During February Cranky Kong took over Nintendo of America's Twitter account for a day in order to promote Wii U release Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Nintendo had made much of the character's inclusion in the game, even officially revealing him at the VGX Awards, and took the opportunity to have a bit of fun. There were tweets teasing memes, criticising gamers that had gone soft compared to the old days of brutally challenging games, and general messages befitting a grizzled old ape.

Of course, we asked you to comment on what you thought of it as an example of creative social media marketing from Nintendo, and a number of you responded positively. In an era when some criticise Nintendo's messaging in online ads and TV commercials, with the big N itself acknowledging shortcomings in areas such as selling the Wii U concept, it seemed like a fresh, more relaxed tone from the company. Not all loved it, of course, but it was at least an attempt at some self-deprecation and light-hearted marketing.

Nintendo's been at it again for 3DS title Yoshi's New Island, with some Twitter shenanigans that incorporated an impressive 15 regional and national Nintendo accounts. The jist was simple, it took the end-of-level routine of a Yoshi passing Baby Mario to another Yoshi, and twisted it into the different Nintendo teams passing the baby around the world. An impressive logistical feat, if nothing else.

It's pleasing to see a well co-ordinated worldwide marketing social marketing campaign, so check it out below and let us know what you think. Is this the kind of promotion you want to see more of in the coming months, and what could be done better or for other games?


https://twitter.com/NintendoAT/status/444488127072047104

https://twitter.com/NintendoCH_DE/status/444510827417055233