The Wii’s Popularity and Appeal

[Article originally published on 01/10/2008 8:40 PM ET on WBOC - Reported by Kevin Leahy.  Click Here to View this Article on WBOC.com]

OCEAN CITY, Md.- Nintendo’s Wii videogame system was once again one of the hottest Christmas items.

 

Nintendo said its North America sales of Wii topped $6 million since it was released. The company believes that at least 1 million more households bought one this holiday season.

 

Officials say the secret to its success is no secret at all, just the system’s cross-cultural appeal.

 

Wii’s are in such high demand right now, Nintendo cannot keep up. Stores cannot keep the system’s signature Wii-mote in stock.

 

Michelle Mealey, who promotes the Wii, said the audience for the machine broadens every day.

 

“They also have a trauma game for the Wii, and a lot of doctors have told us that they were using that to practice,” said Mealey.

 

But it is not just doctors. Therapists at Peninsula Rehab and Physical Therapy in Ocean City use the system for any patients who need help with balance.

 

“Ooh, ahh. That was on ow for the knee,” said Dick Corrigan as he bent his new left knee while bowling on the Wii, “But it didn’t bother me so much.”

 

The fun sometimes takes focus off the pain, something Lesley Rogan and Ron Wist, both physical therapists notice.

 

“At the same time, it’s also hopefully benefiting their brain or using their hips or knees,” said Wist.

 

Oddly, 14-year old Travis Jester, who suffers from a brain injury, likes focusing on the pain. At least while he is dishing it out, boxing on the Wii.

 

“When I really get into a game, I just don’t worry about it, I’m just sitting there playing, I don’t really care about anything,” Jester said.

 

And the movement especially counts for patients working to retrain some old muscles.