Anyone Buying A Wii or PS3? [Archive] - Comic Book Resources Forums

Ian Boothby

11-13-2006, 01:48 PM

I'll probably buy one, but not sure which!

Gail

PS3 has to show me why to buy it. A crisper version of a first person shooter just won't do it.

Wii I'm looking forward to but Zelda looks like it's going to be next to impossible to buy at first and I don't think it'd worth getting new system to play a cool version of Wario Ware. I might wait until Mario Universe comes out.

I think they've rushed the Next Gen thing. Is anything on either system better than Resident Evil 4 or Halo? Same for me with HD DVD. Anyone looking at a DVD of Lord of the Rings or King Kong and going, man that's blurry?

I am the market for this kind of thing. I love video games and when someone exciting comes up, I'll be there. The 360 almost has me with that new zombies in a mall game. But when I get to the video game store and look at the selection of the other games (hey wow, I can play Bejewelled 2 on the 360!) it doesn't seem worth it yet.

Jack Zodiac

11-13-2006, 02:40 PM

A Wii will be purchased first, whenever the budget allows. I'm not excited by what I've read about the new controllers, though. Sounds more like a VirtuaBoy gimmick.

It's a little awkward at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty fun. I don't really enjoy racing games all that much, but I was playing "ExciteTruck" (yes, the long-awaited sequel to "ExciteBike" for the original NES!), and it got pretty fun because of how involved controlling the truck became. I'm wondering how it'll play with other genres, like fighting games or straight up RPGS. Should be interesting.

Sony isn't getting another fuckin' nickel out of me. In the length of time I've owned my XBox, I've gone through three PS2s, and all of the news about how expensive the PS3 will be, and how much the games are going to cost, and the possibility of Sony requiring future games to be registered like software, prohibiting any kind of resale or used purchase, well... fuck that. Besides, it's gonna' have shit at launch, while the Wii's gonna' have another fuckin' Zelda game! Link > Sony.

NickG

11-13-2006, 02:40 PM

Wii, cheaper console, full library of Nintendo greats, nuff said.

Arawn

11-13-2006, 02:47 PM

And downloaadable NES, SNES, N64, Turbo Graffix 16, Sega Genisis games as well on the Wii.

Merey

11-13-2006, 03:00 PM

Cream Filled Taco

11-13-2006, 03:27 PM

I'll probably buy one, but not sure which!

Gail

We're getting a Wii. Hopefully we can find one, as it's the planned present for the kids this Christmas. I'll be out on Sunday morning, searching for a short line at one of the hundred stores carrying the Wii around us.

sk716

11-13-2006, 03:29 PM

Wii!

Nintendo has stacked the deck with a new style of game play (Wiimote, I just like saying it, Wiimote, Wiimote, Wiimote), a download library of every great Nintendo game I ever loved, and the long awaited new Zelda!

Screw Sony and the horse they rode in on.

TCJohnson

11-13-2006, 03:53 PM

We're getting a Wii. Hopefully we can find one, as it's the planned present for the kids this Christmas. I'll be out on Sunday morning, searching for a short line at one of the hundred stores carrying the Wii around us.

You should be able to find one. Nintendo says they want to make enough so that if you want one, you can have one!

NickG

11-13-2006, 04:55 PM

I'll be buying a Playstation II soon, but that's because I'm not much of a gamer, it'll be pretty inexpensive and I'm only interested in the following games: Justice League, Marvel Heroes, Karaoke and Dance, Dance Revolution.

If your getting a PS2, I would also suggest Fatal Frame if you wanna have the crap scared out of you.

Dark Galaxy

11-13-2006, 05:06 PM

You should be able to find one. Nintendo says they want to make enough so that if you want one, you can have one!

Whoops, this was me, CFT. Too lazy to log in:

If all the sites mapping out how many Wii are going to specific Targets, Best Buys, etc. are correct, there will be around 800 Wii's within 10 miles of me. As long as every single Walmart, Target, K-Mart, Circuit City, Best Buy, CompUSA, Toys R Us, and Sears don't have campers the night before, I think I can snag one during opening hours on Sunday.

Then, of course, I must "test" the Wii in the bedroom while the kids are asleep. Don't want a bum unit on Christmas morning!

Gozwald73

11-13-2006, 05:13 PM

My partner and I are quivering in anticipation of the Wii

rebelchelle

11-13-2006, 05:22 PM

I want to buy the PS3 really, really bad. I'm going to have to wait until after Christmas. I'm not much of a gamer, but I want to be!!!

sk716

11-13-2006, 05:25 PM

Whoops, this was me, CFT. Too lazy to log in:

If all the sites mapping out how many Wii are going to specific Targets, Best Buys, etc. are correct, there will be around 800 Wii's within 10 miles of me. As long as every single Walmart, Target, K-Mart, Circuit City, Best Buy, CompUSA, Toys R Us, and Sears don't have campers the night before, I think I can snag one during opening hours on Sunday.

Then, of course, I must "test" the Wii in the bedroom while the kids are asleep. Don't want a bum unit on Christmas morning!

EB Games here sold out through pre-orders. Anywhere that had pre-orders the mapping isn't going to be accurate. Walmart HO has guaranteed that every store will have at least 20 for release.

I think there are going to be campers. For the last three system releases my store had release parties to keep the campers out of trouble. The line for the Cube started around 8pm. The line for the XBox started around 7pm. The line for the 360 started around 5pm, but we all knew they were in short supply.

Since the Wii isn't in as short of supply as the last few releases have been, the line should start around 8pm.

Nintendo has stated that they have every intention of making sure there are enough Wii's to go around for Christmas, so larger shipments will be going out between the 19th and Christmas.

Bum unit test. . . riiiggghhhhttttttt.

Cream Filled Taco

11-13-2006, 05:33 PM

Wii!

Hey SK, given your Walmart experience, would you happen to know what a retail outfit considers a good amount of product available for a launch day? Is there a general known tipping point where you have more available than willing customers (assuming you're only allowing one per customer)? I realize you guys don't have a lot of control over how many units you get, but I was just wondering what good numbers are. Stores around me are getting around 40-60 Wii per store on average, with a couple getting over 100. No idea if that is considered good for actually getting one or not on launch day.

Shades0077

11-13-2006, 05:33 PM

Then, of course, I must "test" the Wii in the bedroom while the kids are asleep. Don't want a bum unit on Christmas morning!
Now this is the kind of dedication that makes you such a great dad.

TCJohnson

11-13-2006, 05:33 PM

Whoops, this was me, CFT. Too lazy to log in:

Yeah, kinda figured that out because of the proper use of personal pronounds.

Cream Filled Taco

11-13-2006, 05:37 PM

Nintendo has stated that they have every intention of making sure there are enough Wii's to go around for Christmas, so larger shipments will be going out between the 19th and Christmas.

Yeah, I heard there'd be weekly shipments, but I'd love to get the main gift out of the way without worrying about it closer to Christmas. I heard Sears is the backdoor way to get one easy, as nobody goes to Sears for video games, but nobody knows for sure if they're selling Wii.

Bum unit test. . . riiiggghhhhttttttt.

I'm thinking of the children!

Cream Filled Taco

11-13-2006, 05:41 PM

Now this is the kind of dedication that makes you such a great dad.

I've gotta test all the controllers! And the games! Must do a few levels on each...just to make sure everything works. Did the same thing with the Gamecube two years ago.

sk716

11-13-2006, 05:41 PM

Hey SK, given your Walmart experience, would you happen to know what a retail outfit considers a good amount of product available for a launch day? Is there a general known tipping point where you have more available than willing customers (assuming you're only allowing one per customer)? I realize you guys don't have a lot of control over how many units you get, but I was just wondering what good numbers are. Stores around me are getting around 40-60 Wii per store on average, with a couple getting over 100. No idea if that is considered good for actually getting one or not on launch day.

Like I said, HO is guaranteeing a minimum of 20 per store. We'll probably get 40-50 at our store and another 40-60 at the store across town. I don't know the exact numbers yet but those estimates are based on the numbers we got for the Cube on launch day. And were pretty much the standard for mid-sized Supercenters that year. The larger Supercenters in the bigger markets had from 60-100. So the numbers you're seeing are pretty close to accurate, depending on your market size.

EDIT: When the Cube launched, we sold the last one we had by 8:30am. It was early, I had been at the store til 12:30am and back at 7am. I was tired and shocked that there was still one in the case at 7am. Just fair warning.

Shades0077

11-13-2006, 05:44 PM

I'll get a PS3 in a year or two, letting some great games come out and hopefully the price to decrease.

I'd love to get a Wii this year, but it's doubtful. At present, I've got both a PS2 and a PSP. I've got a pretty decent backlog of PS2 games to play, with a good bit more to buy and play through as well. Same deal with my PSP.

So there's no point in buying a new system right now, when I can use that roughly $300 to pick up Guitar Heros 1 and 2, VIce CIty Stories, FF XII, Sega Genesis Collection, and in a couple months, God of War 2.

Cream Filled Taco

11-13-2006, 05:49 PM

Yeah, kinda figured that out because of the proper use of personal pronounds.

Cheeky monkey! Pronounds indeed!

Cream Filled Taco

11-13-2006, 06:00 PM

When the Cube launched, we sold the last one we had by 8:30am. It was early, I had been at the store til 12:30am and back at 7am. I was tired and shocked that there was still one in the case at 7am. Just fair warning.

Yeah, I fit into the "willing to run around to a bunch of stores at 7am on launch day, but no way in hell am I camping out" Wii shoppers. If there were only two stores to choose from, I'd probably camp out though. But I've got enough stores nearby where I could spend an hour just driving by each one to see how big the lines are outside. If I see lines a mile long at the two closest Targets and Toys R Us, I'm making a beeline to Sears. Not even bothering with Best Buy.

OzBat!

11-14-2006, 05:04 AM

I'd love to get a Wii, but it's gonna haveta wait a little while. There's still a couple of gamecube games I can pick up for christmas in the meantime.

The only downside to the Wii that I can see is that it won't have a hard drive; those downloads etc will have to go on a memory card. I can live with that!

WhiteRose

11-14-2006, 05:06 AM

Eeeee Wii! Cheap and sassy! $395! Most possibly!

If I'm not broke! Which is highly likely by that point!

Steel Spider

11-14-2006, 05:10 AM

I don't know. This new generation of consles seems pointless to me. The 360 and PS3 aren't offering anything that can't be found on the Xbox and PS2.

Nintendo Wii is the only console that is doing something different, gameplay wise.

That said, I will pick up a 360 at some point. Ninja Gaiden 2 and Halo 3 are the two games that have persuaded me to pick up the 360.

Fish Sauce

11-14-2006, 05:24 AM

I will be getting a Wii come December. I'll pre-order one but I won't be able to get it on launch day cause I'm getting it in Australia. Hopefully I'll be able to get Zelda, and also hopefully Smash Bros. Brawl comes out before mid January because then I can get that too.

Sharpandpointies

11-14-2006, 05:52 AM

I'm thinking I'm getting a PS2. I might switch off to the PS3 later, when I've exhausted the PS2 games I'd like to play. But that won't be for a loooong time, and I'll get some trade-in value for the PS 2 from EB games.

The 360 has been such a freaking disappointment.

Zeb Oswalt

11-14-2006, 06:02 AM

Neighter. Wii looks ok, but no games I want to play and 600 something for the PS3. Waaaaaaaaay to much money. I'm gonna get the 360.

Monkey Boy

11-14-2006, 06:16 AM

i have my wii reserved at eb games so i'll go pick mine up sunday morning when the store opens along with the new zelda game. i also just picked up the 360 and a copy of Gears of War which i love. so it looks like a great christmas for me but not so much for my family and friends since i'm going to be broke.

Lester C.

11-14-2006, 06:34 AM

Sharpandpointies

11-14-2006, 07:07 AM

At least you weren't the one who paid for it.

I'm certainly not going to say that to my wife. She moved heaven and earth trying to get me one, and I'll always appreciate that!

However, my wife and I have a shared bank account. So....

And I'd like to add: damn, Lester, you have a good memory!

Weetomuncher

11-14-2006, 10:31 AM

I'm pretty happy with my PC.

I was going to buy a 360 just after Christmas last year when I got a late Christmas present of cash but I had to settle for a PSP because not one single store in Glasgow had a 360 at the time.

I was considering buying a 360 but the price of the console hasn't came down at all since launch (something I was hoping for with the launch of Wii next month and next April's PS3 launch here in Europe) and the games are an unreasonable £50 each against £30 on PC.

Wii is going to be cheaper but I don't think it is technically going to be a great machine and many of the main titles aren't going to appear for it so it's a no from me.

PS3 isn't going to be around for months yet and is likely to appear in horribly short numbers and is appearently going to be pretty pricey.

I'm going to wait until April and see if the XBox 360 drops down to about £199 for the premium pack and I'll maybe buy one then just so I can buy the titles that don't appear on PC like THQ's WWE games and Halo.

I was a staunch supporter of the original XBox and bought one the first Christmas after it launched but it had already dropped down to £159 from £299 which it cost in March 2002 at launch in the UK. The 360 is still £279 for the premium pack which is what it cost last year at launch.

The Xenos

11-15-2006, 01:51 AM

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

Without a doubt, I'm buying a Wii. Well, I know I am, as I stood in line for a few hours on a cold October morn to just get a reservation. I should say I always knew I was getting that.

Actually, some friends in Boston lucked out and were inside as you can see in the first photo here (http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/13/we-wait-for-wii-boston-edition/).

$600 for the HD Blu Ray player of the PS3? WRONG! (http://lexluthor.ytmnd.com/)

Not only do I like Nintendo's philosophy best, to just delive a game console and not a multimedia center, but I've been dying for a video game interface like the Wii for ages. To swing my sword all I do is swing the contoler like a sword? To shoot an arrow, I draw it back like a bow and release? I am sold.

No high definition graphics or any X-Box live web browsing can compete with that. Then add a reasonable price point for the games and the system. I can't refuse.

The PSP is overpriced crap compared to the DS and I think I gotta say the same of the PS3 vs the Wii. Maybe if I had a giant dumptruck or series of tubes filled with money, I'd try buying the PS3, but I think Sony expects way way too much out of the consumer in investing in the PS3. Buying the Wii (or DS) feels like I'm buying an enjoyalbe game system. Buying a PS3 feels intimidating and much too serious, like a chore. Perhaps if you're a techno-greek/fetishist you may enjoy it. It's like buying a home computer or a pricey multimedia center for the house. Oh wait. That's what a PS3 is, a pricey home entertainment center that's also a half assed personal computer.

Give me a damn good and simple and just plain fun gaming system any day. Give me a Nintendo system.

Just today I was going through an old storage room full of boxes. I saw both my NES and Genesis boxes. Wow. What an amazing system. You stuck in your games and you played them. No hassle online. No buying virtual crap with real money. No cell processor that allowed you to see photo real sweat drops on a boxer's face. We had pixels and simple games and we enjoued the hell out of them. Even going back before my time to pitfall or PacMan or even pong, those were simple and fun. I honestly think Microsoft and Sony are losing it by playing to a niche market of techno-geeks and hardware fetishists with too much money. They forgot that games are supposed to be fun, an ejoyable experience. If the game isn't fun, it doesn't matter how many bells and whistles you dress it up with.

WhiteRose

11-15-2006, 05:31 AM

Sing it brother! I had a PSOne, and THAT was a good enough system for me. Because there was no online pizzle, and it had FF7 and 8. Load times killed me, but what can you do.

Nintendo has never steered me wrong. At any given time over the last 10 years, I've had the newest update of the Gameboy. The Cube was a ton of fun, though I didn't have one I played it a crapload at mates' houses. The NES I had a very long time ago was the best investment my 12 year-old self made. A Wii for me.

(SWORDS! Squee!)

Lester C.

11-15-2006, 06:46 AM

Eeeee Wii! Cheap and sassy! $395! Most possibly!

If I'm not broke! Which is highly likely by that point!
That's what you get for having free medical care and higher education.

heystacy

11-15-2006, 10:50 AM

I am looking forward to buying the Wii, but not right now. Maybe after Christmas.

Agent Helix

11-15-2006, 10:59 AM

I would love to get a Wii before the end of the year, but it doesn't seem feasible right now.

malephoenix

11-15-2006, 11:15 AM

And downloaadable NES, SNES, N64, Turbo Graffix 16, Sega Genisis games as well on the Wii.

I didn't even think about it till I read this post, but that's more than enough of a clencher for me.

Which games are going to be available? Is it only Nintendo- and Sega-published games?

Night Swordsman

11-15-2006, 11:43 AM

Um..Gail...with Gen13,BoP,Secret Six,Tranquility,Black Alice Special and Unknown Squealing Piggies in the blanket future things still under wraps(Pigs in a blanket...under wraps...Laugh wif me,son,com'on i said Laugh!),i do think that this year...

You should buy BOTH. And giggle like crazy.

The Xenos

11-15-2006, 03:25 PM

Load times killed me, but what can you do.

What I would do is not buy a Sony or even Microsoft system. Heh. Seirously though, that's a good point. When did it become acceptable for a game to pause for a minute or many minutes just to load the next area? You don't wait to turn the pages of a book or wait for a new scene of a movie to start up. I just don't get this accepted aspect of video games. I'd rather have a fluid gameplay experience than wait every stage just so I can get shinier graphics.

To me, long load times just shows that the system or the game's programming for the system is flawed. I think the PSP is the prime example. Long load time on a portable system? Bullcrap. My roomate had a PSP for a short time. He bought the 2d fighter Darkstalkers and THAT had loadtimes. I heard some WWE game had like a 5 minute wait just to get to the main menu or basic chracter select. That's inexuseable for a portable system. It's crap like that which makes me not trust even considering to buy a PS3.

sk716

11-15-2006, 03:45 PM

I have announcement!

I have touched a Wii!

Sounds dirty doesn't it?

Some of the Wii's arrived on the UPS truck today. We couldn't resist so we cracked open a case and then decided since we had gone that far, we would go ahead and open up one to get a good look.

It's a little bigger than a PC CD-ROM drive, but not by much and I was kind of surprised at the weight it's a little heavier than I expected to be so small.
It is a very sleek little machine. The Nunchuk was very comfortable to hold, but I think the cable on the analog stick may be a little short to use both comfortably if the Wiimote is going to be in motion, only a little play time will tell though. Is it Sunday yet?

Still no sign of the PS3's. But HO sent down a notice that lines for the PS3 must form outside the store. Wallyworld isn't allowing any indoor campers.

Lester C.

11-15-2006, 03:50 PM

I just learned today that Wii is pronounced we.

OzBat!

11-15-2006, 10:40 PM

That's what you get for having free medical care and higher education.Free higher education? Are you sure you're not confusing us with some other Australia? We haven't had free higher education in decades.

Lester C.

11-16-2006, 12:35 AM

Free higher education? Are you sure you're not confusing us with some other Australia? We haven't had free higher education in decades.
Let me get this stright. You poor bastards are taxed through the roof on everthing and you don't get free medical care.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m128/boingophile/pwned3.jpg

WhiteRose

11-16-2006, 05:06 AM

I have announcement!

I have touched a Wii!

Sounds dirty doesn't it?

Today I watched people touching Wiis (Wii's? Wiice?), as the local shopping center had 3 stations set up with demos of Wii Sports and Twilight Princess (which, I may add, looks insanely frikken cool). Alas, I did not get to have a go as the lines were too long and SJ was pulling me away in a not-so-subtle way. *sigh*

They're so TINY.

The New Fate

11-16-2006, 05:12 AM

Wii it's going to be great to download all the old stuff.
As far as graphics go well I can wait for the next gen.

lonesomefool

11-16-2006, 06:30 AM

I'm still unsure on the Wii, I love the price, but I'm still not sold on the inital wave of games.

The PS3 is way too much hassle to get, not to mention I can in no possible way afford it. I'm a broke college student with tutition for next semester coming due.

I usually am willing to wait until the prices go down, but if I do get a next gen system it will likely be an X-Box 360.

malephoenix

11-16-2006, 07:45 AM

Today I watched people touching Wiis (Wii's? Wiice?), as the local shopping center had 3 stations set up with demos of Wii Sports and Twilight Princess (which, I may add, looks insanely frikken cool). Alas, I did not get to have a go as the lines were too long and SJ was pulling me away in a not-so-subtle way. *sigh*

They're so TINY.

You just officially changed my plural for the system from "Wiis" to "Wiice."

Sanagi

11-16-2006, 01:06 PM

You just officially changed my plural for the system from "Wiis" to "Wiice."
"Wiii."

.

sk716

11-16-2006, 04:03 PM

The PS3's finally arrived this morning. And after having touched a Wii, I couldn't even bring myself to do more than open a case and note that the font used on the boxes is the font used in the Spider-Man movies.
There was a line of people out in Garden Shop all day. They've been there since late yesterday afternoon. . . poor dumb bastards.

Lester C.

11-16-2006, 04:14 PM

amirab

11-16-2006, 04:19 PM

I will buy a Wii later....much later. When I have money.

Sharpandpointies

11-16-2006, 04:33 PM

I saw a CNN report on everything the PS3 does and I was blown away by the hardware you are getting for that price. Once the good games come out and I beat all my ps2 games I'm going to pick one up.

As an advice of caution to all of you purchase an extended two or three year warranty on whatever system you buy. The initial shipment of any system is buggy as hell and will carp out on you, because they won't work out all the bugs until they test them on the mass consumer public.

Just like the 360...except the PS3 looks like it has better games.

Better yet, wait six months. Unless you have a driving NEED to have the PS3 NOW, you'll avoid a lot of the bugs by waiting for the 'upgraded' version. Having run into troubles with the 360, that's the best advice I can give.

muimi

11-16-2006, 06:18 PM

PS3... eventually. Not now, certainly. Wii, uh, maybe if they come out with some decent games.

I had an ex that stood in line for hours, missing work and school for both the DreamCast and later, the PlayStation 2 launch. Luckily, I'm no longer in contact with him (he was a jerk) but if I was, I'd go out just to laugh at him standing in line.

Monkey Boy

11-17-2006, 04:49 AM

i'm still not sold on the PS3. what games are you really getting that are so great? Metal Gear 4 and Devil May Cry 4. that doesn't make a system and hardware is far from what makes a good system.

Lester C.

11-17-2006, 06:18 AM

Here is an intelligent review of the PS3.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/15/commentary/ps3_review/index.htm

Monkey Boy

11-17-2006, 06:32 AM

Here is an intelligent review of the PS3.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/15/commentary/ps3_review/index.htm

that was a good review and i could definately see myself paying $400 for the PS3. i do feel it would be worth that especially when all the bugs get worked out of it.

Sharpandpointies

11-17-2006, 07:03 AM

When the prices drop, I plan to purchase one myself. Probably in a year or two.

The Xenos

11-17-2006, 09:16 PM

I just don't trust Sony. I bought my PS2 years after its launch and it still had problems. A couple of friends had to buy new ones and I have heard that a number of sales of PS2s were people who had to buy new ones.

Also, it's funny the news I'm hearing about PS3.

A friend said he read, likley on Kotaku or Joystiq, that hear heard in Japan the sales were "Something like 60,000 systems, and only 45,000 games". So are people? He also said said there were about twice as many Nintedo Wii systems slated to sell in Japan than there are PS3s in the US. Though he wasn't sure on that one. I belive the number of PS3s in the US was only 150,000 instead of the promised 400,000.

Of course, there's also that a good deal of these PS3s bought are just going right to ebay.

The shortage of supply Sony has put on this system is devious. You just don't see this problem with the Wii. Of course the Wii doesn't have two cutting edge technologies that seem to have had major production problems, the Cell Processor and Blu-Ray. My friend also relayed a report that, at least at first, the manufacurer had a 70% failure rate of the ones made.

On one message board or news reply board, some Sony fanboy asked Nintendo fans to explain how there's not going to be the same mad rush for the Wii. Oh and the guy said no one could use the reason that there were many more Wiis produced and availible to launch. Gee, asking a question about demand for a product and insisting to ignore the supply. Nice to see this guy failed Economics 101.

A friend of a friend, who I kinda know too, was over at the Copley Mall in Boston. We got a first hand report from him. Plus we read some reports online. It seems the Sony Style store in the mall didn't care about who got the few they had as long as they sold out. People had waited outside and in the mall for days. A list of people in line was made. And then the list was forgotten. So then the store had a lottery. Luckily, for this guy I know at least, he got one. Boston police then escorted him out of the store, had a cab waiting, and sent him home. I didn't see him or that, but I saw on CNN the crowds and police outside the Copley mall. Of course, the funny thing is I was in the Prudential mall across the street the day before.

Here are some more stories about Sony's terrible launch. Though certainly in some the stores like WalMart or the customers also take major blame for the fiasco.

In Boston
Hundreds storm Copley Place Mall to buy PlayStation3 (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/11/17/hundreds_storm_copley_place_mall_to_buy_playstatio n3/?p1=MEWell_Pos5)

Police called to quell crowd waiting for PlayStation (http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2006/11/police_called_t_1.html)
(and I love the photo there)

video here
Flashpoint: Sony Style in Boston -- Things go wrong (http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/17/flashpoint-sony-style-in-boston-things-go-wrong/)

Around the US:
The Violence Inherit in the System Launch (http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/ps3-launch/the-violence-inherit-in-the-system-launch-215740.php)
Violence escalates during PS3 launch (http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/17/violence-escalates-during-ps3-launch/)
A man goes to the hospital after slamming into a metal flagpole during a stampede at a West Bend Wal-mart. (http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com/video/10339676/index.html)

Then there's the mix up with Anti-Walmart advocate John Edwards who had an aide drop his name to get a PS3 at Walmart (http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/17/anti-wal-mart-senator-tries-to-get-ps3-from-wal-mart/).

Then there's the site that raised money to buy a PS3... and then smash it in front of a crowd of people waiting to buy one.
PS3 gets smashed on launch day (http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/17/ps3-gets-smashed-on-launch-day/)
Clips: PS3 Smashed in Front of Best Buy Line (http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/clips/clips-ps3-smashed-in-front-of-best-buy-line-215718.php)

Fish Sauce

11-17-2006, 11:28 PM

On one message board or news reply board, some Sony fanboy asked Nintendo fans to explain how there's not going to be the same mad rush for the Wii. Oh and the guy said no one could use the reason that there were many more Wiis produced and availible to launch. Gee, asking a question about demand for a product and insisting to ignore the supply. Nice to see this guy failed Economics 101.

Hahaha, what the hell. I love people like that, they're hilarious.

kingdom2000

11-18-2006, 03:26 AM

Hahaha, what the hell. I love people like that, they're hilarious.

You forget that the mad rush was to a great degree manufactured by the high prices a ps3 was getting on eBay. At the time, the systems where going for 1200 - 1500 (aobut 2x-2.5x msrp). Hearing that, a lot of people waiting in line just to flip them. That combined with reports of an extreme shortage, lots of people thought cha-ching (me included).

On the other hand, in this same period Wii's where going from 500 - 700 (2x to 2.5x again, hmmm). Notice that if you double to price of a PS3 you get over a grand, which tends to grab people's attention, double the price of a Wii, and its just not as impressive. Check out ebay and will see literally thousands of PS3 ups for sale.

Now I am not just pulling this out of my butt as I am one of those. I waited in line for about 8 hours, got hold of a core PS3 (interesting story about that too). Based on the people I chatted with, it was nearly 2/3 that planned on selling their purchase (including me) on ebay.

Fish Sauce

11-18-2006, 04:20 AM

True, but from what I gathered the guy was trying to say that the Playstation 3 was better than the Wii simply because people were lining up for it.

Sure, doubling the price of a Wii isn't as impressive. But the reason for the insane prices (and the people lining up) isn't a question of which console is better, it's simply supply and demand.

Astonishing X-Fan

11-18-2006, 09:45 AM

"The 360 has been such a freaking disappointment."

Yeah, I know, there's like, no good games at all. Well, except for Kameo, Condemned, CoD2, CoD3, DOA4, Gears of War, Oblivion, Smackdown 2007, F.E.A.R., Saints Row, Dead Rising, Fight Night...oh, and the arcade games...and oh, the best versions of most of the multiconsole games...

Bleh. To me, the 360 is clearly the most well-rounded of the three systems. It has a good selection and variety of games, with lots more coming(including a ton of RPGs next year). It has graphics that are almost as good as the PS3, and much better than the Wii's. It's cheaper than the PS3, and while it's more expensive than the Wii, the graphical jump from the two is much bigger than the jump from 360 to PS3, so it's more worth it. The online interface is awesome. The controller is very comfortable.

It's just a really solid package in all. I look at the launches for both of the other systems and see maybe 1-2 games on each I'm interested in that aren't already available on the 360. In the future, there will be more games on both I want, and I'll probably end up getting both.

But for now, the 360 delivers the most.

Gail Simone

11-18-2006, 10:15 AM

kingdom2000

11-18-2006, 02:12 PM

I was getting a bit disillusioned with the 360...it seemed to be all sports, combat and racing games.

Lately, a new good or great game comes out constantly and for the first time in ages I honestly have doubt about buying another system because I'm really happy with what I have.

Gail

Thats why I am getting a Wii for myself. At least Nintendo dabbles in multple genres and often makes just generally fun games. XBox and PS are basically mirror images of each other making the same type of games over and over. If you like those three genres thats great, but if you like a little variety, then there is not point in getting either system.

sk716

11-18-2006, 03:15 PM

I went in to work for a couple of hours this morning and when I got there a Garden Shop Associate informed me that there had been a line for the Wii's since late yesterday evening. We had 29 Wii's available the last time I counted them.

Monkey Boy and Ringslinger preordered theirs through EB Games. The local EB is reopening at midnight for the launch.

Lester C.

11-18-2006, 03:24 PM

Cream Filled Taco

11-18-2006, 03:39 PM

I went in to work for a couple of hours this morning and when I got there a Garden Shop Associate informed me that there had been a line for the Wii's since late yesterday evening.

I don't want to hear that! I'm going to my nearest Target at 6:30am to see if I can snag one of the 60 Wii tickets they'll be passing out at 7am. If I see more than 60 people, I'm heading to the next Target with 51 tickets. If that fails, I think I'll hit Sears. Our ToysRUs is supposed to have 84 of them, but I bet there will be a huge line there already.

Lester C.

11-18-2006, 03:42 PM

I don't want to hear that! I'm going to my nearest Target at 6:30am to see if I can snag one of the 60 Wii tickets they'll be passing out at 7am. If I see more than 60 people, I'm heading to the next Target with 51 tickets. If that fails, I think I'll hit Sears. Our ToysRUs is supposed to have 84 of them, but I bet there will be a huge line there already.
Best of luck to you. I really want you to snag one so that your kids will have a good Christmas present that the whole family can enjoy.

Cream Filled Taco

11-18-2006, 03:53 PM

Best of luck to you. I really want you to snag one so that your kids will have a good Christmas present that the whole family can enjoy.

I'm just hoping not to get shot/mugged, and not get on the news. Kind of screws up the whole Christmas surprise if they see me on tv.

Shades0077

11-18-2006, 04:33 PM

I'm just hoping not to get shot/mugged, and not get on the news. Kind of screws up the whole Christmas surprise if they see me on tv.
News anchor: And in local news, a man was shot today while waiting in line for a Nintendo Wii.

CFT's kids: We're getting a Wii for Christmas, hooray!

The Xenos

11-18-2006, 05:10 PM

Some people want a Playstation 3 so badly that they are willing to shoot another person to get it. That makes no sense to me. Those scumbags are basicly deciding that a human life is only wroth a couple of grand of Ebay.

Actually, the shooting (the one with the real gun) was a robbery attempt. Some punk kids knew there was a bunch of people standing in line with about $600 each in their pocket and figured they'd be easy pickings.

Well, I just went to the bank and got my money for the Wii. I'm going to a local Gamestop instead of the one in Boston my friends are going to. My dad's gonna be driving me there and back. Not that I expect any armed robbers to be waiting outside. Plus the store is only opening at midnight for those who preordered.

bfrank

11-18-2006, 05:14 PM

I went to the back of my local best buy, last thursday at about 11:50, talked to my homeboy, went inside, grabbed season one JLU, The Game's cd, Marvel Ultimate Alliance - PSP, for my nephew, and 4 PS3's...

I sold 2, and will give one of the others to my brother for Christmas....I haven't decided if I want to keep the other or wait for the next round of releases to get mine (hell, I just got a PS2 a little while ago, and I just hooked up the 360, that's been in the closet for the last 6 months, yesterday)....

Tonight, I'll swing to the back of my local best buy, 'round 11:50 and grab a couple of wii's, and then it's off to the club....

bfrank

11-18-2006, 05:14 PM

double post!

Cream Filled Taco

11-18-2006, 05:31 PM

News anchor: And in local news, a man was shot today while waiting in line for a Nintendo Wii.

CFT's kids: We're getting a Wii for Christmas, hooray!

Quinn would totally be like, "I'm really sorry you got hurt Dad. [5 second pause] Can I play with the Wii?" He's decided he's going to be a video game tester when he grows up.

Cream Filled Taco

11-18-2006, 05:39 PM

I went in to work for a couple of hours this morning and when I got there a Garden Shop Associate informed me that there had been a line for the Wii's since late yesterday evening.

I'm on kid duty tonight, but I went around and checked the lines at Target and ToysRUs around 4pm. No lines forming at all yet. Is Walmart the main store selling Wiis in your area?

Lester C.

11-18-2006, 06:48 PM

Is the Wii going o have RPGS? To be honest that dearth of RPGs has kept me away from N64, Gamecube, etc which is a shame because many of the best rpgs ever were on the original Nintendo along with many more on the Super Nintendo.

Cream Filled Taco

11-18-2006, 07:14 PM

Fish Sauce

11-18-2006, 07:19 PM

I had a feeling that Nintendo had something going on with Square. Even if it is someone who used to work there.

Lester C.

11-18-2006, 07:41 PM

Here's a list from a month ago: http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q3-2006/091406a.html
Most of those are kids games, which is a good thing because if it weren't for Nintendo the youth market would have evaporated years ago as I am hard pressed ot think of games I would buy for my small child if I had one. Still while I find the fact that Nintendo specialize in games for the whole family commendable, I want games made for people in their late twenties which is the supposedly average age of the video gamer.

Night Swordsman

11-18-2006, 07:47 PM

Thank god i prefer computer games. Ick to all things NinPlayBox.

And this little piggie went Wii Wii Wii all the way home. :p

Lester C.

11-18-2006, 08:05 PM

Thank god i prefer computer games. Ick to all things NinPlayBox.

And this little piggie went Wii Wii Wii all the way home. :p
A lot of cool games were on the computer first before making the rounds to consoles. The only problem with computer games is that you need to make constant upgrades to your computer and they can be buggy as hell. With console games everyone is using the same system which makes for much smoother gameplay.

Cream Filled Taco

11-18-2006, 08:09 PM

Most of those are kids games, which is a good thing because if it weren't for Nintendo the youth market would have evaporated years ago as I am hard pressed ot think of games I would buy for my small child in I had one.

I know what you mean. We've had the XBox for 5 years, and only a handful of games for it because most of the titles are meant for adults. Gamecube had its share of bloody titles, but it was balanced with a good selection of all ages titles. The problem is cost of games, I believe. Games are expensive now, and way out of the "save your allowance" range for kids to buy. So all you have left is adult gamers, with plenty of cash. Parents, buying games for their kids, are the minority. We aren't buying on a whim. It's usually for birthdays and such. Developers follow the money, especially when it costs a fortune to develop a game these days. They will almost always follow the proven route of game genres, because they can't afford a flop. I think the Wii may inspire some of these companies to try something new. At least that's my hope.

Still while I find the fact that Nintendo specialize in games for the whole family, I want games made for people in their late twenties which is the supposedly average age of the video gamer.

I read a few days ago that the average gamer is now 33 years old.

Cream Filled Taco

11-18-2006, 08:27 PM

Thank god i prefer computer games. Ick to all things NinPlayBox.

Computer games are great, if you're playing by yourself. They tend to fall flat if you're trying to play in a group. Sure, there's networking, but that's not even close to the same experience my family is going to have swinging Wimotes in the sports game, or twisting and turning themselves to get that monkey to the end goal in Super Monkey Ball, or swiping/slashing the Wimote and nunchuck for grand swordplay and adventuring in Zelda. Heck, my five year old plays most games standing up. You can't do that on a PC. PC games are played in our house, but it tends to be a single person playing them at any given time.

Night Swordsman

11-18-2006, 08:36 PM

Computer games are great, if you're playing by yourself. They tend to fall flat if you're trying to play in a group. Sure, there's networking, but that's not even close to the same experience my family is going to have swinging Wimotes in the sports game, or twisting and turning themselves to get that monkey to the end goal in Super Monkey Ball, or swiping/slashing the Wimote and nunchuck for grand swordplay and adventuring in Zelda. Heck, my five year old plays most games standing up. You can't do that on a PC. PC games are played in our house, but it tends to be a single person playing them at any given time.

I agree with your statements,but all this console frenzy/greed just makes me sick. Pretty much tired of hearing about wii and ps3 or xbox360. And Lester? Plenty of good PC games,and my computer is 6 years old,budget computer and yet still i get to play great games. Playing Ultimate Alliance with no computer problems,and WoW runs great on my system,with almost 99% no lag(Unlike CoH. Sigh.).

heystacy

11-18-2006, 08:38 PM

Has anybody heard how compatibale the Wii will be with games from Nintendo's other consoles?

Fish Sauce

11-18-2006, 08:40 PM

Has anybody heard how compatibale the Wii will be with games from Nintendo's other consoles?

I believe that Gamecube games will be able to run straight off, and the controllers and memory cards can be used. For N64 and previous systems, I think there's going to be some sort of download system where the games are $10 or less, depending on the game. Unfortunately not all games will be available, such as Goldeneye, due to licensing. Hopefully it gets sorted out though.

Cream Filled Taco

11-18-2006, 08:41 PM

Has anybody heard how compatibale the Wii will be with games from Nintendo's other consoles?

The Wii will play all the Gamecube games, and Nintendo is releasing downloadable versions of games from all the older Nintendo systems (NES, SNES, N64) on a monthly basis for a small fee per game.

Lester C.

11-18-2006, 08:43 PM

I know what you mean. We've had the XBox for 5 years, and only a handful of games for it because most of the titles are meant for adults. Gamecube had its share of bloody titles, but it was balanced with a good selection of all ages titles. The problem is cost of games, I believe. Games are expensive now, and way out of the "save your allowance" range for kids to buy. So all you have left is adult gamers, with plenty of cash. Parents, buying games for their kids, are the minority. We aren't buying on a whim. It's usually for birthdays and such. Developers follow the money, especially when it costs a fortune to develop a game these days. They will almost always follow the proven route of game genres, because they can't afford a flop. I think the Wii may inspire some of these companies to try something new. At least that's my hope.

I read a few days ago that the average gamer is now 33 years old.
I think its always been that way. When I was a kid a Nintendo four bit cartrige game would run my dad seventy five to a hundred dollars. Back then though they only made a few games a year that I bought so it wasn't so bad.

heystacy

11-18-2006, 08:44 PM

I believe that Gamecube games will be able to run straight off, and the controllers and memory cards can be used. For N64 and previous systems, I think there's going to be some sort of download system where the games are $10 or less, depending on the game. Unfortunately not all games will be available, such as Goldeneye, due to licensing. Hopefully it gets sorted out though.

That's not bad. I want to get Mario Kart for the N64, and I can use all my GC games. Awesome. Built in library!

Cream Filled Taco

11-18-2006, 08:53 PM

I think its always been that way. When I was a kid a Nintendo four bit cartrige game would run my dad seventy five to a hundred dollars. Back then though they only made a few games a year that I bought so it wasn't so bad.

I seem to remember the NES console only being around $100, but I could be wrong. I don't think Nintendo had a 4-bit system. NES is 8-bit. I don't remember the games being anywhere near $75. Anyone got a link/knowledge on the going rate back in the 80s?

Edit: Yup, I was wrong. When I got an NES, it was $200. Still looking on the games.

Edit #2: I can't seem to find examples of the game prices back then, but they're probably more than I remember them being, given I was wrong on the system price. I was thinking they were around $30.

Shades0077

11-18-2006, 10:27 PM

I read a few days ago that the average gamer is now 33 years old.
Woo! I'm below average!

Shades0077

11-18-2006, 10:30 PM

I seem to remember the NES console only being around $100, but I could be wrong. I don't think Nintendo had a 4-bit system. NES is 8-bit. I don't remember the games being anywhere near $75. Anyone got a link/knowledge on the going rate back in the 80s?

Edit: Yup, I was wrong. When I got an NES, it was $200. Still looking on the games.

Edit #2: I can't seem to find examples of the game prices back then, but they're probably more than I remember them being, given I was wrong on the system price. I was thinking they were around $30.
I'm fairly certain they were in the $30-40 range. Most games I got at that point in my life were Christmas/birthday presents, so I'm not entirely certain.

Cream Filled Taco

11-18-2006, 10:38 PM

Woo! I'm below average!

I'm not touching that.

Cream Filled Taco

11-18-2006, 11:02 PM

I'm fairly certain they were in the $30-40 range. Most games I got at that point in my life were Christmas/birthday presents, so I'm not entirely certain.

Found some examples in the newsgroups of people asking the same question. One guy still had receipts for these:
03/87 Mach Rider $29.99
04/87 Donkey Kong 3 $19.99
10/87 Spy Hunger $31.99
11/87 Top Gun $37.99
12/87 Kid Icarus $27.99
03/88 RC Pro-Am $39.99
07/88 Ice Hockey $34.99
08/88 Gauntlet $49.99

A few other people were saying that the prices started going up around 1988, with a couple games really jacking up the price into the $75 range. So maybe we're all correct.

Lester C.

11-19-2006, 06:15 AM

Found some examples in the newsgroups of people asking the same question. One guy still had receipts for these:
03/87 Mach Rider $29.99
04/87 Donkey Kong 3 $19.99
10/87 Spy Hunger $31.99
11/87 Top Gun $37.99
12/87 Kid Icarus $27.99
03/88 RC Pro-Am $39.99
07/88 Ice Hockey $34.99
08/88 Gauntlet $49.99

A few other people were saying that the prices started going up around 1988, with a couple games really jacking up the price into the $75 range. So maybe we're all correct.
I remember paying that much for square games in the Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior series, or at least I think I did, as it was my dad that did the paying.:)

Night Swordsman

11-19-2006, 11:20 AM

Lester C.

11-19-2006, 11:28 AM

They were that price,thou alot of title could easily be bought at the 19.99-24.99 amount. I keep everything,if possible. I still play games likes the Punisher and Silver Surfer on my old NES(Still looking for the original Godzilla game for that system. GREAT game).
All I collected were rpgs, and back then they would only release two or three a year. Then Final Fantasy seven came along and changed everthing.

Cream Filled Taco

11-19-2006, 12:14 PM

All I collected were rpgs, and back then they would only release two or three a year. Then Final Fantasy seven came along and changed everthing.

Yeah, I wasn't really an rpg player, unless you count Zelda, which is more adventure. I think I only had a handful of games in the window I played Nintendo (about 2 years). I think I had Super Mario/Duck Hunt, Contra, Legend of Zelda, Legend of Zelda 2, Castlevania, Off Road Grand Prix, Tennis, and possibly one or two others. Then I didn't play console games again until we got a Playstation ten years later.

Night Swordsman

11-19-2006, 12:27 PM

All I collected were rpgs, and back then they would only release two or three a year. Then Final Fantasy seven came along and changed everthing.

The original Godzilla game for the NES was a STRANGE hybrid of a strategy game/fighting game with a really kewl casino slot system for damage. Based on audio/visual clues,you hit the buttons to stop the slot and based on how well you did(ie three of a kind,ect) you had your damage. Took a few mins,but it became incredibly addicting. And i could kick King Gidorah's BUTT!. Go ME! :rolleyes:

I also played FF1 and 2,as well as the Dragon Keeper series. I even have the FF1 strat guide Nintendo made years ago.

Strat guides are you friends. Knowledge is power. Muahahha.

Lester C.

11-19-2006, 12:56 PM

The original Godzilla game for the NES was a STRANGE hybrid of a strategy game/fighting game with a really kewl casino slot system for damage. Based on audio/visual clues,you hit the buttons to stop the slot and based on how well you did(ie three of a kind,ect) you had your damage. Took a few mins,but it became incredibly addicting. And i could kick King Gidorah's BUTT!. Go ME! :rolleyes:

I also played FF1 and 2,as well as the Dragon Keeper series. I even have the FF1 strat guide Nintendo made years ago.

Strat guides are you friends. Knowledge is power. Muahahha.
Stratagy guys for rpgs are a waste of money. Here is what all rpgs boil down to.

1. Level up.
2. Make your way to the bottom of the dungeon, top of the tower, etc and beat the boss.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

Shades0077

11-19-2006, 01:21 PM

Yeah, I wasn't really an rpg player, unless you count Zelda, which is more adventure. I think I only had a handful of games in the window I played Nintendo (about 2 years). I think I had Super Mario/Duck Hunt, Contra, Legend of Zelda, Legend of Zelda 2, Castlevania, Off Road Grand Prix, Tennis, and possibly one or two others. Then I didn't play console games again until we got a Playstation ten years later.
Zelda 2? Ugh. Good call on all the others though.

How'd the hunting of the Wii end up?

Cream Filled Taco

11-19-2006, 01:52 PM

Zelda 2? Ugh. Good call on all the others though.

Yeah, I didn't enjoy Zelda 2 nearly as much as the original. The sidescroll just wasn't as much fun.

How'd the hunting of the Wii end up?

Got one! I was number 32 of 60 at the nearest Target. Only waited in line a little under two hours. The Wii party is over here:
http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=152873

Lester C.

11-19-2006, 08:08 PM

The last Zelda I played was Link's Quest on the Snes as that was the last Nintendo made system I owned. So did Link and Zelda ever get married? Do they have kids?

The Xenos

11-19-2006, 08:17 PM

The last Zelda I played was Link's Quest on the Snes as that was the last Nintendo made system I owned. So did Link and Zelda ever get married? Do they have kids?

Well, the weird thing is that Link isn't the same Link in all the games. It's like a myth that happens again and again throughout the ages. I think this is seen the most in Windwaker, but I won't spoil anything. I guess you could say they're lovers who keep getting reincarnated or perhaps that they're just different people taking on the same historic roles. To me, that aspect of the Zelda story is interesting in itself.

I know there's a timeline somewhere online that makes some sense of it. I think only the two NES games are the same actual people. THe N64 refers back to the Snes and Nes ones and Windwaker refers to the others.

Lester C.

11-19-2006, 08:24 PM

Well, the weird thing is that Link isn't the same Link in all the games. It's like a myth that happens again and again throughout the ages. I think this is seen the most in Windwaker, but I won't spoil anything. I guess you could say they're lovers who keep getting reincarnated or perhaps that they're just different people taking on the same historic roles. To me, that aspect of the Zelda story is interesting in itself.

I know there's a timeline somewhere online that makes some sense of it. I think only the two NES games are the same actual people. THe N64 refers back to the Snes and Nes ones and Windwaker refers to the others.
Cool. I remembered the game now. The last Zelda game I played was not a game called Link's Quest but A Link to the past. I remember playing that game over and over again when I was fourteen.