Joel McHale stars in Nintendo 3DS Commercial
Looks like Nintendo has themselves a pretty great comedian on their side to hawk their 3DS. Comedian Joel McHale, host of The Soup and star of the NBC show Community, stars in the latest Nintendo 3DS commercial. The commercial features McHale mocking YouTube viral videos, kicking an intern in the groin, and a special appearance from Mario and Luigi. Between McHale and their spokesdog Uggie, Nintendo’s promotions department has been bringing in some big guns.
The 3DS, which began a little sluggishly sales-wise due to a steep price which has since been brought down, has been improving its sales considerably. In fact it has sold more than the Nintendo DS did in its first year, believe it or not.
Source: Mashable.com
Rumor: Wii U’s price tag possibly at $300 minimum
According to sources close to Nintendo’s manufacturing operations, the Wii U’s opening price tag will come to, at the minimum, a whopping $300. This will make the system out to be the most expensive in Nintendo’s history.
The source goes into considerable detail about why it will come to that certain price. The system, when manufactured, costs a total of $180 to make. In comparison, the Nintendo Wii came out to a total of $158. So, for reasons of profit, the price will end up going up. Thus, that’s why the Wii U will cost $300. A huge piece of what makes the Wii U significantly expensive is the touch screen, which came to about $50 total to make.
Of course, there’s also much risk that goes into this situation, given that the 3DS began fairly pricy and they had to bring the price down due to a lack of sales at first. Whether it will end up at $300 or not, the fact remains that one should probably start saving now.
Source: TIME Techland
Pokémon Black and White 2 in Japan on June 23?
According to a game retailer in Japan, that question is true. The much anticipated sequel to Pokémon Black and White supposedly has a set release date in Japan for June 23. While it may not be true, there is some reason to believe in that said rumor. One of the big reasons, as cited by Nintendo World Report, is because of the fact that a lot of popular titles in Japan being released months before it hits North America and Europe. And, if the rumor is true, that means that Pokémon Black and White 2 will likely have a release date somewhere in the late summer/early fall.
What remains to be seen is what will happen in the first direct sequel to a Pokémon game.
Source: Nintendo World Report
I really like that Nintendo commercial. Joel McHale is, as always, hilarious. I’m actually a little surprised to see such self-aware advertising (and supermodels!) to be coming from Nintendo. I see good things in the future of their marketing.
I totally agree, Nintendo seems to be stepping up their marketing/commercial game by, get this, making them interesting to watch! The Joel McHale one was hilarious, and I really like their 3DS commercials with the group of friends. Couple the humorous commercials with cooler, more serious commercials like the recent Kid Icarus one, and you’ve got yourself a contender for the best video game advertisers (sorry Kevin Butler!)!
I was also a big fan of their Robin Williams/Zelda Williams commercials. It’s neat to know Robin was such a fan but it also makes yourself feel like a kid again when you see someone enjoying the nirvana which was OoT and his daughter is every gamers dream girl as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6oYMtqZk4Y Not the actual commercial but a little behind the scene details.