If I didn’t annoy you this past weekend, it’s probably because you weren’t on Twitter. Because if you were on Twitter, you would have noticed an abundance of tweets with the hashtag #NintendoEnthused talking about what a wonderful time I was having. I try to not smother people with the fact that I was having such a great time, but I won’t lie. I had an awesome time. Here are the details.
I am a brand ambassador for Nintendo. How did I get this gig and what does it all mean? I promise to reveal all on Thursday over at my new site Social Dialect. Until then, you’ll have to be satisfied with what I got out of the trip.
Because I am a brand ambassador, I was invited, along with 100 or so other people from all over the country, to attend a Nintendo 3DS Summit. This included a trip to Seattle, a chance to meet all the other ambassadors, get a peek at the Nintendo 3DS, and tour the new Nintendo HQ building in Bellevue. As soon as I got the invitation, I emailed it to my husband with a note saying “Pleeeeease, pleeeease, pleeease, can I go?” He graciously agreed.
It was a quick trip, riddled with travel disasters, but one that I wouldn’t trade. I’m a long time Nintendo fan and a pretty big Wii fan these days. Although admittedly, my Nintendo DS that I bought years ago has been collecting dust. Ever since the dawn of the iPhone and all its miniature gaming glory, I haven’t thought of picking up a portable gaming device.
On Friday, April 1st (no joke), we boarded a bus to Nintendo HQ. Having worked in the start-up high-tech world, I had pretty high aspirations for what a cool gaming company like Nintendo would be like. I wasn’t disappointed. My first glance upon departing the bus (in the rain – it was Seattle, after all) was a lush green soccer field.
I wasn't unhappy. Just wet.
The soccer field is the former site of the Nintendo HQ building. After the new one was built (in a very impressively green manner), the gutted building was opened up for employee paintball action. Thankfully, after the bruises healed, the building was torn down and the land was reborn as a soccer field and basketball court.
Inside, we were greeted but a colorful lobby and benches shaped like D-pads (the little plus sign on the controllers). Mario murals covered the walls and conference rooms were given names like, the Wario room (which sounds kind of serious if you ask me). But we were quickly escorted to a large conference room, which looked more like a hip lounge to me.
Where are the pictures, you ask?
Alas, being a high-tech company, we were only allowed to take photos inside the lounge/conference room. We were welcomed by Reggie Fils-Aime, son of Haitian immigrants, now living the dream of President and COO of Nintendo of America. It kinda sorta made us feel important.
He graciously welcome us all and introduced us to the technology of Nintendo 3DS. He outlined the day we would be spending with various Nintendo employees and informed us that we would all be leaving with our very own Nintendo 3DS systems at the end of the day (cheers erupted, literally).
My pretty aqua unit
He also addressed concerns that some, including myself, had regarding the 3D technology. Is it safe for our kids? Will it hurt their eyes? Nintendo falls on the conservative side by not recommending the 3D images to children 6 and under. Is that a total bummer? No. You can easily switch it from 3D to 2D mode and even lock it that way if you choose. Trust me, there were many adults that could only handle so much of the 3D.
Then the fun began. We separated into groups (I was part of the Toadettes) and were put on 20 minute rotations. Most of the day was spent a lot like this:
And this:
So now you’re probably thinking all we did was stand around all day talking and playing games.
Well…
You would be right. We tried out games like the standard AR games (aka Augmented Reality) and premium games like nintendogs, Steel Diver, Pilotwings Resort, Super Street Fighter IV, Asphalt 3D, and even the not-yet-released Kid Icarus. I think we sampled a pretty wide gamut of game types, ratings, and use of 3D technology. And I mastered them all. Mostly.
This fine gentleman is a product tester. Yeah, like THAT'S work.
Then, the unthinkable happened. We were allowed a 20 minute excursion to the Nintendo store and allowed to make discounted purchases. My brain freaked. How could I shop under so much pressure?!? But I did. I purchased a Waluigi doll for my son, a Nintendo Christmas tree ornament, and two Nintendo 3DS games. I chose Steel Diver for me and Ghost Recon for my husband. But I’m waiting for Kid Icarus. Waiting and watching.
Here my quick synopsis of the whole thing:
- Nintendo 3DS uses technology that I can’t understand which makes me more intrigued because I want to understand.
- Luckily, the 3D mode is adjustable because even the greatest of eyes might experience some fatigue.
- The aqua color is really pretty.
- When moms bring home a portable gaming system, kids automatically think it’s for them. Which it’s not.
- Nintendo is a fun, eco-conscious, relaxed culture full of people who really enjoy what they’re doing.
- It rains a lot in Seattle but it’s still beautiful.
- Nintendo brought together some pretty amazing people as ambassadors.
- And they treated us right.
Any questions about the Nintendo 3DS system, let me know. I’d be happy to give you my personal opinion on it.
Any questions, just ask Mii (Nintendo humor)
Disclosure: I already said this but I’ll say it again. Nintendo and Brand About Town sponsored my trip to Seattle. They gave me this awesome Nintendo 3DS system. And they asked for nothing in return. However, I’m giving you what I think you need to know about the new Nintendo 3DS.
