I'm sure many of us have heard stories of Nintendo's superb customer service: among the more recent and more publicized tales are the Wrist Strap replacements and the Mario Party 8 EU recalls. Here is another one I found most pleasant:

http://kotaku.com/gaming/happy-birthday/forever-blue-forever-fixed-287076.php

Forever Blue (also known as Endless Ocean) shipped with bugs in Japan two weeks ago. Nintendo is now doing door to door replacement of those games with bug-free versions for those who wish it. Pretty cool.

"Those who wish it" someone actually wants a defective copy?

No, someone may be too lazy to do anything about it. 

I would. Who knows, if virtually all the buggy versions are recalled, I'd be one of the very few people who have that rare, original defective disc.

It may in a few years become a collector's item. Then again, it may not. But half the fun's in trying, right?

It does show you how much Nintendo is focusing on the customer, though. That is excellent customer support.

oh wow.

i wonder if this kind of positive customer service is meant to result in positive press? and more public good will?

any example of other companies doing something like this? it sounds utterly amazing. i have no idea what the japanese page from the link says though.

Uhh, Nintendo's always done stuff like that...they're pretty good with customer service. Plenty of stories about walking into Nintendo with a broken console and leaving within minutes with a new or fixed one...they do keep the customers happy at least.

I like how they offered to send me a NEW Wii before I even sent in my broken one. That's classy. I decided not to do it that way because of all my records/saves.

That's wonderful news so I assume the versions which they'll sell from 21 August will be "bug-free" as well. I'm glad I've waited.

i wonder how this kind of customer service costs compared to marketing.

I'd imagine it compares favorably honestly.

This is actually a really smart time for Nintendo to stick to its CS policies of good will and customer satisfaction. It paints a pretty stark picture when compared to MS and the 360.

I really wish all companies would realize that this type of stuff is a profitable long term strategy and stop being so damn focused on short term profits.