The PS3 and Wii Launch Discussion

Are you going to be there?
Are you already in line?
What do you plan on getting?
Are you going to eBay your PS3?

Also, use this discussion and post whatever helpful hints and news you find around the web.

Some helpful advice for the PS3, try out of the way Wal-Marts, Zellers and those kind of places. Everybody is focusing on the big electronic chains, but you MIGHT get lucky at one of those stores. Of course if the staff at the stores is aware of the craziness then you'll really have no chance, because they'll be getting in like 1 or 2 units.

For Canada
Best Buy



Futureshop

PlayStation 3 - Friday November 17th:

• On launch day (Fri, Nov 17) all Future Shop stores will open at 8am and each store will have a minimum of 10 PlayStation 3 units. The majority will be 60GB ($659.99), and a small quantity will also be available online at www.futureshop.ca.
• No pre-orders or layaways will be taken and all available product will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.
• In order to ensure that all available units are allocated to customers, Future Shop staff are not permitted to purchase the product on launch day.
• The exact number of units per store will be posted on a sign outside the front doors prior to the store closing on Thurs, Nov 16th.
• Future Shop staff will be on site approx 2 hours before store opening to assign a ticket to each person standing in line, assuring the purchase of a unit (only one ticket per person).
• Replenishments to stores are expected in coming weeks, and the best way to keep up to date is to frequently check www.futureshop.ca or contact your local store.

Wii - Sunday November 19th:

• On launch day (Sun, Nov 19th) the majority of Future Shop stores will open early, but times vary from province to province (website will provide specific opening times for all stores) and each store will have between 15 and 60 units (Wii cost: $279.99).
• A small quantity will also be available online at www.futureshop.ca.
• No pre-orders or layaways will be taken and all available product will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.
• In order to ensure that all available units are allocated to customers, Future Shop staff are not permitted to purchase the product on launch day.
• The exact number of units per store will be posted on a sign outside the front doors prior to the store closing on Sat, Nov 18th.
• Future Shop staff will be on site approximately 2 hours before store opening to assign a ticket to each person standing in line, assuring the purchase of a unit (only one ticket per person).
• Replenishments to stores are expected in coming weeks, and the best way to keep up to date is to frequently check www.futureshop.ca or contact your local store.

There are already confirmed reports of lineups up to 20 people deep at Futureshops and Best Buys in Vancouver, Edmonton, and Toronto.

Also remember that the 360 is in plentiful supply, to take advantage of the PS3 shortage BB and Futureshop are running a special promotion on Friday November 17th ONLY.

Future Shop
Xbox 360 Holiday Bundle + Gears of War for $459.99

This means:
- Xbox 360 Premium
- GRAW
- Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged 1 which includes:
-- Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved
-- Wik: Fable of Souls
-- Bejeweled® 2
-- Outpost Kaloki X
-- Hardwood Backgammon
-- Texas Hold 'Em
-- 1 free month of Xbox Live Gold
- Gears of War

Best Buy
Xbox 360 Holiday Bundle + Gears of War + Ridge Racer for $499.99

This means:
- Xbox 360 Premium
- GRAW
- Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged 1 which includes:
-- Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved
-- Wik: Fable of Souls
-- Bejeweled® 2
-- Outpost Kaloki X
-- Hardwood Backgammon
-- Texas Hold 'Em
-- 1 free month of Xbox Live Gold
- Gears of War
- Ridge Racer

The regular price for a Premium Xbox 360 is $499.99

For the US

The PS3 launch is already getting crazy. Some over-zealous eBayers tried to setup shop at the Burbank Best Buy 6 DAYS ago. That's DAYS. They were kicked out, but still. Now that we're just hours away lines are getting hundreds of people deep and tensions are starting to rise.

Article on drive by BB gun shooting

Of course, the best part about it is that typically less than ten of those lining up will actually get one.

I also like how the entirety of what you posted is based around the PS3, yet it's in the Wii area.. and has nothing to do with Wii.

Personally, I have no desire to even try to get a PlayStation 3. It's too late; I know I couldn't get one to sell on eBay, which would be my only intention upon purchase.

I'm very much anticipating Wii's launch, and plan to camp out for around 12 hours in order to assure I get one. That, and to say that I did.

I personally prefer originality and innovation over popularity and raw power.

Well, the PS3 launch is happening in 7 hours for some people, as soon as that's over with we'll transfer it over to the Wii section. Plus, Nintendo is actually competent at producing consoles so there isn't going to be this ridiculous shortage with the resulting eBay scalpers, and lineups and shootings etc. What's exciting about the Wii launch isn't the launch itself like it is with the PS3, but AFTER the launch when people starting getting playtime with the system and Zelda and all of that. I can't wait to start hearing some real impressions from people having it in their homes.

And to be honest, I don't think waiting in line for hours is going to be necessary with the Wii. You're gonna be waiting 12 hours, but that's probably overkill. I mean, if you want to be assured a system, then ya, go as early as you want, but I think you can be pretty safe lining up just a few hours before.

i refuse to camp out. if i go to target and they have it, they have it. if not, whatever. i'll wait.



...they didn't have it...

i just got back from the wal mart in dallas i showed up wednesday at 5 pm and was 6th in line they had 2 of each of the models and issued 8 rain checks that will be satisfied within 3 weeks i am 3rd on the rain checks all the rain checks were for only the 60gb model

When did you get the raincheck? I hope you didn't have to wait outside for too long. The launch is all over the news right now with some pretty crazy footage. I'm really curious to see how eBay prices are going to trend over the next few weeks until Christmas.

Oh, and in somewhat unrelated news, Zelda: The Twilight princess scored a perfect 10/10 at 1up [link].

I just read about a shooting in one of the Playstation wait lines in Connecticut. It seems 2 guys wanted to take advantage of all the people waiting in line outside a walmart at around 3 am. They robbed about 20 people and one man resisted and was shot. Just sad. There were some other incidents as well (a drive-by BB shooting and a rowdy crowd which resulted in a store being shut down). You can read more here [link].

i just got my playstation 3 today!!!!!!! i got a call at 11 and went to go pick it up no problem they made us wait outside until the last 6 hours or so so i was outside for about 2 days but everyone in line was extremely nice and helpful they saved my spot in line so i could go take a test at cshool

Congratulations! How is it?? What games did you pickup?

Me=Wii all the way. I will be goning to Walmart at 10pm saturday night. Of course, those of you who frequent the site know that I cant shut up about the Wii. Congrats gettin PS3 andrewvo. I'll bet it wasen't a walk in the park. Write a review for the site. I'll definetly check it out. @AMANIE: I heard about the shootings too. I mean really, ITS JUST A GAME. Craziness I tell you. I wouldn't be suprised if mobs (armed with pitchforks and torches of course) showed up eventually.