updated OP with link to check nearby GS

Well it takes time, money, and other resources to do this kind of stuff, yet there's no immediate payoff, so they have to invest wisely. They made the right choice here as Retail events >>> eShop demos for many reasons some of which explained already by Otaku. Plus people who already have Wii Us can still go to these events. 

Its a good move and they really need to do more. I have met so many people that didn't know what a Wii U was or someone that was clueless explained what it was to them. A gamily member of my gfs stops by and asks why my USB HD is hooked up to Wii U because you cant upgrade the storage on it. Wanted one and got bad information on it. Bought one after I explained everything they were wrong about. Stayed in the hospital a few nights and took it with me instead of my laptop because its easier to hold for hours on end and the browser is awesome which is mainly what I used. Everyone of the staff that came in was interested in it but not one of them knew what it was. My gfs daughter has a DS, DSlite, DSi and something else but not the 3DS. Loves Sonic. Had no idea what a Wii U was but when they come over its in her hands til she leaves.

I am not sure why they are not advertising. The Wii was a huge success but I still saw ads for it all over the television, which may be part of the reason it sold so well, they really had great ads for WIi at first but then let it sale by name alone. I don't see Wii U or any console selling on word of mouth levels like that again. I am not sure why they thought having less ads was going to get them same level or better sales.

So each of the two days has it's own set of stores, which is unlike E3 @ Best Buy where each store had the event both days. Interestings. :L

Only reason someone should be buying digital is if the price of the download is cheaper then the physical copy and in this case (and 99% cases on any console) it is not so why not just run out to the store or order online and get yourself something you never have to worry about losing?

Nice, Nintendo. Tempting people is the way to go with business. That, and boobs.

Too bad Pikmin with boobs would be extremely awkward.

I would have cancelled my preorder from amazon, and rushed to gamespot, then I read "downloadable" nice try ninty. I will play the demo though.

I pray the demo is of challenge and/or bingo battle mode. That way the line moves twice as fast as it would otherwise, and I wont see any potential story mode spoilers.

This is a game that could really do with a downloadable demo. It's something that has to be played to 'get' and Nintendo currently has 3.5 million WiiU owners that haven't seen a major retail release for months and are just looking for an excuse to part with their cash. Give them a demo and they'll have one.