Why Women Love the Wii

The Nintendo Wii is the best-selling console currently on the market with its unique motion detecting remotes and unique gameplay. Much of its popularity stems from the fact that the games and the console itself appeal to multi-generational players.

Everyone in my Stampin’ Up club (yes, women who sits around making cards and scrapbook pages) owns a Wii, and for most of them, it is the only console that they own let alone play. These are women whose ages range from their early thirties to their late sixties, and most of them have never played a video game in their entire lives. Why is the Wii appealing to them then?

For most women, playing a game of any sort is a luxury that they do not feel they can afford, especially women with consumptive hobbies like scrapbooking and making cards. Gaming simply takes up too much time and causes a lot of guilt when there is housework to be done. Women who play the Wii, however, often feel as if they are not “just” playing a game; they are getting exercise. Granted, it is fun exercise disguised as a console game, but exercising is an “appropriate” activity that allows us to put off housework without the guilt. Afterall, most of us could use more exercise anyway. Thus, games like Wii Fit and Wii Tennis allows us to play a game—oops, I mean exercise—without feeling as if we just wasted the day away.

All the women I know who own Wiis have children or grandchildren, and they use the console to connect with the children. Of course, that does not explain the hours they will spend fishing on Animal Crossing or writing letters to all the towns people. Sure, they sneak in a letter to their grandchildren or children every now and then, but the Wii allows them to play games while still feeling like they connect with the family. Also, gathering around for a crazy bout of WarioWare: Smooth Moves or Wii Bowling can actually have a family bonding together in no time.