NEW YORK, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Toys "R" Us said on Thursday that it will begin begin pre-order taking for Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s (7974.OS: Quote, NEWS, Research) Wii video game console on Oct. 29 at its stores.
The toy retailer said a $50 deposit is required to reserve one of the consoles.
Nintendo's Wii will make its U.S. debut on Nov. 19 in what should 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 severe shortages are expected for the Wii and the PlayStation 3, as demand outstrips the companies' ability to turn out the new devices.
Earlier this month, GameStop Corp. (GME.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the biggest video game retailer in the United States, stopped taking pre-orders for the Wii the same day it started taking the orders.
"Due to extremely limited supply, we expect to reach our limit very quickly, most likely in minutes. We will not accept additional pre-orders at that time," GameStop said in announcing its pre-order plan.
The Wii, priced at about $250, features a motion-sensing controller that operates like a television remote control and lets players simulate swinging a bat, sword or tennis racquet.
In September, Toys "R" Us included the Wii on its "hot toy" list for the upcoming holiday season.
Nintendo has said it expects to supply 4 million Wii units worldwide by year end. Sony expects to ship 2 million PS3s in the same time period
The toy retailer said a $50 deposit is required to reserve one of the consoles.
Nintendo's Wii will make its U.S. debut on Nov. 19 in what should 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 severe shortages are expected for the Wii and the PlayStation 3, as demand outstrips the companies' ability to turn out the new devices.
Earlier this month, GameStop Corp. (GME.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the biggest video game retailer in the United States, stopped taking pre-orders for the Wii the same day it started taking the orders.
"Due to extremely limited supply, we expect to reach our limit very quickly, most likely in minutes. We will not accept additional pre-orders at that time," GameStop said in announcing its pre-order plan.
The Wii, priced at about $250, features a motion-sensing controller that operates like a television remote control and lets players simulate swinging a bat, sword or tennis racquet.
In September, Toys "R" Us included the Wii on its "hot toy" list for the upcoming holiday season.
Nintendo has said it expects to supply 4 million Wii units worldwide by year end. Sony expects to ship 2 million PS3s in the same time period
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