¢ Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure, which launches Nov. 1; FlingSmashâ„¢, which launches Nov. 7; and Donkey Kong Countryâ„¢ Returns, which launches Nov. 21. Third-party Wii games include now-available games like New Carnival Games® from 2K Play, NBA JAM from EA Sports and Just Dance® 2 from Ubisoft, plus upcoming games like Sonic Colorsâ„¢ from SEGA on Nov. 16 and Disney Epic Mickey from Disney Interactive Studios on Nov. 30.