How to get a Nintnedo Wii and Sony PS3 on launch day

November 10, 2006 9:48 AM

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. With just a week to launch, the PS3 and Wii are almost here and there is plenty of help out there if you want to try scoring one on launch day. For the Wii, read up on this guide, or try this one for the ps3. The Wiiseeker and PS3seeker will tell you exactly how many units your closest Target, Walmart, and Gamestop will have ready to sell. Ask MeFi also offers help: 1, 2, 3. And the latest MeFi Project helps those that are sticking it out at Console Camp.
posted by mathowie (85 comments total)

Tickle Me Sony
posted by matteo at 9:52 AM on November 10, 2006

(link, damn)
posted by matteo at 9:53 AM on November 10, 2006

I just called my local walmart (which I never visit unless it is an emergency) and their 53 Wii consoles will be available via ticket lottery the night before at around 8pm, but they're selling at 12:01 that night and apparently you have to wait in a line to get a ticket to wait until midnight to buy one.

Maybe I'll just hold off instead.
posted by mathowie at 9:55 AM on November 10, 2006

Or you could be a dork like me and preorder. But that time has passed.
posted by Dr-Baa at 9:55 AM on November 10, 2006

Is it just me, or do zip codes really confuse Wiiseeker and PS3seeker? I put in "02127", and it thinks I mean central Connecticut. Thanks!
posted by Plutor at 10:05 AM on November 10, 2006

I hope the folks here who regularly condemn Wal-Mart for their unethical business and employment practices won't sell out their principles for a plastic box of wires.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:09 AM on November 10, 2006 [1 favorite]

I'm not planning to buy any of these systems. If I had an interest, I'd wait until spring, when the prices would drop, availability and titles would be more widespread, and the hidden quality control issues would be brought to light.
posted by Smart Dalek at 10:09 AM on November 10, 2006

I remember camping out for the TI-99/4A. Twelve delerious weeks of anticipation and then years playing Math Blaster. Those were the days.
posted by ColdChef at 10:10 AM on November 10, 2006

A snowboard's the only toy I'd want this winter.
posted by Smart Dalek at 10:11 AM on November 10, 2006

I'd just wait 3 years and buy either one for $50.
posted by NewBornHippy at 10:13 AM on November 10, 2006

I think my parents got a free TI-99/4A with the purchase of some carpeting or something.
posted by mkb at 10:13 AM on November 10, 2006

I'd just wait 50 years and buy either one for 3 future dollars.
posted by Leather McWhip at 10:17 AM on November 10, 2006

To people like Dr-Baa who got a pre-order, I can only passive-agressively say that I hope your pre-order doesn't get canceled like others'.
posted by revgeorge at 10:20 AM on November 10, 2006

Are these shortages designed to pump up interest and create the illusion of "most have" or is it legitimately that hard to produce these things in the right quantities?

I'm leaning towards buying a Wii but there's no way I'm waiting in line or any nonsense like that. When will they be available in normal amounts? I can wait a month or so easily.
posted by cell divide at 10:23 AM on November 10, 2006

Three words :
NVIDIA
GEFORCE
8800

Equals :
Direct X 10

Results:
HERE
posted by elpapacito at 10:26 AM on November 10, 2006

Oh, to be an American, just this once. With the PS3 not out here until Marchpigs fly, and many unanswered questions about the Euro Wii's virtual console compatibility (why play those old SNES games again if they're just going to be in effing 50hz?) -- and unfortunately answered questions about how screwed we're going to be for getting Nintendo games at the same time as the Americans -- smart Europeans are avoiding the Wii and can't even think about importing a PS3 from the usual sources. Suppose I could upgrade the PC instead. *sigh*
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 10:31 AM on November 10, 2006

I don't give a blip about buying one to play, I just want to be like this guy and make a couple grand reselling them.
posted by daHIFI at 10:32 AM on November 10, 2006

*does not look up from playing Soul Caliber III on PS2*
posted by hermitosis at 10:32 AM on November 10, 2006

The Wii is an actual thing? I thought it was just a plot device in the last couple of South Park episodes.
posted by psmealey at 10:39 AM on November 10, 2006

Man, I remember when PEPSI BLUE was a week from release. All those online guides to finding it on the day of release, and the wringing of hands as to whether I would be able get my hands on a frosty bottle of PEPSI BLUE. But, wow that PEPSI was SO much more BLUE than regular PEPSI.
posted by BrodieShadeTree at 10:40 AM on November 10, 2006

psmealey: World of Warcraft is an actual thing, too.
posted by Plutor at 10:40 AM on November 10, 2006

Will there be actual good games available at launch? "Good" meaning things that are actually fun to play, and not just graphic demoes. I've been out of the gaming world (console or otherwise) for a few years now, and the only thing that I get excited about anymore is watching Spore develop. Wright is one of the few game designers who is really pushing the boundaries of what a game is - I can imagine if I let myself, I could still waste a ton of time playing Simcity. You can keep your infinite revisions of John Madden and Battlefield 1942 et al.
posted by rsanheim at 10:43 AM on November 10, 2006

The sports games look fun and I'm trying to get a Wii on launch day to play them. I think the controller is going to be really ground-breaking. So maybe there aren't amazing things on launch day besides a few sword and golf club games, but a year from now who knows what you can use that controller for.
posted by mathowie at 10:46 AM on November 10, 2006

I'd just wait 3 years and buy either one for $50.

Exactly. Besides, it will be months (at least) before any decent games come out using the new platforms. Just wait.

Besides, aint no way I'm dropping, what, $500+ for a PS3. That's dippin' way too deep into my socializing/drinking budget.
posted by elendil71 at 10:50 AM on November 10, 2006

i'll buy a wii, but sony isn't getting another dime from me. they're fucking evil.
posted by StrasbourgSecaucus at 10:51 AM on November 10, 2006

Twilight Princess looks incredible. I haven't pre-ordered and I won't wait in line. I'll try to make it to ToysRUs at opening on Sunday (apparently they've only pre-ordered 20% of their available consoles) and see if I get lucky.

If unsuccessful, I'll wait a week and try again.
posted by purephase at 10:54 AM on November 10, 2006

I waited a year to buy a (used) 360 premium.
Paid half price, and now the good second-gen games are coming out. Gears of War FTW.
posted by aerotive at 10:55 AM on November 10, 2006

Three words :
NVIDIA
GEFORCE
8800

$489.00 - geforce 8800gts

$250.00 - Nintendo Wii

Just saying that if you can afford a 500.00 graphics card, a Wii is at least a pretty cheap accessory.
posted by Hicksu at 11:03 AM on November 10, 2006

*does not look up from playing Gears of War*
posted by NationalKato at 11:07 AM on November 10, 2006

I'm with elpapacito.

PC GAMERZ 4 LYFE.
posted by quite unimportant at 11:09 AM on November 10, 2006

Has it really gotten so bad that one needs a "plan of attack" to buy a consumer item that will be readily available a mere month or so after its release?

If you get one before your neighbor, what do you win, exactly?
posted by FormlessOne at 11:09 AM on November 10, 2006

If you get one before your neighbor, what do you win, exactly?

Nothing really, but having something that you have been waiting for, as soon as you can possibly get it, is a pretty good feeling.

Plus, it's fun to get excited.
posted by Hicksu at 11:13 AM on November 10, 2006

FormlessOne: If you get one before your neighbor, what do you win, exactly?

Credibility among groups that have no external credibility.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 11:14 AM on November 10, 2006

Come ahhhhhhhn, come ahhhhhhhhhhn . . .
posted by fourcheesemac at 11:19 AM on November 10, 2006

Plus, it's fun to get excited.

Yeah, but at my age, I'd rather stay excited for a month longer. The "old bull, young bull" joke comes to mind.
posted by FormlessOne at 11:22 AM on November 10, 2006

The "old bull, young bull" joke comes to mind.

That's only valid if you plan to fuck your Playstation.
posted by ColdChef at 11:24 AM on November 10, 2006 [1 favorite]

That's only valid if you plan to fuck your Playstation.

It has another purpose?!

I was going to upgrade since my PS2 was starting to smell so bad.
posted by Hicksu at 11:28 AM on November 10, 2006

Has it really gotten so bad that one needs a "plan of attack" to buy a consumer item that will be readily available a mere month or so after its release?

When you say "or so", in the case of the PS3 I hope that covers until like March of next year or thereabouts.
posted by jonson at 11:31 AM on November 10, 2006

That's only valid if you plan to fuck your Playstation.

I don't know, that Wii controller certainly has...possibilities.
posted by FormlessOne at 11:35 AM on November 10, 2006

That's only valid if you plan to fuck your Playstation.

The day they come out with "SexWorld" and the special anatomically-correct, gyroscope-equipped, motion-sensing VagTroller is the day I buy a PlayStation.
posted by pardonyou? at 11:38 AM on November 10, 2006

I think the Wii controller will flop. It's a silly gimmick.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 11:46 AM on November 10, 2006

The responses in this thread seem pointless. If you're not into games, then you won't care one way or the other about these things, so there's no point in commenting. There's also no reason to proclaim how you're going to wait. That's great, and Nintendo, unlike Sony, is making sure they're shipping enough units (2 million or more, not sure on the exact number) so that you'll be able to buy one pretty soon after the launch. But there are also people who are really looking forward to this, not just to be better than someone else, but just because it's something they love. As for launch titles, Twilight Princess is looking to be an amazing game.

On preview:
Er, recap of the above, I guess.

And jeff-o-matic:
The controller may flop, but I don't think it's fair to say it's just a gimmick. It really is a revolutionary way to play games. Controlling a game not just through abstract button motions but through your own movements is a pretty neat idea. I remember a post a few days ago about new tech from Japan, one of the items being an LCD visor. The Wii seems like a step in the direction of gaming immersion, especially paired with something like that. Imagine literally seeing what your character "sees", with your character doing what you physically do, like swinging a sword (or firing a bow in the case of Twilight Princess). It seems like there are many interesting and innovative ideas that could be implemented with this controller design, it just remains to be seen whether anyone has the smarts and insight to go anywhere with it.
posted by Sangermaine at 11:50 AM on November 10, 2006

I guess the big question is does anybody plan to make a post to Console Camp while they're standing in line so as to share valuable line-gaming info with their fellow campers.?

The site has custom codes for posting up-to-date info from your cell phone...
posted by juggernautco at 11:53 AM on November 10, 2006

Seriously, I have to come down with the "get a life" crowd on this one - just wait a couple weeks. I too have been drooling over Twilight Princess for well more than a year now, but an extra 3-5 weeks wait isn't going to kill me. Hell, I may even wait on the Wii until Smash Bros is released. That's the game I *really* want. (plus, by then, complete FAQs for Twilight Princess will be out. ;->)

Plus, guys, BUGS. Remember all the problems with the first batch of X-Boxen 360? The meltyness? The failing DVD drives? The loads of software upgrades since release?

I have enough faith in Nintendo to believe that they're honestly going to try to put a non-buggy product out. But they're also attempting the biggest revolution in console gaming since the Atari. There are going to be problems.

And Sony? Don't make me laugh. The PS3 was rushed into manufacturing. I'm expecting even more issues than with the 360.

Save your sanity. Whichever system you want, just wait until the 2nd or 3rd batch comes out of the plant. You'll be happier that way.
posted by InnocentBystander at 11:55 AM on November 10, 2006

juggernautco:

I agree it's an interesting idea, I just don't see the appeal of flailing my arm around in front of a TV to play a game. I like to sit back and relax, not twitch and swing my arms.

It reminds me a little of the 'virtual reality' hype back in the 90s... you know, with the sensor gloves and suit, and the big video screen helmet. And electrodes on your forehead...

I just think it's a gimmick that will flop. There'll be games for it, but it'll be like those paddle controllers, or the duck-hunt gun... Seems really child-focused to me.

And I'm not flaming or hatin' on anything. Enjoy your Wiis, say I!
posted by jeff-o-matic at 12:02 PM on November 10, 2006

Are these shortages designed to pump up interest and create the illusion of "most have" or is it legitimately that hard to produce these things in the right quantities?

The YamatoPS3 would appear to be an overengineered monstrosity. It's extraordinarily expensive to produce. Estimates claim that Sony will probably lose $400 on every console they ship. So Sony, I think, is shipping limited consoles for two reasons: poor yields (the Blu-Ray drives aren't manufacturing well yet, and rumor claims that Cell yields are poor too) and also to try to stanch the worst of their losses. If they don't get all the components into other products, they may not quickly see the benefits of mass production, because I think the PS3 is not going to sell enough units by itself to scale the factories up properly. It's just too expensive.

The Wii, on the other hand, uses much more routine components, and is much easier to manufacture. Nintendo is even making a (very small) profit on each one. Nintendo expects to have, I believe, four million units on launch day, and expects a continued steady stream of large numbers of units shipping subsequently. They're using relatively simple, easy-to-manufacture parts, and there should be tons of supply.

That said, people are also really excited about the controllers and the games, and they like the price a LOT better, so while the supply is much higher, so is the demand.

I'm leaning towards buying a Wii but there's no way I'm waiting in line or any nonsense like that. When will they be available in normal amounts? I can wait a month or so easily.

It would not shock me if you could get a Wii before Christmas without sweating too hard. That said, they may be the Tickle Me Elmos of the 2006 season, and impossible to find until January. You won't be seeing PS3s in any real quantity until probably June or July of next year.

The 360 is out and easy to get, and good games are shipping for it, so this might be a better year to grab one of those. I'd definitely hold off on the PS3. The launch units will sell, but I think there's a very good chance it will flop subsequently.

If it doesn't flop and does well, buying in late will be cheaper, and the games will be better, so you lose absolutely nothing by holding off to see how it does. $750+ is a lot of money to risk on such a badly-managed system. They're trying to be all things to all people, and I just don't think it's going to happen.
posted by Malor at 12:03 PM on November 10, 2006 [2 favorites]

I'll pile on to this and add that anyone looking to buy a console on release day should read up on what happened to the XBox 360s on initial release. A bunch of them froze up and had to be sent back to MS, and some people had to do this more than once. It's just not worth getting immediately. Why go through the headache?
posted by jeff-o-matic at 12:09 PM on November 10, 2006

jeff: apparently it doesn't require very large motions, it's pretty sensitive. So while people WILL probably be swinging their arms around like lunatics as they learn it, eventually everyone will settle into small gestures.

Playtesters report that the sense of immersion is much higher. In Metroid, for instance, opening doors is done by reaching out, grabbing the knob, twisting and pulling. The motions are smaller than real life, but folks say it pulls you into the world in a way that regular controllers just don't.

Lucasarts is said, btw, to be looking into doing another Jedi game for the Wii.... the new controller looks like a natural for flashy lightsaber fights.

And, on preview: It's also worth pointing out that Microsoft has been very good about fixing those units for free, and and that Nintendo manufacturing quality has always been excellent. The PS3 is probably not a good choice to buy early, but the Wii is likely to be a much safer bet. (not to mention a much cheaper one.)
posted by Malor at 12:13 PM on November 10, 2006

Jeff-o-matic:

I'm not trying to start a flame war or anything, but you sound a little misinformed. The controller doesn't measure the movment of your arm, only how it is rotated and where it points at the screen. You'll find (or maybe you won't) that 'flailing your arms' will be a waste of effort and will just make you lose your game. Sitting with your hands on your lap and rotating your wrist is all you need.

Secondly, Nintendo released another system with a 'control gimmick' and it isn't anywhere near failing. Its a Nintendo DS, and it is beating the pants off its nearest competitor, which happens to be using a more classical control scheme.
posted by hellphish at 12:15 PM on November 10, 2006

I'm with Malor, BTW. Besides the relative ease of manufacture of the Wii, Nintendo has *NO REASON* to restrict sales. In fact, they have every reason in the world to want to sell as many of the things as possible. At the price point they're shooting for ($250 WITH a pack-in game), it's not a buy that will benefit from hype or scarcity. They want people to play the Wii at a friend's house, fall in love, and go buy one that same day. Compared to the 360 or the PS3, it's practically an impulse buy item.

Nintendo will be making a small profit on every console, AND they're making money on every game. It's win-win. And every kid getting a Wii for Christmas is, most likely, a kid NOT getting a competing console. (and thanks to the price, there will be lots of kids getting a Wii who have no chance whatsoever at one of the alternatives)

And in the meantime, every player they hook back into being a Nintendo fan is most likely a sale lost to the other guys. Something like 90% of all households only have one current-gen console.

So no, if Nintendo doesn't absolutely flood the market with the Wii, they're being INCREDIBLY STUPID. Of course, they also need to make sure to flood the market with GAMES, and that's the area they've had problems with in the past. Hopefully they've finally learned their lesson.
posted by InnocentBystander at 12:15 PM on November 10, 2006

Sangermaine: Controlling a game not just through abstract button motions but through your own movements is a pretty neat idea.

um . . .




Incidentally, I still haven't forgiven Nintendo for convincing me to buy that piece of crap with my hard-earned lemonade money.
posted by xthlc at 12:15 PM on November 10, 2006

I agree it's an interesting idea, I just don't see the appeal of flailing my arm around in front of a TV to play a game. I like to sit back and relax, not twitch and swing my arms.

That's an exaggeration, the sensor is reportedly sensitive enough that a flick of the wrist is enough to perform an action with the Wiimote.
And the flicking of wrists is a gamer's specialty.
posted by aldurtregi at 12:16 PM on November 10, 2006

Yes, I flick my wrists often. Just never while playing games...
posted by hellphish at 12:16 PM on November 10, 2006

Now, to be fair, hellphish, the Nintendo DS was also small, stylish, and cheap, as compared to its ugly, vastly overpriced competition.

I don't see how that relates to the current consol... oh.

;-)
posted by InnocentBystander at 12:16 PM on November 10, 2006

OK, let's try that again.
posted by xthlc at 12:16 PM on November 10, 2006

YES xthlc! I can't wait until Mattel makes a powerglove shell for the wiimote to stick inside of. That would make Metroid even better!
posted by hellphish at 12:19 PM on November 10, 2006

It HAS been twenty years, xthic. They've made, you know, a few improvements in technology since then. :)
posted by Malor at 12:21 PM on November 10, 2006

pardonyou? - The day they come out with "SexWorld" and the special anatomically-correct, gyroscope-equipped, motion-sensing VagTroller is the day I buy a PlayStation.

There's a peripheral for the PC that you, er, jack into and interfaces with the software so the tactile feel corresponds with the visual on the screen and audio from the speakers. I can't recall what the degree of interactivity was, though.

The next step, I'd imagine, would be force feedback...
posted by porpoise at 12:22 PM on November 10, 2006

There's a peripheral for the PC that you...

I think you've just found a way for that nerdy PC guy to beat that little pansy-ass Mac hipster.
posted by pardonyou? at 12:37 PM on November 10, 2006

Bah- I stand by my prediction, you wrist-flickers.....

It has a whiff of 'virtual reality' 'cyber' 'interactivity' to it. Have fun.

Anyone interested should check out kotaku.com today. A guy's posting his impressions of playing the new Wii Zelda game... somehow they got a Wii ahead of all of you.

Here
posted by jeff-o-matic at 12:46 PM on November 10, 2006

I'm gonna love the Wii. It's so bad.
posted by you just lost the game at 12:53 PM on November 10, 2006

InnocentBystander, the original DS was in no way, shape or (especially) form, stylish. It was bulky, mis-colored, and resembled the Game and Watch LCD games from the 70s.

Only with the release of the DS Lite has that particular handheld become a beautiful little gadget.

And it may be overpriced and undergamed, but the PSP certainly is a cool looking beast. If only Sony would release some colored versions. Why do you hate your consumer base, Sony?
posted by lyam at 1:00 PM on November 10, 2006

I bought the original DS and I am quite happy with it.
posted by weretable and the undead chairs at 1:10 PM on November 10, 2006

If I had an interest, I'd wait until spring, when the prices would drop, availability and titles would be more widespread, and the hidden quality control issues would be brought to light.

Indeed. I learned my lesson with PS1 (continually overheated and had to turn it upside down, which screwed with hacking it for Japanese games). Never get the first shipment. There's a gonna be bugs.
posted by mrgrimm at 1:10 PM on November 10, 2006

And I'm very much looking forward to the Wii. I'm not a huge Nintendo fan, but that looks too cool. I'll likely pick one up in a few months. I did buy an N64, but only for $50 longer after release, and only to play ISS64, perhaps the best game ever made, afaic.
posted by mrgrimm at 1:14 PM on November 10, 2006

Back in the Soviet days we in the west used to laugh at the poor soviets and how they had to queue up for just about everything. And now we have "events" where people *of their own free will* will queue up for hours and sometimes days for the priviledge of spending several hundred dollars for... a game console. Add to that a couple of other C-notes because the thing doesn't come with any games, so you have to buy at least a couple of those as well.

And that money will be spent on something that's not real-world-tested, so the likelihood of failure on the first-run units is higher than if you wait a couple of months and get the slightly-improved version...

If the PS3 was going to come bundled with either UT2007 or MGS4 it might be worth the $600-700 the thing's going to cost (in Canada), but neither of those two games appears in the list of launch titles. So, meh. Maybe I'll think about a PS3 when Gran Turismo V and mod chips hit the market...
posted by clevershark at 1:15 PM on November 10, 2006

All those who buy the first generation, are running a massive beta test for those of us willing to wait a few months.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 1:23 PM on November 10, 2006

Although actually as a penny-pincher, I'm looking at finally picking up a PS2 and taking advantage of the $5 game market. I just see this same hysteria over lots of other techno-gizmos, often followed by disillusionment and disappointment due to bugs and gremlins.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 1:31 PM on November 10, 2006

And get to play a few months before you for the privilege.
posted by smackfu at 1:39 PM on November 10, 2006

We are getting Wiis thru my work, at a nice discount (I'm in the game biz and we're developing a couple for Nintendo boxes). I missed the lottery to get one next week, but I'll have mine the week after. I'm looking forward to it, I think it will be fun. I love my DS Lite, it's the best game unit I've played in years.

I'm waiting until after Xmas to get a 360, for financial reasons... I want to buy some presents for people this year!

I won't ever buy a PS3. I'm with SS above, Sony is evil and I'm not giving them any more of my money. I think they've made what may be their final mistake with this box, and most of my game biz compatriots agree. $700? Screw that.

We're not even bothering to develop for it, too much of a pain in the ass - and that's going to be the real killer. It's stupendously difficult to program well, whereas the 360 is a DirectX box, and everybody knows how to code that. There just aren't going to be that many titles for it, I think, whereas 360 is just starting to really hit stride now and the Wii should have a great library too.
posted by zoogleplex at 1:53 PM on November 10, 2006

smackfu: And get to play a few months before you for the privilege.

I don't see where that is a serious advantage. It's not like Metafilter is going to stop giving us hours of entertainment on the day Wii is released in the United States.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 1:55 PM on November 10, 2006

I'm planning on getting the Wii on release day. I'm excited about it. I got the original DS and have loved it. One of the biggest reasons I am excited about the Wii is I will get to play the sports games with my niece and nephews. This should be a fun, easy indoor activity that they should be able to do with very little problem. I won't have to explain button combinations or anything to them. I can show them what they need to do.

As far as the hype and everything and searching at midnight or waiting in line... just trying to have some fun with it all. Getting excited about something can be fun as long as you don't take it too seriously, which most people will do. Don't hate on the people getting excited, don't hate on the people that are passing, it's just a game system.
posted by Phantomx at 2:37 PM on November 10, 2006

360 is just starting to really hit stride now

and that's why I ordered mine today. sweeet.

.. and my original DS is a thing to behold. truly awesome. love it.
posted by Frasermoo at 2:41 PM on November 10, 2006

KirkJobSluder, I did that myself. Got a PS2 last Christmas. The number of great games you can get for <$10 is pretty astounding.

Although I might argue getting a Gamecube. IMHO, it's selection of great bargain games is a bit better than PS2's, and the console itself is cheaper. Although that's really a matter of opinion and really boils down to whether you prefer Metroid or GTA.
posted by InnocentBystander at 2:43 PM on November 10, 2006

gamespot is streming live Wii footage right now btw.
posted by Frasermoo at 2:46 PM on November 10, 2006

It's not a "serious" advantage, but then neither is accessing MetaFilter through a broadband connection. You're still getting the same content. The only difference being when you want it: now vs. later.

Honestly, did you people do the same thing when you saw Star Trek?

"Teleporters?! Poppycock! I'll take the stuffy, eight-hour shuttle ride through pitch blackness instead."
posted by Leather McWhip at 2:53 PM on November 10, 2006

Whatever you do, don't try to pick one up on craigslist.
posted by ereshkigal45 at 3:40 PM on November 10, 2006

"Although I might argue getting a Gamecube."

I'd suggest that as well. After I get my Wii, I'm giving my Cube and some games to my dentist's assistant to give to her 3 kids, as they're bugging her for a game system and she can't afford it. That should improve their Christmas some, and I don't lose the games I like and will keep because the Wii plays all Cube games, and you can even use Cube controllers with it.

"IMHO, it's selection of great bargain games is a bit better than PS2's"

Mm, that's a matter of opinion. I think the overall quality level of the Cube games is higher, but there are certainly a LOT more PS2 games to choose from. Like you say, it's whether you like GTA or Mario games...

In any event, it's cheaper to buy a Wii AND a 360 than it is to buy a PS3. That's going to be a huge consideration for everyone except die-hard Metal Gear Solid or Final Fantasy fans.
posted by zoogleplex at 4:21 PM on November 10, 2006

I've been completely removed from video games for several years (full disclosure: I was an avid gamer from the Atari days right until the PS2 launch) and I'm ready to get back in with the Nintendo Wii. My kids will love it, and I think it may rope me in too. As for the other two consoles? Boooorrring!
posted by dropkick at 4:23 PM on November 10, 2006

Also: I have bilateral tendonitis, had it for many years, and the Wii looks like the only possibility of getting back into gaming with my kids (albeit in a limited way).

Button mashing is just too painful anymore.
posted by dropkick at 5:58 PM on November 10, 2006

BoneheadedSonyMoveFilter: Sony is not even present at Montreal's Arcadia Festival. One massive gathering of gaming geeks less than a week from the launch of the new console, and Sony doesn't think it's worth the bother. You can't make this stuff up.
posted by clevershark at 6:31 PM on November 10, 2006

"Teleporters?! Poppycock! I'll take the stuffy, eight-hour shuttle ride through pitch blackness instead."

Wow, that's a useful analogy.
Permitting others to experience something before you do is the equivalent to blowing 8 hours of your life. Because you can't, say, spend those hours equally enjoying something else.

Or you could just go ahead and admit that allowing others to play something before you doesn't diminish the pleasure for you, unless it does, in which case I suggest that you are a bit of a doo-doo-head. (I say this having once had a roommate who reacted with much distress to my finishing one of his video games before he did, likening it to deflowering his girlfriend! Perspective is a wonderful thing.)
posted by dreamsign at 10:32 AM on November 11, 2006

The only reason I'd ever buy a PS3 is if they bring out a sequel to Rez. Then I will feel compelled to buy one. It's terrible to feel torn like this.
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 2:57 PM on November 11, 2006

Heh. Since my gaming baseline is the Amiga, I'm still awed at PS2-level gaming. My new Gamecube not only cost £30, it kicks ass ... and by the time I've finished Zelda, Metroid and Super Mario Sunshine (£10 each), the Wii's going to be way cheap and in plentiful supply. Mmmm ... behind the curve.

(If only this worked with Apple).
posted by bonaldi at 5:23 PM on November 11, 2006

Is what I don't get is why Sony and Microsoft chose to debut their consoles at hundreds of dollars below the manufacturing cost. They clearly could have charged over the manufacturing cost and still had the feeding frenzy we're seeing, it would just be a profitable feeding frenzy. I mean sure- drop the price sometime after the first Christmas, but start high, right?

Slate argues they're just idiots.
posted by efbrazil at 9:34 PM on November 11, 2006