The one with the Nintendo Wii launch.

I went to Wal-Mart at 10:00 this morning and stood in line for the Nintendo Wii. More details to come later (after I finish my PS3 entry). ^_^

UPDATE 11/20: If you’re just tuning in now, you should read the previous blog entry for some more insight into the events that led to this entry.

I woke up at 9:00 on Sunday, got ready (I got dressed much better this time around), and went to Wal-Mart at 10:00. As it turns out, Wal-Mart was open for associate appreciation day or something like that. So, I was able to walk in, and thanks to my antics on Thursday night for the PS3 launch, the manager recognized me and handed me a ticket. I was fifteenth in place, which was decent, but I wasn’t concerned about not getting the console (seeing as how there were 54 of them available), but I was more concerned about the games and accessories. I was interested in picking up The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Trauma Center: Second Opinion, and my concern laid in the possibility that there wouldn’t be enough titles available to match console sales. Once I got my ticket, I went to Tim Horton’s, ate a quick breakfast, and went back to Wal-Mart, where I ran into Cowboy, who came along with his friend this time. You know, one of these days, I’m gonna have to learn his name if we keep running into each other. Anyway, we started the line, chatting and stuff, but it eventually got too cold to stand around outside, and since it wasn’t snowing, the temperature was much lower (-15°C to -20°C, not including windchill). As a result, since one of the doors was unlocked (and Wal-Mart employees were coming and going through them), we walked in and hung out in the lobby area where there was no traffic. The manager didn’t kick us out, so we stuck around there for a while until more and more people showed up, then the manager had no choice but to usher us outside. From 11:30 onwards, the line grew and grew until the last ticket was handed out. Thirty people were gathered outside by the time the clock hit 12:00, and when the doors opened, we once again made our way to electronics. However, my strategy was to immediately go past the carts of consoles to the cabinet to pick up games and accessories. Unfortunately, they didn’t have Trauma Center, but they did have Twilight Princess, and I was the second-last person to get it (even though I was third or fourth in line at the door – I think people ran around the other way to get to electronics faster). Anyway, I also picked up a classic controller and a Wii points card, and then I took the opportunity to also pick up FINAL FANTASY III for the DS. Once that was done, I went around to the counter where I handed in my ticket and got my Nintendo Wii. The other manager there knew me by name, but that’s probably because of the work I used to do there when Nexi had the contract with Wal-Mart up until the summer. I even ran into Michelle, who went to school with Esmond and worked with me at TS last December (she also got a Wii). I also noticed that Cowboy got his Wii, so at least he has something to show for his patience this weekend.

After I got home, I only had enough time to take pictures, post this preliminary blog entry, and get dressed a bit lightly before going to fix a computer for somebody, which took me all night. When I got home, I mustered up enough energy to unpack and setup the Wii. When I turned it on, I made my Mii, configured wireless access, setup other options, and popped in Wii Sports. The lack of energy I had disappeared once I started playing. What a good workout. I see good things happening for this system. After browsing GameSpot for some more suggested titles, I’m now interested in picking up Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz. Of course, tomorrow is Tuesday, so I will be going downtown to see if somebody got in Trauma Center and I’ll definitely pick up Banana Blitz.

So, I also managed to start playing Twilight Princess. Another amazing game. I love it, it’s definitely the best launch title of the three nextgen consoles. So, my final verdict for the Wii? Definitely the best nextgen console of the three – graphics aren’t as insane as the PS3 or the XBox 360, but it makes up for that with its innovative gameplay and motion tracking technology, making video gaming even more accessible, especially to non-gamers. With solid launch titles that are more substance than fluff, Wii has staked its claim in the arena. Don’t get me wrong, I still think that games make the console, but as a console, Wii’s potential is so high. Every other console in its wake are all about power and graphics – Nintendo really went the other way with this one. Way to go for thinking outside the box.

I was thinking, if I manage to sell my PS3 with enough profit, I’m gonna buy an XBox 360 and Dead Or Alive Xtreme 2.

以上。。。であります。