Why Do You Think Nintendo Releases Their Major Titles on Sunday In The U.S.?

[Luxio2k8]

Many of you are probably aware of this already, but for those that aren’t New Super Mario Bros. Wii has an official U.S. release date and it’s November 15, 2009.

Interestingly, that release date is a Sunday. In fact, many of Nintendo’s big releases in recent years have happened on Sundays. The debut of the Nintendo Wii, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Pokémon Diamond/Pearl, to name a few.

Why is it that Nintendo is releasing their major titles on Sunday in the U.S., now? I know in Japan that for years whenever a major Dragon Quest game is released it’s always done on the weekend. This is because Dragon Quest is a HUGE Franchise in Japan and there is a fear that a weekday release will cause a lack of productivity because of the number of “potential people” who are going to skip work and school to play Dragon Quest.

Is it possible that Nintendo is taking a page from Square Enix’s book and releasing their major games on Sunday in the U.S. because of a “fear” that a large number of Nintendo fans will miss work and school to stay home to play video games?

Or is it just done as a way to get a “jump” on the competition and they now release their “major titles” a few days early?

 

[Destry]

Interesting! This being America, however, I highly doubt that they're very afraid of a mass amount of people skipping out on work to play a video game. As popular as games are here, they just don't have the same lethal following as they do in Japan.

It could be to get a jump on the competition due to Tuesday releases. I think it would definitely help sales more to do so, especially opening sales. Since a majority of people do not work on Sunday, more people have time to pick up the game. Also, being released on a different day than everything else, they are not overshadowed by other titles and forgotten.

That and maybe Sunday is like. NINTENDAY. Could happen...

 

[GrnMarvl14]

It could be to get a jump on the competition due to Tuesday releases. I think it would definitely help sales more to do so, especially opening sales. Since a majority of people do not work on Sunday, more people have time to pick up the game. Also, being released on a different day than everything else, they are not overshadowed by other titles and forgotten.

That's my guess for the weekend releases. It does set them apart and give them a head start on their competitors. Not a bad plan, really. Especially since it's easier for kids to get their parents to take them to pick up a game on a weekend than on a weekday.

 

[Lugnut]

I read in Nintendo Power once that its actually a law in Japan that new video game systems cannot come out durring the work week. (not sure of the exact quote, or if its even true. But hey its NP!)

Anyway back on topic... I think its just to get the games on the shelves when most people (read: Kids) are out shopping. How many children are going to be out and about on a tuesday? They should be inside doing homework then! :lol:

 

[Juicy Jazzy]

Is it possible that Nintendo is taking a page from Square Enix’s book and releasing their major games on Sunday in the U.S. because of a “fear” that a large number of Nintendo fans will miss work and school to stay home to play video games?

You're not kidding, even here in Australia it was unofficial 'skip school day' when Halo 2 was released as it was released on a school day.

 

[Magmaster12]

I wish it could be Saturday instead because I need more then just one whole day to spend with a game.