Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Wii U line is E3's most popular experience]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/the-wii-u-line-is-e3s-most-popular-experience/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/the-wii-u-line-is-e3s-most-popular-experience/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/the-wii-u-line-is-e3s-most-popular-experience/#comments Reactions to the Wii U and its controller have been somewhat mixed. Despite that, or perhaps because of that, there is no shortage of people hoping to find out for themselves. On Tuesday morning, we saw a sign warning of a one-hour line to try the device. On Wednesday morning, the line was five hours long. On Wednesday afternoon, "Sorry Line Closed."

"Hey, what did you see at E3," several hundred attendees' friends will ask them next week. "The guy standing in front of me in the Nintendo line, mostly," those attendees will respond.

JoystiqThe Wii U line is E3's most popular experience originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2011linenintendowiiwii-uThu, 09 Jun 2011 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Grand Line Auto: A diverse gathering (Broken Arrow edition)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/29/grand-line-auto-a-diverse-gathering-broken-arrow-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/29/grand-line-auto-a-diverse-gathering-broken-arrow-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/29/grand-line-auto-a-diverse-gathering-broken-arrow-edition/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Given the nearly unquantifiable level of anticipation building up to the midnight unveiling of Rockstar's opus, it seemed prudent to roll up to the local Broken Arrow, OK Gamestop well in advance of the game's release. All of the preparation went for naught, however, as the store kept its doors open all night as enthusiasts congregated inside, joked in the secret language that only we nerds can appreciate, and not-so-quietly chatted about the game they would very soon be playing.

Continue reading Grand Line Auto: A diverse gathering (Broken Arrow edition)

JoystiqGrand Line Auto: A diverse gathering (Broken Arrow edition) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopgrand-theft-auto-ivgrandtheftautograndtheftautoivgta4gtaivlaunchlinePS3retailrockstarwaitingXbox-360Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grand Line Auto: Waiting for GTA IV (Baltimore suburbs edition)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/29/grand-line-auto-waiting-for-gtaiv-baltimore-suburbs-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/29/grand-line-auto-waiting-for-gtaiv-baltimore-suburbs-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/29/grand-line-auto-waiting-for-gtaiv-baltimore-suburbs-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,


Believe it or not, the police car in that photo actually belongs to an off-duty Anne Arundel County police officer looking to pick up a copy of the anticipated crime simulator for himself. But that doesn't mean there wasn't active law enforcement involved with the Grand Theft Auto 4 launch festivities at this Laurel, MD Gamestop. Keep reading for more pictures and a full account of the line-waiting experience as GTA4-eve finally bled into GTA4-day.

Continue reading Grand Line Auto: Waiting for GTA IV (Baltimore suburbs edition)

JoystiqGrand Line Auto: Waiting for GTA IV (Baltimore suburbs edition) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopgrand-theft-auto-4grand-theft-auto-ivgta4gtaivlaunchlinePS3retailrockstarwaitingXbox-360Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[See how badly Japan wants the Bape DS Lite]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/see-how-badly-japan-wants-the-bape-ds-lite/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/see-how-badly-japan-wants-the-bape-ds-lite/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/see-how-badly-japan-wants-the-bape-ds-lite/#commentsFiled under:

There's no doubt in our minds that the Bape DS is a hot little number, but we'd never wait on a line like this for one. At first, the line seems somewhat modest, but then the camera keeps on turning around more and more corners. We should have guessed as much, seeing how the video is over two minutes long.

To see exactly how much Japanese gamers love special edition DSes, check out the clip embedded above for yourselves.

[Via GameLife]

JoystiqSee how badly Japan wants the Bape DS Lite originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bapejapanlimited-editionlinemonkeyTue, 15 Apr 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[These people are playing Super Smash Bros. right now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/these-people-are-playing-super-smash-bros-right-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/these-people-are-playing-super-smash-bros-right-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/these-people-are-playing-super-smash-bros-right-now/#commentsFiled under: ,


This was the scene yesterday outside the Yodobashi Camera in Shinjuku, as over 300 people suddenly decided to all go to the electronics retailer at the same time for ... some reason. It was a good day for Yodobashi (in terms of business, not of employee sanity) as a PS2 Haruhi game, Devil May Cry 4 and various other things also hit. But the true "event" game was Brawl, which led to many Wii system sales and probably the most GameCube controller sales in the last five years.

With ownership of the game, of course, comes detailed writeups. Justin Epperson is writing about every aspect of the game for 1UP as he experiences it. He says of the Subspace Emissary single-player adventure that "At the rate we were playing, one hour of play time is around 10% completion." That's ... much bigger than the Melee adventure mode! In sadder news, he says that rule sets can only be edited when playing online with friends, and not with strangers. If you're hooked on the (Smash) Brothers, go read the article for lots of talk about stages, unlocks, stickers, and all the stuff that just seems cruel until we can play it.

JoystiqThese people are playing Super Smash Bros. right now originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brawlfightinglinesuper-smash-bros-brawlThu, 31 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crowds lining up for Super Mario Galaxy in Japan? Not so much]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/01/crowds-lining-up-for-super-mario-galaxy-in-japan-not-so-much/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/01/crowds-lining-up-for-super-mario-galaxy-in-japan-not-so-much/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/01/crowds-lining-up-for-super-mario-galaxy-in-japan-not-so-much/#commentsFiled under: ,



Siliconera's Spencer Yip took a short tour of electronic shops in Akihabara, Tokyo's famed shopping district, this morning to capture the masses that've skipped work and camped out in anticipation of today's Super Mario Galaxy release. Considering that this is one of Nintendo's biggest titles of the year and a much-hyped new entry to the company's most popular franchise, you would assume that the head count would surpass or at least rival the crowds that often gather for Dragon Quest titles, right?

Well, according to what Spencer saw at the there stores he surveyed, while a few people queued up outside of shops to snatch themselves a copy, there weren't any of the huge lines that we've come to associate with major releases in Japan. In fact, a few of the guys in the photo above were actually waiting on Ace Combat 6 for the Xbox 360. Perhaps everyone is waiting to pick up Super Mario Galaxy after work? Or maybe everyone preordered the game in advance to avoid the lines?

JoystiqCrowds lining up for Super Mario Galaxy in Japan? Not so much originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akihabaracrowdjapanlinesmgsuper-mario-galaxysupermariogalaxyThu, 01 Nov 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2006's Wii line in real time]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/e3-2006s-wii-line-in-real-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/e3-2006s-wii-line-in-real-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/e3-2006s-wii-line-in-real-time/#commentsFiled under: ,


As we go ready for E3 2007, to many the Wii is just as elusive as it was back in May of 2006 -- before it was even released. With the festivities (or doldrums) all set to begin next week at Min-E3, it's time to take a little look back at the thing which really stood out at E3 2006: The Wii Line.

From the beginning of every day at last year's E3 until closing that line of Nintendo Wii touching hopefuls snaked and stretched. The people at the back of the line spent half their day just waiting to get their hands on a Wiimote -- then they had to wait in another line once inside the Wii rotunda. So enjoy the video, which we've kept in real time (except for a tiny edit which takes out less than a second) to give the full impact and length of the monstrosity. Just let it wash over you and don't forget to check out the super special ending.

JoystiqE3 2006's Wii line in real time originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2006E3e306joystiqlinenintendowiiThu, 05 Jul 2007 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Featured Friday Video: Line Rider does Super Mario Bros.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/23/featured-friday-video-line-rider-does-super-mario-bros/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/23/featured-friday-video-line-rider-does-super-mario-bros/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/23/featured-friday-video-line-rider-does-super-mario-bros/#commentsFiled under: ,


Ever since the announcement of Line Rider for the Wii and DS, we haven't heard much else on the title. As such, our eager fanboy minds turn to speculation, as we imagine how big the lines will be and how awesome the riding action will look. Since we're only left to imagine how this title is to be, we turn to the internet for more videos on the game.

The included mash-up of Line Rider and Super Mario Bros. past the post break does a good job of calming us down and putting a smile on our face.

Continue reading Featured Friday Video: Line Rider does Super Mario Bros.

JoystiqFeatured Friday Video: Line Rider does Super Mario Bros. originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffvlinelineridermarioridersupermariobrosvideoFri, 23 Mar 2007 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[London police gear up for midnight PS3 launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/16/london-police-gear-up-for-midnight-ps3-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/16/london-police-gear-up-for-midnight-ps3-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/16/london-police-gear-up-for-midnight-ps3-launch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In the wake of the somewhat chaotic crowds surrounding the U.S. PS3 launch, London police are taking steps to make sure the midnight sale at Virgin Megastore's marquee Oxford Street location goes smoothly. GamesIndustry.biz reports Sony and Virgin are working with police to make sure the crowds of PS3 fans wont clog up the streets and subway station entrances on March 23.

Police are also suggesting special precautions so gamers attending the midnight launch don't become "an advert for muggers," as an unnamed source on the Westminster Council put it. People queueing up should bring a friend and a mobile phone, carry as little cash as possible and carry the system home in an unmarked bag, a police spokesperson said.

Don't want to worry about becoming mugger-bait? "Don't attend the launch event," the spokesperson suggested. "Pre-order your console and pick it up during the daytime." Hey, you Europeans have waited this long for the PS3, so what's a few more hours?

JoystiqLondon police gear up for midnight PS3 launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europelaunchlinepoliceps3queueFri, 16 Mar 2007 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's queueiest game video: Miyamoto keynote line]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/09/todays-queueiest-game-video-miyamoto-keynote-line/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/09/todays-queueiest-game-video-miyamoto-keynote-line/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/09/todays-queueiest-game-video-miyamoto-keynote-line/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It took a good four minutes to traverse roughly half the line that circled a whole city block around the Moscone center's South Hall. We know your time is important, though, so we sped the above up to double speed.

JoystiqToday's queueiest game video: Miyamoto keynote line originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 04:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GDCGDC07keynotelineMiyamotoSan FranciscoSanFranciscoWiiFri, 09 Mar 2007 04:05:00 EST<![CDATA[My sister's quest for a Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/22/my-sisters-quest-for-a-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/22/my-sisters-quest-for-a-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/22/my-sisters-quest-for-a-wii/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I was rubbing the sleep from my eyes after waking up way too early for a Sunday morning when I got a call from my 13-year-old sister, Paige (pictured to the right). "How's it going?" I asked. "Not good," she said.

Paige wasn't that excited about the Wii when it first came out, but sometime in mid-December the hype (and the promise of a new Wario Ware game) hit her like a ton of bricks. Since then, she's been clamoring for the hard-to-find system in a big way, constantly working the phones to nearby Rockville, Md., retailers and scanning sites like iTrackr in the hopes of catching a shipment. After a few weeks of fruitless hunting, Paige was begging me to ask my "Nintendo girlfriend" (a.k.a. my PR contact) to send her a system. When I told her it doesn't quite work that way, she told me to use my "sexy looks" to sway her. Apparently the search for a Wii had made her delusional.

I knew I probably shouldn't be encouraging my sister's compulsion, but when I saw all the chatter on Joystiq about retailers holding Wii systems for sale, I had to tell her. After poring over the available data Saturday night, we developed a plan to wake up early and stake out the most likely candidates before they opened on Sunday morning. Paige and my mom would hit the Rockville stores, I would try the retailers in my local Laurel, about an hour away (yes, I got recruited into camping for my sister. Yes, I am a sucker.)

Continue reading My sister's quest for a Wii

JoystiqMy sister's quest for a Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Jan 2007 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best buyBestBuycircuit cityCircuitCitydemandgamestoplineline upLineUpretailwaitwiiMon, 22 Jan 2007 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Line Rider to hit DS and Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/20/line-rider-to-hit-ds-and-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/20/line-rider-to-hit-ds-and-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/20/line-rider-to-hit-ds-and-wii/#commentsFiled under:

In looking to bring the fun and quirky Flash-based game to Nintendo's gaming systems, inXile Entertainment is hoping to exceed the success of the game on the internet. They plan on releasing the adaptation by spring including some sort of multiplayer aspect, but one must ask exactly what they are planning on doing to justify the cost of the title beyond that?

Considering one could just access the student-created application online whenever they want, why would DS and Wii owners, in their right mind, purchase inXile Entertainment's adaptation? Also, considering that the Wii browser's free trial starts very soon, why wouldn't Wii owners just play it that way?

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqLine Rider to hit DS and Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdslitelinelineriderlitenintendonintendodsnintendodslitenintendowiiriderwiiWed, 20 Dec 2006 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Line Rider to hit Wii and DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/20/line-rider-to-hit-wii-and-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/20/line-rider-to-hit-wii-and-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/20/line-rider-to-hit-wii-and-ds/#commentsFiled under:

In looking to bring the fun and quirky Flash-based game to Nintendo's gaming systems, inXile Entertainment is hoping to exceed the success of the game on the internet. They plan on releasing the adaptation by spring including some sort of multiplayer aspect, but one must ask exactly what they are planning on doing to justify the cost of the title beyond that?

Considering one could just access the student-created application online whenever they want, why would DS and Wii owners, in their right mind, purchase inXile Entertainment's adaptation? Also, considering that the Wii browser's free trial starts very soon, why wouldn't Wii owners just play it that way?

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqLine Rider to hit Wii and DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dslitelinenintendonintendodsnintendodslitenintendowiiriderwiiWed, 20 Dec 2006 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 shooting victim is unemployed eBay profiteer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/28/ps3-shooting-victim-is-unemployed-ebay-profiteer/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/28/ps3-shooting-victim-is-unemployed-ebay-profiteer/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/28/ps3-shooting-victim-is-unemployed-ebay-profiteer/#commentsFiled under: ,

A few weeks ago, gamers across the country were shocked at the devotion of a Connecticut man who was shot and hospitalized during his wait for the PS3. Such a man must be extremely devoted to video games to risk his life for the latest next-gen system, right?

Wrong. A follow-up article by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reveals that 21-year-old Michael Penkala was waiting "not because he's a fan of the popular game system but because he saw a business opportunity." The unemployed Penkala, whose "only means of income at the moment is selling T-shirts, Beanie Babies and New England Patriots plush toys on his front lawn," was carrying $2,600 in cash to purchase four PS3s to resell on eBay (with the help of three friends waiting in line).

What's more, after being shot by the fleeing would-be robbers, Penkala's first instinct was to make sure his friends got the money to purchase the systems. "For some reason I wasn't thinking about my wound, I was all about those PlayStations," Penkala is quoted as saying.

The eBay proceeds from the four PS3s Penkala eventually picked up likely won't cover the hundreds of thousands of dollars in health care costs for the uninsured Penkala. Despite this, Penkala rejected the idea of pimping out his auctions as "the system he got shot for." Classy.

[Thanks Avias]

JoystiqPS3 shooting victim is unemployed eBay profiteer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Nov 2006 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>linePS3shootingshotviolenceTue, 28 Nov 2006 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's hottest game video: homeless people in line [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/18/todays-hottest-game-video-homless-people-in-line/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/18/todays-hottest-game-video-homless-people-in-line/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/18/todays-hottest-game-video-homless-people-in-line/#commentsFiled under: ,

A North Carolina newscast about smart -- or exploitative -- entrepreneurs drew the most views of YouTube's game videos. These gamer-hustlers drove homeless people to local stores and paid them $100 a day to wait for the PS3.

These console launches bring out the worst in people, but this situation is more ambiguous. Does everybody win, with homeless people being paid and the organizer scoring an eBay-able PS3? Or are there more ethical questions to consider?

Watch the video after the break.

[Update 1: Thanks Kozwiz for the spelling fix.]

Continue reading Today's hottest game video: homeless people in line [update 1]

JoystiqToday's hottest game video: homeless people in line [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>homelesslaunch06linePS3Sat, 18 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A special message from Nintendo Wii Fanboy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/17/a-special-message-from-nintendo-wii-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/17/a-special-message-from-nintendo-wii-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/17/a-special-message-from-nintendo-wii-fanboy/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's here, folks. For many of us, years of waiting ends tomorrow at 12:01 AM, a mere twenty-four hours from now. And indeed, perhaps almost as fun as the Wii itself will be the camping out, braving the elements with your fellow Nintendo die-hards. But, a word of caution.

As you very well may know, the PS3 launch was horrendously chaotic. Reports are still coming in from around the country on various shootings, robberies, mayhem, and general discourtesy. It's true that Nintendo will have a larger initial stock, but the demand is no less. We at the Fanboy kindly ask that you show patience and kindness during your launch-day festivities, and remember that you're all there for a common purpose. Should you fail to claim a system on the day of, please, show respect and courtesy to those around you regardless. A few days truly isn't that long in the grand scheme of the things, and the last thing we want is to see someone get hurt over something designed to bring enjoyment and fun to the masses.

And with that out of the way, it's time to rock this thing. Nintendo Wii, here we come!

JoystiqA special message from Nintendo Wii Fanboy originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Nov 2006 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dont WorryDontWorryFaceHappyLineMessageNintendoRespectSpecialFri, 17 Nov 2006 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Girl in Austin not sure about PS3, waits in line for fun]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/16/girl-in-austin-not-really-sure-about-ps3-decides-to-wait-in-line/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/16/girl-in-austin-not-really-sure-about-ps3-decides-to-wait-in-line/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/16/girl-in-austin-not-really-sure-about-ps3-decides-to-wait-in-line/#commentsFiled under: , ,


This video just sort of makes you stare at the screen with your jaw gaping open and go, "What the?!" A girl in South Austin who knows nothing about gaming at all "heard that this was going to be good," and has decided to wait in line at a Best Buy for a PS3. The reporter asks "What do people do for a living in order to come out here and camp out?" Casey's extremely truthful reply, "I don't do anything, honestly ... I'm just doing it for the thrill. Something to get out of my usual ... you know." We have a feeling she was about to say "boring life."

The reporter accurately goes on to identify her as a girl, proving that there is still some top-notch news reporting going on out there, folks. She then goes on to say, "Us girls don't really fit into this environment with all this gaming." This is about as bad as the "math is hard!" Barbie doll, which we suspect the reporter probably owns and has propped up on her makeup mirror. Any female gamers out there care to issue some rebuttal smackdown to this reporter wannabe? Casey says all the guys in line have been really nice to her (mm hmm) by helping her set her tent up and take it down, and that friends have been bringing her blankets, gloves, and a beanie because it's cold out there. We wonder what she showed up in line with.

Anyhow, Casey, we truly hope this is everything you want it to be. If it's not, eBay can help you turned those failed dreams into some bling. We have a sneaky suspicion that's really what she's doing in line anyhow. Let's do the math: does nothing + heard it was good + not a gamer = look for this console to be listed at about 8:37AM central time on Friday.

"Those waiting in line cannot pitch tents until the store closes at 9PM ..." We can guarantee that there's some tent-pitching going on in that line. We're at less than 24 to go, and it's fanboys on high alert! Plus look, a girl!

[Thanks, Collin]

JoystiqGirl in Austin not sure about PS3, waits in line for fun originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Nov 2006 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Best BuycampingconsolegirllaunchlinePlayStation 3PS3Sonywaiting in lineThu, 16 Nov 2006 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[150 line up for PS3 in Rockville, MD]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/15/150-line-up-for-ps3-in-rockville-md/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/15/150-line-up-for-ps3-in-rockville-md/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/15/150-line-up-for-ps3-in-rockville-md/#commentsFiled under: ,


Washington's Fox 5 News has the video of approximately 150 people waiting in a line that "grows by the hour" outside the Rockville, MD Circuit City last night in advance of Friday's PS3 launch. The story also shows that the store has only 100 consoles in the storeroom, leaving us to worry about the countless people who will likely wait for two days only to go home empty handed.

The pole position in line goes to a father purchasing the system for a son to "let him know how much love I have for him." We should all have such fathers. Not all the line-goers are so selfless though -- one waiter said point blank that it was "more economical for us to stand in line and do nothing for three days, [then] turn around and sell it on eBay for two grand." The free market ... ya gotta love it.

Joystiq150 line up for PS3 in Rockville, MD originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Nov 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>circuit cityCircuitCitylineps3retailWed, 15 Nov 2006 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Want a Wii on launch day? Here's how.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/06/want-a-wii-on-launch-day-heres-how/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/06/want-a-wii-on-launch-day-heres-how/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/06/want-a-wii-on-launch-day-heres-how/#commentsFiled under: ,


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]

JoystiqWant a Wii on launch day? Here's how. originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Nov 2006 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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?????I

ntrepid, daring reporter than I am, I decided to brave the intense, soul-freezing cold that is Central Florida in October. My destination? Toys R' Us ... which I had heretofore not even known existed in my tiny town of Gainesville, Florida ... to check out the line. Reports were coming in of many TRU stores giving raffle tickets to everyone there, and having a lottery to determine the winners ... poppycock! The most devoted should get the system, and devoted there were. The first couple folks were out there at 8:45 AM on Saturday morning, bravely camping out for ... wait, a PS3?

[update 1 -- fixed a small typo]

Continue reading Toys R' Us nonsense [update 1]

JoystiqToys R' Us nonsense [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Oct 2006 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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And the answer? There are too many intelligent, dedicated people. As such, way too many gamers knew exactly what moment the local EB Games and Gamestop would be taking preorders, and our little town of Gainesville didn't seem to be of high priority for those little gremlins over at corporate.

Continue reading Why living in a college town sucks

JoystiqWhy living in a college town sucks originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Oct 2006 17:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EB GamesEbGamesElevenGamestopLaunchLinePreorderPS3TwelveUnitsFri, 13 Oct 2006 17:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Observational standpoint: PS3 preordering]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/10/observational-standpoint-ps3-preordering/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/10/observational-standpoint-ps3-preordering/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/10/observational-standpoint-ps3-preordering/#commentsFiled under:

Waiting in the cold...
All right, I admit it. I may be a Wii fanboy, but that doesn't mean I can't preorder a Playstation 3 and attempt to resell it for twice its value on eBay enjoy other consoles too. As such, I took a little trip down to my local mall (which has both a Gamestop and an EB Games) to see if I couldn't pick up a preorder for that bullet train of a console, the PS3, for pickup on November 17th. I arrived ninety minutes early, got to the front of EB Games ... ouch. Fifteen or more in line. I quickly bolted (provoking the ire of a security guard) to the Gamestop, where only eight or nine waited in line. I decided to throw my chips in with them.

The Gamestop employee arrived about thirty minutes before opening. He actually admitted the first two people in line several minutes later, and presold them PS3s. He then came out to the line and said that his store had only been allocated two measly units. While I later found out that the EB Games had twelve units allocated, it was far too late for me. And to think, I could have slept in.

Where does this leave us Wii-goers? Well, we know that Nintendo will have a hell of a lot more units at launch than the PS3, but this by no means guarantees you a unit. EB/GS preorders open this week, and if you want to ensure your spot in line, you'd best get there early. Use your best judgement, but the earlier, the better ... besides, chances are that a few people in line will be rocking the DS. Multiplayer action FTW.

May the Force be with you!

JoystiqObservational standpoint: PS3 preordering originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unlike the now-defunct E3, Tokyo Game Show has always been an event for the masses. The public could wait on enormous lines to get their hands on upcoming video games (something I'd love to have here in the States!). The general success of an upcoming product can usually be seen by the approximate wait for the product.

Enter Monster Hunter Portable 2nd, the sequel to Japan's top-selling PSP game so far. The Japanese absolutely love this game, and according to Gamespot, were willing to wait for two hours to get their hands on it. Wow. (And they say the PSP is dead in Japan. Wrong!) Although the sequel will not feature any online gameplay, it does appear that the beautiful graphics will be enough to make the game an instant bestseller in Japan.

JoystiqTGS 06: Monster Hunter 2 features long lines originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Sep 2006 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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