Southwest adds motion control, funny to commercial

25 Comments by Justin McElroy Sep 19th 2007 10:20AM
Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii

We have to admit that the first time we saw this ad for Southwest Airlines, we chuckled a little bit. Not just because we like to see expensive things broken (we do), but because we like to imagine this is exactly how Wii missiles and broken TVs came about last year and everyone was just too embarrassed to admit it.

Though we sympathize with the plights of both of the gentlemen in the commercial, we feel compelled to remind them: Wrist straps, guys. Wrist straps are the answer.

Tags: ads, humor, ps3, wii

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

megaStryke: Sep 19th 2007; 10:25AM

A video game-themed commercial for a non-video game service that is actually ACCURATE? Bonus points!

Almack64 (NOF - Ultrazord): Sep 19th 2007; 10:30AM

Now that's comedy

The True Gamer: Sep 19th 2007; 10:36AM

Saw this one during the football games Sunday, I laughed my ass off!

slickestjg: Sep 19th 2007; 10:38AM

Are those 360 controllers painted red and what are they using as a console in the glass A/V case under the TV? Its painted red as well but I couldn't tell what it was.

Rususeruru: Sep 19th 2007; 11:15AM

it's the special limited edition Wii60 wireless controller for the (red) GameBox available only at Target!

0ldb0y: Sep 19th 2007; 10:40AM

Did you see those next-gen graphics???

WiNG: Sep 19th 2007; 10:40AM

gold!

Is that controller a wavebird?

blooh (CDF - Ass Ring): Sep 19th 2007; 10:46AM

lol

i never use the straps, they're annoying and I'm not a retard that throws the controller

Darayz: Sep 19th 2007; 10:55AM

Great commercial. Almost recreated it at home . . almost ...

mike: Sep 19th 2007; 10:56AM

too bad the wii is not actually like that or i would get one (exact 1:1 mapping and next gen graphics)

Funny commercial.

Chris: Sep 19th 2007; 11:19AM

Wii sports does have 1:1

Next Gen graphics... not so much.

In any case you're a toolbox.

mike: Sep 19th 2007; 11:20AM

wii sports lol. Yeah thats the GOTY all right. Im talking about real games, not pack in demos that come with the console.

bm: Sep 19th 2007; 5:40PM

Yeah cuz you can tell the difference in graphics from a 160x100 pixel area in a highly compressed video, huh? Right.

Shagittarius: Sep 20th 2007; 6:48PM

For the Record Wii sports only has 1:1 mapping in baseball before the ball is pitched. I.E. When theres no gameplay.

FoxHoundADAM: Sep 19th 2007; 10:57AM

LOL, a comercial hasn't made me laugh like that in years. Kudos to you Southwest.

Joshua: Sep 19th 2007; 10:58AM

I don't like having to strap myself to my controller just to play a game, so I don't. You don't need to if you can just barely manage to grasp the idea that you *should not let go of the controller whilst swinging it* and behave accordingly.

xXFenixKnight13Xx: Sep 19th 2007; 11:06AM

Great commercial!!!!!!
I saw that one over the weekend when watching the Football Game on Sunday and it cought me off gaurd. I busted out laughing. In other words I LOL'ed =P

AlanS17: Sep 19th 2007; 11:11AM

Oh I think the wrist strap is incredibly important on the Wii. Even though I don't mean to let go, I've had it try to fly out of my hands a couple times. The wrist strap saved me. I always insist that other people use the wrist strap when they play my Wii.

Word of the street(IDF-Digital Ruler).: Sep 19th 2007; 11:18AM

Flying Rumbleaxis Away!

PhoenixSS: Sep 19th 2007; 11:29AM

Holy crap good stuff.

Kye (NDF - Earth Ring): Sep 19th 2007; 11:57AM

Great commercial.

I remember once I got upset and tried to throw my wiimote on the bed.
It just swung.
That broke my mood and I had to laugh at myself.

Good times.

Evan: Sep 19th 2007; 12:05PM

Although they were fake controllers, it shows how awkward it would be to use a traditional shaped controller (like the SIXAXIS) for Wii-like motions.

ThornedVenom: Sep 19th 2007; 12:23PM

Yay, a relevent ad!

Knoxximus: Sep 19th 2007; 1:10PM

That was definitely a strike.

bm: Sep 19th 2007; 5:53PM

First, this shows exactly the kind of morons that would be stupid enough to throw a controller at a TV. :p

Second, the way the other guy tries to use it as a baseball bat shows exactly how unsuitable the old PS3 dual shock is for this kind of stuff.

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