We live a fairly fast-paced, jet-setting lifestyle -- an unfortunate side-effect of which are the hours of frequent layovers we are forced to suffer while flying between Hugh Hefner's Sky Villa in Vegas and our private, opulent island getaway off the coast of O'ahu. These long stretches are made even more unbearable when we forget to pack our handhelds -- a situation that often causes us, in a sheer fit of boredom, to overdose on Dramamine and attempt to ride the baggage carousel.
Luckily, we'll never again have to know the firm, rubber-gloved grip of an annoyed Air Marshal -- Best Buy recently began offering DS Lites and select DS titles in their Best Buy Express vending machines. These machines are located at several major airports throughout the U.S., and sell a number of important devices for travelers, such as headphones, chargers, and most recently, Pokémans catching simulators.
Reader Comments (73)
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 12:58PM SirFishouse said
Like hell I'd buy one of these for my kids. They jack the prices up on all of these items. This is not a new idea. They've had these machines next to the iPod dispenser for 2 years now. Seen these in DFW airport. Never seen one with Best Buy badging though.
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 1:03PM (Unverified) said
Uh... what's a Pokeman?
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 1:20PM hvnlysoldr said
Do yuu liek mudkipz?
Last year I saw PSP pack in an airport vending machine. Might have been this same machine for all I know.
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Last year I saw PSP pack in an airport vending machine. Might have been this same machine for all I know.
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 1:07PM (Unverified) said
Now you will have screaming little brats demanding their parents buy them something out of this machine. Get the whole spoiled brat experience from check in all the way to leaving your destination. Sweet.
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 1:13PM mrmobius said
How do you play guitar hero without the add on which doesn't appear to be offered here judging by the size of the box.
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 1:20PM (Unverified) said
The addon is most definitely included, you can see it at the top of the box.
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Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 1:26PM (Unverified) said
the gh add on is them coloured buttons u can see on top of the box lol
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 1:26PM Infam0usP said
does it ask us for the Video Game Protection Plan 50 times during the vending?
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 2:15PM Shmil said
No, but it will ask you if you'd like to pre-order any upcoming DS games that will eventually be delivered to one of these vending machines. If you select yes, it will charge you an extra 5 dollars and print out a small receipt.
On the receipt will be am 18 alpha-numeric code to be entered in the future at one of these vending machines, but only the ones that are carrying the game you pre-ordered.
Input the 18 alphanumeric code along with e-mail, phone number, and home address and you'll receive your pre-ordered game
then comes the "would you like the buy the strategy guide" question.
Reply
On the receipt will be am 18 alpha-numeric code to be entered in the future at one of these vending machines, but only the ones that are carrying the game you pre-ordered.
Input the 18 alphanumeric code along with e-mail, phone number, and home address and you'll receive your pre-ordered game
then comes the "would you like the buy the strategy guide" question.
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 1:31PM (Unverified) said
Already own the 3 good games in that photo! But this is kinda cool. There have been times that I've had to get to meetings in god forsake countries and I forgot to bring my travel kit (DS, PSP, Macbook Air) and would have snagged one of these on the cheek and stuck it on expenditures.
It's becoming a shame that people can't just relax and travel in the sky as God intended, with no gadgets. Just a super advanced jet.
It's becoming a shame that people can't just relax and travel in the sky as God intended, with no gadgets. Just a super advanced jet.
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 2:33PM Alex R said
I saw a similar thing in Houston Airport when I went to Honduras, but they dispensed iPods instead of games to solve your 'airport boredom'. That wouldn't really work though, because unless they come preloaded with some music I can see the novelty wearing off quickly. Especially if you are going out of the country and won't have your computer nearby.
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 2:41PM (Unverified) said
Sony (or someone selling Sony) has had these for awhile in airports. They sell PSP systems and games, headphones, bluetooth headsets, so on and so forth.
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 8:10PM (Unverified) said
Good luck getting a BT headset to work with your non-BT PSP.
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Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 2:53PM Jerk Face said
Both of those videos were freaking hilarious!
Posted: Jan 9th 2009 4:07PM (Unverified) said
Why everybody are so stressed on games ?
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Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 5:00PM greggo said
do they sell cycloDS's hehehehe
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 7:31PM (Unverified) said
I believe on Engadget it said that the prices were pretty much retail.
Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 8:04PM Megadanxzero said
Surely I can't be the only person who thinks this is the WORST IDEA EVER!?
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 3:14AM (Unverified) said
have you ever had to take a long flight before? Cause honestly, most people would gladly buy a 30 dollar game to entertain them for a few hours during their flight.
Its not a bad idea at all. Just different.
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Its not a bad idea at all. Just different.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 10:01AM joeymoto said
All I'm gonna say is that we're the 'live fast, die young' generation and tbh this takes the piss.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 6:01PM (Unverified) said
This is brilliant. I usually try to buy a handheld game before a big trip..
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 1:21PM (Unverified) said
this totally has andy warhol lithograph written all over it.




