Nintendo's Wii continues to be a smash with seniors

We know that Nintendo's Wii has been a massive hit with families, but we've also noticed a growing trend with the physically-interactive game system that is honestly a bit of a surprise -- apparently, senior citizens can't put their Wiimotes down. Similar to stories we've seen before, the UK's gossip rag The Sun is reporting that seniors at the Sunrise Home in Birmingham, UK, have taken to the console like super-old fish to water. The pensioners at the institution have been engaging in knock-down, drag-out contests in Wii Sports -- playing tennis, boxing, and bowling with a cut-throat competitiveness not seen since the Dark Ages. Barrie Edgar, 88, one of the home's residents said, "It's great fun. We've only had it a few days but we can't put it down." Mr. Edgar then glanced at Tilda Montgomery, another Sunrise Home occupant and exclaimed, "Prepare to be pwned, you old bird."

[Thanks, Arnar]

[kev @ Sep 14th 2007 9:25AM]

Rated E for Everyone.

Indeed.

[Baby-G @ Sep 14th 2007 9:29AM]

Man imagine the amount of broken hip's now....

[Vagrant @ Sep 14th 2007 9:32AM]

See that guy there in the blue? That's me in 50 years, except there will be house music banging in the background. whoop whoop whoop! He's even got two birds with him there from the club. He knows how to roll with it. Showing his mad skillZ.

I just hope I can still drink a pint and not piss myself.

[I.E @ Sep 14th 2007 10:15AM]

You're definitely getting some pint drinking practice already cos i see three birds not two :)

[humpty @ Sep 14th 2007 9:37AM]

Am i selfish in not giving a sh!t if seniles are able to play video games?

[NHAnimator @ Sep 14th 2007 9:53AM]

Apathetic would be the word.

I, for one, am glad to hear about this story. Though I was wondering if it is safe yet to use the terms "Wii" and "smash" in the same headline.

[FermitTheKrog @ Sep 14th 2007 11:33AM]

You are just jealous that Barrie and Tilda could pwn your ass at Wii Bowling.

[Major Malfunction @ Sep 14th 2007 1:13PM]

No Humpty, not selfish, but you'll get the same treatment from those around you when it is your time. Remember that. It is the same motto I live by when treating everyone around me. The whole world needs to do that, perhaps it would be a more civilized civilization.

Damnit, I done gone and went phillysoficaliz'n and monologg'n an stuff.

[Macinjosh @ Sep 14th 2007 4:06PM]

Nah, I think its sweet to see old people like this having fun with new technology. Kinda gets me choked up when I read these stories.

[Ebzy @ Sep 14th 2007 9:38AM]

Old people are hellacool

...when they give you pocket money

[makethemove+engadge @ Sep 14th 2007 9:41AM]

@humpty

watching old people play is v.cool. It will be like watching senior citizens play baseball or football lol :-)

[twistedme @ Sep 14th 2007 9:44AM]

Thats going old school YO

[Kamal @ Sep 14th 2007 9:54AM]

That means no more senile seniors driving to bowling alley, loosing control of their cars and mowing down pedestrians:

http://www.leasticoulddo.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t12984.html

[Richard Lai @ Sep 14th 2007 9:58AM]

Are these photos genuine?

[NG @ Sep 14th 2007 10:01AM]

Nice, i am thinking to donate a wii to my grandpa's eldery home too.

[Dave @ Sep 14th 2007 11:13AM]

Thats very noble of you. It's always nice to hear someone thinking about the elderly in a way other than something to do with a will and/or an estate. You've just earned some Karma points in my book and I need to follow your example and call my grandmother very soon. I haven't spoken to her in 2 weeks and now am feeling quite guilty. Kudos to you man!

[NG @ Sep 14th 2007 4:27PM]

Thanks :D

[Herman Manfred @ Sep 14th 2007 10:05AM]

If this is a true story it is way cool. My Dear Ol Ma is in a nursing facility - one of the main things the physical therapists try to do is keep the residents active in at least some minimal manner - upper body motion is especially stressed (most residents are wheelchair-bound).

This is definitely cool.

[granny down east @ Sep 14th 2007 10:28AM]

Right. This is great exercise and helps with the alzheimer's issue- keeps the brain engaged.
Me, I'm gonna run right out and buy a Wii- if I can remember where I put the car.

[octoberasian @ Sep 14th 2007 12:18PM]

This is pretty true. I believe a similar article was posted in Joystiq's blog a couple months ago about the same thing. Apparently the elderly that do use the Wii are getting the needed exercise and it keeps active. Plus, they find the Wii easy to use and a lot of fun to play with.

[DarkAlly @ Sep 14th 2007 10:08AM]

My grandfather beat my whole family in his first game of Wii Bowling! My cousins and I had been playing for hours, he came in and bowled like when he was younger. We had a blast!

[Kevlar @ Sep 14th 2007 10:24AM]

I didn't believe it until I got my grandmother to play, and her 78-year old friend with Parkinson's. The two of them had a blast! It was great to see.

[Galley @ Sep 14th 2007 10:31AM]

Old people are funny!

[Jason @ Sep 14th 2007 10:34AM]

Everyone's gonna get old some day (even you young twerps that think cryogenics and robotic brain transplants are gonna save yer asses).

Try to think about how you would like to be treated when YOU are 80 years old when you make the smarty ass comments.

[ethana2 @ Sep 18th 2007 11:37AM]

We were born into an era of exponential change, and we are willing and prepared to adapt.

Refusing to learn is what gets you.

[Harvey @ Sep 14th 2007 10:37AM]

Wow! Based on the negative comments toward senior citizens from posters, it appears Engadget is defining itself as a refuge for a part of our society that rarely has a voice on legitimate sites. Maybe, Engadget's focus on hacks, mods and knock-offs is finally attracting the crowd their advertisers desire?

[boisvert00 @ Sep 14th 2007 10:43AM]

I would finance a wii in all my surrounding old people homes so I could know that they won't be driving all around looking for something to do... now if we just could figure out how to do this with country kitchen buffet... hmmm

[boisvert00 @ Sep 14th 2007 10:44AM]

and yea why are you all hating on old people, your going to be old someday too...

[Javi0084 @ Sep 14th 2007 12:12PM]

Not is Karma can help it.

[oshean @ Sep 14th 2007 10:51AM]

Nintendo's Wii continues to be a smash with seniors....LITERALLY!!
Look at how loose those wrist straps are!

[Mark @ Sep 14th 2007 11:04AM]

My aunts and uncle in their late 70's loved playing Wii sports when I brought it over last year around the Holidays. One of them went out and looked for one for months and finally were able to find one and said they love it.

[Wingnut @ Sep 14th 2007 11:20AM]

Atleast Wii is makin us move while playin a goddamn console!!! Damn u fat suckers.. time to get off ur bum n 'Shake That ASS'!!

[JeffM @ Sep 14th 2007 11:37AM]

Wow, are those screenshots from the new Resident Evil? And to think people complain about the Wii's computing power... that looks pretty real to me!

[diggler @ Sep 14th 2007 11:41AM]

All jokes aside, it's cool to see them have some fun.

The lady on the left has the coolest photo, though. With her tongue hanging out like that, I'll bet she was saying something like, "Yeah dog, get some!!!!"

[Eldiablo @ Sep 14th 2007 1:55PM]

I find myself doing that when I'm concentrating really hard. But I can confirm its a true story, coming from that there Birmingham off of England. I wonder if Ozzy plays Wii?

[Halfmad @ Sep 14th 2007 11:47AM]

The straps are quick fiddly and that's why I'm guessing that the older folks don't tighten them, it can't be easy at their age seeing as I have problems and I'm 32 (granted after a few beers..)

Come on Nintendo bring out a new easy to adjust strap for your new senior fans! :-D

I think it's fantastic, hope I'm still gaming at that age!

[MannyV @ Sep 14th 2007 12:19PM]

I'm suprised they allow Wii boxing. That's a lot of work, and a good way to get a stroke or heart attack.

Anyone know if you can hook too Wiis together, so each person gets their own TV? The split screen thin just doesn't work so well.

[Typhoid Mary @ Sep 14th 2007 12:21PM]

I dont know why some of you dont think this is real. Ive seen a few news stories here in NYC about this as well.

[Tavis Veighey @ Sep 14th 2007 12:24PM]

I got a Wii to get some exersize. It is fun, and get's me moving! This is one of the BEST things that a seinor could do! It get's them moving, and with 2+ Player games you get them interacting as well.

What a fantastic idea!

[Ashley468 @ Sep 15th 2007 7:26PM]

I believe that the Nintendo wii was a great additon to the video gaming industry. It gives everyone reguardless of age something to do and be entertained.

[Tom @ Sep 14th 2007 1:01PM]

why is it that everyone in that picture above looks like they've suffered a stroke??

[ethana2 @ Sep 18th 2007 11:43AM]

The chances of one of them having suffered a stroke is not all that low. Try to be sensitive :)

[keithwwalker @ Sep 14th 2007 1:06PM]

Are there any other Wii games that are more basic and help with coordination? My father has PSP, a nuerological disease that affects his coordination (it almost like a time delay with brain signals, he reacts a second or two late)

Thanks!

[rokerovakero @ Sep 14th 2007 2:17PM]

You could try Brain Age Academy, Wii Play and Trauma center: Second Opinion. there's a game called Warioware you might give him to try, It's about little 3 second games that you have figure it out what you need to do. It's pretty cool, and will give your father's brain a good workout.

[connorcam @ Sep 14th 2007 2:10PM]

I live a few miles from that place (or at least I think so!)

I might pay them a visit for a game of Wii Bowling! ;)

[Kaitou1412 @ Sep 14th 2007 2:49PM]

Another reason why I don't buy a Wii console. It's for old people!!!

[ethana2 @ Sep 18th 2007 11:45AM]

If it didn't frigging use code signing, you could slap Ubuntu on it and make it for everyone.

Opera isn't exactly up to spec, imo...

[Daniel @ Sep 14th 2007 3:53PM]

Awesome - thats about I will probably be doing at 88.

[BatteryAcid @ Sep 14th 2007 11:34PM]

My grama is always saying how nice the graphics are. Nintendo really wasn't lying when they said the were hoping to bring video games to all ages.

[ethana2 @ Sep 18th 2007 11:46AM]

Maybe this will give them a better understanding of 'kids nowadays' :)