Amazon.co.uk's 10 best-selling games of the decade features 9(!) Nintendo products...

[Jason]

Yes, you read that right.

Amazon.co.uk today released the ten best selling items from their 'videogames' department since 2000. It won't have surprised too many of us to see the Wii at the #1 spot, but the level of dominance that Nintendo have on this list is jaw-dropping. Here's the complete list:

1. Nintendo Wii Console

2. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? (Nintendo DS)

3. Mario Kart with Wii Wheel (Wii)

4. Nintendo Wii Nunchuk Controller add-on (Wii)

5. Wii Play with Wii Remote Controller (Wii)

6. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)

7. Wii Fit (Wii)

8. Nintendo Wii Controller (Wii)

9. Official Wii Wheel (Wii)

10. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii)

Now, regardless of what you think of the quality of the games, that's some pretty impressive market dominance, right there. Only GTA: San Andreas managed to get on the list and prevent Nintendo from completely sweeping the board.

[Rob]

This doesn't suprise me. Nintendo was able to bring to market the next big step in gaming and they are buried in cash because of it. It's ironic that they built the cheapest, most underpowered system of this generation yet their sales are massive. I guess the Wii can't be called fad.

It is odd that even Wii accessories made it onto the list over blockbuster titles from X franchise on the other systems.

[Jason]

Agreed. I have another, slightly cynical view about this:

This is only Amazon.co.uk's list. Now I don't know about you guys, but I can't remember the last time I ordered a game from Amazon. Generally they're never the cheapest for a game before launch, and delivery is often a bit hit and miss with regards to when it arrives. I imagine many 'serious' gamers are similar - we all have our own preferred sites and tend to know where the best deals are found, and will go with whoever's the cheapest.

However, a large percentage of Wii gamers are those that aren't all that into gaming. They've never really bought a game before, and if they don't go down to Gamestop or Gamestation (UK) to buy it, they'll go from a major online retailer they trust, like Amazon.
I think this probably has quite a bit of influence on the numbers.

[MyNameDidntFit]

This doesn't suprise me. Nintendo was able to bring to market the next big step in gaming and they are buried in cash because of it. It's ironic that they built the cheapest, most underpowered system of this generation yet their sales are massive. I guess the Wii can't be called fad.

The Wii is two words: target audience.

[Rob]

Does anyone here consider themselves in that "target audience"? I labeled the Wii as a fad in my mind and never got around to buying one. Now I'm reconsidering.

[MyNameDidntFit]

There's nothing about it that appeals to me. My brother got one several months back and it has seen use maybe... three times? Two of those were playing Wii-golf while drunk.

[Jason]

In my eyes, there are two main uses for the wii:

1) If you regularly have friends over and want some amusing party games to play while you all get slaughtered.

2) You're overweight or otherwise need to get exercise but don't want to actually go outside and do anything about it.

[MyNameDidntFit]

Or need to lose weight so you can get outside *snicker*

[Astonix]

I think it's so popular because EVERYONE can play it and feel welcomed by it because the games tend to be simple and easy to get into. Saying that, it doesn't really offer quality gaming time, merely some fun every now and then which is appealing to more people than say Xbox and PS3 owners.

[LegendaryJJP]

well mine is getting dusted off for the one day of the year it gets used this week. whole family will be using it. plus my nephew will be getting some new games for him so we will be testing them out. and i cant think of any other occasion i would be brining out of storage

[vlbarto10]

Have a Wii and we also only dust it off a few times a year when family or friends come over. It is fun for gatherings. I have to say watching a bunch of drunk family or friends playing wiiski and moving their arms up and down to get down the hill faster while intoxicated hysterical! Well could have just been the booze actually!