The Wii Hits the UK 116
Gamespot is reporting on the Wii's launch in Britain. As with the U.S. launch, things seem to have gone quite smoothly. Celebrities and very long lines of gamers marked the occasion, with one store giving out pizza, merchandise, and champaign to their customers. From the article: "At Nintendo's official event in HMV on Oxford Street, celebrities Ian Wright, Nell McAndrew, Pat Cash, and Ricky Hatton turned up to play Wii Sports. Cash and McAndrew played Wii Tennis, with Cash winning two games to zero. Wright and Hatton sparred at Wii Boxing, with the ex-footballer winning the virtual game against the boxer. Heba Elgamal, who had been camping outside the store in an alley for two days, was first in line for a console at the HMV store, and it was presented to him by Ian Wright. Elgamal bought The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess with his purchase, and Wright asked him if Zelda was a fighting game--which didn't go down well with the crowd. " Errr ... who is Ian Wright? And how has he never heard of Zelda?
Supplies (Score:4, Interesting)
By chance on my way home (Newcastle upon Tyne) I walked passed a local games store, not owned by a big chain. I asked and they said they'll have 5 available and to try back in the morning. I arrived an hour before they opened, queued and got my hands on the 2nd Wii.
Moral of the story: its worth trying local and less well known places, they're often a safer bet!
Swiss launch (Score:4, Interesting)
I preordered my Wii and had to wait a full 10 seconds before being served. Couldn't get a second Wii Remote though which is a must.
Judging from the configuration screens the Wii seems to have an optional LAN adpater which I would favour over WiFi.
Germany Launch (Score:5, Interesting)
I was at the local Saturn (large electronics chain in Germany) at about 8:50 - they open at 9:30. This specific shop is the largest electronics shop in Germany (or Europe? I forgot - anyway, it's huge). So I was confident that they would get enough units.
So were many others. At 8:50 I was about 100th in line. At about 9:15 the line had grown to maybe twice that. Someone near to me had a friend who knew one of the employees and had just called him on his cell phone, he said they had about 200 units, so at that point I was fairly confident I'd get one.
Lots of pedestrians asked us in the line what this was about, if there was anything for free.
Shortly after, employees from the shop moved along the line and told the crowd that the entire console section had been chained off, and to remain calm and organised and - what I especially welcomed - that anyone pushing or making trouble would be expelled immediately.
At 9:30 exactly they opened the door, the line moved in. Some pushing and running, but mostly a very well-behaved crowd - most live music gigs don't go as smoothly. Another half hour wait because they only let us into the chained off console section one-by-one. Was ok, we had some fun in the line cracking jokes, etc.
I got mine, back at the checkout I see a large crowd with sad faces leaving the store, figure that was when they had sold out. But no trouble, no aggressiveness.
Interesting fact: More women in the line then I had expected. Quite a few older people, though probably a good part of them were buying for their kids. Very friendly staff, friendly non-hostile people in the crowd.
This was the first game console I've ever bought, and the first time ever that I've waited in line for some consumer gimmick at launch day. But it was a thrilling experience.
Downside: At least in my store they didn't have the extra remotes, the only way to get one was to buy the Wiimote+Wii-Play bundle. And they didn't have Rampage! Damn.
Now I'm here at work, and have to wait another 4-5 hours before I can get home. Damn.
Re:Supplies (Score:3, Interesting)
Luckily it isn't a present for anyone except myself but I'm still going to whinge! I ordered it on the 22nd so probably a bit later on in the list than you. I'm still hopeful though. Apparently my Monkey Ball is shipping on Mondayish, but waiting on stock from the supplier. *sigh*
Its just the usual crap we get in the UK really!
Monkeyboi