Shares in the platform holder have hit Y26,770 (around £120), as anticipation continues to rise ahead of the console’s launch. The shares have soared 88 per cent since the start of calendar year 2006.

The latest news will come as a boost to Nintendo (and indeed its investors) as the company prepares to launch Wii in the US on November 19th, Japan on December 2nd and Europe on December 8th.

With a recently announced an increase in its global marketing spend, bringing the total figure up to £105.1 million, Nintendo seems to be building up a head of steam just as the peak Christmas season at retail starts to really kick off.

The firm also has cause to celebrate thanks to a recent article in Time magazine proclaiming that Wii Sports could be “the greatest video game ever made.”

In a special report entitled ‘Instant Wii play’ the magazine’s Wilson Rothman states: “I had presumed that it was merely an elaborate demonstration of the Wii Remote, which responds to natural motions rather than arcane button combinations. I discovered quickly that it might be the greatest videogame ever made.”

And the enthusiastic reporter signs off: “I encourage you to go out and get one, even if you're also planning to buy Microsoft's Xbox 360 or Sony's PlayStation 3. Just be careful, because Wii is physical.”

See Also:
Amazon finally announces Wii pre-order campaign
Nintendo pumps millions more into Wii
Wii sample spills across UK
Nintendo reveals Wii line-up for Europe