Nintendo's customer service has a reputation for going above and beyond to satisfy the needs of once-distraught fans. This may be because only the stories of NIntendo awesomeness proliferate online (Not a headline: "Nintendo says it can't do anything for broken DS"), but this stuff makes us so happy that we'd rather not go all cynical. For now.
GoNintendo reader PsyduckWarrior's house caught fire, destroying (among other things, of course) his entire video game collection, including almost every Nintendo system and "more than 250 Nintendo games spanning all their consoles". Later, he sent Nintendo a fairly simple inquiry about transferring his account to a new Wii, including pictures demonstrating the circumstances through which he came to require a new Wii.
Nintendo responded by offering to send him a new Wii, along with a replacement for his Game Boy Advance SP. It may not be a replacement for his whole game collection, but it is a super-classy move from a company that could have just classified PsyduckWarrior's plight as, "Not our problem."
Reader Comments (66)
Posted: Feb 2nd 2009 3:57PM MowDownJoe said
Ahh... the big Game Boy that got hit by a mortar shell and lived... good memories.
Reply
Posted: Feb 2nd 2009 4:28PM (Unverified) said
Although this is a touching story I have to ask, given the recent changes, is this DS news? Still not complete sold that the DS only RSS feed is really going to be DS only, so call me picky, picky right now.
Posted: Feb 2nd 2009 4:55PM (Unverified) said
If I had my house completely destroyed by flames, and lost everything I had in the process, my game collection wouldn’t be my priority for sure...
Kudos for Nintendo charity though. :-)
Kudos for Nintendo charity though. :-)
Posted: Feb 2nd 2009 5:03PM (Unverified) said
It took me a long time to realize the picture was of a wii.
Posted: Feb 2nd 2009 6:27PM Comet 20 said
Wii didnt start the fire.
It was always burning
Since the worlds been turning
It was always burning
Since the worlds been turning
Posted: Feb 2nd 2009 6:58PM (Unverified) said
My Wii was replaced 3 times. Once when it wouldn't connect to the internet, and twice when it was overheating/scratching Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It was amazing how they did it so quickly and free-ly.
And they transferred all of my files every single time.
This reminds me that I need to send my DS in for repairing the trigger buttons...
And they transferred all of my files every single time.
This reminds me that I need to send my DS in for repairing the trigger buttons...
Posted: Feb 2nd 2009 7:14PM danhawk911 said
So what bob needs to do is burn down his apparment and the big n will give him the sdk he always has been dreaming of.
Posted: Feb 2nd 2009 8:54PM RunnyRiver said
Good PR and instant exlusive customer. (will buy games for free wii before getting a 360)
Posted: Feb 3rd 2009 7:58PM szimm said
it astounds me that so few companies elect this kind of approach to customer service. look at how much good will and positive PR a move like this garners in the community - and what is the investment? the cost of a measly wii and a gb advance. well played, nintendo. doing a good deed AND getting tons of free advertising. win-win.
Posted: Feb 2nd 2009 9:22PM (Unverified) said
Were this a Game Boy replacement wouldn't be necessary:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhoran/45214051/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhoran/45214051/
Posted: Feb 2nd 2009 9:32PM aughscreennames said
I must be the only one that remembers when Nintendo refused to replace DS's with broken hinges due to bad manufacturing, claiming it was "cosmetic" and not covered under warranty. It wasnt until major media coverage on the issue that they finally admitted it was their fault.
Posted: Feb 2nd 2009 10:43PM (Unverified) said
But I thought Nintendo consoles were indestructible...
Posted: Feb 3rd 2009 6:36PM Havok said
Nintendo might buy Bob a new house, but they probably won't give him the dev kit he wanted.
Posted: Feb 5th 2009 5:52PM (Unverified) said
Actually, my DS broke and it was about six months out of warranty. I called Nintendo anyway, and they fixed it for free.
Go go Nintendo!
Go go Nintendo!
Posted: Feb 6th 2009 5:29AM (Unverified) said
well it iznt like that in Souh Africa... Nintendo Over here SUCKS BIG TIME POORER THAN POOR service, late updates on new games they importgames and hardware they see fit, support line is Never answerd, no email rplys and im still stuck with my broken DS Lite Charger
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 10:51AM (Unverified) said
You people have no idea, first of all. The only reason you would have a legitamate right to transfer you VC is if your sys is not working. If it is out of warranty pay the damn repair price and nintendo will transfer your wii shop stuff. The charge is really not bad, it a whole lot cheaper than buying a new wii Mr "I just want to buy a new wii and they should transfer it because I'm whining".........WAHHHHH! If your in the warranty period then they do it for free if they do have to replace the system. Read the user agreement for the wii shop channel and you might catch a clue as to why Nintendo doesn't want to transfer your stuff! Nintendo is best at customer service bar none!




