Wii!

[Patrick Shannon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zumZ8v0e3I

Seriously, if Nintendo ever wanted to shed their current image amongst older gamers, all they seriously need to do is copy that kind of ad campaign. I'll go out and buy a Wii....if I can just stop watching this damned thing. "Vroom, vroom..."

[reuber1]

I remember seeing this on another forum/blog I frequent. Hilarious, and kinda true. Sony has been shooting themselves in the foot left and right with the PS3, a system designed for what seems to be for the upper class, possibly the upper middle class (do they exist anymore?). I hardly have time for games anymore, but I'll definitely be getting a Wii.

I brought up the Rayman bunny commercials earlier today, those are also pretty funny.

[Patrick Shannon]

While lots of people do care about power, it's certainly about affordability too. I don't think the $299 pricepoint really ouched anyone with the PS1 and PS2. Not to mention their games were in line with the prices of the times ($40-$50 bucks). Pretty much that they could ignore the GameCube.

But the PS3's line does cross it by the outrage of the price, I never remember hearing this much complaining about the other two system's prices. And I certainly don't buy that game production costs are going up either...especially all the more when you see a port of a game retailing for $40-50 on the lesser consoles or the PC being sold for $60 on XBox360. (Which is what PS3 games are likely going to come out at)

PS2 also had an advantage with the DVD revolution firing up, the system made damned fine and affordable DVD players (compared to what the standalone players were selling at the time. Yes, the PS3 is technically a cheaper Blu-Ray player, but regular old DVD isn't as long in the tooth as VHS was right now. If you frequent the HDTV/Home Theatre-phile's forums, Blu-Ray is having a ton of problems right now. I was walking through Best Buy the other day and HD-DVD had twice the selection, and the player at half the price. I could easily see this as VHS and Beta again, with HD-DVD being VHS and Blu-Ray being beta.

If Nintendo can do it correctly, I think they will take the market this time. They have something very different and (speculatively) very affordable.

[MD]

All thee recent rumors have Nintendo releasing all of the information about the Wii in 2 weeks. Right now it has all of the internet and developer buzz ... but as Snakes on a Plane has shown us, internet buzz does not necessarily equal sales. I am really excited about this system mainly because of the price point, $199 is an impulse buy. Nintendo has a very good chance to be number 1 again with it's Low price point, innovative controller, free online play and the entire NES libarary. ... but IMHO they need to pick up a few more mature titles and RPG's.

I heard tecmo just signed on ... anyone up for some tecmo super bowl?

Blu-Ray + HD DVD = Laserdisc.

[reuber1]

I remember reading about the $179 pricepoint. Awesome maybe, but pretty far fetched and I doubt it would go that low. SOAP was a different kind of internet buzz thing though, and we have yet to wait to see the DVD sales from it...that whole thing isn't over. However, the Wii release is the real deal for the big N.

Tecmo Bowl? Just give me Bo Jackson. Or Lawrence Taylor. Personally, I'm looking to get back to some good ol' Ninja Gaiden, one of the hardest games ever.

Saw a demo of Madden for the Wii, the graphics from the video look pretty damn good given what everyone has been saying about it's horsepower. The way it's controlled might renew my appreciation for the franchise.

[Patrick Shannon]

They totally need to do PunchOut for the Wii with dual controllers. I would be out with my credit card in a heartbeat.

[reuber1]

I've thought the same. That would sell like hot cakes. They got to make it two players though.

[Patrick Shannon]

Doesn't that thing support four of those controllers at least? Pretty convenient, there.

[reuber1]

Yup, sure does.

[reuber1]

Release date is Nov 19th, for $250, according to an embargo-breaking article by the NYTimes. Games are expected to retail at $50.

================================================== ======
Thursday, September 14, 2006

Nintendo gets Wii ready for holidays
Company plans to put console on market Nov. 19

By SETH SCHIESEL
THE NEW YORK TIMES

In a move that may allow Nintendo of Japan to take advantage of stumbles by its main rival, the company plans to announce today that it will release its new Wii video-game console in North and South America on Nov. 19, just as the holiday shopping season begins, and that the machine will cost $250 in the United States.

Nintendo executives said this week that the company also would announce today that more than 25 new games would be available for its video-game machine this year, a substantial portfolio from several genres that is intended to help the company broaden the appeal of its console. The company plans to ship 4 million of the Wii consoles worldwide this year.

Nintendo also will explain today a plan to expand the video-game market beyond its core of young men.

Today’s announcement comes as Nintendo’s main rival, Sony, has been forced to delay and scale back the introduction of its own game machine, the PlayStation 3, at least twice amid serious troubles with that company’s new Blu-ray Disc technology.

Last week, Sony said that the PlayStation 3 would not be introduced in Europe until 2007 and that it would ship millions fewer units worldwide this year than it had promised. The top version of the PlayStation 3 is expected to cost around $600.

Another competitor, Microsoft, has sold more than 5 million of the Xbox 360 game console since its introduction in 2005 and hopes to sell more than 10 million by year’s end.

Nintendo’s Wii (pronounced we) is less technically ambitious than Sony’s PS3, which is why it will cost far less and be far more available in stores this holiday season. To market the Wii, Nintendo hopes to make up in innovation and accessibility what the machine lacks in sheer silicon horsepower.

Nintendo is No. 3 in the console video game market, behind Sony and Microsoft. But while those competitors have largely focused on appealing to hard-core gamers, Nintendo is now trying to appeal to a broader audience.

“Our goal is to bring gaming back to the masses,” Reggie Fils-Aime, president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America, said in a telephone interview. “You see that in our pricing, you see that in the number of units we plan to make available this year and you see that in how we are positioning the Wii to appeal to every member of the household, including but not limited to the hard-core gamer.”

The Wii’s major innovation is a wireless controller that the user can tilt and point to produce action on the screen. In a sword-fighting game, for instance, the player can simply swing the controller to thrust and parry with an on-screen blade; there is no need to master the complicated combinations of buttons and triggers that make many video games so intimidating to the reflex-challenged.

Nintendo intends to announce today that every Wii will come with a game compilation called Wii Sports — including tennis, golf, baseball and bowling — meant to show off the machine’s intuitive controls. (Most consoles, including Nintendo’s GameCube, do not come with games included.)

Nintendo plans to announce that 25 to 30 top-tier games will be available for the Wii this year. The most-anticipated game comes from Nintendo itself: an installment of the long-running “Legend of Zelda” series, “Twilight Princess.”

Nintendo also will deliver a driving game called “Excite Truck” this year but will likely provide a minor disappointment to gamers in saying the next version of the popular “Mario” franchise will not arrive until 2007.

Nintendo intends to charge $50 for its Wii games, $10 less than the standard price for Xbox 360 titles and the same price generally charged for GameCube games.

Top games expected to be introduced for the Wii this year from third-party publishers include a version of “Madden NFL” from Electronic Arts, the sword-fighting game “Red Steel” from Ubisoft of France, an addition to the “Sonic” action series from Sega of Japan and a “Tony Hawk” action-sports game from Activision.

While Nintendo is certainly counting on the success of top-tier games sold at retail, many gamers may be at least as excited by the Wii’s Virtual Console, which will allow players to download versions of older Nintendo games from the Internet.

Nintendo plans to announce today that about 30 classic games will be available for download when the Wii is released, including ones from the “Zelda,” “Mario” and “Donkey Kong” franchises. Downloadable games will cost about $5 to $10 each.

More broadly, Nintendo hopes to make the Wii a living-room centerpiece by including various media channels meant to appeal to and draw in people who do not consider themselves gamers.

There will be a photo channel that will allow users to use the Wii to display digital photographs on television.

There also will be an easy-to-use interactive news channel and weather channel.

Perhaps most intriguing, the Wii will make it possible to browse the Web on the television. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 does not permit this because that could negate the need to buy a Windows PC.

“We are including all of these capabilities as part of our overall strategy to expand the gaming market,” Fils-Aime said. “Broadening the market is important because it will breathe new life into this business. Otherwise, this industry is moving down a path of being more and more limited to the hard-core gamer.”

[Drorain]

Today’s announcement comes as Nintendo’s main rival, Sony, has been forced to delay and scale back the introduction of its own game machine, the PlayStation 3, at least twice amid serious troubles with that company’s new Blu-ray Disc technology.

Last week, Sony said that the PlayStation 3 would not be introduced in Europe until 2007 and that it would ship millions fewer units worldwide this year than it had promised. The top version of the PlayStation 3 is expected to cost around $600.

OOOOOoooooo

BIG Bad Sony is having a little trouble, how sad, how miserable...how delicious!

Whats that, you wanna have your own DVD tech that is gonna 'kill' HD-DVD

Oh boy, shiny blu-ray

Whats that...600 dollars oh boy sign me up...

NOT

[Drorain]

btw roobs, thanks for the article, good to know it'll be out in nov, better do the preorder

[reuber1]

lol I already did at some small game shop in town, I don't have to put money down on it, but I have to pick it up the day they get it or the next day, otherwise it gets put in with regular stock.

I find it hilarious though that the times would post this before the official announcements today. It would be funny if the info they were given was actually false, and it sells for less or something. I read that the main controller unit will cost $40, and the 'nunchuck' attachment for it will be $20...that's a lot of money for a full function controller unit. Dro, don't know how into Final Fantasy games you are, I know you like RPGs, but Square Enix has definitely been warming up to the big N. FF III for the DS looks pretty sweet.

[reuber1]

Nope, just officially announced. Definitely Nov 19th for $249.99.

[Patrick Shannon]

Ooh, Wii Boxing is a part of Wii Sports. Close enough to Punch-Out, I hope ;)

[TheBluePanda]

I'm pretty exited about this. I havent been able to afford a bleeding-edge system in quite a number of years, but this one I think I can handle.

I havent read too terribly much about it, but are they going to have any sort of in-console online community? Where people can chat, find people to play against, that sorta thing? I also hope that many of these fun multiplayer games are online-compatible.

[MD]

i think it is kinda weird that the launch date is 2 days AFTER the playstation 3. I wonder if this is intential - come in for a scarce PS3 and buy a readily available Wii?

i tried to preorder on my way into work today but gamestop still would not let me because it was not in their computer yet. what a crock :(

What games are you guys going to pick up with it at launch?

[MD]

i don't think they have revealed any real details on it's online capabilities yet.

The only details I know of is it's free, there is a built in web browser (opera) and you can use friend codes to find your online friends

[Loopy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zumZ8v0e3I

Seriously, if Nintendo ever wanted to shed their current image amongst older gamers, all they seriously need to do is copy that kind of ad campaign. I'll go out and buy a Wii....if I can just stop watching this damned thing. "Vroom, vroom..."

An ad campaign like this would not get my vote that's for sure. I think its pretty offensive towards women. "Hi, I'm cute. Buy me and push my buttons"

Anyways, never the less. I would love to buy a ps3, but its too much money for me to swallow. As for the wii, might be something to try. Although I'm not sure about those new controllers.

[reuber1]

What games are you guys going to pick up with it at launch?Zelda is already preordered, money down, that is going to rock. Madden looks really sweet this go round, how they're using the controls, so I'll probably get that despite it being a good ways into the season when I get it. Also, Monkey Ball and Metal Slug Anthology (awesome 2d shooter, harkening back to the good ol' days). I have a ton of store credit after selling my Xbox and PS deuce and games for each, so out of pocket I may have to spend no more than a hundred bucks or so. :D

[reuber1]

An ad campaign like this would not get my vote that's for sure. I think its pretty offensive towards women. "Hi, I'm cute. Buy me and push my buttons"

Anyways, never the less. I would love to buy a ps3, but its too much money for me to swallow. As for the wii, might be something to try. Although I'm not sure about those new controllers.That was a joke, in pure mockery of iPod ads. Nintendo didn't do it, somebody with a lot of time on their hands did. I don't think there's been any Nintendo marketing yet, but if they hit it hard they could blow Sony out of the water. Recent marketing material I've seen for Sony sucks.

[Loopy]

That was a joke, in pure mockery of iPod ads. Nintendo didn't do it, somebody with a lot of time on their hands did. I don't think there's been any Nintendo marketing yet, but if they hit it hard they could blow Sony out of the water. Recent marketing material I've seen for Sony sucks.

I'm fully aware that it was meant as a joke as was not created by Nintendo. I just find it more insulating than humorous.

Yeah the Sony Marketing hasn't been that great. Except for the psp squirel commercial. That cracked me up. :o

[MD]

There has been some demo videos from nintendo - check this one out.
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/topics/wii_preview/movie/lineup.html

As for me the games I am most looking forward to are Zelda, Madden, & Trauma Center - an FPS woul be nice, maybe farcry or red steel, depending on what multiplayer is better.

[reuber1]

I'm looking forward to it. The Wii is something different, and at a "somewhat" affordable price...I think the logic with the controllers should be that if you're going to play w/ four people, the others should bring their own controllers because that houses their custom avatar/profile information for the Wii Channels and it will save all the info to it. Problem is where games are going with the 360 and PS3, it's too frickin' expensive. It was a fun, somewhat affordable commodity when I was in college or a little kid, but $600 is way too much to play games, and I've been bored with most games as of late. Wii is right up my alley.

[Patrick Shannon]

An ad campaign like this would not get my vote that's for sure. I think its pretty offensive towards women. "Hi, I'm cute. Buy me and push my buttons"

Even though the entire things a joke, it's actually got a truthful point in a way. "Wii" may not be portrayed as intelligently as "PS3," but looks like more fun to be with and far less uptight. Naturally any male making this point would be jumped on for being sexist...except it's hypocrisy. Flip the campaign around to the other gender and imagine two male counterparts in the women's place. Average/educated versus tall/built/exciting. Most women would be running towards the latter (or wouldn't admit to it if they said otherwise).

Would I get offended if there was a campaign like this, and "Wii-Man" was male candy? Not at all, because lots of women are attracted to that, and there's nothing wrong with that. Attraction - you can't fight it, and it doesn't make you sexist or perverted for giving into it, or in the case of the parody, pointing it out. Anyway, sorry...I enjoy chatting about these kinds of topics ;)

But it's still a relevant point, it's kind of the same attitude with people snubbing Nintendo and it's gamers for being "kiddy." If they would lose that kind of attitude then they would be having a lot more fun ;)

What games are you guys going to pick up with it at launch?

Since Wii Sports comes with it already, I'll probably just be grabbing Zelda, definitely Red Steel and "maybe" Trauma Center.

Anyone notice how people are whining that the console is too expensive now, when just prior to that when the price was believed to be $250 (anyway) and people were saying that it was cheap? And that didn't even include a pack-in game....

Although I do agree about the Wii-Mote costs with the nunchuck attachment, that it a little expensive (I think the $40 should include both attachments). And I really hope the third-party games doesn't reach $60, that wouldn't be good.

[reuber1]

I've been reading lots of gripes on the console cost too. Hell, I think it's pretty decent. People were probably expecting another $200. I figured the controllers would be expensive, what with the sensors and all, but I think my theory on the "Mii" profile avatar and how it is loaded in the controller is what Nintendo was aiming for...one person getting three full controllers for themselves, that's like $180. But with people buying their own, they take their own controllers wherever, and their profile becomes loaded on someone else's console automatically.

Patrick, your WiiMan comment just made me think that they should hire Weeman from Jackass for some ad spots.

[Patrick Shannon]

I've been reading lots of gripes on the console cost too. Hell, I think it's pretty decent. People were probably expecting another $200. I figured the controllers would be expensive, what with the sensors and all, but I think my theory on the "Mii" profile avatar and how it is loaded in the controller is what Nintendo was aiming for...one person getting three full controllers for themselves, that's like $180. But with people buying their own, they take their own controllers wherever, and their profile becomes loaded on someone else's console automatically.

Yep, technically the console is $200 if you don't consider the game. That's another thing, before the pack-in people considered Wii Sports a game, and now it's just being called a "tech demo." (rolls eyes)

On the controllers, it does become problematic when your friends don't buy consoles, therefor not having controllers of their own. Do I know anyone else with a 360? Nope. A DS? Nope. PS2/Gamecube/XBox? Nope. It really sucks.

Patrick, your WiiMan comment just made me think that they should hire Weeman from Jackass for some ad spots.

Well, he is "just peppy." ;)

[reuber1]

Yeah, if people you know don't get controllers, then you're kinda SOL. I'll be staggering those purchases in the future, I'll get one extra at launch, and then wait down the road.

[Loopy]

Even though the entire things a joke, it's actually got a truthful point in a way. "Wii" may not be portrayed as intelligently as "PS3," but looks like more fun to be with and far less uptight. Naturally any male making this point would be jumped on for being sexist...except it's hypocrisy. Flip the campaign around to the other gender and imagine two male counterparts in the women's place. Average/educated versus tall/built/exciting. Most women would be running towards the latter (or wouldn't admit to it if they said otherwise).

Would I get offended if there was a campaign like this, and "Wii-Man" was male candy? Not at all, because lots of women are attracted to that, and there's nothing wrong with that. Attraction - you can't fight it, and it doesn't make you sexist or perverted for giving into it, or in the case of the parody, pointing it out. Anyway, sorry...I enjoy chatting about these kinds of topics ;)



Fair enough. I agree there is nothing wrong with attraction, and with that said its not really the fact that they are using an attractive girl in their parody. I wouldn't say a male is a pervert or even a sexist for pointing this out. Its more or less the comparison of the attractive girl and the not as attractive girl, the use of woman as products.

Is a bimbo more fun to be with than an intelligent woman? Apparently.

Anyway, I know I'm reading a little far into something that is meant as a joke, but sometimes I get really sick with the way women are portrayed in the media. No wonder so many women/girls have issues about their own bodies.

[reuber1]

Is a bimbo more fun to be with than an intelligent woman? Apparently. Actually, I've had this discussion before, and the answer is it really depends the personality. Most bimbo morons are usually too stupid to be jaded, so they're fun to be around, but that doesn't stop you from wondering how can one be so stupid. Then there's the intelligent ones who feel a need to prove to the world how intelligent they are (this is not gender specific, by the way...there are many guys out there just like this) and are extremely argumentative and high strung...how I saw the one in the ad. In the long run, I'd honestly rather be with the former than the latter...with the latter, that would seem to be lots of undue stress. Of course, before everyone thinks I'm a misonygist, there's the ones who are fun to be around and are very intelligent while knowing how to have a good time. The way that ad was handled was to the extremes of each archetype.

[MD]

Then there's the intelligent ones who feel a need to prove to the world how intelligent they are (this is not gender specific, by the way...there are many guys out there just like this)

What ever do you mean?

[reuber1]

Yes, I'm aware that you can retake the tests. ;)

[Patrick Shannon]

Fair enough. I agree there is nothing wrong with attraction, and with that said its not really the fact that they are using an attractive girl in their parody. I wouldn't say a male is a pervert or even a sexist for pointing this out. Its more or less the comparison of the attractive girl and the not as attractive girl, the use of woman as products.

It's not even so much that "PS3" was not as attractive, but also that she was uptight, smug and stern. Thing in, no matter who you end up choosing in the end or what you choose as being attractive, it's important that the "fun" factor is there. No one wants to be nagged ;)

Is a bimbo more fun to be with than an intelligent woman? Apparently.

Not necessarily. As far as that parody goes, it established it's characters through portrayal (PS3: uptight / Wii: fun). So due to it's simplicity, we can assume the experience one would have with each person, and it would be silly to read beyond that. But in real life, it can indeed be quite different. With both sexes, obviously the beautiful people turns heads. But depending on the person's preferences, that opinion can be greatly changed. One time I was at a party and ended up talking with two girls. The first one was considerably more attractive at first glance (arguably model-worthy) and was the obvious attention-getter. She ended up being completely boring to talk to, very uptight. The other one was more of a girl-next-door type, but had such an essence about her. Such a great personality (think kind of like Trish from 40-year-old Virgin, but much younger). I only asked one for a phone number, and that was the second one.




Anyway, I know I'm reading a little far into something that is meant as a joke, but sometimes I get really sick with the way women are portrayed in the media. No wonder so many women/girls have issues about their own bodies.

Not at all, a good topic of conversation. But some stuff doesn't need to be read into "too" far, depending on the context. For example, it's highly arguable that male actors on TV sitcoms are being portrayed poorly. How many idiotic, clueless father actors can be seen? But then again I don't take that to heart, because it's simply a comedy ;)

[reuber1]

I only asked one for a phone number, and that was the second one.Bow chica-bow.

[MD]

Yes, I'm aware that you can retake the tests. ;)


Now Now - Don't be jeleous of my Profound Wisdom®

[MD]

It's not even so much that "PS3" was not as attractive, but also that she was uptight, smug and stern.

The portrayal of the women in the commercial is also very literal.
the wii is slim and sexy looking while PS3 is fat and bulky looking.

http://www.joystiq.com/media/2006/06/wiips3realmain.jpg

[Mynock]

I see a VW bug and a big long slick . . . Bently.

[Loopy]

Pat , Reuber: I can see what you are saying, but I got a different impression from the commercial. I just don't like the commercial and I'm sorry if I sound silly but I do find it offensive. But for me it comes off more looks focused as well as personality focused (which isn't really my qualm). Perhaps the point would have gone across better (For myself) if they had used equally attractive actresses?

There is a lot more "less attractive" men on T.V, than women. All those clueless father actors with there beer bellies are always partnered up with attractive wives. How many beautiful actors on t.v are partnered up with a chubby – less attractive female? Its just the way things are. You don't always see a lot of unattractive or even normal looking girls in the media, and that is another whole can of worms but for arguments sake in that parody commercial the normal looking girl is given the roll of the "bitch".

[Loopy]

The portrayal of the women in the commercial is also very literal.
the wii is slim and sexy looking while PS3 is fat and bulky looking.

http://www.joystiq.com/media/2006/06/wiips3realmain.jpg

Where is the bikini ;)

[reuber1]

I think we're looking WAYY too far into it. This thread could turn into a frickin' novel, or series of them.

[Loopy]

I think we're looking WAYY too far into it. This thread could turn into a frickin' novel, or series of them. haha agreed.

[Patrick Shannon]

I think we're looking WAYY too far into it. This thread could turn into a frickin' novel, or series of them.

So would it surprise anyone if I became an author someday? ;) At the very least, no one has ever accused me of being a boring conversationalist. :)

Swinging back on topic, I wish they would have released the specs. It's main critique is being just "an overclocked Gamecube." I talked about this a while back about graphics indeed playing one part of the whole (if graphics don't matter, why not just stick with Gamecube?). Would like to see exactly how the systems differ specs-wise.

[reuber1]

I've seen some of the video footage of a Madden demo, it does look really nice. Obviously not 360 quality, but still pretty decent.

[Loopy]

I think I'll pass on the wii, I like some of their games but not enough to justify buying the wii.

[MD]

Although I think the controller is kinda neat the real reason I am going to get it is price. I just can't bring myself to spend $400 on an Xbox or $600 on a PS3. Tack on another $200 for a game, online play and extra controller - I just don't see the value.

[reuber1]

This system needs to get Guitar hero for it. And they need to get a Ween song on there ("Wiin"...;) ).

I personally prefer games that are shorter yet still sastisfying. Some people have the time to invest 6 months in Grand Theft Auto, I don't though. That's why the other two guys aren't offering much (despite the above mentioned game) that makes me want to keep one or the other. That, and Nintendo stuff tends to hold up well, minus the new DS Lites of course.

[MD]

Check out the press kit for the wii
http://press.nintendo.com/wiipreview/

User = guest
Password = nintendo

[reuber1]

Wii is region free, w00t for you importers.

http://blog.wired.com/games/index.blog?entry_id=1556591

[Patrick Shannon]

Oh, I love that photo in the press kit. Can anyone tell me why they have their Wii installed on the coffee table? Will the cords even reach to the TV (without extensions)? Likely not, so what are they controlling if the system isn't even hooked up? Why even put in on the coffee table? Does anyone put their consoles on the coffee table? Should "I" put my console on my coffee table? :confused:

[TheBluePanda]

Oh, I love that photo in the press kit. Can anyone tell me why they have their Wii installed on the coffee table? Will the cords even reach to the TV (without extensions)? Likely not, so what are they controlling if the system isn't even hooked up? Why even put in on the coffee table? Does anyone put their consoles on the coffee table? Should "I" put my console on my coffee table? :confused:

I'm more concerned with the purple couch they're sitting on and the wall made of brick.

[wienerdog]

I am excited for the Wii more than any game system before it. That being said, I'm really disappointed in the price for the Wii remote ($40) and nunchuck ($20) controllers. That's a lot to add a 2nd player to your gaming.

The extras like messaging, weather and news, etc. on-line are kind of a throw-away to give the consumer a feeling like they're getting more than a Super GameCube with WiFi and a cool controller.

Can't wait for this system, though. The fact that I can hack and slash in the new Zelda at launch will be great. I'm actually really glad they delayed it for this system's debut. :)

[Patrick Shannon]

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2006/20060915.jpg

Love the first panel especially.

[reuber1]

Ain't that the truth. Do people want their video games for free? Morons.

[Patrick Shannon]

Wii is region free, w00t for you importers.

http://blog.wired.com/games/index.blog?entry_id=1556591

Unfortunately, not quite: http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/15/wii-not-even-remotely-region-free/

[reuber1]

Yeah, I read that. It was an NOA mistake.

[MD]

I just got the e-mail.

LIMITED Wii preorders at gamestop tomorrow morning.
There are 18 slots at the Gamestop I got the PS3 from.

[reuber1]

Saw that. I think I'm fine with the one I got (and I'm pretty sure the one here doesn't open up before I get to work).

[MD]

As far as I know they all open at 10:00 - Luckily for me I get to show up whenever I feel like at work.

[TheBluePanda]

I'm gonna work an extra hour tomorrow to compensate for the hour I will be waiting in line at Gamestop tomorrow morning. I'm not sure exactly how early I should show up.. I think 30 minutes before store opening is about all I can spare.

[MD]

30 mins should be enough I think, there wasn't that many people in line for the PS3, the kids are in school and most responsible people are at work.

[TheBluePanda]

Well, I went to GameStop this morning, ended up getting there only 20 minutes before they opened. There were 10 people standing outside. The moment I walked up to the line, the manager said the 10 people were the only people getting a system.

Then I quickly bolted over to an EB in a mall 5 minutes away. As I rushed towards the line of (again, 10 people), there was a dude walking equally as fast about 8 seconds ahead of me. A few minutes after we both took our place in line, we found out that the first 10 people had already been given tickets, and there was one more ticket to give out. Of course, the dude who got there 8 seconds ahead of me, got the last one. So I drove to work emptyhanded.

Oh well, at least I have a company lunch gathering to look forward to today. : /


Edit: I called my local BlockBuster GameRush and found out there was nobody on the Wii waiting list. So if they get any in, I'll be the first one getting one.

[Patrick Shannon]

I wouldn't be surprised if such stores are playing it safe and they end up getting a bigger shipment during launch day. Which is good for walk-in customers.

[Broacher]

And the last little piggy went....

Wii Wii Wii Wii... all the way home.

[MD]

I wouldn't be surprised if such stores are playing it safe and they end up getting a bigger shipment during launch day. Which is good for walk-in customers.

Hopefully not, if the Wii is selling for a premium on ebay after launch, I will be flipping it too.

At gamestop they were also taking preorders for the controllers, which is fine but they charged $10 for each piece. It only cost me $50 to reserve the console, but they charged me $20 to reserve an extra controller, what a gyp. I think the more accessory preorders they get, the bigger the system allocation the store receives.

Sorry to hear about your bad luck panda, my brother called and woke me up early because the store he was at had a full line before any employees were even there. Yet two blocks away there were a few wii's still available after the doors were open where I reserved mine.

[Patrick Shannon]

Hopefully not, if the Wii is selling for a premium on ebay after launch, I will be flipping it too.

Likely the premium will not be much if Nintendo delivers on the amount of consoles promised (and people are able to literally walk in stores to get one), unlike the PS3.

[MD]

But the real question is will demand outstrip the number of counsoles after launch? The Wii is the number one toy this christmas on at least 3 different lists, (Toys R Us, PC World, Circuit City) it has the buzz behind it, and it is affordable. I plan on picking mine up in the mall at gamestop and going downstairs to pick one up at the EB games if they have them in stock.

They launch less than a week before Black Friday, all of them should be gone by then. I have a feeling that there will be some money to be made after the first, but before the second shipment arrives at stores. There are not many times in life that you can double your money overnight.

[Mynock]

I'm an avid ps2 and ps1 user, but the I'm going to wait on the PS3 until it becomes reasonable and when the second generation of games come out. So the wii comes with one controller with both parts, but you have to spend $60 for another one? wii sports comes with it? Is that like a bundle package of generic sports titles? Also you can also play all the old NES games, like Doctor Mario? How does that work? I need to get my selling points together for the wife. She would love to play Dr. Mario again.

[MD]

Wiimote=$39.99
Nunchuck attachment = $19.99

Wii Sports is Bundled = Simplified sports games. I think they bundled it to show off what the possibilities of the wii controller is.

Wii is wifi ready. Classic games are available for download - $5 to $10 each.
Dr. Mario may be a launch title, I will double check for you.

edit: no confirmation on Dr. Mario but there is a strong possibility.

Get one while you can, with zelda they are fetching a pretty penny on ebay, I am going out launch day to try and get another one ... my local bestbuy is apparently getting 90+ http://www.ps3seeker.com/wii/ (I have no idea whether these numbers are accurate or not)

[Mynock]

Oh, so you have to pay for the classic games? That sucks. How many titles are included in Wii sports?

[MD]

boxing
bowling
baseball (home run derby)
golf
tennis

I also edited the above post with more info

[Jackimalyn]

why wont this thread die?

[Patrick Shannon]

This is nothing compared to other threads that have been resurrected many, many times from years ago ;)

Makes me wonder if someone sits there for hours on end going back and back and back into the archives to reply to something.

[Mynock]

Instead of making a new thread revive an old one. It's cleaner.

[Patrick Shannon]

But then you have zombie threads running around and biting people, man.

[Mynock]

But then you have zombie threads running around and biting people, man.True, but you bring out the boomstick!
http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/1761/boomstickve1.gif

[reuber1]

why wont this thread die?
I'm sure it will about one week after the 19th.

I got this sucka preordered, I don't have to wait in line for nothing, not even a remote + nunchuck attachment. People, not including myself, are probably ashamed at how much I've preordered, though compared to others it's probably pretty modest. Don't judge me, I deserve a treat goddamit. I'm going to rock the hell out of Madden and Zelda, among others.

[Jackimalyn]

never a wrong time for a bruce campbell mention.