14 DAY TRIAL // Via Joystick, we learn of the latest concerns regarding the anticipated Wii launch. Taking into consideration the spectacular job Nintendo did thus far with promoting their next generation console, we can only expect the trend to follow suit. Yet Wal-Mart, America's largest retailer might have difficulties in displaying Wii demo consoles in their shops. The rather obvious - yet speculative - reason is that kids are prone of hurting each other from all the Wii-mote swinging, presenting a serious safety hazard.
As a confirmed fact, Wal-Mart's electronics department layout for the fourth quarter of 2006 does not have any space reserved for the said Nintendo demo units, presented in the picture. Joystick's unnamed source confirmed the "fear of some kid getting hurt or injuring others in the process of flailing his arms around."
Although Nintendo and Wal-Mart didn't officially announce anything in this regard, various Wal-Mart employees stated Wii demo units are expected for the first quarter of 2007 which leads us to believe it's just a timing issue. Since Nintendo aims to target a different audience than its Xbox 360 and PS3 competitors, Wal-Mart is the one place they need to be. It was specifically made clear that Wall-Mart will have huge amounts of Wii on launch day. Should these concerns be somehow addressed soon, there's still a slim chance of in-store Wii demo advertising two weeks prior to November 1st.