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That's right, you can now see Al Roker attempt to play a Wii on the Today Show. I made some comments before about how Nintendo's commercials are teaching non-gamers to make exaggerated movements instead of small, simple ones. Was I right or what?

While Al Roker probably hasn't seen any of these commercials yet, just look at him act like a fool! Do you think that the public will be the same way until they get acquainted with the console or are some people just stupid?


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23 comments | showing # 1 to 23

World Famous's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 19:47
World Famous
Wow, Nintendo loves to screw the pooch. Get two rtards to show off your console. Nice move.
World Famous's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 19:48
World Famous
God forbid Nintendo or these media outlets actually get people who know what the fuck they're talking about and can show what the system actually does. Sorry, this kinda shit pisses me off. It's like seen Grandma try to surf the Internet but instead click the mouse button a million times.
Jordan Devore's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 19:51
Jordan Devore
I would pay good money to see the Today Show use the Wii's browser. That would be freaking hilarious!
lAboMbA's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 19:57
lAboMbA
sure as hell didn't take al long to throw that 200 pack of krispie kremes back on his ass.
Iron Gamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 20:02
Iron Gamer
LMAO it's almost like he's never seen tennis being played... swing when the ball comes to you or in this case the character that looks like you without the extra baggage...
Kfizz's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 20:18
Kfizz
The lady explaing it could not even do it. they should have had guys from nintendo play it show what it can do.
LxLegend's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 20:22
LxLegend
Non-gamers hate looking stupid. And I've yet to see a Wii video that doesn't make the player look completely retarded flailing their arms around like they are trying to get a cell phone signal.
Jelster's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 20:24
Jelster
Other than the guy sucking balls whats wrong with the way he was moving? Actually, I wish you'd make your fucking minds up, if you're not bitching about too much movement being tiring, or it not being realistic, you're pissed off someone isn't sitting on their arse getting some white wand wrist action.

World Famous's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 20:28
World Famous
What's wrong with his movement? Next time you go out and play tennis, try waving your racket back and forth a few times while the ball is on its way over to you. See if you get a few looks from other people.

I stand up to play Wii Sports games. But I don't flail my arms like an idiot. It doesn't take much in the brain department to understand you only need to swing or do an action when the time is appropriate on the screen.

And yeah, the Nintendo World Store is literally right next to the Today Show studio. They could have easily had a rep there to demonstrate it properly.
Dexter345's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 20:31
Dexter345
Eh, this seems like good press to me. Old people will have watched it and be mildly interested, maybe.
World Famous's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 21:11
World Famous
You honestly think an elderly person will see that and want to spend $250 on a Wii? I know a lot of old people, and 99.9% of them are super cheap and stingy with their money. Sorry, but I don't see that happening.

Now, if they go to little Timmy's house and see the Wii in action and are interested, that's a different story. But an old person is not going to be swayed from 20 seconds of footage on the Today Show. You gotta give them more credit than that.
shinyhat's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 21:15
shinyhat
To be fair, I don't think Al Roker knows what Tennis is.
World Famous's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 21:17
World Famous
They should have had him playing Cooking Mama instead. I bet he would have rocked that one.
Jelster's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 21:25
Jelster
Summa, for someone proven so fucking wrong in your preconceived ideas about the Wii, even with many hands on experiences, you're quick to criticise someone who obvious has never picked up the controller and has ONE go at playing. The only flailing I saw was AFTER he lost and nothing to do with the game. You're honestly saying when you first get a game you don't suck until you get used to the controls? You don't try out different stuff and see how it relates to the onscreen image. Please!
Sir Jimbob's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 21:50
Sir Jimbob
Its only natural to make exagerrated movements the first time you play. I know I did and almost every person I've seen
trying it for the first time has done the same.

It seems there that Al wouldn't even know how to play regular tennis let alone tennis is video game form. Not to mention that the person told him nothing about the controls or which characters he was.
Dexter345's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 21:50
Dexter345
Summa, that's why I said "mildly interested, maybe," and not "excited enough to buy a Wii."
Jelster's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 21:59
Jelster
I think the older market will be drawn in through exactly this kind of exposure combined with grandchildren encouraging them to play. Purchase wise if they see Timmy likes it, know they can get on the internet, see the weather and news, send Timmy msgs and look at photos they might just swing for it. It'll be a lot easier to operate that a PC and the interface seems suited for low res tv! Honestly think about the features on there and you have to agree they are suited to a more technophobe audience.
baeK's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/15/2006 22:34
baeK
To big fans of the Today Show that was "silly" and "fun". To gamers it looks like a couple of pillsbury dough trolls making asses of themselves.. people who matter weren't watching that, people who don't might buy a Wii because of it. <3
Lord_Satorious's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/16/2006 01:15
Lord_Satorious
They get the basic information out there. It's $250, there are sixty games on the way, and they had fun for the short while they played. Gamers already know if they want one or not, and non-gamers might say, "hey, look at that, I've never seen that before". Parents watching it will ask their kids if they want one for Christmas, if the kids hadn't already asked for one. I think the segment was mostly positive.
Woverine's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/16/2006 02:12
Woverine
im sorry but after seeing that video i just have to say good luck to nintendo, and xbox 360 here i come.
Stetsonblade's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/16/2006 02:23
Stetsonblade
Seriously woverine? You've waited this long and that video made up your mind. Um..ok. Have fun with that xbox. I really need another brother, I think then it would make getting all three systems easier...
Mxyzptlk's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/16/2006 03:10
Mxyzptlk
That's probably the most exercise Al Roker's gotten in years.
Rosseh's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/16/2006 10:59
Rosseh
Man, I already thought the Wii was cool but if its highly addictive after flailing wildily for a few seconds god damn i gotta get me one of those!
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