Nintendo Visits Erickson and Leisure Care Communities Nationwide

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Before the launch of the Wii™ system, most seniors probably never gave video games a second thought. But then came the game Wii Sports™ and, with it, senior bowling leagues and the emergence of video games as a regular pastime for seniors nationwide. This month Nintendo pays tribute to these new players with gaming events at Erickson and Leisure Care communities across the country for residents and their family members, with a focus on New Super Mario Bros.™ Wii.

Between Dec. 4 and Dec. 20, Nintendo representatives will visit 10 communities to demonstrate New Super Mario Bros. Wii to hundreds of senior residents and their families, and encourage every generation to sample the game’s unique blend of imaginative, multiplayer fun. Because players can play through the game either cooperatively or competitively, participants can expect to see kids helping their grandparents overcome difficult obstacles – or perhaps throwing them down a bottomless pit. An additional 42 communities will receive a Nintendo gift package to incorporate video games into their regular activities. All 52 communities will receive:

  • A Wii system
  • New Super Mario Bros. Wii
  • Three additional Wii Remote™ controllers and three additional Nunchuk™ controllers
  • A copy of Wii Sports Resort™ and three additional Wii MotionPlus™ accessories
  • Wii Fit™ Plus with a Wii Balance Board™ accessory
  • Mario Kart™ Wii and three additional Wii Wheel™ accessories
  • “Nintendo has led the way in expanding the audience for video games,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “By giving seniors and their family members a hands-on introduction to New Super Mario Bros. Wii, we’re extending our commitment to making the best video game experiences accessible to every generation.”

New Super Mario Bros. Wii lets players take control of the iconic Mario™, his brother Luigi™ or one of two playable Toad™ characters. On a mission to rescue Princess Peach™ from the devious Bowser™, they must run, jump, bounce and battle their way through a series of wild obstacles, collecting coins and evading enemies along the way. In addition to a simultaneous multiplayer mode, the game includes built-in guides that provide helpful tips on how to overcome challenging obstacles. Since premiering in 1986, the Super Mario Bros. game series has become one of the most popular video game series of all time, selling more than 222 million games worldwide to date.

Highlighting the Wii system’s inclusive game library and easy-to-use wireless controls, Nintendo has conducted pioneering outreach in senior communities across the nation since launching the system in 2006. Games such as Wii Sports have been embraced by seniors, who have set up Wii Sports bowling leagues and made video games a regular addition to both their social and physical activity calendars.

See below for scheduled dates and locations (subject to change):

  • Leisure Care communities
  • Dec. 4: Fairwinds – Ivey Ranch in Oceanside, Calif.
  • Dec. 12: La Siena in Phoenix
  • Dec. 13: Fairwinds – Brittany Park in Woodinville, Wash.
  • Dec. 19: Harvard Square in Denver
  • Dec. 20: Heritage Estates in Livermore, Calif.
  • Erickson communities
  • Dec. 5: Eagle’s Trace in Houston
  • Dec. 12: Greenspring in Springfield, Va.
  • Dec. 12: Ann’s Choice in Warminster, Pa.
  • Dec. 13: Sedgebrook in Lincolnshire, Ill.
  • Dec. 19: Brooksby Village in Peabody, Mass.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

For more information about New Super Mario Bros. Wii, visit www.mariobroswii.com.

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