One of the biggest consumer complaints in retail stores this year has been the lack of Nintendo Wiis on shelves. Since Nintendo is holding back the Wii, not the store itself, most consumers do not realize that retail stores do not have any control over when they have the system in stock. In some cases, they receive shipments on the fly, put them on the shelves and it is first come, first serve to make the buy.

Nintendo is holding back the Wii for one primary reason: The hype behind trying to find one, even though it angers consumers, keeps the system in the news and in competition with the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Since, technically speaking, both those systems are far superior to the Nintendo Wii when it comes to what it can and cannot do. The Wii's singular point of innovation comes in the form of the Remote and Nunchuk. Beyond that, the PS3 and 360 offer high-definition titles, online networking beyond the scope of the Wii Points system and the ability to double as HD DVD players.

By holding back the Wii, even two years after its release, consumers still want to get their hands on the console system nobody else can get. This keeps people interested, even though the frustration level is high. Consumers still buy into the idea that they need to have the Wii since it cannot be had.

If you are still trying to get a Nintendo Wii, there is hope. Most industry professionals believe that Nintendo will begin to release larger shipments for the holiday season. Since no major console or handheld system is being released this Christmas, chances are they will see an increase of sales due to a wider release. Keep your eyes open, keep your fingers crossed and if you are lucky enough, you might get a Wii before the holiday season.