Wal-Mart passing on Wii demo units due to safety?

As any console launch date draws near, you can usually count on one thing happening: being able to test out that fresh new machine at your local Wally World, whether or not they have any in stock, and regardless of whether you can actually afford to take one home. However, when November 19th rolls around, you're likely to be stuck demoing the oh-so-coveted PlayStation 3 all by its lonesome. It's being reported that Wal-Mart will not have its usual demo station for the Nintendo Wii for simple safety concerns over the fling-fests that could inevitably ensue. While it's certainly not a stretch to envision how quickly a Wii Sports battle could morph into a full-fledged spat, the world's largest retailer is apparently playing it safe by keeping those untethered Wiimotes out of the unpredictable hands of youngsters (and us not-so-young folk, too). Although the corporate giant won't answer its phone and the big N refuses to comment on rumors, our pals over at Joystiq were able to confirm the lack of pre-planned demo space for the Wii in the Q4 store layouts. So while you might not have much luck trying out the Wii at your nearest 24-hour SuperCenter, you can rest assured it'll be available -- along with those questionably priced accessories -- for purchase.

[_habit_ @ Sep 26th 2006 5:35PM]

Aren't there any that use the classic controller?




Dangit, I want to try the thing out since I wont be getting one until the black comes out :(

[JaXs @ Sep 28th 2006 12:21AM]

same here

[James @ Sep 26th 2006 5:35PM]

Can't say I blame them.

[Whydrive @ Sep 26th 2006 5:43PM]

They should also look at banning Tickle Me Elmos from the floor and require folks to stand behind a counter to purchase one. Have you seen the carnage of looney parents trying to buy one the week before Christmas?

[Travis Jenkins @ Sep 26th 2006 5:46PM]

It's interesting they can do this, but totally allow toys to be strung all over their floors. Safety? Uh, I don't think so Wally.

[marty @ Sep 26th 2006 5:45PM]

yea, the wii controller also comes in a classic edition. just put zelda or super mario galaxy in the demo. and i guess you can just play them without using the new innovative controllers, which will kinda stink, but it'll be better than nothing. anyways, i dont think it'll matter for me, my walmart is always crowded with people trying to play those.

[Silver R. Wolfe @ Sep 26th 2006 5:50PM]

Not all games use the classic controller. Zelda for the Wii will definitely only use the new wii-mote controller, and I believe Mario Galaxy will too.

[Phil @ Sep 26th 2006 5:47PM]

who goes to wal-mart anyway? do we really need to feed the evil corporate giant any more? they sure seem to get enough press as it is. I'll demo my wii elsewhere.

[Qweltol @ Sep 26th 2006 5:51PM]

They probably need the extra space for people to wave around all those real guns they sell in the sporting goods department.

[Tush @ Sep 26th 2006 5:54PM]

Ah, good point. :)

[Dp462090 @ Sep 26th 2006 5:56PM]

I bet if you buy a gun, you'll be able to get them to demo the Wii...

[_habit_ @ Sep 26th 2006 5:54PM]

Phil is obviously biased >_>



I certainly prefer Wal*Mart to Target for games, as Target rarely has new releases for DS and PSP. Although they both generally have the other things you go to WM/Target for.



If all I want is a game and the person taking me doesn't need anything, then I'll just go to the Circuit City a mile or so away from me, and if they don't have the game, I can always check the CompUSA in the same shopping center, and if it comes to it the Target there too.

[_habit_ @ Sep 26th 2006 5:58PM]

Qweltol, you forgot about all the knives they sell, and the BB guns, which generally are less secure than the real guns (For the rifle BB guns were talking cutting little plastic things on the box, but the pistols have little plastic lock things on the rack things they're resting on, but you could just cut open the BB gun plastic cover thing).



Take the numbers of times I said "thing", and multiply it by 12, you've just done something for me.

[SKI @ Sep 26th 2006 6:53PM]

They need the extra room for Eyetoy and Guitar Hero demos that they have to keep till Q1 of next year.

[dpk @ Sep 26th 2006 6:28PM]

Wal-Mart is one of the worst places to go to buy video games. Full MSRP on everything, and the full "Wal-Mart shopping experience"? Pass.

If you're going to pay full MSRP, might as well go to a Gamestop or something similar. You may get to chat with someone who knows what they're talking about when it comes to games, and you may find a good deal on a used game. Plus, it's not Wal-Mart. Win win win.

[tofu @ Sep 26th 2006 6:28PM]

Meh. I wasn't planning on visiting a walmart anyways.
Evil=walmart
I have no respect for a company that pays no respect to their employees, the deceased, the enviroment, discrimination, labor laws, etc.

I hope Target and other retailers jump on this one.

[Hachi_Roku @ Sep 26th 2006 6:32PM]

From what I see Wal*Mart is in elect neighborhoods. I live in Brookly and never seen a Wal*Mart untill I spent some time in Tampa. There was an excess of fat untidy people walking around barefoot, and others who purchased every single thing they needed to survive. The way I see it Target is the urban verson of Wal*Mart.

[John Doe @ Sep 27th 2006 3:16PM]

The difference being that Target isn't being targeted by the gov for more crap then you can shake a lawsuit at. Wally World is epitome of corp greed and screwing the little guy. But keep on shopping there. Because of course Wally world isn't cutting corners in places that screw their employees. Naaa. That would never happen.

[Tabascork @ Sep 26th 2006 8:51PM]

Umm... I could say that here in Arkansas, people can be such filthy retarded rednecks, but the Wal*Mart I live by has absolutely no anti-urban stickers stuck on it, being it is right in the middle of the city. I happen to like Wal*Mart, but the electronics section is bull. The employees don't know anything about the stuff on the freaking shelves. They can't even hook up an HDTV right! ARKANSAS SUX and I want to move out of this embred state.

[o0joshua0o @ Sep 26th 2006 6:34PM]

This is ridiculous for at least 3 reasons.

First, the Wiimotes will obviously have to be tethered in the first place in order to keep people from running off with them. If they're already tethered, the possibilities for wreaking havoc with them are greatly reduced.

Second, large sweeping motions are not required in order to play most Wii games, from reports I've heard.

Third, Wal-Mart sells lots of other things that are easily five times more dangerous.

[Giltronic @ Sep 26th 2006 6:48PM]

i for one welcome our wal-mart overlords.

giltronic

[Jason @ Sep 26th 2006 6:54PM]

They need to worry about getting the demo boxes to work LONG before they need to worry about people getting hurt with swinging the wiimote. Anyone ever see a working demo box at wallyworld???

[Sean DL @ Sep 26th 2006 6:58PM]

From what I have heard is that they WILL have Wii demo units but not till First Quarter 2007.

My best guess is that they don't want people swinging around during the X-mas shopping....One Granny i nthe wrong palce and Wal-Mart has a lawsuit....and they have enough of thoses...


and since the system is pretty much sold out this holiday(and Wal-Mart will get a large amout of Wiis), the demos won't favor or turn away people from buying the system this holiday season.


It's a non-issue...At lease Target will have the demo..lol

[snark @ Sep 26th 2006 7:32PM]

ummm safety? Are we talking about the same Walmart that encourages a bunch of trailer trash run over each other for $25 DVD players? That Walmart?

[kyler @ Sep 26th 2006 8:32PM]

more likely it's because they can't tie down the wiimote to stop people from stealing it like they do with every other wireless demo unit.

[Shmoe @ Sep 27th 2006 3:16AM]

More like not-so coveted PS3 and definetly not able to afford or even want to take home the PS3 with Beta-Ray.

[Semih @ Sep 26th 2006 8:48PM]

Nah, they probably couldn't figure out a way to secure the Wiimote so no one will steal it..

[jason @ Sep 27th 2006 11:43AM]

embred? do you mean inbred? apparently when you move out of Arkansas you plan to take your wife/sister with you

[Seroth @ Sep 26th 2006 9:03PM]

They're concerned with people flailing their arms about, but it's okay for them to break their necks as they struggle to stare up at an an awkward angle to view the demo screens as they play, right? I also remember Wal-Mart having EyeToy demos, which also involved some moving around.

This is lame.

[Andrew Paul Baisden @ Sep 26th 2006 9:01PM]

walmart is great especialy with prices for families

[BatteryAcid @ Sep 26th 2006 9:56PM]

Fu*k U Walmart, Fu*k U
Though i cant say i blame ya. But like others said their has to be some games that are safe.

[zach @ Sep 26th 2006 11:05PM]

all i have to say is wal-mart is a "wiitard" (haha) for not wanting to use wii demo console. with the xbox or gamecube or 360, people swing those controllers around just as much when there playing.

[embassy @ Sep 27th 2006 2:58AM]

1st off...when did it become cool to hate Walmart..??...geez..i hate all this evil corp crap...if thats the case..EVERY corp is evil cuz they all want the same thing.our money, and cheap labor.but i guess walmart is the new flavor of the week till some other corp has its skeletons pulled outta the closet.

now back on subject...

can u really blame walmart..??..i mean look at all of nintendos promo videos for the Wii...every video u have kids running and jumping behind couches shooting...chicks swatting bugs waving thier arms wildy...if anything blame nintendo for their dramatic over-the-top promotional depictions of the Wii...im sure the CEOS of walmart dont check the latest Wii footage at gamespot/joysitq to determine these things.

[Solomon @ Nov 26th 2006 10:52PM]

I remember reading that Nintendo announced that they will NOT license demos to Wallmart. I think it was on IGN a few months ago.

[David McArthur @ Dec 29th 2007 11:05PM]

Well they are at Wal-Mart now...

[dazmo @ Jan 2nd 2008 6:07AM]

the nintendo WII is not unsafe in any way. BUT the lady with the coffee-stained skirt who sued walmart for not holding her coffee for her, youll get some #^$%(le who'll wrap the thing around her neck and hold her breath for the check.