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Nintendo Gets Suggestive with DS Marketing

Posted by Zonk on from the more-than-a-little-disturbing dept.

miller60 writes ""Touching is good" is the suggestive theme of the launch campaign for the Nintendo DS handheld, which appears designed to help Nintendo go beyond its kid-friendly image and appeal to older gamers. It's also advertising in Maxim with a campaign titled "How To Score." The company says the campaign represents a "different, bolder approach for Nintendo.""

6 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. Touching by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 4, Funny

    There's a downside to touching, sometimes:

  2. Older gamers? by Pan+T.+Hose · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Touching is good" is the suggestive theme of the launch campaign for the Nintendo DS handheld, which appears designed to help Nintendo go beyond its kid-friendly image and appeal to older gamers. It's also advertising in Maxim with a campaign titled "How To Score."

    Such childish references to sex can only appeal precisely to kids. Older gamers don't need sex in advertisements because they can have real sex any time. I assume that they know that the culture in Japan and the attitude towards sex is completely different than that in the United States. (An outrage caused by a piece of breast during softball, anyone?) Neither the nonchalant attitude towards lawsuits in general remains insignificant. Have they done any studies to assure them that they will not get sued by mothers concerned that their children are being bombarded with produts with sexual overtones? I really hope they know what they are doing because I really wouldn't like their prices to increase to cover the expences of frivolous and irresponsible lawsuits.

    --
    Sincerely,
    Pan Tarhei Hosé, PhD.
    "Homo sum et cogito ergo odi profanum vulgus et libido."
    1. Re:Older gamers? by over_exposed · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Oh please... You don't think sex is used to advertise for products aimed at adults? When is the last time yous aw an ad for beer (or any other alcohol), deoderant, cologne, or cars? Sex in advertising works. Period. Age-group be damned.

      --
      "The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for his." - Patton
  3. Re:The direction is not that new by Reducer2001 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Actually they've been pushing the mature audience thing since Mortal Kombat II for the SNES.

    --
    When you get to hell -- tell 'em Itchy sent ya!
  4. Image change? by eamonman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, somehow I don't think Nintendo's goal of more mature themed games will even touch their 'core' characters; Mario won't ever use a chainsaw to gib people, Pikachu will never be a cold & vengeful mass murderer (he could be however, if you think about it), Link would never be a regular in a red light district, and there won't ever be a transparent armor mod for Samus.

    The old core characters could coexist with new, more 'colorful' ones, if Nintendo could take a risk and allow such games.

    Maybe they could be like Disney/Touchstone/Miramax; create a sub-company that would rebranded (and understood) as a company that tends to have more edgy, provacative games. Call it "Games for the M and up."

    --
    0- Eamonman Proud member of DNRC
  5. Maxim advert by superstick58 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I admit I did like the maxim advertisement. Only thing is, I had no idea it was for a Nintendo DS. I kind of caught me by surprise. Here i see a chick telling me why touching is good, why two are better than one, etc. Finally, at the bottom is the little nintendo name. Go figure.