Nintendo sponsors Australian Open

Nintendo becomes "Official Gaming Console Supplier" of the 2008 Australian Open tennis tournament, plans Wii Sports competition.

Nintendo Australia today announced it has signed on as a sponsor for the 2008 Australian Open tennis tournament, taking on the title of "Official Gaming Console Supplier." The Australian Open will take place from January 14-27 this year at Melbourne Park.

Attendees at the event will be given the chance to not only watch the pros in action on centre court, but have a shot at making the big time themselves. Nintendo is set to host a Wii competition, with the major prize on offer a one-on-one Wii Sports match with Australian tennis player Mark Philippoussis. Daily champions will be crowned, with the player able to hold the court the longest receiving a Nintendo Wii console and a copy of Wii Sports. The two highest scoring daily winners will then be invited to return for the final on the last day of the Australian Open tournament. The overall winner will receive tickets to the Men's Final, as well as the chance to take on veteran player Mark Philippoussis in a game of virtual tennis.

Visitors will also have the chance to try out soon-to-be released vision game Sight Training at the Nintendo booth--the latest title in the self-improvement range of games for the DS handheld. Guests will be eligible to win a daily prize pack consisting of a Nintendo DS and a copy of Sight Training.

The event continues Nintendo's recent aggressive push into targeting nontraditional gamers. "Both the Wii Championships and Nintendo Sight Training Lounge at the Australian Open will showcase the diversity and broad appeal of Nintendo's products," said Nintendo Australia's managing director Rose Lappin. "We have games for everyone."

20 Comments

  • ImSwordMan

    Posted Jan 14, 2008 10:01 am PT

    better than McDonalds doing it thats for sure.

  • draggonetic

    Posted Jan 13, 2008 12:40 pm PT

    Wii Sports is great and all but they really should've showcased a new Mario Tennis or some new game that is more accurate at mimicking real tennis. The last thing I'd want new casuals to be is frustrated or confused because of the 'imperfect' control-sensing. Unlike Guitar Hero, Wii Sports doesn't really make you better at playing real tennis, or make you want to want to learn how to play in real life.

    I'm thinking the reason why there hasn't been a SINGLE tennis game to come out for the Wii yet is because Ninty wants to milk out Wii Sports until everyone's sick of tennis in a couple of months, only then will Sonic Tennis will come out. May the Gods bless thee with superb controls and online-play.

  • archibald_83

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 9:57 pm PT

    Great idea! I'm there!

  • theKSMM

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 2:46 pm PT

    Nintendo has two hits on their hands, and they intend to milk them for all they're worth. Go 'head, Nintendo!

  • Nintendo_Man

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 2:45 pm PT

    This will only prove that anyone can beat Philippoussis in a tennis match these days.

  • DFTricks

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 12:15 pm PT

    That is good idea, to promot there Wii, make people play it where they intend to.

  • LINKloco

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 11:51 am PT

    Good marketing strateegery.

  • beanofengland

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 7:46 am PT

    makes me wanna live in australia even more, though i hear bad things about release dates and game prices down under, the weather will surely beat Uk though

  • wiifan001

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 7:36 am PT

    A Wii Sports contest in Tennis?!
    Sign me up.

  • mrgokugf

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 5:42 am PT

    Old people love watching their tennis

  • BlueFlameBat

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 5:30 am PT

    Call me when they sponsor both genders.

  • metalisticpain

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 4:59 am PT

    That seems like a fantastic idea, very fun and engaging, what gaming should be.

  • Willy105

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 4:02 am PT

    Seems like a good idea.

  • IIBlackknightII

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 2:40 am PT

    Great.

  • hidys

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 1:35 am PT

    Wii tennis will be the official game of the Australian open.

  • Mattyrock

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 12:57 am PT

    kewl

  • gin_rummy89

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 12:33 am PT

    prizes galore

  • werc96

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 11:58 pm PT

    Ummmmm. Ok?
    Fun.
    They should send us all copies

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 11:49 pm PT

    We will see Mario Wii Tennis?

  • FrankHurt posted Jan 10, 2008 11:46 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    FrankHurt

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 11:46 pm PT (hide)

    Am I the first one to post???

    Anyways... wicked.

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