Want a Wii on launch day? Here's how.
Want to be able to stroll into a store on launch day, and come back out with a hot Wii in your hands? Check out the guide that Wiiloaded has up. Of course, if everyone reads this thing, then you'll be screwed. Cross your fingers and take some of their helpful advice like: find a 24 Wal-Mart to camp out in because it'll be warm, check out who is jumping on the midnight release bandwagon (Circuit City, Wal-Mart, probably more to come) and get there early, or visit a Sam's or Costco because they are frequently overlooked during console launches.
Also helpful is the Target Wii allocation list that was dropped online. It hasn't been verified, but if the info is true then it will help you choose which Target to, er ... target. Here's a helpful online doohickey that you can use to search and find out how many Wiis your Target will get. Apparently our local store is getting 220, when they got zero on Xbox 360 launch day. Plus the sheer size of the Target Wii areas and the amount of accessories they have been offering for more than a month before launch make us think they'll be getting quite a few.
With one million plus Wiis to be made available on launch day, and three million more available by Christmas, we don't think you'll have problems getting one. People are going to be divided between the Wii and the PS3, and that's going to hurt sales of both consoles while buyers try and decide what to get. Because Nintendo will have scads of Wiis in the stores, it'll make it that much easier to get one without resorting to eBay, Canada, or the black market. Only turn to those options if you're seeking a PlayStation3. Those are gonna be hard to come by.
[Thanks, Marko K. and Rob Templin]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
@ Nov 6th 2006 9:38AM
What makes you think the Canadian situation is gonna be any different, eh?
UserDoesNotExist @ Nov 6th 2006 9:45AM
"eBay, Canada, or the black market." That line just strikes me as funny.
benjamin @ Nov 6th 2006 9:48AM
You know, I was interested in the Wii, but after reading this (http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/mother-3/mother-3-afraid-of-flying-opts-to-stay-in-japan-212528.php) I can't help but to think negatively of Nintendo.
Way to go, Reggie.
MassiveShock @ Nov 6th 2006 9:50AM
Resorting to ebay is your only last option to get a Wii at launch. Wholesale stores like Costco have good bundles of consoles.
BlindsideDork @ Nov 6th 2006 9:54AM
Most people keep forgetting that it is 1 million Wii systems on launch WORLDWIDE! I don't remember them saying 1 million Wii systems would be for the US!
And I am sure it is going to be hard to decide, get a Wii that is in front of me or a PS3 that isn't anywhere to be found...unless you save your money.
@ Nov 6th 2006 9:55AM
In many ways, the hype around Wii is a bad thing.
With the DS there was no hype and a lot of skepticsm (sp?).. but, it turned out to be a good idea in the end.
With Wii, there's a lot of hype and a lot riding on the Wiimote... ie; cosumers have very high expectations.. some of which will not be met (hiding behind couches).
So, if the initial to mid-range feedback is positive.. then, thats not good. Afterall, launch day is still only one day.
Cannonfodder @ Nov 6th 2006 9:56AM
Odds are if you don't get one at launch, you'll be able t get one 3 days later. My Toys'r'us said they'll have enough for preorders, as well as a few walk ins. they said they're also getting a mere one PS3.
and those 5 PS3's that are comeing to NS will all be in Halifax.
Yeah Nova Scotia!
@ Nov 6th 2006 9:57AM
.. i meant not positive ...
Daniel @ Nov 6th 2006 10:14AM
Uhh....I don't think coming here to Canada will help your cause very much. Us crazy Canucks like video games as much as the States (if not more) and though it may be possible to find a Wii here and there on launch day, I guarantee the PS3 will be sold out everywhere in Canada just like it will be everywhere else in the world.
??? @ Nov 6th 2006 10:25AM
I'm with the first bunch from Canada. They are right-here in B.C. the PS3 is almost non-existant. The Wii is gonna be in very short supply till at least Xmas. Won't be too many walk ins here. For those who want early goodies, Ebay is probably your best bet!
Ritz @ Nov 6th 2006 10:58AM
Hrm, I can't find a linkable source, but I believe a writer at Nintendojo.com once mentioned that Canada was a hot spot for Nintendo fans, as it was the one region in the world where the N64 outsold the PS1. Point being that as other are saying, you'll have just as much trouble getting a Wii here as you would in the states =o
Besides, its actually a little bit more expensive here, too =(
Gennaro Piccolo @ Nov 6th 2006 11:02AM
Seeing as how that Gamestop and EB have cancelled Legend of Zelda and controller preorders, any tips on getting these on launch day? I'm concerned I wont be able to get LoZ...
SyChO @ Nov 6th 2006 11:11AM
Sup guys
I work for Costco and a co-worker told me he did a check up on the PS3's -that's what he wants- and said there would be around 2-4 units (I work for one of the biggest in my Province). The thing about Costco unlike other stores is that WE CAN buy the units at launch. So there most likely WON'T be any units for sale on the 17th because they will already be all bought by the employees! (obviously this assumption holds only if each costco has ps3 fans).
Hope this helps.
Laterz
Evan Brower @ Nov 6th 2006 11:59AM
I don't understand what the deal is with online Wii pre-orders. When are EBgames/Gamestop, Amazon, and other
major retailers going to offer Wii pre-orders? I remember pre-ordering the XBOX 360 online @ ebgames MONTHS in advance (and I still didn't get a launch unit, lol). Most likely I'll be camping out by a Toys R US or Target, but it would be great if online pre-orders were a possibility!!!
TB @ Nov 6th 2006 12:07PM
I'm not running out to get one at launch. Wasting $250 is still wasting $250. Nothing they've said about the wii they didnt say about the gamecube.
Vincent Avatar @ Nov 6th 2006 12:22PM
How to get a Wii on launch day: go to a store and buy one. Seriously, I don't think you're gonna need much strategy to get your hands on this one unless you go to a Toys R Us, where it is doubtless that parents will be lining up to get one of those coveted "hotlist" items.
There's something to be said for releasing with quantity, and I suppose we'll see how well that pays off for Nintendo come Christmas.
Kyle @ Nov 6th 2006 1:53PM
One of the biggest secrets is this (if you have one): SuperK. Not many areas have them, but they are all 24 hours, and usually the last place someone thinks to look. We had about 5 people in line at about 10pm before the 360 launch. They typically have no guaranteed in-stock though, and employees usually get the first bite. Worth a shot if you have one nearby.
monkeyrobot @ Nov 6th 2006 2:55PM
I'm from Canada, eh. No seriously I am, and it's kinda funny. It seems ads for the PS3 are no were to be found and Wii is everywhere (except for futureshop, they don't have dick about either).
Long story short, I was in EB the other day and they had a Wii demo video playing and everyone (I DO MEAN EVERYONE) started starring at it like zombies, meanwhile the lonely ps3 display at the back of the store was shit.
I really don't think Wii is going to be easy to come by in Canada, at least not in Nova Scotia (That's where I live!). Not sure about the ps3 situation, but I don't if Nova Scotia will in more than 5 ps3 in total, and that just sucks for those who direly want one.
Cherry Ghost @ Nov 6th 2006 4:05PM
I still don't think one will need to camp out for a Wii unless you live in a large or mid-sized city, but even if you did live in such a place it wouldn't be too hard to drive around and find a Target, Wal-Mart, etc.
Personally I have two Targets, two Wal-Marts, a Best Buy and Toys 'R Us within a ten mile radius of where I live; I'm just going to pick a place and arrive a few hours before it opens.
Seemoneh @ Nov 7th 2006 9:14AM
Yeah, eh. You'd think Joystiq would have quite a few Canadian readers.
AJ @ Nov 7th 2006 11:02PM
Wow.. The Wii is going to be so innovative I think I feel sorry for that ps2 in a Geaorge-Forman grill with no vibration. Less frame-rate than an X-box 360, Mostly boring games and no vibration WITH a whopping price of $600?! Also I'm wondering if this honka-tonk will be able to fit in my trunk! And I'm sure parents are comfortable giving their kids a system that sells games with hidden porn.(cough,San Andreas,cough)Check out the investors satisfaction since E-3. I don`t like to bash a good company like Sony, but this reject is pathetic. I'm sure most people know (and it shows) that Nintendo will be happy with investors after it dominates the console market. And with an underdog like Nintendo (or so it's said) they have income from mostly investors and DS, which was the fastest-selling game system ever, I believe, Nintendo will put a smile on my face when the Wii-rampage over the market is done, Eh?(I HAD to do that.) And about being sorry for that thing (PS3), I`m scaring myself. Sorry abgout this message length but I've been researching this thing FOREVER and I needed to say...