Hi, I'm TechieMoe and I'm an addict...

[techieMoe]

So after all the bluster about how I was "immune to the hype" I ended up purchasing a Nintendo Wii at my local Toys R Us store on launch day (Sunday the 19th). Since then I've been enthralled by The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, interspersed with bouts of Wii Bowling and Mario 64 (downloaded via the Wii Shop). I'm an addict. But damn if I'm not enjoying it.

[eraker]

First videogame console I've wanted to own since I was 12.

[antidrugue]

Wow, great for you. I'm planning to get mine for Christmas. Just can't wait.

[carlosponti]

on games on old systems do you have to pay for it or is it free to download.

[techieMoe]

Wow, great for you. I'm planning to get mine for Christmas. Just can't wait.

I was pleasantly impressed with the way my local Toys R Us handled the launch. Saturday afternoon I called around and visited various stores that I knew would have Wii consoles to ask what their procedure would be. Some offered no procedure ("first come, first serve.. get in line"), while others offered no systems (Gamestop: "We aren't offering any to the general public, only preorders.") After all that I was beginning to get discouraged, but I was willing to wait for the second wave of systems to ship.

On a whim I swung by the local stores Sunday morning around 7 or 8 and noted the lines at each store. Target, Best Buy and Circuit City had veritable shanty towns of tents and lawnchairs outside their doors, but the Toys R Us had nothing. I was intrigued. I had called them the night before to confirm that they were indeed selling the Wii, but nary a soul was waiting outside the door. Given the store wasn't opening for another couple of hours but I had come prepared with 2 seasons of Family Guy, my laptop and a warm jacket (also a warm and very supportive girlfriend).

We waited outside the door for about 15 minutes and the manager came out. "Looking for a Wii?" he asked. "Why yes. Do you have them?" He smiled, "We have 50 units, and you're number 1." He then handed me a small card with "Wii 1" on it. He proceeded to explain that as long as I had that card I was guaranteed a system when they opened in a few hours, so I was welcome to leave and come back. "I don't want anyone dying of hypothermia waiting outside my store," was his explanation.

I thought that was a wonderful way to handle it. We went to Starbucks and milled around town for a few hours and came back. True to form, I received my Wii and a copy of Twilight Princess and went home happy with much less stress and trouble than I expected to run into.

[techieMoe]

on games on old systems do you have to pay for it or is it free to download.

Haha, I wish. It costs money. You purchase games using "Wii Points" which translate to roughly 1 American Cent, which you buy in increments of 1000 ($10USD) either in a store or directly within the Wii Shop using your console and a credit card.

NES games are 500 ($5USD)
SNES games are 800 ($8USD)
Genesis games are 800 ($8USD)
Turbo-Graphix 16 games are 800 ($8USD)
Nintendo 64 games are 1000 ($10USD)

Right now there's only about a dozen games available, but it has much potential. NES games can be played using the default Wii remote (turn it sideways and it works like a NES controller), but other games require you to purchase the "classic controller" which is $20USD. Yes, that's a lot of extra stuff to buy... but as I said I'm an addict.

[carlosponti]

i want one but i am in no hurry, and since you can atleast play the really old games i know my wife will want Super Mario Brothers(first one) right off the bat.

[bryansmith]

Quick question: You give the impression that it was really cold yet you appear to live in the southern US. How cold was it? It hasn't gotten very cold here, hence why I am a little perplexed. Although, I may have a better tolerance for the cold than you .

Bryan

[deanlinkous]

I love ToysRus! Great online deals, amazing selection, free shipping right now and great customer service (online at least)!

I always try to spread my money out and not throw it all at wally-town and toysRus is one of them I make sure to give my business.

Congrats on the wii! I am not addicted so I will always have the old systems but love it when the new ones come out because that means all the old games will be sooooo cheap!

[fingal]

Quick question: You give the impression that it was really cold yet you appear to live in the southern US. How cold was it? It hasn't gotten very cold here, hence why I am a little perplexed. Although, I may have a better tolerance for the cold than you .

Bryan

It's wet and miserable over here ... Bet it's colder than a polar bear's bum where you are? A friend of mine lives in Quesnel BC and he told me it gets down to the minus 30s ...