We are now just a week away. Here’s a video of the Wiis free pack-in: Wii Sports. Although the gameplay looks horribly shallow, it does look fun, and looks to be a great ice breaker to show people not familiar with the system. Keep in mind, Wii Sports also includes Boxing and Bowling, which for some reason did not make it into this trailer. I chose this video for two reasons. It shows how fun Wii Sports can be, and has hilariously bad over acting. Enjoy.

7 days to go!

Today Toys R US had their second wave of pre-orders, and I got one, but I felt ridiculous in the process. Here’s a little history on the next-gen console pre-orders. In October EB/GS held their pre-orders and on average 30-40 people showed up, many of which were turned away empty handed. Later Toys R Us held one, and after talking to some of the people that were there, there were something like 60 people there. Typical console allotments were about 6-8 PS3s and 10-14 Wiis. So this time, when I heard another Toys R US pre-order was taking place, I thought, man I better get there the night before. People were camping out for the first one a full 24 hours before hand. Turns out I severely over-estimated demand, and forgot to factor in that no PS3 pre-orders would be available. The last couple of times most of the people waiting, were waiting for PS3s, and since they were there, they were allowed to get Wii pre-orders too. Since there would be no double dipping today, most people didn’t show up until this morning. Crazy Nintendo fanboy that I am, I showed up the night before. My night played out something like this.

9 PM – Arrive at Toys R US. They are still open, so I decide to go in and inquire to see exactly how many Wiis will be available the next day. I ask Employee 1, he says, Wii pre-orders are already over. “Oh really”, I say, “But your Sunday Ad says more will be available.” “Oh, really?”, he says. Then he gets his supervisor, who in like fashion pleads ignorance. Not until the manager on duty calls another store manager is it confirmed that pre-orders will be taking place tomorrow. Another employee over hears and exclaims “Oh, really? I’ve been telling people no all day.” There was a lot of confusion about the pre-orders today, and I think this caused a lot of people to not show up. Employees that didn’t know about the pre-orders simply told people that there wouldn’t be any. Content with my new information, I decide to stay. This Toys R Us was near Gwinnett Place Mall, which is not very close to my home. I could leave and come back, but I am a chronic worrier and imagine coming back to a huge crowd. I came prepared, I would just ride it out. I did not realize the world of coldness and boredom I was entering.

10 PM – TRU starts closing, night stock people show up. I begin calling people to share my adventure and try to pass time with conversation.

11 PM – DS games and books

12 AM – Jeremy calls me back, and we have quite a long converation about video games, my alma mater (his current school), politics, and other such nonsence.

2 AM – The boredom is now setting in like a disease.

4 AM – The wind is pounding. Luckily I am in my car for this whole debacle. I see a stray cat walk across an empty parking lot. I begin to question exactly how foolish this whole thing is.

6 AM – Potential Wii buyer #2 finally shows up. His name is Oscar. We talk for a long time about video games and play a lot of DS. He destroyed me in Mario Kart. I destroyed him in Elite Beat Agents and Metroid Pinball.

7:30 AM - #3 shows up. I didn’t catch his name, but he kind of bugged me. This guy wouldn’t stop talking.

8 AM – Oscar calls the store inside. They are getting 14 Wii pre-orders ready for today.

9 AM – More people are showing up now. I realize that now is when I should have showed up. It would have meant more sleep, but I like a decent adventure.

10 AM – Anne, the TRU manager comes out to tell us how many Wiis we are getting, and tells us about all the other games that will be available to pre-order. She was pretty nice. She brought us snacks. Another lady approaches. “This for the Playstation 3?” “No”, Anne replies, just the Wii. “The ad says I can reserve the PS3!” Calmly Anne informs here that it is only for the Wii. The next part I love the best. The woman’s retort is, “But I want a PS3!” As if desire was the only prerequisite for console purchase. As stupid people often do, she left in huff. Now we are all waiting outside and the wind is ridiculous. I was so COLD.

11 AM – The last hour really was the longest. When all was said and done, I simultaneously felt relief and shame. Relief that I now do not have to worry about getting a Wii on launch day, and shame that I needlessly missed sleep and got wind burn just to get a video game console. I need help.

So there you have it, my adventure. Just a hint to any of you Atlanta readers that still want to get one on launch day. Apparently the TRU in Alpharetta will be having a midnight sale of 200 Wiis. Since they haven’t really advertised it, I think that would be your best bet to get one.