Nintendo Australia’s boss talks about the issues

Its not every day we hear from Nintendo Australia; they seldom speak. But, when they do, we listen intently. Screenplay has recently held an interview with Nintendo Australia’s managing director, Rose Lappin, and the wide-ranging interview has covered a vast array of topics from the Wii and DSs continued success down under, the Wiis price, Club Nintendo, Wii Fits reception, Australian centric games on Wii and yes, even the Super Smash Bros Brawl delay! More inside First up, sales. Well all be happy to know that the Wii is still selling absolutely great in Australia, as is the Nintendo DS. According to Ms. Lappin the consoles are outselling the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 two and three times over, week after week, with the Wii and DS claiming a consistent first and second position in the charts.

But we know Nintendo havent always been in this position down here, acknowledging the fact that [the] GameCube was tough, it didn’t do what we expected it to. In fact, the only real problem Nintendo Australia has had to deal with lately is scarcity, with both the Nintendo DS and Wii in short supply. We’ve had massive increases in the hardware we’ve dropped in, but no matter how much we bring in it just continues to sell through. And with that, dont expect a price drop anytime soon.

Nintendo Australia recently included invitations in Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii to join the new, though not yet launched, Club Nintendo for Australia; so while you can register your code, when is the stars catalogue hitting and why isnt it here? It’s a hold up because we haven’t got enough time in the day. Said Lappin. More staff members, though, are being dispatched to get it up and running. On the subject of prizes or gifts, what will we be able to get the from the Club? There’s a different catalogue of prizes for each territory, but I have got information on some of the things we’re looking at and they are exclusive and they’re very nice.. Look for more point cards in every Nintendo published game from hereon in, too.

Wii Fits launch success was also discussed, with Rose saying that Wii Fit has now outsold, (well, out-charted), Grand Theft Auto IV for the last two weeks now and, if they had the stock, could to more. If I had another 100,000 Mario Karts and another 100,000 Wii Fit, there would be a lot more happier people than what we’ve got now as far as retailers go, because trying to support catalogues, rain checks even, since the launch has been difficult.

However not everything is about day one; We will continue to support Wii Fit because its an important product for us and its an important product for our consumers now. Long term, definitely. When quizzed about the sort of games that the PS2 has thrived on with the casual Australian gamer like the Cricket, AFL and V8 Supercar games, I think you will start to see those come out later this year. Some of those, yes. We are looking at that with the support of third parties. There are some very good titles coming out. Finally the Brawl delay, a contentious issue with everyone but well let the interview speak for itself

Lots of your most passionate fans were angered over the delays to Smash Bros Brawl…
Yes, and to be honest Jason, I can get that. Because they are passionate about the product and I’m sure you can understand that we are tied to Europe because of the PAL situation. If we could have had it earlier we certainly would have had it earlier. We were really pushing to get it as soon as we can. We’re launching on the 26th (of June) which is the day before Europe.

So you can assure them that you’re doing everything you can to push for near-simultaneous worldwide releases in future?
Honestly, we’re doing everything we can. We’re really working hard to support and work with our avid fans. They are, and always have been, the true Nintendo fans.

Most TVs sold now are high definition, making the PAL/NTSC issue moot. Do you think Wii’s successor might be region free, like DS is?
Look, there’s always a possibility. But I don’t have any information on that at this stage.

There is plenty more in the interview of at Jason Hills blog, be sure to check it all out. Some good news for us local gamers and Nintendo down under.