News Should Celebs Promote Mario Kart?

[Mishaal]

​

Nintendo has always liked to market its products a bit differently than all other video game consoles, their directs and showcases have hence garnered millions of views from around the world. However, an element of marketing that they have often relied on for software and hardware sales has often been to employ globally renowned actors to help make Nintendo feel like a household name.

Actors and celebrities like Robin and Zelda Williams, Awkwafina, Brie Larsson, Beyonce and many many other stars have been called on to make Nintendo seem more consumer-friendly, but has that always worked out for them? The most recent one came before the launch of the Nintendo Switch Sports starring Tennis star Lleyton Hewitt and his son Cruz.

Many gamers find such ads to be ‘cringe-worthy’ if the YouTube comments under the ads are anything to go by. Plus, Wired once wrote an article about how such a celebrity ad in 2012 offended gamers as well.

My thought is: would marketing Mario Kart in this way be beneficial to the platform? Would it likely see more success or less, via this approach? Would you like to see a celebrity endorse or promote Mario Kart 9 for example? Or would it put you off as an avid Mario Kart fan? Which celebrity would you pick to be in such a Mario Kart advert?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this debate!