Published on: December 04, 2006
During the highly anticipated launch of the Nintendo Wii in Japan, one enthusiastic Nintendo fan captured the attention of both local media and gaming communities with a spirited display of dedication.
The event took place at the renowned Yuurakucho Bic Camera, a popular electronics retailer in Tokyo, where eager customers lined up overnight to secure the new Nintendo hardware.
Among these fans stood a Japanese man who donned a meticulously crafted cardboard costume designed to resemble a Wii Remote, known globally as the Wiimote.
His creative effort did not go unnoticed.
Throughout the night, he remained standing, unable to sit due to the structure of the oversized costume, and his commitment quickly drew interest from both fellow Nintendo fans and journalists covering the midnight release.
The man’s inventive cosplay became a centerpiece of the launch event, reflecting the fervor and creativity often seen in Japanese gaming culture.
By morning, the costumed fan had become an overnight celebrity.
He was featured prominently on Japanese television in interviews and appeared in the Yomiyuri Shinbun, Japan’s largest newspaper, which covered the notable moments of the Wii launch at Yuurakucho Bic Camera.
According to the coverage, the fan expressed his excitement upon purchasing the Nintendo Wii, stating enthusiastically that he had finally achieved his goal: "I got the Wii of my dreams.
It’s the best!" This sentiment echoed throughout online communities and further showcased the passionate support Nintendo enjoys among its core audience.
The story was widely shared by gaming news outlets, including coverage by prominent international blogs such as Kotaku, which highlighted not only the fan’s elaborate Wiimote costume but also the broader cultural phenomenon surrounding the Nintendo Wii’s introduction to the Japanese market.
The event underscored how Nintendo hardware launches continue to inspire creative fan expression and large-scale media attention, reflecting both the innovation of the company and the devotion of its user base.
The Nintendo Wii, released in Japan in December 2006, quickly became a global phenomenon, breaking sales records and bringing motion-controlled gaming to mainstream audiences.
The unique Wiimote controller, which the fan paid tribute to with his costume, remains one of the defining elements of the console’s enduring legacy.
Stories like this serve as a reminder of the communal excitement and personal achievement found in Nintendo’s most memorable hardware launches.
Nintendo Wii Nintendo Wii Wii Remote Bic Camera Camera console Wiimote Yuurakucho Bic Camera Yomiyuri Shinbun