Since the department began in 1985, Nintendo has helped more than 78 million people become better gamers. During an average week, Nintendo responds to about 30,000 phone calls, 9,000 e-mails and 500 letters. But during Crunch Week, the week between Christmas and New Year’s, Nintendo typically handles 60,000 total inquiries.

Consumers can reach Nintendo four different ways:

1. Visit the recently redesigned Nintendo Web site which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
2. Call the Consumer Service Line at 800-255-3700 between 6a.m. and 7 p.m. Pacific time. Help is available in English, Spanish, or French about Nintendo game systems and subscriptions to Nintendo Power magazine.
3. For game-play tips, consumers can call the automated Nintendo Power Line 24 hours a day at 425-885-7529. The line is updated daily and contains information about more than 100 video games. 
4. For $1.50 per minute players can call the Game Play Counselor Hotline at 800-521-0900 between 6 a.m. and 7p.m. Pacific time to get advanced game advice from a live operator.

The Nintendo Consumer Service Department is composed of 100 game-play counselors, consumer service representatives and online staffers. During Crunch Week, their number surges to 150. Nintendo's customer-service employees typically stay with the department for eight years, compared with a customer-service industry average of less than two years.