Topic: Buying New Release Nintendo games online: Is it worth it?

[AV]

I'm very tempted into buying Amazon.com's special for Super Mario Galaxy 2. Buy the game and get a $20 credit.


The problem is Nintendo games release on SUNDAY. WHich obviously will not be shipped on that day. Amazon does have Free shipping option for anything over $30 . I want to play this game ASAP not weeks after it releases. Amazon shipping is fairly quick but I don't want to wait, but I do want the $20. I'm not sure what to do.


Does anyone have any experience buying Nintendo games that release on Sunday online and how long it takes to actually get it? If I get it 2-3 days after release that's ok but I want to play the game sooner rather than later. 

[UncleBob]

This annoys me so much.

Walmart.com has the same $20 promotion going on.

I've been pushing for a special promotion with pre-orders like this, but I can't seem to make any traction with it.

Imagine, being able to pre-order the game, then pick it up at the store (via free Site-to-Store shipping) on release day.  The shipping package could be clearly marked "Street Date - Do Not Distribute until XX/XX/XXXX." and the order could be blocked from pick-up in the computer until the release date.

Guh.  I wish someone would listen to me.

[AV]

This annoys me so much.

Walmart.com has the same $20 promotion going on.

I've been pushing for a special promotion with pre-orders like this, but I can't seem to make any traction with it.

Imagine, being able to pre-order the game, then pick it up at the store (via free Site-to-Store shipping) on release day.  The shipping package could be clearly marked "Street Date - Do Not Distribute until XX/XX/XXXX." and the order could be blocked from pick-up in the computer until the release date.

Guh.  I wish someone would listen to me.

I like your idea allot Sir.

[KDR_11k]

Curb your hype, accept the wait and take the money. Of course I never see a problem like Sunday game releases because over here the law makes sure stores stay closed on Sunday.

[Chozo Ghost]

Get it and wait. Amazon will probably ship it the same day it releases, so you will probably get it in a few days. If you've been waiting and waiting months for the game to come out, then why can't you wait just a few days more?

In the meantime, play some other games you may have or whatever.

[AV]

i just want to know what to expect. 2-3 days or 1-2 weeks

[Mop it up]

In my experience with Amazon, the free shipping usually takes 5-6 days. So if I were to order a game on Sunday (or releases Sunday), it would get to me on Friday or Saturday. I don't get excited for games anymore so I don't mind waiting to save a little money.

If you really don't want to wait though, and are willing to pay for shipping, Amazon offers release date delivery. I don't know how much it costs since I've never done it, but considering there is no tax and you're getting a $20 credit on a future purchase, it might still be worth it.

[TJ Spyke]

Even with the fastest shipping you wouldn't get a Sunday release until Monday, maybe Tuesday (depending on whether they ship it o Saturday or Monday).

To me, this is a no-brainer. It's not like you NEED to play the game on launch day, so take the $20 credit and wait a few days to get it.

Mop, sales tax depends on where you live. Here in New York, for example, all online purchases include sales tax (this was passed last year, but Amazon continues fighting it and are trying to get it repealed). Not a huge deal, but for a $50 game that is a extra $4 that could be spent on something else.

[KDR_11k]

I can't talk about your delivery times, here free shipping usually arrives on the next day.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Is this technique frowned upon?

Buy from Amazon/Walmart for pre-order bonus of $20
on release day, buy the game from somewhere else.
when your pre-order copy shows up in the mail, just return the amazon copy to the store you bought the copy you're currently playing from for a full refund.

now you can have your cake and can eat it too.

edit: Amazon has free shipping on orders over $25 (at least for me)
and I wouldn't expect it till that Fri/Sat at the earliest.

[UncleBob]

Is this technique frowned upon?

Buy from Amazon/Walmart for pre-order bonus of $20
on release day, buy the game from somewhere else.
when your pre-order copy shows up in the mail, just return the amazon copy to the store you bought the copy you're currently playing from for a full refund.

now you can have your cake and can eat it too.

edit: Amazon has free shipping on orders over $25 (at least for me)
and I wouldn't expect it till that Fri/Sat at the earliest.

It depends on who you talk to - it *IS* return fraud, but some people don't care.

[Stratos]

I rarely get packages later than 3-4 days after launch from Amazon. I think the only time I've not gotten them that soon is if they have to back order it or a national holiday/Sunday ruins the shipping schedule. Even during the Christmas shipping season.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Is this technique frowned upon?

Buy from Amazon/Walmart for pre-order bonus of $20
on release day, buy the game from somewhere else.
when your pre-order copy shows up in the mail, just return the amazon copy to the store you bought the copy you're currently playing from for a full refund.

now you can have your cake and can eat it too.

edit: Amazon has free shipping on orders over $25 (at least for me)
and I wouldn't expect it till that Fri/Sat at the earliest.

It depends on who you talk to - it *IS* return fraud, but some people don't care.

I don't personally do that, since I don't mind the wait (I have games that launched months ago that I probably still haven't played longer than the opening scene), but I just thought I would throw that out there.... not that I endorse such behavior.

[TJ Spyke]

The behavior is generally frowned down upon, except by those who do that. Plus, is it really worth your time and gas to go to the store to do that when you will get the game 3-5 days later anyways?

[Stratos]

The behavior is generally frowned down upon, except by those who do that. Plus, is it really worth your time and gas to go to the store to do that when you will get the game 3-5 days later anyways?

If a person would get the game at the beginning of their weekend/holiday break versus the end of it I could see why some people would necessitate acquiring the game sooner as opposed to later.

I rarely have time to play the games I do have along with other stuff I need to do so it doesn't always matter when a game comes.

[noname2200]

i just want to know what to expect. 2-3 days or 1-2 weeks

I've never had to wait more than 5 days for any game I ordered online: usually, it's closer to 3.

As to your overall question, 40% off is totally worth it, especially since this game isn't going to drop in price anytime soon.

[TJ Spyke]

As to your overall question, 40% off is totally worth it, especially since this game isn't going to drop in price anytime soon.

That's an understatement. The original Super Mario Galaxy is almost 2 1/2 years old and it is STILL $49.99

[Shorty McNostril]

Over here in Oz, Zelda TP is still $100 in most shops.

[Mop it up]

As to your overall question, 40% off is totally worth it,

Technically the game isn't 40% off, as the $20 must be applied to a future purchase.

[Nemo]

I was excited about playing this game 2 days after finals end, but to save $20, I'll wait just a little longer...

[AV]

I was excited about playing this game 2 days after finals end, but to save $20, I'll wait just a little longer...

It's the week after school finishes for me. So that's a big Graduation present to myself. Waiting usually wouldn't be so hard but during the summer with no job, school, or anything really. Waiting those extra days is going to be hard when you have all day to do nothing.


Anyone know how soon you get that credit? I was planning on getting Wiipoints card so it would be nice to get both mario galaxy 2 and wii points card in the same shipment.

[Mop it up]

You get the credit when the game ships, so you won't be able to use it for the same shipment.

[AV]

You get the credit when the game ships, so you won't be able to use it for the same shipment.

Wiipoints would be included in stuff I could buy with the $20 right? It's not a game but it is a game purchase

[KDR_11k]

Isn't it credit for ANYTHING Amazon sells?

[TJ Spyke]

No, it's specifically for video game products ("Get a $20 Video Games Credit"), I am pretty sure a 2000 Nintendo Points card counts for that.