Nintendo Mixes Up Wii Fit Release Date

First, Nintendo was accused of causing self-esteem issues with younger kids. Now there has yet been another faux pas for the exercise based game, Wii Fit. It seems there has been a release date blunder, that if it were a lesser game, would probably go un-noticed. But this is Wii Fit, and it’s been getting buzz, so we have to talk about it.

I used to work at Best Buy, where release dates were pretty much never right. The most common error, was when a game’s release date was the date it left the manufacturer, not the date stores could sell it. This primarily happened on Tues. and Weds. Release dates from sites like Gamespot and IGN, would have it posted for a Tuesday release, but since this was a Best Buy in Kentucky, we didn’t get it until Weds. This caused all kinds of problems with consumers, and led to many instances of having to calm down customers.

This newest release date mix up is a little different in that it’s a two day difference, between Monday and Wednesday. In my entire retail experience, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Monday release for a game. Nintendo generally saves their first-party releases for Sunday, while most other publishers release on a Tuesday. But now it seems like most of the country will be getting their Wii Fit on Weds. I do believe this is one of the most confusing posts I’ve ever written.

At the Nintendo World Store this morning (Monday), Wii Fits were demonstrated and sold. All other gaming stores saw no Wii Fits gracing their shelves. Even in a Gamespot down the street from the World Store had no Wii Fits in stock. On top of the release date screw-up, there have been reports by retailers that there will be a shortage of stock as well. So as of now, it looks like a pretty shaky start for Wii Fit.

I don’t see this as “shocking” as most sites are reporting, mostly because I’ve worked in retail. What really needs to be done is people need to be informed about how release dates, and sale dates work. I believe it’s partly the gaming sites’ fault for advertising release dates that a good percentage of the population won’t have.

Hopefully, everyone will be able to get their hands on a Wii Fit come Weds. So what do you all think of the situation? Is it a big of a blunder as the gaming media sites are making it out to be?