Topic: Free Super Mario Bros. (From Nintendo)

SMB is only $5 bucks, that's pretty much free in my book. If a million people download it, that's a quick 5 million for Nintendo, which could be invested in new games, etc. On the other hand, if they give the game out for free, that's a 5 million dollar loss for Nintendo.

@Stryker: That program does not exist in any form in North America, though. Stupid NoA.

This e-mail shtick sounds pretty interesting...though I question how many people are on Nintendo's e-mail list but haven't linked their Wii's to Club Nintendo yet...

That is a very stiff way at looking at marketing and sales. You could also see it as if they give a game for free, more people become interested in the VC service, thus maybe buy other games from the service.
It is not always the case that giving something for free is equal the same amount of loss.

@Stuffgamer1 Thanks for the clarification. Thought it was a worldwide program (at least thats what it says when you reach platinum status).

Sure there is a financial loss when giving stuff out for free. But it's important to look at the bigger picture. There are millions of Wii owners who have no idea of VC or WiiWare. Lurking them into the Shop-Channel with a free give-away is no loss at all, when a percentage of these new Shop Users goes out and after that buys games in the Shop-Channel.

ok, so what do i have to do to get this email? i'm not registered in any way with nintendo, but i would LOVE to get a free SMB... i was just about to pay for the thing...

I'll Check my email after school. hope i get one of these emails!

I agree with jwl: Giving away a free game does NOT simply equal losses to the amount of the cost of the game. If people don't even know about the download option and are suddenly offered a free game, that's a GREAT way to convince them to connect and check it out! Most of them will probably download at least ONE more game...many may even become regular users of the Shop Channel! It's simply a (very effective) form of marketing...and of course, ALL marketing costs some level of investment funding.

Here's some info for those curious. Here's what Nintendo told me:
http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=118549

Total RANDOM? What's the point of THAT?

Uh, how do I make an angry "smiley"?

@BlueFlameBat: Sadly, there's no such thing on NLife. You'll have to make due with instead.

Yeah, I know. Way to reward people like me who have lots of coins and registered products... >_>

I gifted somone a game who had never logged onto the Wii shop channel. Later he downloaded 10 VC games. A gift game may help get more people interested in downloading games.

Yeah, i think it's pretty dumb as well, being totally random. It's no biggie, been meaning to pick up the original sometime, and $5 for such a classic game is still a great deal. I really wish we could get Nintendo Points with our club nintendo coins, that would be wonderful.