Topic: Getting a system launch day...

[xanrastafari]

Hey all...

How early do you think I need to camp out to get a system on launch day?   For example, if I get to a Target (which seem to have a lot of them and not have taken pre-orders) in a non-urban area at around 3AM, do you think it's likely I'll get one?  5am?  Midnight?


I have no experience with attempting to get systems on launch day, so I'd love some experienced input.

[Bill Aurion]

That's a tough question, and it really depends on where you live...

For the Gamecube launch, I was at Wal-mart's midnight launch two hours early and I was able to get one, but I'm worried about the extra hype this time around, so I'll probably be heading out around 7 or 8 P.M...

[xanrastafari]

Also, what store would you recommend?  Where will they be launching at midnight?

[ShyGuy]

Walmart is doing midnight launch, so are some Fred Meyers. I heard that Circuit City is doing a midnight launch, but I called them today and the one near me is not.  

[Hostile Creation]

According to shipment searches, Best Buy seems to have huge loads of them coming in.  Supposedly 96 (in the locations I checked; the shipments were unconfirmed, I think, but still worthy of note).  So I'll be hopping from store to store two or three hours before to see how lines are.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Heck I think my local best buy got around 60-80 Xbox 360s and they were all taken before 12am (they didn't open until 8am).

[BlkPaladin]

I will be going to a 24-hour Wal-Mart in Janesville, which will be opening only a few days pior, if that is not a go I will go to Target then Best Buy. (K-Mart and Shop-Ko are last resorts....)

[SuperCube]

I have experience with waiting in line for a system launch. Heck, I waited in line for 5 hours at a midnight release of the GCN. I was 7th in line.

So, if you want to get a decent spot for the Wii, which is even more hyped than the GCN, I suggest waiting in line at LEAST 6 hours before launch. (this was at Wal*Mart)

[The Omen]

I think Toys R Us will have the most units...but I don't know if they're doing a midnight opening nationwide or just here in NJ.

Wherever you go, I'd say at least 3 hours early is a good starting point.

[Flames_of_chaos]

Well in NJ im going to best buy by route 22 (heck im walking there since its just a 15 minute walk from my house). Im probably ariving there 1 hour before the store opens. I had no problem getting my DS at launch day at best buy at 11am.

[Chris1]

And everyone don't forget to have your DS or GBA charged and ready to go!  It'll sure make waiting in line go by a lot faster!

[WuTangTurtle]

I hope nobody mugs u, especially since u gave out some info of where u are.....don't worry though im in AZ i can't touch ya!

[xanrastafari]

Well, sweet, thanks for all the advice.  I'm going with 3 other people buying Wiis, should be awesome .

[Pale]

I'm gonna have a four person band brothers band rocking out in my WalMart line (plus anyone else who wants to 'pick up' an instrument).

[Guitar Smasher]

I don't think there are any 24 hour stores carrying Wii around here.  That's not so bad considering it'll be cold as hell (in Canada).

[nickmitch]

There aren't any 24hr Walmarts here. DAMN YOU, KATRINA!!! But oddly enough there is a 24hr Toys R Us. My friend Sid and I plan on going there. If that doesn't work, we're gonna wait until something opens.

[King of Twitch]

I picked up a flier in Best Buy tonight wondering if there was any mention of wii: nope, but I laughed at the fine print under the PS3 which was on the front page: minimum 6 per store for the $500, min 20 per store for the $600. No Wii shelf yet, but there were some empty spots.

I asked someone who then asked their manager if there'd be a midnite launch: Nope again, and they suggested the store would be open at 9am and that I get there 6 hours early. When I asked if they'd have maybe 50 or 60 units they said they weren't sure but at least that much (so maybe it's the truth, maybe not).

Then I tried exiting through the In door but they take that stuff really seriously there, so they forced through the right door.

This was in Westminster, CA near the mall and 405 freeway.

[MorningStar]

So, there's a Best Buy, Target, EB Games, AND Walmart near where I live. Where would I have the most luck finding the system at launch?

[King of Twitch]

I think you'd be happier if you found one that does midnight launches. I'd suggest visiting each one and ask someone in the games department:
1. Are you doing a midnight launch for Wii?
2. When do you suggest getting there/has there been a lot of demand
3. How many units will your store will get?
--my theory is that the more they have, the less worried you need to be about getting there ahead of time.

There are 24-hour Walmarts selling at midnight, I'd start interrogations there. Then once you've found one you like, go to that store 2 days before and ask if they're doing tickets ahead of time.