Toy retailer Toys "R" Us has unveiled its "hot toy" list for the upcoming holiday season, and this year it includes a video game console for the first time -- Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s (7974.OS: Quote, NEWS, Research) Wii.
Wii's inclusion in the list comes as electronics play an increasingly prominent role in children's toys.
Nintendo's Wii will make its U.S. debut on Nov. 19 in what is expected to be a hot holiday season for video game consoles, with Sony Corp.'s (6758.T: Quote, NEWS, Research) PlayStation 3 slated to hit U.S. stores Nov. 17.
But Nintendo, with its "Donkey Kong," "Mario Brothers" and "Pokemon" game franchises, has found success with a younger audience.
"The PlayStation 3 is really geared to a savvy gaming enthusiast," said Kathleen Waugh, a spokeswoman for Toys "R" Us, of the decision to add the Wii to the list. "The Wii system appeals to young kids as well as adults."
The Wii, priced at $250, features a motion-sensing controller that operates like a television remote control and lets players simulate swinging a bat, sword or tennis racquet.
Waugh said one of Toys "R" Us' criteria of adding an item to its hot list is knowing it will have sufficient stock of the item for the holiday season, and she said that Toys "R" Us was able to ensure that by "taking a leadership position on the launch of Wii."
Sony is telling us that they will not have the stock that they thought they would, and Nintendo will have sufficient enough stock to make a hot list. I'm sure Sony will produce a fine product, but how many people are going to shell out the $600 for it? Especially knowing that very few titles will be PS3 only exclusives, and systems like the Xbox360 and Wii are easier to develop for.
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