The Official "Console War" and Video Game Thread

[Dynamo of Eternia]

There's some interesting Wii info here...

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/09/16/164923.php

Most of it is redundant of stuff that we already know, but it does go into more detail about a few things. Apparently the Wii will allow you to use your Gamecube memory cards for your Gamecube games, so you won't have to start from scratch (which is one of my big complaints about the Xbox 360).
And the classic controller will be available at launch according to this article.

[Skullface]

Here's something weird I noticed on EBGames.com. Some of the items/games for the Wii have release dates listed way before the release of the Wii itself. 11/01/06 for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, 10/30/06 for Blitz: The League, 11/01/06 for Wii memory cards. And yet the Wii's release date is 11/19/06. Although I've read it may be unofficially released by the end of October by stores that recieve shipments before then. It seems some chains have no problem breaking street date weeks in advance.

This is nothing new. When I ran Electronics last year at Target prior to the 360 launch, we were told to display the games/accessories as soon as they came in, so people wouldn't have to worry about purchasing them at the same time they tried to buy the consoles. This way, people can get those things early, and on launch day, just get the console. If you were unsuccessful in getting the console, you could always return the other stuff, or just keep it and continue trying to get a console.

Plus, at launch time, we were told that the stores who sold the most games/accessories got restocked on consoles much faster, so it makes sense to put the stuff out as soon as possible.....

[asharachal]

that's generally how most of the video game hardware sales go at launch... sell more of the extra crap and you get more consoles since the company makes jack from the console and mega-profit from the accessories and some from the games

[AeroStratos88]

EB was taking preorders for the PS3 today. But it's probably too late if your already reading this. Anyway I didn't bother cause EB has a way of taking your money and making you wait till March before they give you anything back. Or make you buy some outrageous bundle of stuff you never wanted.

And they'll likely close 10 seconds after. In what is sure to result in a pulsating mass of pushy gamers waving their hundred dollar bills in the air, PS3 pre-orders are opening at Gamestop and EB Games stores tomorrow. According to an e-mail sent to online customers, Tuesday, October 10 will be the supply and demand doomsday that has been anticipated and dreaded by countless gamers across the world -- Europe excluded, of course

"GameStop and EB Games will begin accepting limited pre-orders for the PlayStation 3 console on Tuesday, October 10, on a first come, first served basis. Due to extremely limited supply, we expect to deplete this allocation very quickly, most likely in minutes. We will not accept additional pre-orders at this time. To avoid an unnecessary trip we strongly recommend you call your local store to determine availability. A $100 reservation deposit is required, which can be funded with cash, credit or trade. As we cannot control production and shipping issues by the manufacturer, a reservation deposit does not guarantee receipt of a system available to purchase at launch. Reservations/Purchases are limited to 1 per household.

Our limited online pre-order program will be announced at a later date, after software and accessory availability dates are confirmed. Online product pricing and availability will vary and will be fulfilled independent of store reservations."

Good luck.

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/09/ps...t-eb-gamestop/

Funny thing is I walked in to my Target today, to buy a Nintendo game no less :GASP: and they had a bunch of employees tearing the game section apart. And it had these huge PS3 signs took up two sections and this wii sign and displays. So I know where the units are going they just hadn't gotten em to put in there yet. The girl told me. I asked. And uhm Wal mart re did their whole Electronics section too. Even though the Wii won't be displayed there.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

EB was taking preorders for the PS3 today. But it's probably too late if your already reading this. Anyway I didn't bother cause EB has a way of taking your money and making you wait till March before they give you anything back. Or make you buy some outrageous bundle of stuff you never wanted.

Any word on them taking reservations for the Wii?

[hemanrep]

Yeah, I wouldn't preorder my PS3 at EB or GameStop. I'd rather wait in the cold than hear them lie and say I'll get my system on launch date...because it won't happen. Since they'll only get 8 per store (or so I've heard), may be they have learned their lessons, but I doubt it.

[AeroStratos88]

Any word on them taking reservations for the Wii?

YOu mean something legit and not that shady deal they pulled on our Hawaii brethren. No not yet.

But with the new numbers coming out as of lately you shouldn't really have any problem finding one this season.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Just called my local Gamestop to see if they got in the new MK and to check on reservations for Wii. So far they aren't taking reservations for it, and even though I didn't ask, they followed it up by saying they are already sold out of PS3 reservations.

That kind of stinks for anyone wanting a PS3.

I mean, despite the problems and the fact that I didn't get it right at launch, it was nice last year having an Xbox 360 reservation in place so that I could get the system as soon as they got it in stock (having of course fullfilled any preorders places before mine).

Granted, this doesn't effect me much personally in this case since I wasn't planning on getting PS3 at launch anyway, but still, it seems nuts that the preorders are gone in minutes like that. This could be the start of a really bad new trend.

I mean, it's bad enough that people who didn't preorder often have to camp out to get the system. But now this could potentially lead to a situation where people have to start camping out just to place a preorder.

It just seems nuts to me. I just hope reserving a Wii won't be as difficult as this. I hope you are right about the numbers, Aerostratos. Perhaps Nintendo being the underdog will work out in my favor.

Yeah, I wouldn't preorder my PS3 at EB or GameStop. I'd rather wait in the cold than hear them lie and say I'll get my system on launch date...because it won't happen. Since they'll only get 8 per store (or so I've heard), may be they have learned their lessons, but I doubt it.

Well, I know the whole Xbox 360 thing got all messed up last year. I think that's why they are waiting so long to even take reservations this year, until they pretty much know for sure how many they are getting in stock.

Despite the issues, I certainly don't blame the people at my local store where I reserve most of my stuff. I am there regularly and have a good trust with many of the employees there. And they were pretty honest with me about the whole thing... even to the point of telling me that they just weren't sure about something because they hadn't gotten word, etc.

Still, for those who want PS3, it would be nice if they would allow people beyond the initial 8 to make a reservation, and just tell them that they don't know when they will get more in stock, but when they do, each unit will go to the next person who has a reservation.

Speaking of which... I wonder how these reservations are working in terms of the $500 and $600 systems. I mean, are they getting in 4 of each or what? Do these people making the reservations know for sure which they are getting?

[AeroStratos88]

Just called my local Gamestop to see if they got in the new MK and to check on reservations for Wii. So far they aren't taking reservations for it, and even though I didn't ask, they followed it up by saying they are already sold out of PS3 reservations.

That kind of stinks for anyone wanting a PS3.

I mean, despite the problems and the fact that I didn't get it right at launch, it was nice last year having an Xbox 360 reservation in place so that I could get the system as soon as they got it in stock (having of course fullfilled any preorders places before mine).

Granted, this doesn't effect me much personally in this case since I wasn't planning on getting PS3 at launch anyway, but still, it seems nuts that the preorders are gone in minutes like that. This could be the start of a really bad new trend.

I mean, it's bad enough that people who didn't preorder often have to camp out to get the system. But now this could potentially lead to a situation where people have to start camping out just to place a preorder.

It just seems nuts to me. I just hope reserving a Wii won't be as difficult as this. I hope you are right about the numbers, Aerostratos. Perhaps Nintendo being the underdog will work out in my favor.

It already happened! People started lining up at 6 AM!



http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/10/ps...coast-edition/

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/10/ps...coast-edition/

[Dynamo of Eternia]

It already happened! People started lining up at 6 AM!

Oh geez. This is utterly ridiculous. I mean, on the highest level of ridiculousness that there can even possibly be.

[AeroStratos88]

Oh geez. This is utterly ridiculous. I mean, on the highest level of ridiculousness that there can even possibly be.

I agree. Good things come to those who wait.

[He-Lurker]

I stopped by Gamestop today during lunch. I asked if they were taking pre-orders for PS3 and they had no idea what I was talking about. I also asked about the Wii and they had no idea either. They said I could reserve games, but when I asked what the point was if I couldn't get a system, and they didn't know what to say. Glad to see my Gamestop is on top of things

[TheDeviot]

Like I said: 8 PS3's per store. Figure Gamestop lets two employees per store preorder, that's down to six. You know friends/relatives of personel will get their preorders in before the populace which means zilch for anybody on launch day.
INW: SCALPER BAY.

[CJ Clifford]

It already happened! People started lining up at 6 AM!

Some people are just crazy. Granted, I stood in line for a 360 last year on launch day, but I was only in that line for an hour and I was planning on buying other stuff in that store anyway. There's no way you'd find me and my fat ass standing around for days in front of a store waiting for a frickin' console pre-order.

I just hope reserving a Wii won't be as difficult as this. I hope you are right about the numbers, Aerostratos. Perhaps Nintendo being the underdog will work out in my favor.

You know, I'm not even worried about pre-ordering a Wii. I don't know if you caught my little news link earlier, but it looks as if Nintendo will have plenty of Wii systems to go around on launch day, unlike its competitors and their respective consoles. It really seems like Nintendo is being conservative about their own estimates and how many systems will be available, and even those conservative estimates are above what they originally hoped for. At this point, I'm more worried about there being enough copies of Zelda:TP to go around.

Speaking of launch days and system availability, I remember being able to pick a Gamecube pretty easily at Meijer. The hardest part about it was getting somebody to get their butt to the department and open the freakin' case (20 plus minutes!). My dad decided to go to Meijer and asked if I wanted to go. I remember it was launch day for Gamebube and thought "Heck, you never know." Amazingly, Meijer had it, quite a few at that.

[AeroStratos88]

Oh geez. This is utterly ridiculous. I mean, on the highest level of ridiculousness that there can even possibly be.

uhm I see you and raise you this!



I wouldn't worry about Zelda:TP You'd have to assume that A. Everyone that would buy a Wii would buy that title and B. People wouldn't know about the GC Version coming out less than a month away.

[asharachal]

uhm I see you and raise you this!



I wouldn't worry about Zelda:TP You'd have to assume that A. Everyone that would buy a Wii would buy that title and B. People wouldn't know about the GC Version coming out less than a month away.

i want to see if someone is actually desperate enough to bid on this.

[AeroStratos88]

Some guy put his pre order up.



and the winner is...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Playstation-3-Pr...QQcmdZViewItem

[D-Day V1]

Some guy put his pre order up.



and the winner is...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Playstation-3-Pr...QQcmdZViewItem

More like.....and the loser is......

Someone's gonna get screwed over on that one

Hey Dynamo, my buddy at EB Games told me that more than likely sometime this week they shopuld start taking pre-orders for the Wii, but he said they wont do it until they know how many they're getting in. He also went on to say that Gamestop/EB Games stores throughout would receive approximately 70% of the North American shipments, so youre chances should be good at landing one.

[CJ Clifford]

uhm I see you and raise you this!

Heck, for get that. I clicked the link for your updated pick below. Auction was over due to someone placing a "Buy It Now" for $1,000,000.00 Of course the winning bidder has zero feedback and [sarcasm]I'm sure he has every intention of paying[/sarcasm].

[Dynamo of Eternia]

I was at my local Gamestop last night picking up the new Mortal Kombat game (SHAMELESS PLUG: See my thoughts and quasi-review in the Mortal Kombat thread! ).

Apparently they are getting in 16 PS3's (probably because we are in a highly populated area) and they took all of the reservations on them within the first half hour. Not that I am surprised.

At this point, I'm more worried about there being enough copies of Zelda:TP to go around.

Well, Gamestop and EB are already taking reserves on the games. I already have 3 on reserve, including Zelda. I did that a week or two ago. Actually, I apparantly had a reservation for the Gamecube version from probably a year ago, maybe more, that I completely forgot about (in hind sight, I probably reserved it around the time I reserved Kingom Hearts 2). So, I just transfered that reservation to the Wii version.

So, anyway, the point is that if you are worried about the games, you can reserve them now. There's no restrictions on that.



D-Day... that's good news on the Wii! Hopefully there will be no major issues in getting one.

[Ironman]

2. We know that the sensor bar goes all wonky when halogen lights are in the room. But did you know that natural sunlight messes it up too? That's right, if you have the sun beaming right onto the sensor bar, it doesn't work. For about an hour or so, the sun shone right into the store, the two MP3:C kiosks had to have curtains above them, and the Wii Sports Tennis and Shooting Game kiosks were unplayable since they were "shrouded" in sunlight. Later the sun went behind a building, and everything was in working order again. So when you get your Wii, don't play it in the sunlight. Or keep the sensor bar and TV away from the windows.

http://forums.nintendo.com/nintendo/...age.id=2065592

Umm, that's not true at all. Nice try though.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/738/738266p1.html

The Wii will outsell the PS3. Mark my words.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/738/738261p1.html

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Umm, that not true at all. Nice try though.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/738/738266p1.html

The Wii will outsell the PS3. Mark my words.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/738/738261p1.html

Well, I think the reason that the Wii will do better right off the bat is because Nintendo will have more units ready to go at launch and immediately following launch than Sony. Don't get me wrong, its good for Nintendo.

But still, in the long run, things are yet to be seen. On the one hand, I could easily see Nintnedo beating Sony, and having Sony down in 3rd place this time, mainly due to the cost of the system (as great and advanced as some of the features of the PS3 may be, I don't know if everyone will jump on the PS3 bandwagon as they may have sticker shock).

However, Sony has been #1 for a while now with Nintendo trailing in 3rd, and there is a lot of hype around PS3 (whether or not the hype is warranted is a different matter altogether). So, it could be that in the long run, PS3 could do alright.

Now, for the record, I am rooting for Nintendo, and I hope that you and that 2nd article are correct on those predictions. However, I am also not holding my breath on it.


On a separate note, I particularly loved this comment from that first article that you posted:

In a related story, some Nintendo fans are planning to protest in front of Nintendo of America's Seattle headquarters after learning that Wii discs are, in fact, inedible. More as the story breaks.

Ah, that was classic!

[CJ Clifford]

Well, Gamestop and EB are already taking reserves on the games. I already have 3 on reserve, including Zelda.

My Zelda comment was more of a sarcastic one. There are going to be so many Wiis available, and Zelda is such a popular franchise. Unlike the poor PS3, no one is going to have a problem locating a Wii. And what's the first game people will get? Zelda of course

What else did you pre-oder for the Wii?

[Dynamo of Eternia]

What else did you pre-oder for the Wii?

I reserved Red Steel and a collection of the Metal Slug games. I like Metal Slug a lot, but don't actually own any of the games, so I thought this would be a good purchase.

[AeroStratos88]

Umm, that's not true at all. Nice try though.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/738/738266p1.html

The Wii will outsell the PS3. Mark my words.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/738/738261p1.html

Nice try too.

In the "ask Iwata" articles Iwata said they had trouble with halogen lights and some problems with sunlight at first with the sensor bar, but have made improvments in the software to fix what ever problems were there...

This was an official Nintendo event in one of their Nintendo Stores one of the first events open to the public and highly publicized and this happened. Plus it was posted and not taken down by anyone at the official Nintendo Forums. You can watch the video too if you want. I don't believe a damn thing that comes out of IGN since the head of the Wii department already publicly came out and said he did'nt believe in it. Oh well I geuss you can spin it and say it's cause every display they decided to use was a Sony Bravia.

Pre orders for the Wii *grain of salt people.

Friday.

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/11/wi...mestop-friday/