New York Times on Nintendo

Share your perspective. Keep it thoughtful, welcoming and on topic.

1. A guy I work with was terribly addicted to WoW for well over a year. He eventually realized he was devoting too much of his life to that game, so he quit cold turkey. Several months later, I showed him some of the Wii footage from E3. A couple days afterwards, he said, "Hey, when is that new Nintendo coming out?" He said he can't wait to get one and do some swordfighting or other cathartic gameplaying. It was cool to see a non-console gamer take such an interest in Wii. Now we joke that if he stays off of WoW until this fall, buying a Wii will be his reward for staying clean.I can see games like Red Steel or maybe a new Punch Out being a real draw for people looking to blow off some steam after a long day at the office.

2. "But it may be hardest of all to convince nongamers that they won't feel like geeks if they pick up a game controller."This is very true. Its our responsibility as the Wii faithful to be evangelists to the unwashed masses of non-gamers.Here's a story from just this weekend.My older sister was in town for a graduation and she stopped by to seem my new house. She has some teenage sons. They have the mentality that nintendo is NOT cool. But surprisingly enough they thing their uncle (me) is pretty cool.So, we got out the DDR mario mix to have a little fun for the afternoon (there are other younger kids as well) and the older teens sat back and watched. We offered to let them try it and they were simply "too cool". I could tell however, that they really wanted to give it a try though so I got up and really kicked it out on Bowsers castle level (which is pretty hard if you don't know) and they were wanting a piece so bad that I challenged them. All of a sudden, a challenge many it more 'manly' or something because they both hopped up all of a sudden eager to beat my score. They hardly got off the mats the rest of the day.One moment, they were too cool and the next I overheard them talking about getting it for the birthday and playing at home.So, in conclusion, I think we need to spread the word on Wii and how fun it will be (I hope anyway!) and urge others to give it a try.This will be the key to success in that playing is believing, but many people will need a little nudge to get them to play it in the first place.I'm ready. Are you?

3. I am. I've been pushing Wii on everyone I know. I explain to them the PS3's $700 price tag and the Wii's motion-sensing capabilities an they're like, "I'm so getting a Wii." Also, I have a friend who is working with Nintendo in marketing the Wii and it will be $249.99. Sorry.

4. I'll be spreading the Nintendo job as well. I have five nieces & nephews, and each household is getting a Wii for Christmas.. assuming I can find them in the stores.. 😛

5. MacUser – any other tidbits your friend can share?I can't wait to see how they market this thing. I've generally been a big fan of recent Nintendo marketing strategies.Personally, they should pull a Dunkin Donuts and get They Might Be Giants to do all the songs for their ads."..and KARATE!!!"

6. I had to pressure him to tell me for a week or two to tell me the price, so I doubt he'll tell me anything else. I'll try to though 😉

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