Wes Posted November 19, 2006 Posted November 19, 2006 I had wanted to get a Nintendo Wii for a while, but my aversion to waiting in lines had pretty much ruled out trying to get one on launch day. My roommate, however, became obsessed with getting one. He called EB Games at Universal Citywalk over the week and they told him they were getting tons of systems and not to worry. Since my roommate was paying to get the system, I decided to get the accessories and games, so accompanied him. This idea would prove to be....well, it was an experience! We got there around 2pm and the line was already gigantic! 300+ people deep, stretching from EB all the way around the Cinnabon and then up a stairwell for the parking garage. It wasn't my plan to end up waiting the rest of the day, but we decided to wait it out. We were lucky that we got there when we did, because it ended up stretching on FOR A LONG TIME. It probably ended up being a 2000+ person line. Even with our relatively good position in, we ended up getting stuck behind a group of obnoxious teen boys, who were the epitome of everything nerdy and annoying. Their leader, a boy who was morbidly obese, and wouldn't stop singing LOUDLY songs he was making up about the Wii, was the worst of the lot. I would have put a bullet in his head if I had a gun. Ugh.. I killed time by playing Tetris and other DS Games, and listening to my iPod (mostly to drown out the annoying kids). So after 10 hours of waiting til' Midnight, we were rewarded with another two and a half hours of waiting to get the system. I do have to say to EB, Nintendo, and Universal's credit that everything was extremely well organized and without problem, except for the long wait. We finally got into EB around 3am, got our shit, and left! It was the longest 12 hours everrrr...I don't think I'll be doing this again! The system itself is really awesome for the little I've played with it so far. Wii Sports is so much fun! I also like making the little Mii people. The controller is awesome! I know I'm gonna LOVE playing this console! Thanks for reading... Ready to Wii? We arrived home at 3:30am with our loot: A Wii, an extra controller and nunchuck, Zelda, and Marvel Alliance. So very very close... Finally, around 2:30am, we were in striking distance of the goddamn Wii. At this point, we just wanted to get it, go home, and sleep! OMG OMG OMG!!! Guess who was there? Michael Cera, who played George Michael on my favorite TV show ever, "Arrested Development". Really nice kid. THE MOST ANNOYING KID EVER. If Cartman, Donkey Lips, and Satan had a child, it would be this kid (and he weighed as much as all them put together!). I only had to stand behind him for 12 HOURS. Finally, midnight came! Unfortunately our line didn't move at all for nearly two hours. I went to see what the hold up was, apparently it was all the effing pre-orders! They even handed out cool promo items like hats, shirts, and beanies! Here I am rockin the beanie (excuse the expression on my face oh god im ugly) There were tons of people playing DS. Someone said that nearly half of the people in line had a DS! Insane. It made for some funny Pictochats! Luckily, when the line moved I was pretty close to Cinnabon. Mmmmm, cinnabon. They even had dudes on Segways with playable units! This guy totally looks like Super Dave Osborne! I have to give big props to Nintendo, EB, and Universal. They were EXTREMELY organized and handed out wrist bands very early on. You can see I'm 287 (out of 700 available units or so). Booths set up to demo the Wii. A stage and dance area were set up for the evening's festivities. Too bad we were half a mile back in line, so we never got to see any of it! And here's the big star of the evening! Glad it decided to show up in full force unlike another console. The red carpet is set up for the press. Hey Elissa, remember THIS guy? He was at the VERY front of the line! No wonder there's a big crowd, Nintendo and EB were doing a big launch party! Wiiiiiiiiiiii So much for riding Mummy and visiting Joey, looks like we're gonna have to get in line til' Midnight! UGH. And we figured there wouldn't be anyone waiting... This was the sight we were greeted with walking into Citywalk, a big ass line!
Sexy No Jutsu Posted November 19, 2006 Posted November 19, 2006 This is fantastic! I'm so skeptical of the controller though. Tell me, is it easy to learn to use? Also, did the line go all the way back past Jillians arcade? I wish I went! And to the Cartman Satan child.
Wes Posted November 19, 2006 Author Posted November 19, 2006 ^ Yes, the controller is easy to use! It takes about five minutes to get used to. As for the line, there was one line that stretched from EB and around to the back of the Skyventure construction walls. Then a continuation of the line started across from EB and stretched back (past Jillians) to where the Cinnabon is. It then continued up a stairwell that is across from Cinnabon and Buca De Beppo. It went all the way up the stairwell, then across the second story area, down the bridge into the outdoor parking area, and probably even more. It was insane.
Slacking Posted November 19, 2006 Posted November 19, 2006 I was going to make a surrogate joke when you made a comment that the guy looked like Super Dave, but was shocked to see an actual Arrested Development connection with the meeting of Michael Cera, that's awesome. Wow, that line was insane. At least you and your roommate were able to get a system. I'm kind of surprised by the hype over the Wii, I thought most people (not me) were over Nintendo. It's really good to see the excitement over it. I still have 2 hours until I can pick up my preordered Wii (I know it is Sunday, but why must the mall not open until Noon?)
CoasterEricHP Posted November 19, 2006 Posted November 19, 2006 THE MOST ANNOYING KID EVER. If Cartman, Donkey Lips, and Satan had a child, it would be this kid (and he weighed as much as all them put together!). I only had to stand behind him for 12 HOURS. LOL.. That's awesome. I dont think Citywalk on my side of the country had anything like that. I'm still thinking about getting a Wii.. HMmmm.. We need some reviews! Eric
Slacking Posted November 19, 2006 Posted November 19, 2006 THE MOST ANNOYING KID EVER. If Cartman, Donkey Lips, and Satan had a child, it would be this kid (and he weighed as much as all them put together!). I only had to stand behind him for 12 HOURS. LOL.. That's awesome. I dont think Citywalk on my side of the country had anything like that. I'm still thinking about getting a Wii.. HMmmm.. We need some reviews! Eric Our Citywalk (which pales in comparison to Hollywood's) doesn't have an EB like Hollywood's does, so it would be kind of pointless for it to hold any sort of launch party.
arrowfanman Posted November 19, 2006 Posted November 19, 2006 Dude...What was Jewish-topless-Mario doing at Citywalk!? He was supposed to be at my EB, today! Thanks for the PTR Wes. I believe I should be heading out for "mine" in twenty minutos or so. -Jahan
PhishyBrewer Posted November 19, 2006 Posted November 19, 2006 That's awesome Wes!!! Thanks for posting!
disneyfan1313 Posted November 19, 2006 Posted November 19, 2006 Awesome TR! I tried last night to get one at a bazillion wal-marts with no luck. I guess I will wait a few days until the next shipment
Wes Posted November 19, 2006 Author Posted November 19, 2006 ^^^ Haha, I thought the exact same thing about the Mario dude! He's like TPR famous now! After reading all these "Failure TR's" I'm actually kinda glad we trudged it out for 12 hours. Waiting 12 Hours Surrounded By Idiots = Years Off My Life Wii = $250 Games and Accessories = $175 Getting to make a Mii that looks like Prince = PRICELESS
Spookbaby Posted November 19, 2006 Posted November 19, 2006 I'm in love with the fact that you included "Donkey Lips" in your description of that annoying kid. Laura "I miss 'good' Nickolodeon" Huls
Chase Posted November 19, 2006 Posted November 19, 2006 Sweet Pictures. Lucky people get to wait at CityWalk.
Meteornotes Posted November 20, 2006 Posted November 20, 2006 I still want video of that Mario guy singing... dt
Sexy No Jutsu Posted November 20, 2006 Posted November 20, 2006 ^ Yes, the controller is easy to use! It takes about five minutes to get used to. As for the line, there was one line that stretched from EB and around to the back of the Skyventure construction walls. Then a continuation of the line started across from EB and stretched back (past Jillians) to where the Cinnabon is. It then continued up a stairwell that is across from Cinnabon and Buca De Beppo. It went all the way up the stairwell, then across the second story area, down the bridge into the outdoor parking area, and probably even more. It was insane. I'm sure more than half of those people didn't get the Wii. Actually, I wouldn't know. I'm only assuming how many Wii's were in stock based of the silly limited PS3's being shipped.
Primogen18 Posted November 20, 2006 Posted November 20, 2006 Nice pics, and congrats on your Wii. I like how you mentioned organization. I went to a Wii launch last night at my local Gamstop and the store clerks went on and on about how much of a pleasure it is to deal with nintendo because of how organized they are with system launches. From the number of systems shipped to preorders and everything, they said they had some rough times with sony and microsoft. I can't wait to pick up a Wii myself...
TheGreatOne Posted November 20, 2006 Posted November 20, 2006 That's awesome that you met Michael Cera. Have you seen any video clips of his deadpan-ish standup act? It's pretty good stuff. You would think there would've been a GOB sighting with those segway units there...
Rusty Nail Posted November 20, 2006 Posted November 20, 2006 Video of naked Mario getting his Wii http://www.gamespot.com/pages/video_player/popup.php?sid=6162059
Wes Posted November 20, 2006 Author Posted November 20, 2006 I went to a Wii launch last night at my local Gamstop and the store clerks went on and on about how much of a pleasure it is to deal with nintendo because of how organized they are with system launches. I was really impressed. They had guys from Nintendo coming by every once in awhile to update people on the status of stuff. They had tons of security to make sure there wasn't any cutting. They handed out the wristbands early and in an orderly fashion. They were awesome with handing out freebies and promo stuff. They only let 10 people inside the EB at a time. Again, except for the interminable wait after midnight, everything was extremely well done. I'm in love with the fact that you included "Donkey Lips" in your description of that annoying kid. He looked exactly like him. Someone needed to Awful Waffle him. You would think there would've been a GOB sighting with those segway units there... Funny, we made the same joke!
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