Two years ago today, the Wii went on sale for the first time. It was in short supply then and the system still sells out on a regular basis now. Wii has been both one of the most devisive consoles released and one of the most widely sought-after by people new to video games. And it’s still only available in white.
On a much warmer morning, two years ago, I stood outside of a Target waiting to claim my Wii after spending the entire night hanging out with a great group of Nintendo fans. Just after 8AM, I grabbed my Wii, extra Remote and two Nunchucks, Twilight Princess, Raving Rabbids, and Trauma Center. The first game we played was Wii Sports.
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Yay! I remember waiting in front of Toys R Us for my Wii. I got it with Twilight Princess and DBZ: Budokai Tenkaichi 2. Played so much Wii Sports and always played DBZ when friends came over.
After hearing all about the PS3 launch lines, I was ready to camp out since Friday. I drove by my local Target every 3 hours or so Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, pondering whether or not to start lining up. Finally, at around 2pm Saturday, 2 people started the line at Target. I rushed home to pick up my brother, and quickly set up camp.
Having to explain to all the people what we were waiting for -everyone thought we were in line for the PS3 and insisted that it was sold out- was a pain in the ass. Not even the Target employees were sure what they were going to be selling. Everyone insisted there would be enough stock to last the whole holiday; anyone would be able to walk in Sunday morning to pick up the Wii.
16 of the coldest hours of my life later, the store opened. I walk in and get my Wii, an extra 3 controllers and 2 nunchuks, Twilight Princess, Red Steel, and Marvel Ultimate Alliance. As I walk out, I see this one guy who laughed at us for lining up so early-he insisted he would be able to walk in at 8am and grab his Wii no problem- being turned away. The grin on my face….
I got home and crashed on the couch, since I hadn't gotten any sleep.
I didn't actually play the Wii until later that day.
2 years, 35 Wii, 10 WiiWare, 4 VC games later….
Its been a great ride.
New York city midnight launch! I was #32 in line at the Manhattan Toys 'R Us waiting 26 hours for my Wii with a friend. I shook hands with the Reginator. He's a big dude btw.
I went in the store a few hrs before midnight to look around and play demoes when I saw his press conference. Right after we had a quick chat.
It was fun that night b/c it was like a New Year's Eve party for Wii fans. We were screaming wild just before midnight hit. The media interviewed us and recorded the stampede at the entrance.
September 16th, I woke up at 5am before college started and got dressed and walked a mile to a taxi station in my town. I then proceeded to take that taxi and rode it to the nearest gamestop, where I was the 7th person online.
This was done so I would be one of the few people to wait online to get the Wii at the midnight launch. It was really cold that morning too, and all I had to keep me warm was the dunkin donuts cocoa that I bought while my friend held my spot online.
It was a few hours waiting to get into the store and reserve our system. After that, it was a rush against time to get to my morning class within 30 minutes. I only ended up being a minute late.
I ordered mine online in a bundle – it came about three days after the launch. It included Red Steel, Excite Truck, Spider-Man 3, and the Fantastic Four. I immediately sold the latter two games, but I still own Red Steel and Excite Truck to this day (GREAT multiplayer games).
i got one on nov 25 and it was the last one in stock and i wasnt expecting any to be in stock knowing how hot the wii has been.
As one of the people who assumed I'd be able to buy a Wii later, I waited roughly 9 months before finding one in stores… but it's been worth the wait. Wii has reinvigorated my gaming interests, offering a great combination of casual and core gaming.
My favorite feature of the console is how it appeals to many people who would otherwise have no interest in gaming. Mario Kart or Wii Sports can be instantly picked up and enjoyed by anyone – my wife, father, nephews. The social stigma and entry barriers normally associated with gaming have been completely dashed.
🙂
On this day two years ago I stood in a line at Gamestop along with 20 other people for 10 minutes prior to midnight and got my Wii, along with Red Steel and Twilight Princess.
Then drove by the closest Toys R Us and drove by a line of over a 100 with my Wii in the window.
Then went home and played Red Steel till three in the morning.
Appox one year ago I bought my wii off a random on craigslist for 200 bux. The bundle included madden and hd cables. One year later its still truckin along. Not a bad deal.
love this freakin system.
Early morning on November 19, I was able to walk into my local Calgary EB with my preorder ticket and pick up my system, no fuss. I also picked up Twilight Princess and an extra Wiimote/Nunchuk.
My fondest memory about purchasing my Wii, though, was the lineup to get a preorder ticket. There were about 30 people there and we played Mario Kart DS for hours. Loads of fun!
I, too, thought I could walk in off the street at any time. Four months later this is my story (as I recounted at the time)…
My son owns a GameCube. Fun little toy. Bought it himself. Impressive really for an eight year old (at the time) with no income except birthday and Christmas. None of his games interested me except Pikmin. Addictive little game that.
I owned a Colecovision and my wife has her brother's NES. I always liked Q-bert. She loved Tetris. Super Mario Brothers was the favourite for the kids. Whenever I played it I was always leaning to the right urging Mario on faster and further and higher. My wife was the same with Tetris; always leaning in the direction she wanted the pieces to fall. Just ahead of our time I guess…
I was walking through the Rideau Centre (shopping mall) on the way to the food court when I detoured into EB Games (Electronic Boutique) as I have twice a week for the last two months. Difference was this time when I asked if they had any Wii consoles available I was told they had two.
Quickly got in line behind three others. Lady at the cash didn't appear to be buying a console. Good for me. Two people in front of me and two machines left.
Boy first in line can't be over 16. Where does he get the money to buy a Wii. Granted $279 CAD for the Wii is much cheaper than paying $699 for the PS3 but McDonald's can't be paying that much can they? Mental note: tell 15 year old daughter to get a job… again.
Lady behind him and in front of me appears to be a bag lady. Typical for this area. The downtown attracts all kinds. What could she want with a Wii? Her shopping cart is probably double parked out front.
Will anyone notice if I knock her out of the line and guarantee my console? Wait no need. Counter lady is leaving and boy is exiting with her.
SCORE!!!
Turns out the bag lady wanted a bag. Go figure, she doesn't have enough I guess.
Store-kid goes to the back vault to get my machine. Two 16 year old punks see my machine coming out and ask if there are any more. Where do they get the money to buy a Wii? Oh yeah…
One only they are told. Before they can jump him and I pile on and start an all out hockey brawl store-kid quickly adds, ‘in addition to this one'. Saves his life he did. 40-something yuppie comes in and asks for a Wii as well. Slam. So sorry. Too bad for you.
How am I paying? Can I buy a flippin game with it??? Comes with Wii Sports, I know, but can I buy Wario Ware: Smooth Moves? Gotta hassle shop-kid to sell me stuff. Shouldn't he be working at McDonalds? Oh yeah, they pay too much.
Can't wait to get home and set this baby up.
Can't stop smiling as I leave the shop.
Can't believe I finally got one. Wasn't planning on buying it at all, actually. Never thought they would have one in stock. Who figured he would say yes?
Got mine on launch day, two years ago! Didn't get in line until fifteen minutes before the Toys R' Us opened, and I didn't have a pre-paid voucher. After they opened, I zipped past all the people in line with their vouchers to an empty cash register for people that didn't have a pre-paid voucher. As I approached the cash register, a clueless cashier that didn't know why these people were in line opened the registered and asked me what I wanted…
"One Wii, please". I said, naively. She turned around and grabbed the only Wii that was not reserved (they keep one or two just in case), put it on the counter, and I handed my credit card. As she sweeped it the manager came over, explained what was going on, and told her not to sell any more Wiis to people without pre-paid vouchers!
I could feel the looks of anger directed my way as I walked past the people in line, but hey, I got my Wii on launch day fair and square, and without any hassle!
Imported an American Wii with seven games. Red Steel, Twilight Princess, Excite Truck and FarCry (which I enjoyed quite a lot). Purchased it mostly for the FPS-games and the way IR was supposed to revolutionize FPS-controllers.