We'd heard plenty from the "Wii Ambassadors" prior to launch—they were mostly hardcore gamers that read sites like Kotaku and were psyched to be chosen and to let us know. Nintendo even handed out Wiis to large families, hoping to spread the buzz across multiple generations.

But did you know that Nintendo also targeted "alpha moms", tech-savvy mothers with the social skills and connections to show off the console at Tupperware-style parties? Alpha mom and gaming MILF Linda Perry held a swank shindig to promote the console to 35 of her closest friends, planting the mindshare seed in a few dozen non-gamers.

We all know that that's Nintendo's goal this gen—target the non-hardcore crowd while keeping the traditional gamer happy. From mom's to the silver haired retired set, read on for how Nintendo is doing their version of viral marketing, eschewing the fake hip hop/blog scheme and hitting up AARP conventions to push their wares. Michael McWhertor

'Alpha Moms' pitch Nintendo Wii [LA Times]