Topic: E3 Demos Playable at Best Buy

[ejamer]

...would consider the hundreds of millions of players who live in Europe or Asia or Australia or the Middle East (you know, the majority of the world) where there are no Best Buy stores at all, and be thankful for this unique opportunity.

And in a perfect world, the staunch Nintendo defenders here would realize that millions upon millions of potential Wii U customers either (a) won't live near enough to one of the selected 100 Best Buy stores with demos for this promotion to matter, or (b) aren't able/old enough to drive themselves at will to one of these mythical demo stores anyway.


It's a great idea for Nintendo to make demos available to the public.  But covering 100 stores across two nations, all from a single retailer, just isn't enough given the current state of Wii U.  Seriously: Wii is outselling it's successor, and all meaningful support for that system was pulled years ago.  I'm not a doomsayer and I fully believe Nintendo can turn things around... but the outlook for Wii U really isn't very good right now.

[ShyGuy]

Maybe while I am at Best Buy, I will pickup a new television!

[Shaymin]

Just as planned.

[AV]

I don't care about having to go to Best Buy to play these  , but the Wii U at Best buy doesn't work. The Wii U demo units are pretty bad, either they don't work or don't show off any games that are worthwhile to play and see what highlights Wii U features.

[Seacor]

I am sure they will have a special E3 section on the eShop with playable demos.

[MagicCow64]

I'm really curious about just how raw these demos will be. If it's just the Pikmin, Wonderful 101, etc. stuff, then there shouldn't be a problem releasing to the eShop. But an early Mario Kart or Mario platformer build? You'd think they'd be pretty damn nervous about that code getting hacked if it was released to the public at large, even on a time limited basis.

[TJ Spyke]

Good idea, though I wonder if either of the 2 Best Buy store in my area will do this. I won't have the money to get a Wii U before E3, so it wouldn't help me if they were only on the eShop.

[Fatty The Hutt]

Wow, 100 stores in the US and Canada. That's about 1 store per state!

Yeah, cuz there are like, 50 provinces now, right?


 


(+1)

[TJ Spyke]

According to Best Buy, they own 1,128 stores in the US and Canada (not counting stuff like Best Buy Mobile, Future Shop, etc.) So I wonder why only 8% of their stores will do this? This makes me worry that neither of mine will do it.

[paleselan]

Wow, 100 stores in the US and Canada. That's about 1 store per state!

Yeah, cuz there are like, 50 provinces now, right?


 


(+1)

You forgot Mexico too...

[TJ Spyke]

Wow, 100 stores in the US and Canada. That's about 1 store per state!

Yeah, cuz there are like, 50 provinces now, right?


 


(+1)

You forgot Mexico too...

Well, there is the fact that this is specifically just for Best Buy stores in the US and Canada.

[Fatty The Hutt]

Wow, 100 stores in the US and Canada. That's about 1 store per state!

Yeah, cuz there are like, 50 provinces now, right?


 


(+1)

You forgot Mexico too...

and another +1 for you, sir!

[Mop it up]

It'll be like winning the lottery, except the prize isn't very exciting...

[ejamer]

So the store locations have been (mostly) revealed on the Best Buy website.  Not sure there are any huge surprises... not sure I care that much.  By my count there are only 89 US locations confirmed at this point, so Canada is probably getting roughly a dozen stores across the country.

Oh, and there is this brilliant tidbit:

To play, visit a participating store:
• June 12 from 4 p.m.–8 p.m.
• June 15 from 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
Check back on June 11 for the list of games.

So yeah. Eight hours total spread across two days assuming you are anywhere near one of the select locations.  Good luck getting to try the demos.

[Shaymin]

There's somewhere between 11 and 21 Canadian locations. They said 100+ Best Buys, so it has to be at least 11 in Canada, and I believe some sources are reporting 21.

As long as one of them is in the Halifax Regional Monstrosity, I'll take it.

[UncleBob]

Hm.  2 1/2 hours away.

Except on the 12th, I'll be on business.  I'll actually be closer though (1:45 away).  Probably won't be able to go that day.

*might* be able to swing the 15th.  I wonder what the StreetPass scene will be like.

[Sarail]

Hmmm...about an hour away for me in Memphis is the closest I'll get. Their E3 showing better be fairly spectacular for me to want to drive an hour away just to play some demos. If Smash is playable, then sure. I'm there.

[ShyGuy]

They must be sending out the Nintendo vans with reps to the best Buys. What was the program called during the Gamecube era? Nintendo Cheer Force or something?

[ShyGuy]

Crap! Only Lynnwood? That's a 4 and half hour drive.

edit: It may still be worth depending on the demoes. Although I'm guessing there will be huge line.

[Ceric]

They must be sending out the Nintendo vans with reps to the best Buys. What was the program called during the Gamecube era? Nintendo Cheer Force or something?

Or the Cube  Clubs which I might have ran into Dr.Metts without knowing.

[TJ Spyke]

The closest to me is an hour drive, and I don't have a car (so I would need to get a ride). Even if I did, I am not driving that far just to play some demos.

[Shaymin]

RUMOR

Apparently Nintendo of Canada accidentally posted this list of cities that will get the demo stations. The post was deleted but was preserved on the NeoGAF.

Demos will be at Best Buy Canada locations in:
 Ontario: North York, Toronto, Mississauga, Windsor, London, Ottawa, Kingston, Brampton, Oakville
 Quebec: Montreal, Lasalle
 Manitoba: Winnipeg
 Saskatchewan: Saskatoon
 Alberta: Edmonton, Calgary (2 locations)
 British Columbia: Vancouver, Langley, Richmond
 Nova Scotia: Dartmouth

That last one is relevant to my interests.

[NWR_insanolord]

The Best Buy 5 minutes from my house is getting them, so I may have to check it out.

[Caliban]

RUMOR

Apparently Nintendo of Canada accidentally posted this list of cities that will get the demo stations. The post was deleted but was preserved on the NeoGAF.

Demos will be at Best Buy Canada locations in:
 Ontario: North York, Toronto, Mississauga, Windsor, London, Ottawa, Kingston, Brampton, Oakville
 Quebec: Montreal, Lasalle
 Manitoba: Winnipeg
 Saskatchewan: Saskatoon
 Alberta: Edmonton, Calgary (2 locations)
 British Columbia: Vancouver, Langley, Richmond
 Nova Scotia: Dartmouth

That last one is relevant to my interests.

Not a rumor anymore. I can see that exact list on the Wii U facebook page.

[Oblivion]

The closest BB that has them is 70 miles away.