The Wii's early success has been mirrored in America and Europe, where extreme system shortages have similarly lasted for months after launch. Anecdotal evidence from retailers suggests they can't keep systems on the shelves, and people are still lining up outside stores to get their hands on the console, even now.
Nintendo's explosive first months have been contrasted by the PS3's contemporary implosion. As the undisputed winner of the last two generations' sales battles, Sony definitely had the most to lose in this new round of the wars. After 10 years of utter dominance, anything less than a commanding start would be seen as abject failure.
Even without the high expectations, the numbers Sony has put up thus far are disappointing by any standard. Production issues with the system's blue laser diodes caused a European delay and ensured the system would be hard to find during the American holiday season. The shortage cleared out just as the holiday rush was ending, leading to widespread reports of stores loaded with the once hard-to-find system.
Right now, Sony's great white hope is Europe. The company <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/24/playstation-3-launches-march-23-in-europe-425/" target="_blank" title="PlayStation 3 launches March 23 in Europe,
