Nintendo is working its ass off for you, Joe Consumer. Though, that doesn't mean you should sit around and wait on your duff. Act early! Nintendo advises in a press release that hit today. The company announced that there will be steady flow of Wiis to ensure everyone who wants one will get one. That doesn't mean everyone will. Between its November 19th launch in the US and the year's end, Nintendo expects to ship 4 million worldwide, with the largest allotment going to North America. Even so, the company expects demand to outpace the supply. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime says:

Wii is for both experienced and uninitiated gamers, and it will be available for the masses. Because of demand, 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 pre-ordering Wii are nontraditional gamers - people looking for a better way to play. And that's exactly what Wii is designed to provide.

How hot will the Wii be? The machine made the Toys "R" Us hot list dubbed the "Fabulous 15." That marks a first for a game console. Wired selected the Wii as an editors' pick in the magazine's yearly Test issue. Toy Wishes mag also placed it on its "Hot Dozen" list of must-have holiday toys. But, does that actually mean there is an overwhelming demand for the Wii? Kotaku-land! Time for a head count. Who the heck is going to buy a Wii by year's end? And who the heck ain't? Brian Ashcraft

Contact information for this author is not available.